EKJ02 Gyarong-Kham Exploration Chengdu-Mt. Siguniangshan-Danba-Seda-Jiuzhaigou-Chengdu 13 Days Circle Tour

Drive about 1.5 hours to reach Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base. This base is also known as China Giant Panda Garden. The base is highly simulated to Giant Panda’s habitat hidden deep into mountains. Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base (China Giant Panda Garden), a research center newly constructed after Wenchuan Earthquake, is about 22 kilometers from the former site – Wolong Hetaoping Base and covers a total construction area of nearly 20,000 square meters, about 20 times the area of Hetaoping Base. This project is supported by Hong Kong SAR Government and designed according to Green Samsung standards. From the perspective of appearance, the open and spacious base is like a villa in Tibetan and Qiang minority style, which allows a large activity space for pandas. Afterwards, we drive towards Mt. Siguniang (2 hours). On the way, we can see the ruined old panda base. The road snakes across the beautiful Wolong Nature Reserve, passing by rivers and gorges till it reaches the Balang Mountain tunnel. It’s one of the highest mountain in Sichuan, and sometimes on the mountain, one can see vast spreading clouds-sea. When descending at Maobilang Pass at another side of mountain, one can get the best panoramic view of Mt. Siguniang.

Morning drive to hike in Changping Valley, one of the valleys at Mount Siguniang National park which are famous for the four snow-capped peaks and the three beautiful valleys stretching from Rilong town with the landscapes of alpine forest, grasslands, and lakes etc. Mt. Siguniang consists of 3 big valleys, namely Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley and Haizi Valley; as Shuangqiao Valley is possible to visit mostly by sightseeing bus with some good hiking trails, Changping Valley and Haizi Valley are suitable for enthusiastic hikers, both valleys take one full day to explore by foot, horse-riding service (self-paid) is available throughout those two valleys also. Bring yourself with some water and snack on the way because there is no restaurant inside the valleys. If you choose hiking, today must be a tiring day, but the amazing sceneries on the way definitely pay off at end of the day. Most tourists praise that those 3 valleys plus the peaks compose the most beautiful picture s in western Sichuan. Drive to Danba for overnights. Danba sits in a deep valley at the confluence of two rivers, with another three river valleys joining the first two nearby. Each of these five valleys is equally stunning, with rugged Tibetan villages clinging to steep, fertile mountainsides above a brown river streaked with white in places where swift currents collide.

Wake up early and you may take a walk around at Zhonglu Tibetan Village for peace of mind. You may also discover Tibetan culture and life. Afterwards, set out to visit Suopo Ancient Towers. Suopo has 84 ancient watchtowers remained, are the most concentration of watchtowers in the world. The exteriors are built with stone to make them as solid as they could be, while the inside facilities are mostly made of wood. These watchtowers have angular shape and slip walls with wide bottoms and narrow tops in the height ranging from 20 meters to 60 meters. Watchtowers were originally constructed to watch out threatens and attacks from the outside world. Some were built to store valuable goods, or were used as a place of worship. Zhonglu Tibetan Village has an altitude of 2,200 m, is located in Danba County. Zhonglu in Tibetan means worship place together of human and God. Zhonglu Tibetan village has many attractions such as historic watchtowers and many local houses of Tibetan residents.

Drive west towards Daofu County via gorges and grassland, on the way, we could also view famous Yala Holy Mountain from its west face. Today, we will visit a Tibetan family in the Daofu County because the beautiful and delicate Daofu Dwellings are exactly the most famous and impressive landmark of the county. After lunch continue drive to Luhuo County (Tibetan: Draggo Zong) at north-central of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Luhuo County is located in the interlacing area of the West Sichuan Plateau and the mountainous region. In Luhuo, we will visit Shouling Temple, or Drango Monastery. It is a famous monastery of the Gelugpa sect of the Tibetan Buddhism. Drango means ‘wishing longevity and safe’ in Tibetan language. The monastery was founded in 1650, had experienced three times relocation. Now the monastery has a construction area of 14,000 square meters, including a main hall, an auspicious temple, and some 277 halls and monk chambers. Shouling monastery has a long history and rich in cultural relics. The main hall where enshrines a 3-meter silver Sakyamuni Buddha statue. There is a gold plated copper Buddha which was taken back from India in 1995. The monastery also enshrines many precious scriptures, religious cards and lifelike murals.

Drive north to reach Seda County. We will firstly have our lunch and then visit the very famous Seda Larong Wuming Buddhist Institute that was found in 1980 under the 10th Panchen Lama’s effort. Up to now, the institute has developed into the world’s largest Tibetan Buddhist institute. The most spectacular landscape of the institute is the monk domiciles all over the mountain. The valleys rolling for miles and miles are full of log cabins, most of which were constructed by the persons learning Buddhism here at their own cost, with each covering a not large area. Stay overnight at hotel near the institute or in the Seda County.

