China Wild West Adventure

Driving 5 hours from Lanzhou to Xiahe. One the way to visit Linxia, dubbed the 'Mecca of China' for its Muslim towers and mosques, was once a terminal on the Silk Road for traders caravanning between Lanzhou and Tangguan. In addition to Hui (Muslim Chinese) and Han people, Linxia is a regional center for the Dongxiang people, who speak their own Altaic language. We will leave Linxia after lunch to continue the journey to Xiahe, a small but important Tibetan town whose activity centers on the  Built in 1709, the monastery is one of the six most important monasteries of the Gelupka sect.

Meal: L, D

Wake up to the sound of low blowing horns echoing across the town at dawn. Visit Labrang Monastery in the morning to sit amongst the robed monks in the Great Hall to listen to the chanting of sutras, the ancient texts of Buddhist knowledge and wisdom. Explore the compound to see the museum, the great halls, libraries and their exquisite yak butter sculptures. In the afternoon we can go to the nearby grassland on bike or on horseback, and venture up to the valleys to reach a monument surrounded by prayer flags. Visit local Tibetan village and Nyangna sect of Monastery (Ngakpa Tratsng Monastery).

Meal: B, L, D

Drive to Hezuo Milarepa Palace. In the afternoon, transfer to visit Langmusi. Langmusi is a quaint little town nestled among the mountains, where the mixture of Hui and Tibetan cultures have given the town a unique atmosphere. Across the river running through the center of town sit two large Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, each housing around 500 monks. After touring the two monasteries, we will go visit the sky burial sites. Lunch and dinner are in the local restaurants.

Meal: B, L, D

Morning tour to a small monastery, then drive five hours to Songpan town. On the way, you can visit the Zoige (Ruoergai) Grassland for 1.5 hours. After arriving in Songpan, transfer to your hotel check in.

Meal: B, L, D

In the morning, drive to Huanglong Scenic Area for sightseeing. In the afternoon, proceed to Jiuzhaigou.

Meal: B, L, D

The visit to Jiuzhaigou Reserve is from 7:00am until 18:00, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Reserve encloses one of the most spectacular landscapes. It was settled centuries ago by ethnic Tibetans, whose fenced villages gave Jiuzhaigou (nine stockades gully) its name. Then transfer to Chuanzhusi for overnight.

Meal: B, L, D

Transfer to take a morning flight to Chengdu. Be met at the airport and transfer to Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. It was awarded "Global 500" twice by the UN in the year of 1989 and 1994. Then visit Wenshu Temple, and sit at a local tea house nearby.

Meal: B, L

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination.

Meal: B

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