Kham Sacred Sites

Description

Kham Sacred Sites trip shall explore the monasteries of Tibetan religion in Kham, including monasteries belongs to Gelug pa, kagyu pa, Sakya pa, and Nyingma Pa

Tibetan Buddhism had a strong influence in the 11^th century among the peoples of Central Asia, Mongolia and Manchuria. It was adopted as an official state religion by the Mongol of Yuan dynasty and the Manchu of Qing dynasty that both ruled China.

On this Trip, the route is mainly on the northern route of Sichuan-Tibet highway in Sichuan province, the trip passes through Kangding, Xinduqiao, Garze (kanze), Pelyul, and Derge, all of which are the major sites that provide support when Princess WenCheng of Tang Dynasty traveled to Lhasa for the Royal Marriage with Tibet King of Songtsen Gampo

Itinerary

D1 Arrive in Chengdu

By flight to Chengdu, after arrive in Chengdu, visit to the traditional Chinese tea-house at People’s park, which is regarded as a Window for people understanding the way of local people’s life.

Overnight: Minshan Lhasa Grand Hotel — Include | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner — Not include

D2 Chengdu to Xinduqiao

Today, we begin our journey, we’ll depart early, the drive may take 8-9 hours. The first stop we will make is in Kangding, which is the first Tibetan town of this trip with altitude of 2650 meters, we will walk around in this small town that situated in the bottom of valley, enjoy the view, if you want that you can try to communicate with lcoal people with assistance of our gudie; then after we will be on our way again, heading west onto Mt Dzeto Pass (4323 meters). Here on the top of the pass officially means you are on the tibetan plateau. Then we will descend to Xinduqiao (3300 meters), a small tibetan town becomes popular for its picturesque view in the recent years

Overnight: Jin Qiu Mu Ma Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not include

D3 Xin Du Qiao to Garze (Kanze)

The drive from Xinduqiao passes through three big towns including, Bamei, Dawu and Luhuo;
The first site we will visit is Lhagang Monastery, then visit to Lhagang passture; After that, we will be on the way heading west via Bamei township to Dawu county, in which we will visit to Nyingtro Gonpa, small Gelug monastery becoming popular for its unique achitecture; we will be on the road again to the next town of Luhuo, which is one warm Tibetan Town. It has been rebuilding since the earthquake in 1970’s , so it looks quite “new” comparing to the other towns in Kham. The distance from Luhuo to Garze is about 100 km, which takes around 3 hours, the road curves in the bottom of valley, gradully, it rises up, view become widen, following the road we will arrive on the top of the Haizi mountin, where we will enjoy the panorama view of Kasa lake, a inland lake with fresh water; Then after, we will arrive in Garze late, check in, rest

Overnight: Tang Gu La Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not included

D4 Garze to Pelyul

The overall distance from Garze to Pelyul County is about 230 kilometers on a paved road; The watershed passes through the glacial Kawalingring range, which divides the Yangtze and Yarlung basins, the road is almost all paved. En route we will detour of Yarchen Gar Nunery Buddhist Accademy (Be advised: the visit to Yarchen Gar may be canceled due to local Interim control). Then we will again regain to the main road heading to Pelyul, which is located in the forest area and surrounded by mountains on both banks of the Jinshajiang River at the Sichuan-Tibet border in which some Tibetans of the patriarchal clan lives in.

Overnight: Cha Qing Song Duo Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not included

D5 Pelyul to Derge, visit Dzongsar monastery and Palpung Monastery

Dzongsar monastery and Palpung Monastery are located in two narrow valleys, of which are neighbouring to each other; It is no problem to hike from one to another in one full day; Dzongsar monastery belongs to Sakya Pa; Palpung Monastery belongs to Kagyu Pa;

Today, we will begin our journey by driving to Dzongsar monastery, after having visit to this site, we will drive to Palpung village to explore this Kagyu sect monastery; Today, we will not only learn Tibetan Buddhism and its influence to local people’s life, but also to enjoy the veiw of nature. The forest in this area brings a completely different impression of Tibetan plateau that we usually have; Once we have a wonderful day, we will head to Derge county for overnight

Overnight: Ying Jin Yuan Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not included

D6 Derge to Garze

Derge County is regarded as the cultural, heart of Kham. It was the capital of Derge kingdom in ancient time. Today we will visit Targyel Lhakhang, a small hall that was built in memory of Padmasambhava (Note: this visit to Targyel Lhakhang might be canceled due to certain religious ceremony). Then we will explore Derge Printing House, which is still to use the traditional way to print Santra and Tantra, supplying the needs for all over Kham, as far as the east central Tibet of Chamdo and the north and south of Amdo. It is one of the three printing house in tibetan cultural area with the oldest history and the largest book book collection.

After the visit, we will depart again, the well paved road leads the way reaching at Mt Trola, which was the highest pass of this trip; Nowadays, a tunnel has made the overpass driving no longer needed, it only take 10 minutes to cross through this mountain; before we arrive in the small town of Manigango, we will make a stop to visit the beautiful highland lake — Xinlu lake; then we will pass through Manigango turning east to Garze county;

Overnight: Tang Gu La Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not included

D7 Garze ( Kanze) to Danba

Danba is our destination for today, we will begin our journey in the early morning; we will drive directly to Bamei township, on which we will northeast for about 10 km. We will detour Gatar Shangbalin (also Hui-Yuan Temple). It is said that the 7^th Dalai Lama used to cultivate himself in this monastery for 7 years according to a religious doctrine. The birth place of 11th Panchen Lama is not far from this monastery and being visible from the main road.

Then after, we will be back on the main road driving to Danba, en route we can enjoy the stunning view of Mt. Yarla Yartso. The distance from here to Danba is about 70 kilometer that may take 2.5 hours drive to reach the so-called “Kingdom of the Ancient Watching Towers” . we will not only visit the watching tower, but also to spend one night in the village where the towers stand;

Overnight: Tibetan Home-stay — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not included

D8 Danba to Chengdu

We will depart early today. The road curves in the mountain, there is one last mountain we will cross over, then descending from the mountain to reach the fertile land of Chengdu Basin, after arrive in Chengdu, we will drive to Chengdu Panda Breeding Base to watch that cute creature;

Overnight: Minshan Lhasa Grand Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not included

D9 Chengdu departure

Today, your trip ends. We will drive you to airport or train station for your departure

Overnight — Not included | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not included