Drive east towards Barkam City, the capital city of Aba Prefecture. On the way, we can see 43 meters high Songgangzhibo Stone Fortification that was built nearly 300 years ago. Today’s final destination is Xisuo Village of Zhuokeji Town that is about 7km east of Barkam City. This quiet and beautiful village is full of Tibetan elements, the most beautiful and famous site is Zhuokeji Chieftain’s Fortress that was built in 1718. The fortress covers an area of 1480 square meters and is a construction built of a composition of clay, stone and wood. Its strategic potential with the momentum of dragon and tiger, with its tall and majestic shape, performs a transmission of the majesty of a former chieftain. During the Long March in July, 1935, Chairman Mao and his Red Army once stayed here for one week. Stay Tibetan family-inn at Xisuo Village tonight.

Drive about 3 hours northeast towards Heishui County. The most famous site in this county is Dagu Glacier. Thanks to miles of colorful forest distributed at the foot of the snowy Dagu Mountain, together with the glittering snow peak under the sunlight, Dagu Glacier is reputed as ”Color Glacier”. It integrates modern glaciers, big snow mountain climbed by the Red Army, colorful forests, magnificent mountain waterfalls, mirror-like mountain lakes, vast primeval forests, grassy alpine meadow, rich splendid Tibetan culture, as well as the national-level protected animals. Prepare yourself some snacks for the lunch use while visit the glacier; stay overnight in Heishui County.

Drive about 4 hours northeast towards Songpan County, there we will have our lunch. After lunch, visit Songpan Ancient Town for about 1 hour,Songpan has a history over 2300 years, it was a town of military importance of ancient China. It is a pity that most of the city walls and historic sites have become nothing, but there are still some ancient buildings being well-reserved. With abundant water, sunshine and colorful flowers, the period from June to October would be a good time for tourists to do some sightseeing. Owing to the unique geographical environment and social environment with multination, Songpan is the epitome of national structure and culture of Aba prefecture. The interrelationship shows in many areas, such as building style, folk habits, and so on. 17km from Songpan. Continue driving around 2 hours north towards Jiuzhaigou Valley. Stay overnight at a hotel near the valley entrance.

Today is a full day sightseeing in the Jiuzhaigou National park. Jiuzhaigou has won many brilliant reputations, such as World Natural Heritage Sites listed by UNESCO, 5A National Park, and Best Waterscape in China. Today, you will found out all the reputations worthy any of them. Water is the soul of Jiuzhaigou, and there are more than 108 lakes, several large groups of waterfall scattering on three valleys shaping a large “Y”. Board environmentally friendly buses to access the Park. Hiking in the Shuzheng and Zezawa Valleys; Pearl Sands and Shuzheng Waterfall; the Tibetan village of Shuzheng, and numerous picturesque lakes including Panda Lake, Long Lake, Rainbow Lake, Tiger Lake and Rhinoceros Lake. The wild forest and pure high snow mountains, streams flowing quietly among valleys, beautiful waterfalls dropping from high mountains, and colorful lakes with amazing reflection of colorful forest. Today you will be fully-guided through your visit to Jiuzhaigou. After the sightseeing, drive back to your hotel. Then summon your energy for a Tibetan folk customs show at night, consisting of singing, dancing and other programs. (The entrance fee of 180CNY is not included in the tour price).

Drive south to today’s highlights Huanglong National Park. Covering an area of 700 square kilometers, Huanglong National Parka is another highlight in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. It is also famous for its colorful ponds, snowy mountains, deep valleys, and dense forest. Between 3,145 and 3,578 meters above sea level at the foot of Xuebaoding, the main peak of Mt. Minshan, lies a 3.6-km-long calcified hill, resembling a giant golden dragon galloping among the virgin forest, and this is how the mountain was named. More than 3,400 ponds, varied in color and shape, picture the most spectacular view in the world, known as the Jasper Lake Under Heaven. World-known for beautiful valley, snow-capped mountains and primitive forest; plentiful different shaped and crystal colorful calcified ponds, caves, waterfalls, streams, stones. Lying about 360 kilometers away from Chengdu, Huanglong National Park together with Jiuzhai Valley has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, as well as World Biosphere Reserve, Green Globes 21, etc. Huanglong is also home to many endangered species including the Giant Panda and the Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey. Huanglong’s beauty is beyond mere words, you need see it in person to truly appreciate this ”Fairy Land on Earth” as well as the ”Calcification Museum”.

Drive to back to Chengdu along Minjiang River Valley via Songpan Old Town(2850m), Miaoxian County(1580m),Wenchuan County(1326m), Duwen Express. Visit Dujiangyan Irrigation system in the afternoon, it is one of the world first irrigation systems and ratified into the World Cultural Heritage list. It`s located on the upper reaches of the Minjiang River. It was built between 306-251 BC. by the local people under the guidance of Libing and his son. Fortunately the Dujiangyan Irrigation system brings the vast Chengdu Plain under irrigation and has protected it against droughts and floods for over 2,300 years. Because of this Chengdu Plain has turned into the land of abundance with a mild climate and fertile soil.