21 Days Factory Tour Throughout China Tibet Nepal Bhutan with Chengdu Panda Visit

Today you will visit Paper-cut Factory, learn about the history and production process, you can even have a hands-on try.

In the afternoon you will go to Water Purification and Environmental Protection Industrial Park, know about the whole progress of water purification, the usage of purified water such as irrigating vegetables, drinking and so on.

Stay overnight in Shanghai

Golden Monkey in Shanghai Wildlife Park

Yu Garden

Today, you will first visit the Shanghai Wildlife Park. This is a theme park integrating wildlife breeding, exhibition, breeding and protection, popular science education and entertainment. You will see the Golden Monkey, Golden Antelope, Crested Ibis, Asian Rhinoceros Unicorn, very rare species, the park was made mainly to protect, breed and extend rare and endangered animals, popularize animal knowledge to the public, meanwhile, cultivate awareness of animal protection.

After visiting Shanghai Wildlife Park, you will go to Yu Garden, a private garden built in the Ming Dynasty, about 400 years ago. After meticulous care for over 20 years, the owner named it “Yu Garden”, expressing the wishes of safety and harmony. You can experience the ancient culture in Yu Garden, viewing the magnificence of wisdom of ancient Chinese.

Stay overnight in Shanghai

Today you will be escorted to airport and take the flight to Chengdu, our guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel, after settling down, you will go to downtown Chengdu to see the capital of Sichuan Provence, you can have hot pot if you want!

Stay overnight in Chengdu

Jinli Ancient Street

Chengdu Panda Base

In the morning, our tour guide & driver will pick you up from your hotel, and drive to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (known as Chengdu Panda Base) which is the best possible environment for rearing and breeding. Here, you can explore the daily life of the cute pandas, and see them eating bamboo at their active time (from 9 o’clock to 11 o’clock).

In the afternoon our guide will escort you to the Jinli Ancient Street, one of the oldest streets to appreciate the local snacks and artifacts. The elegant style of the architectures tells you what Sichuan looks like during the Qing Dynasty. Then visit Wuhou Temple, where people in Chengdu commemorate Zhu Geliang, you can learn many stories of this sagacious man.

After tour, be transferred back to your hotel.

Stay overnight in Chengdu

The Famous Pixian Chili Bean Paste Ferments in the Courtyard

Sichuan Cuisine Cooking Class in the Cuisine Museum

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in and drive to the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, which is located in Pixian County in western Chengdu. As the first museum with a theme of regional cooking culture in the world, Sichuan Cuisine Museum is the best place to learn the history of the famous Sichuan cuisine, as well as experience how to make an authentic Sichuan dish.

When you arrive in Sichuan Cuisine Museum, you could visit the main hall houses, where thousands of relics of cooking utensils hold. You could learn the history of Sichuan cuisine that dating back to about 2,500 years ago, in the Hall of Classical-collection Exhibition. There are great collection of books and records that vividly show the portrait of the rich culture of Sichuan cuisine, one of the most popular regional cuisines in China, even among the world.

Keeping on visiting the museum, you will see many antique treasure of the ancient Sichuan. And in the small farm in the courtyard, you could see how the famous Pixian Chili Bean Paste ferments in clay jars.

The most fantastic part of this foodie tour is to take a cooking class there and learn the authentic Sichuan dishes from local chefs. There is an English menu for you to choose, once you decided which to learn, the chef will teach you hand by hand. When you fished, you could sit down and enjoy the dish you just made. What a wonderful experience!

After the tour, our guide will take you back to Chengdu.

Stay overnight in Chengdu

Welcome to Lhasa! The tour guide will meet you at the airport to get to the hotel where you stay. On the way to the hotel, you will be accompanied by the upper stream of the Brahmaputra River and Lhasa River. Certainly, there are also snow-capped mountains, enchanting lakes, and yaks.

Then, when arriving in Lhasa, you should have a rest in your room to acclimatize yourself to this high altitude. If time and energy are full, you can wander to the Potala Square to appreciate the fountain show and the urban nightscape.

Notice:
In order to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet and avoid the altitude sickness, especially the first-visit to Tibet, you should have a good sleep in your hotel. Do not rush to visit attractions inside Lhasa city.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

The Splendid Potala Palace

Jokhang Temple

After your delicious breakfast, you will start your Tibetan Buddhist journey today. Certainly, the Potala Palace, reputed as the landmark of Tibet, must be the first site. It is enclosed with the White Palace and the Red Palace ancillary buildings of the Potala Palace which rise from Red Mountain in the center of Lhasa Valley (3700m). The most valuable burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet are housed inside.

Having a lunch, you will continue to visit the "spiritual heart of the city" and the most sacred monastery in Tibet - the holy Jokhang Monastery. The monastery is located at Barkhor Square in Lhasa, in general, considered as the most important and sacred monastery by Tibetan. In fact, it is packed with pilgrims from four corners to pray. Therefore, not only will you see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, also the pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple.

