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Kham, or ‘Chuzhi Gang Dru’, literally meaning four rivers and six ranges; the part of greater Tibet that spills into Southern Sichuan and Yunnan's northern reaches, is a wild and uncharted area of rushing rivers, sentinel snow peaks, grazing yaks, breathtaking scenery, deep canyons, virgin spruce and pine forests, and a treasure house of biodiversity (7,000 species of native plants—a p aradise for botanists!). It is both the most populated (strictly relative) and, arguably, culturally richest region of greater Tibet. The trail heads into some truly remote areas, taking in several rarely visited monasteries and towns. In this trip you will meet fascinating ethnic minorities in their traditional picturesque villages, and learn about the region's rich Buddhist culture. |
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Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu (D)
Depending on your arrival timing, there will be a tour of Sansheng Village, a gardening style village in the suburbs. Early dinner, including sampling of Sichuan’s famous Hotpot. Stroll in ancient Jingli Street and later attend renowned Sichuan Opera and Face Changing performance. Overnight Tibet Hotel (4 Star)
Day 2: Taoping Village(170km) (B/L/D)
The Taoping Village is home to the nomadic Qiang ethnic minority. Built in 111 B.C., this ancient village has weathered 2,000 years of battles and besiegement. On a nearby mountain slope stand two nine-story hexahedral blockhouses, or watching tower, in whose construction mathematics and geometry were obviously used. The Qiang build their homes from stone, timber and mud, judging all measurements by eye, rather than using a design or plan, yet all buildings stand firm, straight and long. Although modest, Qiang dwellings are tastefully decorated with paintings and ceramic handicrafts. The average home has five stories and a narrow wooden staircase. Livestock is kept on the first floor, and the living room, bedrooms and kitchen are on the second. The third floor has more bedrooms and is used for storage. Grains are dried on the fourth floor and the fifth is a place of worship where white stones are arranged upon which to offer sacrifices. The village was built according to Taoist design with eight gates and 31 interconnecting corridors leading to each household in a maze-like manner. Villagers say that at times of war or siege these corridors provided a form of defense as they were used to move supplies and plan ambushes. Qiang people have a strong sense of the aesthetic, as can be seen from their everyday dress and ornamentation. They sew their own garments and footwear and embroider them with various motifs. Women's wear, from hats to shoes, is elaborately decorated with floral patterns, sometimes giving the impression that the scent of flowers emanates from the body of the wearer. Overnight in Qiang’s home.
Day 3: Zhonglu Gyarong Tibetan village of Danba (B/L/D)
This morning we will leave for Danba. En-route we will cross the tunnel of Zhegu Mountain (4,423 meters, regarded as the highest tunnel of highway) and drive along the Sumohe river to Markang, the capital of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous prefecture, late in the afternoon we reach Danba (Tib. Rongmi Drango), at 1,950m. Total of about 5-6 hours drive. The indigenous populations of Danba are ‘Gyarong Tibetans’, who speak distinctively archaic Qiangic dialect, unintelligible to other Tibetans and the dress is also distinctive. The women, traditionally wear colorful head gears and are well known for being prettiest in Tibet. Tall 18th century block towers (watchtowers), fortification dominate the landscape of this ancient Gyarong Kingdom. We will visit one of these towers and local family. Overnight Gyarong Tibetan’ home.
Day 4: Trek to Suopo village(6-7 hours) and drive to Danba (B/L/D)
Today we will have a very nice trek, during this trek you can enjoy the wonderful scenery around the mountain. You can have a very close tour from one family to another family of local Tibetans. You will pass the mountain(3200m) and have lunch on a big flat rock, from there you can have a panorama view of Suopo village. Suopo village (Stockaded Village) is one place where visitors find themselves immersed in various blockhouses. There are 113 ancient blockhouses in Suopo village with a history of more than 1,900 years.. From the foot of the mountain will cross Daduhe river and meet our bus. Overnight in Danba Hotel.
Day 5: Kamding (B/L/D)
After breakfast, drive to Kamding via Xinduqiao. The road to Kamding climbs up to 4416m Yalha pass; scenes changing dramatically to rugged mountains and snowy peaks as we descend a steep series of switchbacks down into the steep-sided Yak river gorge. On the way visit Huiyuan monastery 98 kilometers away from Dawu County in the southeast. It is called Gedajampaling in Tibetan. In 1729 the seventh Dalai Lama, Kelzang Gyatso built the temple to reside in order to avoid the rebellion caused by Dzungar Mongols. Surrounded by three circles of walls, the temple covers an area of 500 mus (1 hectare = 15 mu) with more than one thousand of storied buildings and about four hundred of bungalows. There is a hanging stele with the inscription of Huiyuan monastery at the upper of the gate and a stone tablet standing in the front of the temple gate, which were obliged by the emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty to Dalai Lama then. Also the 11th Dalai Lama was born near by the monastery. After visiting the monastery drive to Tagong, if we have enough time, we can visit Tagong monastery which has a long history more than 1000 years, considered built by SongTsan Ganpo, the greatest King of ancient Tibet. Continue to Kamding through Tagong grassland, you can see several Tibetan villages passing by and the Tibetan houses style changing. Kamding is often regarded as the hometown of love song and cultural heart of Kham, which used to be the capital of Western Kham and now it as the capital of Tibetan autonomous Prefecture of Gandzi, Overnight in Kamding Love-song Hotel.
Day 6: Chengdu (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Anjue monastery. After then drive to Chengdu. Overnight in Chengdu
Day 7: Departure (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport (15minutes) in time for your flight. |
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