Sichuan Tours

Venturing west to Chengdu is usually either to transit to Tibet or to see the pandas at the Wolong Nature Reserve. But there is far more to see around Chengdu - one can venture out to Leshan, Mt. Emei and Dazu, but that is only the beginning to all the possibilities that include visiting nature reserves, remote lakes and mountains, as well as Tibetan villages. Study the itineraries below on how best to include Sichuan in your China itinerary.

Western Sichuan Explorer

Tour the Tibetan parts of stunning landscapes of Western Sichuan. Visit Kangding, once an important stop on the prominent trade route to Lhasa. Marvel at Cuckoo Valley, Saimaping, Seven-color Sea, Mugecuo, and Honghai Grassland. Admire well-known Tagong Monastery, a thousand-year old Diao Tower, a scenic Dadu River valley, and the folklore of the local Kangba Tibetans. Tour Suopo, famous for the impressive Tibetan fortress-like houses. Then explore the Hailuogou Valley at the foot of the massive Mt. Gongga's glacier.

Lithang Horse Race Festival

Canceled in 2008 because of protests and calls for Tibetan independence in 2007, the annual Lithang horse-racing festival, held from August 1 to August 8, is scheduled once again to be held in Mola Grassland in vicinity of Lithang on same dates in 2010. This is an experience not to miss where thousands of Kampa Tibetans gather decked in striking traditional garb and ornaments. Several hundred horsemen race against each other, compete in acrobatic stunt riding as well as archery. Days are filled with singing and dancing in an ambiance of nomadic atmosphere. We offer you to connect the Lithang festival experience with a stunning Genyen trek:

Lithang Horse Festival and Genyen Trek - 22 days

or a shorter version:

Lithang Horse Festival and Genyen Trek - 15 days

Other Sichuan tours and treks

Chengdu to Chengdu, 5 days tour of Sichuan:

Beijing to Beijing, 12-day tour of Sichuan
This itinerary combines the highlights between Chengdu and Chongquing, where you board a cruise on the Yangtze River. You sail through the fabled Three Gorges. First through the Qutang Gorge, framed by steep mossy cliffs, then on through Wu Gorge, celebrated for its 12 peaks. At Badong, you'll transfer to a small cruiser for an exciting excursion on Shenlong Stream to view its breathtaking small gorges. Next, sail through Xiling Gorge, the last and most scenic of all the gorges, and finally, pass through the dramatic Three Gorges Ship Lock.

Day 01. BEIJING to CHENGDU
On arrival, be greeted and transferred to the hotel to check. Visit Qingyang Palace, the oldest and largest Taoist temple in Chengdu if time permits
MEALS: Dinner
HOTEL: Sheraton Lido Hotel 5*

Day 02. CHENGDU to WOLONG
After Breakfast, drive to Wonglong Nature Reserve, the best place to see Chengdu's most endearing residents. Also included are the museum where you may learn about the Giant Pandas' habitat and evolution. According to the pandas' activities when you visit, you may have the option to take your picture with an adorable baby panda! Return to Chengdu late in the afternoon. . This evening, attend an entertaining performance of the Sichuan Opera. Full of local color and flavor, Sichuan Opera is characterized by a combination of music and acrobatic performances, including Changing Face, Spitting Fire and Bowl-lamp
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HOTEL: Sheraton Lido Hotel 5*

Day 03. CHENGDU LESHAN
Today, take a drive to Sanxingdui where you may begin to explore Sanxingdui Museum with its remarkable collection of archeological artifacts spanning 5,000 years of culture in the Chengdu area. Then move on visit Wangjianglou Park, known for its scenic cedar wood pavilions and bamboo forest.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HOTEL: Sheraton Lido Hotel 5*

Day 04. CHENGDU / LESHAN / MT. EMEI
This morning, travel to Leshan to see the Giant Buddha on a cruise ship along Dadu River. Built over 800 years, this sitting Buddha is believed to be the largest in the world. Lunch in Leshan before continuing on to scenic mountain region of Emeishan. On arrival, visit the Baoguo Temple and the Wannian Temple. Over night at Emeishan Hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HOTEL: Emeishan Hotel 4*

Day 05. MT. EMEI / ZIGONG / DAZU
This morning, depart Mt.Emei by private traveling to Dazu, famed for its Buddhist Archaeological sites. En route, view the world famous Dinosaur Museum and the Salt History Museum at Zigong. Overnight at Dazu Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HOTEL: Dazu Hotel 3*

Day 06. DAZU to CHONGQING
Sightseeing today includes monumental Buddhist sculptures at Beishan and Baodingshan.
With rich images as well as inscriptions, the Dazu Grottoes are regarded as an art treasure house that fully reflected the society, philosophy, religion and folklore of that time. In 1999, UNESCO listed Dazu Stone Carvings as a world cultural heritage site. One point to be noted is that the Dazu Grottoes are the only ones that were implemented according to an overall design among over 100 grottoes in China. After the tour, drive to Chongqing where you board your luxurious President Cruise Ship to begin your memorable cruise downstream.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HOTEL: President No 1 ☆☆☆☆☆

Day 07. YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
This morning, a shore excursion takes you to view Mingshan Hill's temples. The balance of the day is free to explore the ship's many amenities. Tonight, you are our guests at the captain's cocktail party.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HOTEL: President No 1 ☆☆☆☆

Day 08. YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Cruise through the first of the fabled Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge, framed by steep mossy cliffs. Then, sail on through Wu Gorge, celebrated for its 12 peaks. At Badong, transfer to a small cruiser for an exciting excursion on Shenlong Stream to view its breathtaking small gorges. Next, sail through Xiling Gorge, the last and most scenic of all the gorges. Finally, pass through the dramatic Three Gorges Ship Lock.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HOTEL: President No 1 ☆☆☆☆

Day 09. YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE & YICHANG to BEIJING
This morning, stop at Sandouping to view the historic Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. Reboard the ship and sail on to Yichang where you disembark. On arrival, transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight bound for Beijing.
where you arrange you own transfer to the hotel to check in.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
HOTEL: Novotel Xin Qiao 4*

Day 10 -Day12
BEIJING
You are on your own to explore the city.
MEALS:
HOTEL: Novotel Xin Qiao 4*

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