After visiting the monastery, you can stroll along the Barkhor Street surrounding the monastery where you can take part in the pilgrimage to do kora, a religious circle around a building or mountains, or wandering to buy some Tibetan handicrafts and so on.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Drepung Monastery

Scriptures Debating in Sera Monastery

Today, you will go on basking in Tibetan Buddhism. Drepung Monastery, as the beginning site of today’s journey, is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. It is founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples, also the biggest monastery among Tibetan Buddhist buildings. Here, we will offer you an opportunity to visit the biggest monastery kitchen, and enjoy the rock paintings, then, the tour guide will lead you to see Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung Monastery.

In addition, after your meal, continue to visit another Gelug monastery in Tibet - Sera Monastery. As we all know, the highlight of touring Sera Monastery is to watch an excellent Monks Debate lasting from 3 pm to 5 pm. Then, you can explore the Choding Khang which is the hermitage located just behind the Great Assembly Hall (on the hill slope of Sera Utse).

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Yamdrok Lake

Pelkor Monastery

After your breakfast, we will leave for Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. As long as you pass the Gangbala Pass (5030m), you will view a turquoise lake surrounded by winding mountains, the lake is Yamdrok Lake, and the snow-capped mountain in the distance is Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa. Here, you can take some pictures with Tibetan Mastiffs at the bank of the lake.

Leaving from Yamdrok Lake, when passing the Manak Dam Lake, you can stop to hang prayer flag at nearby Simila Pass(4330m). Besides, Karola Glacier should not be missed along the road. Continue to drive, we will arrive in Gyantse. Here, many vital cultural and historical sites are worth paying a visit, including Palkhor Monastery, Ancient Gyantse Street, and the magnificent vista of Gyangtse Fortress. After finishing your visit in Gyantse, you will move to Shigatse. If visiting in Summer, you will be offered a chance to view the landscape of Barley Field, and learn the flour Barley flout made with a water mill at a traditional Barley Mill.

Stay overnight in Shigatse

Tashilumpo Monastery

Tashilumpo Monastery

Today’s morning, you will visit the historic and culturally essential monastery - Tashilumpo Monastery. The monastery is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, the second highest ranking Tulku lineage in the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. If you get there at a proper time, it may be lucky for you to witness the pilgrims circumambulate the monastery on the Lingkhor outside the walls. Ending your visit here, we will drive back to Lhasa along the Yalong Valley.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

The Beautiful Namtso Lake

The Beautiful Namtso Lake

After the main Tibetan monastery tour, today, we will lead you to enjoy the natural landscape in Tibet - appreciating the sacred Namtso Lake. Before your arrival, appreciating the Nyenchen Tanggula Mountain Range in the distance, Nomads in flourishing grassland, and the view of Sky-Road Railway with snow mountain background is extremely interesting and relaxing.

After passing the famous Lagenla Mountain Pass (5190m), Namtso Lake will come you’re your view. Reputed as the heavenly lake, Namtso is a mountain lake on the border between Damxung County and Baingoin County. As one of three holy lakes in Tibet, Its cave hermitages have for centuries been the destination of Tibetan pilgrims. After nightfall, you can stroll along the lakeside to enjoy the landscape of Tashi Island, and embrace the stunning sunset. Then we'll drive back to Dumxung or Yampachen. (For environment protection, the Lakeshore guesthouses were close by the government.)

Stay overnight in Dumxung or Yampanchen Town

Drive to Yampanchen and enjoy the natural hot spring bath in here. (Please prepare your own swimming suit.) The famous Yangpachen lies on the southern slope of the Nyenchen Tangula Mountains and is famous for its geothermal scenery. Every year, Yangpachen Hot Spring emits heat equal to that of 4.7 million tons of standard coal. Lying in a plateau basin, Yangpachen’s geothermal field covers 40 square km. To take advantage of geothermal field, resorts were built in here, giving tourists a chance to enjoy the outdoor natural hot spring spa. After having thoroughly relaxed in the spa, we head back to Lhasa. On the way, we will visit Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery) and have a far view of a sky burial site nearby.

Stay Overnight in Lhasa.

Cultural Tips: Sky burial is a funeral practice commonly seen in Tibet. The corpse will be disposed of and later devoured by vultures. In Tibetan Buddhism, sky burial is believed to represent their wishes to go to heaven. Only family members of the dead can attend the funeral.

Today, you will take the flight from Lhasa to Tribhuvan International Airport.

On arrival in Kathmandu: having cleared immigration, collected your luggage and passed through customs, please make your way towards the exit of the terminal building where you will see a bank of people waiting for you.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

Kathmandu Swayambhunath

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Today, this tour will bring you to visit Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath and Patan.

First, you will head to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is located in the heart of old city Kathmandu. There are around 50 temples in the vicinity. In this tour, we visit the 17th Century Durbar complex, Hanuman Dhoka, Paravati temple, great Bell and Drum, Bhairav and Taleju Temple. All around the splendour of historical monuments is the hustle & bustle of the market place. Vegetable vendors, trees of flutes, salesmen with their wares displayed on their person, souvenir hawkers, and street shop selling imported goods and tucked away in a quiet corner the glittering bead market for custom made bead necklaces.

