TTC-K-04: The Northern Kham

Highlights:

• --The traditional Chinese teahouse at People's park.
• --Wolong Giant Panda sanctuary.
• --Ancient Blockhouses
• --Dzamtang Tsangpa Gonpa
• -- Kirti Gonpa
• --Narshi monastery
• --Topgyel monastery
• --Choktse Tibetan official village

Please contact us for pricing information.

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 visit to the traditional Chinese teahouse at People's park.

Altitude: Chengdu: 500m

Day2: Chengdu to Wolong
In the morning, we will departure to West from Chengdu, Wolong, a National Reserve located in a wonderful setting of forest surrounded by rugged Snowcapped Mountains, live Giant Pandas, Red Pandas, Golden Pheasants, White-Eared-Pheasants…etc can also be found here. We are going to visit to Wolong Giant Panda sanctuary after reaching this small town.

Driving hours & distance: 155km on paved road, about 4 - 5 hours
Altitude: Wolong: 1700m

Day3: Wolong to Danba
Departure in the morning, the cured road leads follows Wolong valley onto Mt. Balang pass, descending from this pass, the view of Mt. Four girls is stunning, the road goes west to Danba. About 10 km before Danba, we will take one detour to Dzonglu village by driving onto a mountain, where we will 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. Dzong-lu village is one of those villages, where visitors can find themselves immersed in various blockhouses. There are 113 ancient blockhouses with a history of more than 1,000 years. In Danba, most blockhouses were built together with resident houses. They are made of clay and stones, with an elegant and strong appearance. In the past, blockhouses were used as defense forts and beacon towers. Residents would even pray to some of the edifices to exorcise evil spirits and bring good weather for crops. Inside each blockhouse, a delicate and intricate emblem such as ox horns or a fire wheel hangs on the wall. Some people say these are clan marks. Some argue that it is a secret signal. But the real meaning is still a mystery.

Driving hours & distance: 220km on paved road, about 4 - 5hours
Altitude: Mt. Balang pass: 4550m; Wolong: 1700m

Day4: Danba to Dzamtang
Along the bottom of the valley, dribving on the west bank of Gyarong river upstream to Chuchen county, then reaches the confluence of Do-chu and Ser-chu, heading west to Dzamtang., where to visit to the Dzamtang Tsangpa Gonpa that are housed 1500 monks.

Driving hours & distance: 290km on paved & dirt road, about 7 - 8 hours
Altitude: Dzamtang: 3300m

Day5: Dzamtang to Aba
Head north to Nada, then entering Amdo by crossing through the border to Banma county, then following Mar-chu dpwnstream to one side road leaves the Mar-chu and heads for about 60km to Aba town. The hills around this town are dotted with more than 30 monasteries of the Gelukpa, Sakyapa, Jonang, and Nyingmapa school, as well as Bonpo institutions. The largest monastery of Kirti Gonpa is located in the west edge of this town, being built ion 1472, and has housed over 1000 monks. Its entrance is a hugh stupa, one of the biggest in Amdo and Kham, which helps to make this monastery being the major destinations for pilgrims from all parts of Tibet. The restored murals and images display a high standard of craftsmanship.

Driving hours & distance: 200km on paved & dirt road, about 6 - 7 hours
Altitude: Aba: 3300m

Day6: Aba to Barkham
In the morning, drive to visit to Narshi monastery & Topgyel monastery, which are both lie northeast of town, and both represent the "Old Bon" tradition, which remains aloof from the 19th century ecumenical movement. After visit to this two monasteries, heading south onto the mountain range to Lungzi county, then following the paved road to Barkham, where to visit to the Gelukpa monastery, which overlook the township, with about more than 30 monks.

Driving hours & distance: 240km on paved road, about 5 - 6 hours
Altitude: Barkham: 2750m

Day7: Barkham to Chengdu
The Choktse Tibetan village is about 10 km from the town of Barkam, it was first built in 1918, and was ruined by a fire in 1936, and rebuilt two years after the fire, it is the finest preserved Tibetan official village in all over Tibet. The 19m high manors is a quadrangle with buildings on four sides. In the west is Tibetan Chief's building, it is his family's building to the east, to the south - the guests' building, and it is the building for religious activities to the north. Every floor features a winding corridor, decorated with traditional Gyarong traceries. After visit to this village we will drive along Ming River to Chengdu. After arriving at Chengdu, have your free time to relax.

Driving hours & distance: 350km on paved road, about 6 - 7 hours
Altitude: Chengdu: 500m

Day8: Chengdu to the airport for departure
After having breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to airport for your departure (transfer timings will depend on the flight schedule)