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15 Days Far East Adventurer Tour Package Enjoy the tepid climate of South Central China while partaking in some truly unique experiences, such as strolling through the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu. The majesty of these endangered animals can be fully appreciated as we watch them during feeding time. China is an interesting blend of modernity mixed with ancient innovation. The architectural merit of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System is so timeless, it is still used today to divert part of the Minjiang into an aqueduct leading to Chengdu, despite being built over 2,000 years ago. Realize the extent of diversity of the region as we witness the lunar look of the area of Golmud that supports few to no trees. On the way to Tibet we will cross a plateau referred to as 'The Rooftop of the World', which should give us some indication to the elevations we will be travelling through. Tibet is a paradise in the mountains that supports an extraordinary culture which can be learned about in the Tibetan Museum. See the Jokhang Temple, a destination that lies at the end of many Tibetans' long pilgrimage. Our journey will involve a long hike through the massive bazaar that surrounds the temple. Exploration by foot is not limited to the rare occasion during the trip; we will also find ourselves walking along the Great Wall of China just north of Beijing. Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrival in Chengdu Today we arrive in Chengdu in South Central China. A modern provincial capital southeast of the Sichuan basin, Chengdu enjoys a temperate climate and plentiful natural resources. In contrast to some other Chinese urban centres, and despite raging re-development, Chengdu has managed to preserve the atmosphere that one might imagine China to have in the past. NOTE: Though this tour is not designated as one of our strenuous "activity tours," this is a busy program with some long drives and many walking tours of towns and sites located at high altitudes. You must be steady on your feet, able to negotiate stairs, and be prepared for the rigors of travelling in remote locales with basic facilities and poor roads in between. Overnight in Chengdu. Dinner if required. Day 2 Chengdu: Panda Research Station & Sanxingdui Museum We start our day with a visit to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, located on the mountain of Futoushan in the northern suburbs of the city. The Giant Panda Museum collects and exhibits the findings and ongoing research on the Giant Panda. It showcases the panda's evolution, ancient and present distribution, general situation, condition and research of human interaction with the animal. We will try and visit during feeding time. We also visit the Sanxingdui Museum, a modern facility located in the northeast of the Sanxingdui Remains, composed of several large relic areas. The areas are the largest, most important and elegant ancient Shu cultural relics sites in Sichuan covering 12 square-km in total. Life went on here about 2,800 to 4,800 years ago, equivalent to the late Neolithic Age. Overnight in Chengdu. Breakfast and dinner. Day 3 Chengdu: Dujiangyan Irrigation System - Overnight Train Today we visit the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, built over 2,000 years ago and still in use today. This irrigation and flood control system was constructed by Governor of Shu, Li Bing and his son, 56 km west of present day Chengdu. The system diverts part of the Minjiang River into an aqueduct leading to Chengdu. It construction necessitated cutting a path through the mountains on the bank of the Minjiang River. The builders accomplished this before the invention of explosives by repeatedly heating and cooling the rock to crack and weaken it. We return to Chengdu and the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, located on the side of the Flower Washing Brook in the western suburbs. It is the former residence of the celebrated Tang Dynasty poet, Du Fu (AD 712-770), born in Henan Province. Our final stop is the Temple of Marquis Wu, a famous historical site dedicated to the memory of both Liu Bei (161-223), Emperor of the Kingdom of Shu in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), and Zhuge Liang (181-234), Prime Minister of the kingdom. The temple was originally built by Li Xiong of the Western Jin Dynasty (AD 265-316), 400 years after Zhuge Liang's death, and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty with a total area of 37000 square meters. Later this afternoon we transfer to the train station for our +/- 6 PM departure. Our 'cabins' are 'soft-sleeper' class for 2 persons (singles not available), floor level beds. Toilet facilities at the end of the train car. Overnight train to Golmud. Breakfast and dinner. Day 4 Train to Lhasa From Chengdu to Golmud we pass through Xining, a city of just over one million inhabitants, situated in a remote valley on the eastern edge of Qinghai Province, occupying China's rugged, cold-weather northern "frontier." The city is best known for the Gelugpa sect, founded here by Tsongkhapa, and the hillside monastery erected in 1560 in his honour. We also pass Qinghai Lake, about the size of the Great Salt Lake in Utah, which supports a variety of fish which, in turn, support a variety of birds, many of which call on Qinghai Lake during their bi-annual migrations. Golmud's economic mainstays are its burgeoning mineral, oil and chemical industries. But to the visitor Golmud's main function is "transportation hub." To many visitors passing through, Golmud's surrounding landscape presents an almost lunar look; at an almost 10,000-foot elevation, the region is virtually treeless. The Golmud-to-Lhasa sector offers the most breath-taking scenery. This segment also offers the record-breakers: the world's highest passenger railroad (at Tanggula Pass - elevation: 5072m / 16,640 ft) and the world's highest railroad tunnel (Fenghuoshan - elevation: 4905m / 16,093 ft). Over 80% of the journey is at altitudes above 3900m / 13,000 feet; fully