
Mountain Meng Ding
Mountain Meng Ding, it is the birthplace of the world’s tea culture, as well as being home to the earliest tea plantations ever recorded in written Chinese.
Highlights: Classic Khampa-Gyarong-Tibetan Region Small Circle, Mt. Gongga, “King Mountain of Sichuan” and Zhonglu Tibetan Villages will be amazing and unforgetable.
Duration: 8 days 7 nights
Departure: April – December.
Route: Chengdu -138km/2hrs15mts- Mt. Mengding -160km/3hrs- Hailuogou Glacier Park -75km/1hr45mts- Kangding -78km/2rs- Xingduqiao -94km/2hrs- Tagong -114km/2.5hrs- Zhonglu Tibetan Village -112km/2hrs40mts- Siguniangshan town -100km/2hrs- Wolong Shengshuping Panda Center –118km/2hrs- Chengdu.
Attractions:
*Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park, the lowest altitude modern oceanic glacier
*Mt. Gongga, “King Mountain of Sichuan”, the highest mountain in Sichuan.
*Muge Tso Lake, the biggest alpine lake in northwest Sichua
*Xinduqiao Town is the “Light and Shadow World”, paradise of photographers.
*Tagong Grassland,the most harmonious and beautiful grassland in the Tibetan plateau.
*Zhonglu Tibetan Fortress Villages, known as the most beautiful villages all over China.
*Mt. Siguniang, reputed to be the “Queen of Mountains in Sichuan” and “The Oriental Alps”.
*Wolong Shenshuping Base, also known as China Giant Panda Garden in Wolong Nature Reserve.
Highlights:
Unlike in TAR where tourism is strictly restricted, the Tibetan regions of old Kham are open to foreigners just like all other areas of China. Only some parts are exceptions, like Larung Gar are not open to foreign visitors. You can visit Kham with only having a Chinese visa. Kham as the “Ethnic Corridor Of Tibet”, as its vast and sparsely populated territories are inhabited by over 14 culturally and linguistically distinct ethnic groups. The Kham even has well preserved the Tibetan Culture and lifestyle. here are lots of beautiful home-stays and less restriction to travel around the villages, you can also easily interact with locals and enjoy the local lifestyle. Join us to experience the stunning landscapes, beautiful homestay, authentic Tibetan culture and lifestyle in Kham. Welcome to join us for a memorable experience in Kham.
Minya Konka is also called Mount Gongga or Gongga Shan. It is one of the most popular trekking destinations in China. Minya Konka is 7556 meters’ tall and the highest mountain in Sichuan Province and also the easternmost 7 thousander in the world. Minya Konka is located in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in western Sichuan within one day’s drive from Chengdu. Minya Konka is a holy mountain among local Tibetan People
Overview of Kham Tibetan Area:
Kham is one of the 3 main traditional regions of Tibet, along with U-Tsang and Amdo and is located in the eastern and southeastern corner of the Tibetan Plateau. Kham is a large area covering over 924,000 kilometers² (356,000 miles²). Kham is home to approximately 2 million Tibetans or 35% of the total Tibetan population. Parts of Kham lie in the eastern portion of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), western Sichuan, southern Qinghai and northwest Yunnan provinces.
Kham is the most geographically diverse region of Tibet. Kham, traditionally known as Chushi Gangdruk which means “4 Rivers, 6 Ranges”, contains the headwaters of many of Asia’s longest and most important rivers. The Mekong, Yangtze, Yellow and Salween rivers all begin in Kham. These rivers cut deep canyons and gorges throughout eastern Kham. There are numerous mountain ranges and high peaks throughout the area. The Kunlun Mountains (which includes the Bayan Har/Bayan Kala Range) form the far northern boundary of Kham while the far eastern extent of the Himalaya’s form the southern boundary. The rugged Hengduan Range, which includes the Daxue Mountains, are along the eastern border of Kham and mainland China. The highest peak in Kham is Minya Konka, which rises to 7556 meters. Other notable peaks in Kham are Mt. Chola, rising to 6168 meters in Dege county and Mt. Bukadaban in Drido county rising to 6860 meters.
Gyarong Region of Tibet
Ngari is located in the far west region of Tibet. U-Tsang is located in the central region while Kham is found in the southeast and Amdo is in the northeast. One area you might not be very familiar with is the Gyarong region. Gyarong, also spelled Jiarong, lies in the heart of Sichuan province in a small area right between Amdo speaking Tibetans and Kham speaking Tibetans. Gyarong Tibetans number around 175,000 and are mostly found in 6 counties in north-central Sichuan. Five of the counties are located in Ngawa/Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, while one county is found in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (though a small Gyarong population also lives in Dartsedo/Kangding). Here is a list of the counties where Gyarong Tibetans are found: Barkham/Ma’erkang,Trochu/Heshui, Chuchen/Jinchuan, Tsenlha/Xiaojin, Lunggu/Wenchuan, Garze Prefecture, Rongtrak/Danba. Though officially grouped with the rest of Tibetans into one of China’s 55 recognized minorities, some people disagree as to whether the Gyarong people are actually Tibetan or not. Gyarong people speak a Qiangic language that is much different than Tibetan and cannot be understood by Tibetan speakers. Also, some aspects of the culture, particularly their clothing, is much different that other Tibetans. There is even disagreement among other Tibetans, some of whom say that the Gyarong people should not be classified as Tibetans, but should be classified as their own separate minority group.But anyway, all of the Gyarong people refer to themselves as Tibetans.
Itinerary at a glance:
Day1: Arrive in Chengdu, transfer to hotel, check in. O/N in Chengdu
Day2: Chengdu -138km/2hrs15mts- Mt. Mengding -160km/3hrs- Hailuogou Glacier Park O/N in Moxi Town
Day3: Full day Hailuogou Glacier Park Exploration O/N in Moxi Town
Day4: Moxi Town -75km/1hr45mts- Kangding -78km/2hrs- Xingduqiao O/N in Xingduqiao
Day5: Xingduqiao -94km/2hrs- Tagong -114km/2.5hrs- Zhonglu Tibetan Village (2,200m) O/N in Zhonglu Tibetan Village
Day6: Zhonglu Tibetan Village -112km/2hrs40mts- Mt. Siguniang O/N in Siguniangshan town
Day7: Siguniangshan town -100km/2hrs- Wolong Shengshuping Panda Center –118km/2hrs- Chengdu O/N in Chengdu.
Day8: Drop off to Chengdu airport, service end !
Mountain Meng Ding, it is the birthplace of the world’s tea culture, as well as being home to the earliest tea plantations ever recorded in written Chinese.
Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park, the lowest altitude modern oceanic glacier
Xinduqiao Town is the “Light and Shadow World”, paradise of photographers.
Zhonglu Tibetan Fortress Villages, known as the most beautiful villages all over China.
Mount Siguniang National park which are famous for the four snow-capped peaks and the three beautiful valleys stretching from Rilong town.
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.