TTC-K-05: The Nature wonder & the religious of Kham

Highlights:

• --The traditional Chinese teahouse at People's park.
• --Choktse Tibetan official village
• --Kirti Gonpa
• --Narshi monastery
• --Topgyel monastery
• --Langmu Si
• --The first bend of Yellow river
• --Jiuzhai valley
• --Huanglong

Chengdu: 500m
Barkham: 2750m
Aba: 3300m
Langmu Si: 3300m;
Jiuzhai valley: 3070m
Maoxian: 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 Barkham
The road is curve along the Ming river, slowly going up to reach Barkham, the Capital of Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. Barkham is an area rich in pasture land, forest and arable alpine valleys, with a cool temperate climate, it is situated at an elevation of 2,670 meters and running in a long stretch along the Suomo Rive, has been well planned. Before we arrive at Barkham, we will visit to Choktse village, which is composed by a fieldstone 5F Tibetan house and a stone fortification built almost one hundred years ago. It's thought to be one of he oriental architecture wonders, a witness of the traditional Tibetan Official System.

Driving hours & distance: 350km on paved road, about 6 - 7 hours
Altitude: Barkham 2750m

Day3: Barkham to Aba
Departure from Barkham, following the curved road along Suomo river upstream all the way to the turn off where to take north onto Tibetan plateau, the road is getting more straight, and the view is becoming widely, the paved road crossing through the grassland, which dotted by hundreds of thousands of yaks, sheep, leads up to one unnamed mountain head north to Aba, which is located in the northwest of Kham. Aba is named after the Nga-chu tributary of Mar-chu, which flows south from Mt. Nyenpo Yurtse, is an area where nomadic groups and long established sedentary communities intermingle. Once we reach into this town we are going to visit 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. If there would be time left, 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.

Driving hours & distance: 240km on paved road, about 5 - 6 hours
Altitude: Aba: 3300m

Day4: Aba to Langmu Si
Continuing northerward into Amdo, for about 70km drive, a turn off will be reached, from here, we turn to northeast into the area where just being visited by herds in summer time, the road turns from well paved to dirt road, and it begins bumpy, we slow down our speed to enjoy the landscape, about 3 hours drive we will reach the town of Maqu that in Tibetan means the Yellow River. The Yellow River turns abruptly, forming the first of its "eighteen bends" on its course. The Tibetan here still retain to some extent the mode of production, lifestyle, and customs prevalent among the nomadic tribes in ancient times in the area. From this town we We keep driving for Langmu si by following the dirt road along the small mountain on the edge of grassland, when sun falls on the top of the mountains in the far west, we are approaching the mountain that Langmu Si is located in the valley surrounded by those mountains.

Driving hours & distance: 280km on paved & dirt road, about 7 - 8 hours
Altitude: Langmu Si: 3300m;

Day5: Langmu Si to Jiuzhai valley via Zorge
Langmu Si is located at the northern foot of Xiqing Mountains on the bank of the Bailong (White Dragon) River. Langmu Si basically comprises two major Geluk monasteries of Sertri Gompa & Kirti Gompa, after visit to the monasteries, we departure for Juzhai valley, enroute enjoy the view of Aba grassland then to Jiuzhai valley

Driving distance & hours: 320km on paved & dirt road; roughly 5 - 6 hours
Altitude: Jiuzhai valley: 3070m;

Day6: Jiuzhai valley
Jiuzhaigou valley comprises a series of diverse forest ecosystems. Its superb landscapes are particularly interesting for their series of narrow conic karst land forms and spectacular waterfalls. Some 140 bird species also inhabit the valley, as well as a number of endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda. Jiuzhaigou Valley is reputed as a "fairylands". It is an integration of green lakes multi-layered waterfalls, forests and snow-mountains with Tibetan culture and custom. The green and golden trees, the lofty and multi-shaped mountains and the clear and colorful waters constitute the unique beauty of Jiuzhaigou. The waters of Jiuzhaigou are widely known for their crystal clearness, pure transparency and rich colorfulness.
In the Y-shaped valley embraced by mountains are dispersed 108 terraced lakes and many shoals and waterfalls gradually flow from the heights to lower places in the green mountain valley, winding 50 kilometers, with the blue sky, the white snow mountains and green forests mirrored in the clear lakes, forming a realm of integration of man and heaven against the primitive water-mills, stocked villaged and the forest of Buddhist streamers.

Altitude: Jiuzhai valley: 3070m

Day7: Jiuzhai valley to Maoxian via Huanglong
Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) was named after the ancient Huanglong Temple within the area. We are going to visit unique yellow calcareous deposits, which is located in Huanglong valley; In the end of the valley, water from melting snow mixes with limestone water from underground, flowing down the mountain terraces, depositing the calcium carbonate from the limestone water on the rocks, stones, and fallen branches in its path. The calcium carbonate develops into solid, when water flows into two separate streams, it naturally turns into more colorful lakes and waterfalls, forming a ladder-shaped lake group. The water is crystal clear. The mineral deposits at the lake bottom look like jadeite and agate - magnificent and beautiful. After visit to this World natural heritage site, we will drive to Maoxian where we overnight .

Driving distance & hours: 270km on paved & dirt road; roughly 6 - 7 hours
Altitude: Maoxian: 1700m

Day8: Maoxian to Chengdu
Drive along Ming River, downstream to Chengdu, after arriving at Chengdu, have your free time to relax

Driving distance & hours: 120km on paved & dirt road; roughly 3 - 4 hours
Altitude: Chengdu: 500m

Day9: 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)