half the track on this sector was laid atop permafrost. Travellers with pre-existing medical conditions sensitive to high altitude must consult their physician regarding their suitability. A medical questionnaire and doctor's signature is required from all passengers. Overnight train. All meals. Day 5 'Roof of the World' - Arrival in Lhasa Much of our travel involves crossing a massive plateau nicknamed "The Rooftop of the World." Special diesel engines capable of operating efficiently at 3-mile-high altitudes were designed; an internal garbage disposal system was employed to reduce pollution along the route. The train is equipped with two oxygen sources, one released throughout the cabins when reaching Golmud and heading into Tibet and personal oxygen canisters in case you feel lightheaded. From the windows of your train you will see the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Kunlun Mountains. Outside those windows lies one of the world's harshest environments: high, arid, salty plateaus with sparse vegetation. Yet the views are spectacular! You will stop at the viewing stop at Kunlum Mountain. We will travel across miles and miles of northern Tibet grass, through the Kekexili Nature Preserve, home to just 16 mammal species and 30 bird species. All are acclimated to the dry, cold, high-altitude climate. Here roam snow leopards, yaks, Tibet antelope, wild donkeys--golden eagles soar above. The train carries us over the Tanggula Pass, along the world's highest passenger railway tracks (elevation 5075m / 16,649 ft). We arrive Lhasa in the afternoon and transfer to our hotel with a chance to relax and adjust to the altitude. Overnight in Lhasa. Shangbala Hotel or similar. All meals. Day 6 Lhasa: Tibetan Museum & Jokhang This morning we visit the Tibetan Museum. The museum houses a rich collection of prehistoric cultural relics including Buddha statues in different postures, imperial jade seals, gold albums, gifts granted by emperors, colourful tangkas, and various printed Sanskrit and Tibetan scriptures. We will also see variety of folk art such as unique Tibetan handicrafts, costumes, jewellery, and adornments made of gold, silver, and jade, as well as fine Chinese pottery. We continue to the Jokhang, the religious and geographical centre of Lhasa and the most important temple in the world for all sects of Tibetan Buddhism. Pilgrims from across Tibet, many of whom have walked hundreds of kilometres to see the Jokhang once in their lives, queue for hours to enter the temple and perform a ritual circuit in prostration of its many sacred shrines. It is a moving experience to join them in the dark hallways, filled with the sound of low chanting, lit only by butter lamps. The main image worshipped here is Jowo Rinpoche, a gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni said to have been modelled during his lifetime. The Jokhang is encircled by the Barkhor, an 800m (2,645 feet) flagstone pathway that is both a sacred circumambulation route and the biggest bazaar in all of Tibet. Night and day, Tibetans walk clockwise around it, earning religious merit as they shop, people-watch and chat with friends. Here you find people from all corners of Tibet: striking, tall Khampa men from the east with big knives and red tassels wrapped about their heads; Golok women with their hair plaited in 108 tiny braids; nomad families bundled in sheepskins. The Barkhor is the real heart of Tibet, you can spend hours watching the passing parade or bargain for the trinkets and souvenirs, displayed in street stands, everything from prayer flags to silver jewellery to yak butter. Overnight in Lhasa. Shangbala Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 7 Lhasa: Potala, Sera, Drepung & Norbulinka This morning we visit the fabled Potala Palace that rises above the city like a fairytale castle set atop its rocky pedestal. The Potala has been the home of successive Dalai Lamas. It was also the seat of the Tibetan government, and with chapels, cells, religious schools, and even tombs for the Dalai Lamas it was virtually a self-contained world. Begun in the 7th century, but not reaching its full glory until the 17th century reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama, the 13 storey Potala rises 117m (383 feet) high and is made entirely of wood, earth and stone. It has over 1000 rooms. We proceed to Sera, one of the two most important Gelugpa (Yellow Hat sect) monasteries. The monastery is the location of the famous ?monk's debate' on some afternoons every week. During this ritual ?question and answer' session, a senior monk quizzes a junior and there is much grimacing, clapping and mock threatening. The important part of this ritual is the passing of knowledge of on the theosophical questions of the Tibetan lamaistic Buddhist faith. We also visit Drepung, a monastery that during its peak, had 7,700 monks in residence and the single kitchen where food for them was cooked in enormous urns. It and Sera suffered damage in varying degrees during the turbulent days of the Red Guards and their Cultural Revolution but have now been restored and the monks have returned. During our time in Lhasa we will also visit the Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer palace and currently the site of a simple museum. Overnight in Lhasa. Shangbala Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 8 Lhasa - Shigatse An early departure takes us from the high Tibetan plateau southerly to Shigatse. We pass colourful rock carvings of Buddha as we approach the outskirts of Lhasa at the start of a long road journey. The road turns to gravel as we leave city limits and follow the course of the Tsangpo River which, entering India, becomes the Bramahp. From the Kamba La there is a spectacular view of the blue waters of Yamdrok Tso, one of Tibet's sacred lakes. Now we travel the zigzag road to cross the mighty Yarlung Tsangpo River on our way to Lhasautra. The road then drops down to Yamdrok Tso Lake and follows the twisting northern bank for hours, prior to climbing up to the 4800 m (15,724 foot) high Kamba La Pass. The road descends slowly