Duration: 10 Days
Areas: Chengdu, Ya’an, Danba, Xinduqiao, Litang, Daocheng, Yading, Kangding

Highlights:

• The Last Shangri-La Land
• Cute Panda
• Suopo Watchtowers
• 4100m Highest City Litang and Ker Monastery
• Hiking / Trekking in Yading

Day 01: Chengdu

Arrive in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province – also homeland of the Giant Panda. Transfer to hotel and free time of the rest day.
Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day 02: Chengdu-Ya’an

Driving on the highway to the “rainy city” Ya‘an. Near Ya‘an visit in the Bifengxia Giant Panda Nature Reserve – it’s great especially for Panda fans. And visit the old town of Shangli. The old town Shangli presents with the classic bridge, pagoda, stone stele, shows traditional beauty like a thousand years before.
Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day 03: Ya’an-Danba

Drive to Danba via Baoxing County. On the way visit the Catholic Church in the valley Dengchigou, where the French biologist found Panda and introduced it to the world in 1869.
Then drive cross over the Mt. Jiajin to Danba (1900 m). Dozens of ancient stone Qiang towers in front of you and watch them from a far.
Go on drive up to the village Jiaju, rated one of the “Best Villages in China” by Chinese National Geographic in 2005. There offers a stunning view of the scattered on a hillside lying Gyarong-builder homes that are brightly painted and decorated with carvings. Walk through the village and visit in the local people’s home.
Stay overnight in the guest house.

Day 04: Danba

Danba always has enjoyed the reputation of “Thousand Watchtowers County”. About 6 hour trekking from village to Zhonglu and Suopo village for watching the stone Qiang watchtower. In this area of Gyarong (Jiarong) Tibetans there are many villages with massive stone-built farmhouses and eye-catching, high, rising far above the village towers. These towers in ancient town were built for defending when fighting with a bow and arrow.
Stay overnight in guest house.

Day 05: Danba-Tagong-Xinduqiao-Yajiang

In the morning drive through the village to the Tagong temple (Tagong Si) in Tagong. Here you can see snow Mt. Zhara Lhatse (5,820 m, also called Jara or Yala) from a far if with the clean sky. Also it’s said that the Princess Wencheng hd taken a stop here on the way to Lhasa.
Behind the temple is the massive Tagong grassland, make you desire to hang out and explore the Tibetan countryside.
Then continue drive to the town of Xinduqiao – “photographer’s paradise”. In a good weather you can see another holy snow mountain of Gongga Mt. (Minya Konka, 7556 m) from Xinduqiao.
Take a stop and relax here then go on drive to Yajiang
Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day 06: Yajiang-Litang-Daocheng-Riwa

Enjoy the wonderful landscape on road, snow Mountain, glaciers and highland lakes. Drive about 2 hours for getting to Litang (4014 m), which reputed the highest city of world, and is also the home of the 7th Dalai Lama. Visit Litang Monastery ker’er Si (Litang Chode Gompa). It was a Tibetan lamasery built for the 3rd Dalai Lama, now it is the largest monastery of the Gelukpa School in South-Kham.
Then go on drive to Daocheng. Along the way you cross the 4602 m pass Haizi Shan. Here we can explore the complex geological structure and the formation of glaciers.
Arrival at Daocheng County and ahead a little to stay overnight in Riwa village.

Day 07: Riwa-Yading-Daocheng

About 30 km drive from Daocheng to the entrance of Yading Nature Reserve in Longtong Ba (3750 m). From here begins to hike in the last Shangri-la. First hike (1.5 hours) through the forest to small Chonggu Monastery (3800 m), you can also choose by horse-riding or cable car. Along the way you will enjoy the alluring viewing and fresh air. At Chonggu monastery you have chance to overview the holy Snow Mountains. After take a break continue hiking (1 km) through the jungle and lush shrubs to the holy Zhoma Latso Lake (3900 m) at the foot of the huge mountain Xiannairi (6032 m). Beautiful Mountain Xiannairi stands out in front of you! Enjoy here, and then walk back to Chonggu monastery, and choose walk, horse-riding or cable car back to the entrance. Drive back to Riwa Village for stay overnight.
In June 1928 Dr. Joseph had made the large rock on Luorong steppe beautiful photos of the mountains Yangmaiyong (5958 m) and Xianuoduoji (5958 m). And his masterpiece was the American “National Geographic” published. Many nature lovers have been excited because of his experiences and of the three holy mountains.

Day 08: Daocheng-Litang-Yajiang-Xinduqiao

Drive back to Xinduqiao via Litang and Yajiang. Enjoy the wonderful landscapes on the road. And stay overnight in Xinduqiao.

Day 09: Xinduqiao-Kangding-Chengdu

Drive back to Chengdu via Kangding. It’s a long time driving day, will drive around 8-9 hours. Drive over the Zheduo Pass (4298 m) to Kangding (2100m). on the road across the Zheduo Pass (4298 m). Kangding is the capital of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Area. This town has long been a trade centre between Chinese and Tibetan cultures, with exchange of wool, herbs and bricks of tea from Ya’an wrapped in yak hide. It also served as an important staging post on the road to Lhasa, as indeed it dose today. Kangding is located in a steep river valley at eh confluence of the swift Zheduo and Yala Rivers (known as the Dar and Tse in Tibetan). Then go on drive back to Chengdu city and stay overnight in hotel.

Day 10: Chengdu

Free time in Chengdu; and transfer to airport, departure from Chengdu.

Price includes:

• All private transport
• All mentioned accommodation on this trip
• All mentioned meals on this trip
• All mentioned entrance fee on this trip
• Local English-speaking guide for each place
• Local Chinese tour group insurance

Price excludes:

• All international flights and the one didn’t metion on above
• Drinking
• Extra meals didn’t mentioned on above
• Tips
• Individual visiting (entrance fee) and tour options didn’t described on above tour.