Swoyambhunath (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - Swoyambhunath literally means 'Self-Existent One.' Swoyambhunath is believed to have been established more than 2,500 years ago. An inscription dated 460 A.D. states that the construction was carried out by King Manadeva. By the thirteenth century Swoyambhunath had developed into an important Buddhist learning site. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the North West. Swayambhunath occupies a central position; it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist Pilgrimage sites.

Afterwards, head to visit a Weaving Factory. Interact with the weavers and appreciate the creativity of the weavers whereby threads are put together to form new creations. And also you can try weaving for yourself

In the evening, you will visit Patan Durbar Sqaure. In Patan, the old Newar city, you will see the historic Durbar Square, the Golden Gate, the sky piercing temple of Taleju and the statue of Yogendra Malla, Krishna Mandir, Sati Temple, Hiranya Varna Mahabiar (the golden temple), and Mahabouddha with views of old carved wooden windows through the streets, curios shop and Bazaars.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

Bhaktapur Durbar Sqaure

Pashupatinath

Toay, you will head to Bhaktapur, Bhaktapur is another Newar city founded in the 9th century. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the center of Bhaktapur. The Square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights some of the finest medieval arts of Nepal. The main items of interest in Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate and the statues of kings on stone monoliths. The Golden Gate was erected by King Ranjit Malla as the entrance to the main courtyard of the Fifty-five Windowed Palace. The Palace of Fifty-five Windows was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in A.D. 1427 and was remodeled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the seventeenth century. The art Gallery of Bhaktapur Durbar Square contains ancient paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of various periods. This gallery is open every day except Tuesday. Bhaktapur's Durbar (Royal) Square was added to the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1979.

After sightseeing tour, you will visit Paper Factory. You will get to see how paper is made using the bark of the lokta, a plant that is cooked, washed and beaten into a soft pulp, dyed, which is then spread evenly over frames and sun dried. The friendly staff will show you around the factory and explain the several steps to you.

Later afternoon, you will visit Pashupatinath, situated on the banks of River Baghmati around 8 km from the city, is one of the holiest Hindu shrines. The Pasupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, the deity here gained great fame there as Pasupati, the Lord of the Animals. Pasupatinath Temple's existence dates back to 400 A.D. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or holy symbol of Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple that is also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings presiding deity here is Shiva, who is worshipped in the form of the lingam. However, only Hindus are allowed inside.

Boudhanath (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the centre of Tibetan culture in Nepal. The 36-meter-high Stupa of Bouddhanath is one of the largest Stupas in South Asia. Bouddhanath Stupa was renovated by Licchavi rulers in the eighth century. The mandala design in Bouddhanath is a copy of the one in Gyangtse in Tibet. The stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus. Smaller stupas are located at the base. Gompa monasteries, curio shops, and restaurants surround Bouddhanath. Today, Boudhanath bustles with Tibetan population, busy with carpet manufacture, trade, and prayers at the several monasteries belonging to different sects of Tibetan Buddhism.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

Thimphu Tashicho Dzong

Memorial Chorten

After breakfast, proceed to airport for flight to Bhutan - Paro. During the journey offers fascinating views of the eastern Himalayan range, including Mt. Everest. Arrival Paro enjoy the Bhutan local lunch.

After lunch, drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The road meanders alongside the Paro Chu (river) and terraced fields until the confluence of two rivers at Chuzom. Here, one can see three stupas, representing the different styles of the different sects. and visit Tashicho Dzong, the center of government and the monastic order. Visit the Memorial Chorten, a stupa conscpetualised by the Third King to ward off negative influences. It was later built in his memory by the present King and the Queen Mother.

Stay overnight in Thimphu

Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong

Buddha Dordenma statue

After breakfast, visit Factory (1-2 hrs)  and Weaving Center (1-2 hrs). Visit another place from where you can get a good overview of the Thimphu Valley is from the Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). It is again a short drive from the town. You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley. Drive to Paro and visit Rinpung Dzong or the 'fortress of the heap of jewels' which is the seat of the district administration and the residence of the monastic school. The dzong is famous for its wall murals depicting Buddhist parables, symbols and the lives of prominent saints.

Stay overnight in Paro

Kyichu Lhakhang

Tiger's Nest Monastery

After breakfast, drive to the foot of the Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest Monastery before walking uphill for 2 hours to reach this monastery, giddily perched on a sheer 800m rock face. Taktshang means 'Tiger's Nest' as legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this spot on the back of a tigress in the eight century. He meditated here making this temple a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. The trip to and fro takes 4 hours. After the hike, visit one of the oldest landmarks in Bhutan. The 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gembo. It is revered as one of the most holy shrines in Bhutan and embodies the arrival of Buddhism here.

Stay overnight in Paro

After breakfast, you will take the flightt from Paro to Kathmandu. You guide will drive you to your hotel and help you check-in.

The rest of the day you can free explore the city.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

You will be transfered to the airport to connect the flight to onward destination.