TTC-K-01: The Tibetan tribes of Danba
By reaching the gateway town of Kangding, this trip leads up onto the Tibetan plateau; from top of the high mountain to the bottom of the valley, this trip brings one outstanding combinations of seeing the religious site of the meditation spot of 7th Dalai Lama, as well as the lovely creature from nature of Giant panda, and the town of "Beauty valley" - Danba, which for some unknown reason, the girls from Danba are the prettiest in the region of Kham, and bringing the valley a nickname of "Beauty Valley." Beautiful local women in their magnificent national dresses are ideal for travelers and serious photographers alike. The landscape in Danba changes vertically from the high-altitude snow-capped mountains, glaciers to the low altitude grasslands and river valleys.
| Tour Style: | Small Group Tour |
| Start: | Chengdu |
| Finish: | Chengdu |
| Duration: | 7 days |
| Area visited: | The eastern Tibet of Kham |
Highlights:
- --Traditional Chinese teahouse at People's park.
- --Luding Iron Bridge.
- --Anjue monastery,
- --Dzetuo Mountain pass
- --Lhagang monastery
- --Yarla Jartso, and the great Mani pile.
- --Gatar Shangbalin
- --Danba, which is Kingdom of Ancient Blockhouses
- --Mt. Balang (4550m),
- --Wolong National Giant Panda Reserve
- --Temple of Marques Wu
- --Jinli Street;
Altitude:
Chengdu: 500m
Kangding 2650m
Mt. Erlang tunnel: 3400m
Mt. Dzetuo pass: 4320m;
Bamei: 3100m
Danba: 1900m
Wolong: 1700m
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Detail program:
Day1: Arrive in Chengdu
After arrives in Chengdu airport, pickup and transfer to your hotel, assist to check in. Relax in the rest hours of this day by having one visit to the traditional Chinese teahouse at People's park.
Altitude: Chengdu: 500m
Day2: Chengdu to Kangding
Drive 360km on paved road, into hill country and crossing through the Mt. Erlang tunnel, En-route we will stop by to visit Luding Iron Bridge. Then arrive at the gateway town of the Eastern Tibet of Kham - Kangding, which is cradled in a narrow gorge along the raging Dzetuo River. The river's continual rumble can be heard in its alleyways where nomads from the west come to sell Tibetan herbal medicine, Khampa knives, traditional Tibetan garments, and the ever-popular yak butter tea. For centuries the town has held the status of "Gateway to Tibet", after arrive in Kangding take an easy walk in order to acclimatizing to the altitude, visit to Anjue monastery.
Driving hours & distance: 360km on paved road, about 6 - 7 hours
Altitude: Kangding 2650m, Mt. Erlang tunnel: 3400m
Day3: Kangding to Bamei
Drive onto Pass of Dzetuo Mountain, which is with altitude of 4320m, if weather permits; the highest peak of Kham of Mt. Minya Gangkar (7556m) is visible. After having lunch at Tibetan's family, we will head northwest to Tagong, where we are going to visit Lhagang monastery -- According to the legend, when Princess Wengcheng (Tang dynasty) traveled to Tibet, she stayed overnight here, and the Jowo Shakyamuni image which she brought as her dowry to Lhasa requesting to be left in that idyllic setting! Subsequently King Songtsen Gampo constructed 108 temples in the direction of China mainland, after visit to Lhagang monastery heading to the holy mountain of Yarla Jartso, visit to the great Mani pile.
Driving distance & hours: 140km on paved & dirt road; roughly 5 - 6 hours
Altitude: Mt. Dzetuo pass: 4320m; Bamei: 3100m
Day4: Bamei to Danba
From Bamei, we turn to east, and stop by to visit a monastery of Gatar Shangbalin, which the 7th Dalai Lama used to cultivate himself according to a religious doctrine, then to the birth place of 11th Dalai Lama; then about 30 minutes drive onto the range of Yarla yartso mountain, where we can enjoy the stunning view of Mt. Yarla Yartso, then continuing to follow the Donggu River crossing through the narrow and deeply Donggu valley to Danba, which is Kingdom of Ancient Blockhouses.
Driving distance & hours: 100km on paved & dirt road; roughly 4 - 5 hours
Altitude: Danba: 1900m
Day5: Danba to Wolong
In the morning we will drive up to Dzong-lu village to witness the traditional building of Tibetan of "Pill box"; which is hidden deep in the high mountains and dense forests, thousands of blockhouses are endowed with a sense of mystery. The Dadu River takes shape here and flows south through Danba. Towers were built hundreds of years ago, for defensive purposes and passing messages between different villages. The height of these stone-built structures is often above 30 meters, while the tallest tower measures 60 meters in height. Looking from afar, the scene of groups of towers and castles standing in the gorgeous Danba valley is breathtaking. In the afternoon drive to Wolong, enroute passing through Mt. Balang pass (4550m), then descending to Wolong valley.
Driving distance & hours: 220km on paved & dirt road; roughly 7 - 8 hours
Altitude: Wolong: 1700m
Day6: Wolong to Chengdu
In the morning drive to visit Wolong National Giant Panda Reserve, and then heading back to Chengdu, where to take an half day visit of Temple of Marques Wu, Jinli Street.
Driving distance & hours: 150km on paved & dirt road; roughly 4 - 5 hours
Altitude: Chengdu: 500m
Day7: Chengdu to the airport for departure
After having breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to airport for your departure (transfer timing will depend on the flight schedule.)
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