after crossing the Karo La, 5020 m (16,549 feet). Either side are gigantic peaks including 7260 m (23,958 foot) high Nazin Kang Sa. Overnight in Shigatse (3900 m / 12,870 feet). Breakfast and dinner. Day 9 Shigatse Area We visit the main site of interest in Shigatse, the Tashilhunpo Monastery. Tashilhunpo, the principal monastery of Tsang Province, is one of the Great Six centers of the Gelugpa sect. The others are Sera, Drepung, and Ganden, all in or near Lhasa, and Labrang and Kumbum in Amdo (southern Gansu / Qinghai provinces). Tashilhunpo is the largest, most vibrant monastery in Tibet, the only one that does justice to the term 'monastic city'. Founded in 1447 by Tsongkhapa's nephew and disciple, Gedundrub, the First Dalai Lama, it was substantially enlarged under the Fourth Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chokyi Gyaltsen (1570-1662). This afternoon is free to explore Shigatse town and the market. Overnights in Shigatse (3900m / 12,870 feet). Breakfast and dinner. Day 10 Shigatse - Gyantse We continue our journey to Gyantse (2.5 hours). On arrival we visit Kumbum Chorten. Though Gyantse has suffered badly from the ravages of time and man, it retains even today a deeply Tibetan character. As we tour the town, it is possible to step back in time and have a glimpse of an irretrievably lost era. Its principal structures consist of a castle on a ridge overlooking the town and a walled monastic complex by the far hill. The monastery includes the massive temple of Palkhor Chode and the great multi-chapel Kumbum Chorten. These religious monuments, part of Gyantse's ancient monastic town, contain some of the most extraordinary works of art in Tibet. The great castle on the hill, once occupied by the Younghusband Expedition in 1904, overlooks the entire area. Overnight in Gyantse (3800 m / 12,540 feet). Breakfast and dinner. Day 11 Gyantse - Lhasa An early departure takes us across the high Tibetan plateau northerly back to Lhasa (261 km). Soon after we begin today's long but highly scenic road journey the road ascends slowly up to the Karo La Pass, 5020m (16,549 feet). Either side are gigantic peaks including 7260m (23,958 foot) high Nazin Kang Sa. After crossing the Kamba La Pass at 4800m (15,724 foot), the road drops down to Yamdrok Tso Lake and follows the twisting northern bank for hours. After Lhasautra we travel the zigzag road to cross the mighty Yarlung Tsangpo River. We follow the course of the river that, upon entering India, becomes the Brahmani. We pass colourful rock carvings of Buddha as we approach the outskirts of Lhasa where the gravel road turns to tar. Overnight in Lhasa. Breakfast and dinner. Day 12 Lhasa, Tibet - Beijing, China Today we fly from Lhasa to Beijing. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Beijing. Breakfast and dinner. Day 13 Beijing: Great Wall & Summer Palace This morning we travel north of Beijing to the Great Wall of China. A walk along the enormous undulating towered and turreted wall is spectacular. Rising and falling in concert with the ridges of the northern hills and undulating far off into the distance, the Great Wall consistently exceeds visitors' expectations and remains one of humankind's most remarkable accomplishments. The wall's construction began during the Warring States Period (403-221 BC), when separate sections were built in scattered strategic areas. Following China's unification under the first Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi (221-206 BC), 300,000 men--many of them political prisoners whose bodies are buried in the wall--were put to work connecting the segments into one huge rampart of stone and earth. We will have plenty of free time to explore the wall before returning to Beijing early this afternoon. After lunch we will have a tour of the The Summer Palace, located in the northwest area of the city. During the late Qing Dynasty this was the summer retreat from Beijing's heat for the imperial family and court. Originally created as an imperial garden by Emperor Qianlong, it was destroyed and plundered during the Second Opium War in 1860. In 1888 the notorious Empress Cixi used the money intended for the Chinese Navy to build this opulent summer retreat for herself. In 1900 the Summer Palace was damaged extensively once again during the Boxer Rebellion, but was rebuilt shortly thereafter. Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called "Yiheyuan" (Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. It is up to now the best preserved and the largest imperial gardens in China. Overnight in Beijing. Breakfast and dinner. Day 14 Beijing: Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven We begin today with a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the place where one million students rallied for democracy in 1989. This is the largest public square in the world. Originally built in 1651, the square was quadrupled in size in 1958 to its present 40.5 hectares (100 acres) during a massive city-wide reconstruction program. Each flagstone is numbered so that parade units can line up in their assigned places. From here we walk to the Forbidden City, a huge complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens, which was off-limits to commoners for 500 years. This is where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties carried out their administration and lived, now open as a Palace Museum. This afternoon we visit the Temple of Heaven, completed in 1420, and expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. Qinian Hall, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with the three blue-tiled cone-shaped roofs, has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing. It was hit by lightning in 1889 and completely restored. No nails or pegs were used in the original construction nor in the restoration. Overnight in Beijing. Breakfast and dinner. Day 15 Departure Departure from Beijing. Breakfast. BON VOYAGE! Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our China Adventure Vacation specialist Contact: Travelwizard.com |
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