12 Days West Sichuan Farm and Nomad Culture Tour: Siguniang Danba Dege Litang

Shuangqiao Valley

Changping Valley

For average travelers, the valleys are also good choice to explore the natural beauties of western Sichuan. Shuangqiao Valley is accessible by scenic sightseeing bus. In Changping Valley, ones can choose hiking and horse riding. Haizi Valley is famous for the tens of alpine lakes and the only road to climb Dafeng. So you can choose one of the Valleys today and do the exploration.

Stay overnight in Rilong

Four Girls Mountain

Danba

Today firstly drive about 112km from Rilong Town to Danba local Tibetan Village and check in the local hotel. Then you could either have a free afternoon and have a nice walking around or join the locals to do some farm work and help them make dinner.

Stay overnight in Danba Village

Danba Castle

Danba House

After breakfast, we drive 8.5km from Danba County to visit Jiaju Tibetan Village. It was selected as the head of the most beautiful six villages in China by the Chinese National Geographic Magazine. The village has more than 140 families. More than 200 colorful Tibetan buildings spread over the green mountain under the blue sky, forming a stunning landscape painting. The houses are all distinctive with crown-shaped roofs, red eaves and white walls.

In the afternoon, move on to Suopo to visit the ancient watchtower Group. Actually, there are 175 ancient watchtowers standing proudly on both sides of Dadu River. Because of this, Danba County has been praised as "a kingdom of one thousand castles". Then be transferred back to your hotel in the county.

Stay overnight at Danba

Bamei Barley Field

Daofu Grassland

Today we firstly drive 86km to Bamei along deep mountain gorges. Then from Baimei to Luohuo, we’ll drive pass the Longdeng Grassland, where you can have a glimpse of the grazing land with sheep, yaks, tents and shepherds.

Stay overnight in Luhuo

Road to Ganzi

Yachen Monastery

Early in the morning leaving Luhuo and driving about 100km, we come to Ganzi. After having lunch here, we continue to Yachen Monastery, which lies in an isolated valley 4,000m above the sea level. It’s said that the current population of this monastic community is approximately 17,000 monks and nuns, with nuns holding the majority, which is the largest scale in the world. When weather is good, travelers could enjoy the magnificent sunset here.

Stay overnight at dorm bed in Yachen Monastery

Dege County

Horse Racing Festival

Yachen Monastery was built on the prairie wetland surrounded by mountains. Numerous disciples live here in the circle piles of wooden huts and the crisscrossing rivers surround the buildings of the entire temple. Every morning and evening, when the cooking smokes rising, river shining with golden light, monks’ chanting comes far from the wind, just like the sounds of nature, peace and touching.

Getting up early in the morning to enjoy its tranquility and harmoniousness or sunrise if weather permits, then we’ll keep exploring the secret land. First drive back to Ganzi, then onwards to Dege via Manigange. We’ll stop at Xinlu Lake to enjoy its beauty, then drive over the Chola Mountain Pass (5,050m). Finally, we reach Dege.

Stay overnight in Dege

Baiyu Monastery

Batang Landscape

In the morning, we’ll visit the Dege Sutra-Printing House, a must-see place along this itinerary. It is the largest Tibetan printing house and home to more than 300,000 ancient engraved blocks. You’ll have a rough idea of how the printings are made and watch the dedicated handicraftsmen working on engravings.

Afterwards, we drive through gorges along Jinsha River to Baiyu and then continue to Batang via Gaiyu and Cuola.

Stay overnight in Batang.

Li Tang

Sister Lake

After breakfast we’ll leave Batang, drive over the Haizishan Mountain Pass and you’ll have a bird view of the two turquoise highland lakes named Sister Lake. They lie close to each other like two emeralds. Then keep driving on the grassland. If in summer, the whole prairie is dyed with colorful flowers. Soon we’ll arrive at the world’s highest town - Litang County.  

Stay overnight in Litang.

Tagong Monastery

Xinduqiao

Today we’ll drive over 3 mountain pass above 4,000m. They’re Kazila Mountain Pass, Jianziwan Mountain Pass and Gore Temple Mountain Pass. If weather is good, you’ll see from here the beautiful natural views of mountains, highland clouds, fogs and prairies. Afterwards, we’ll drive into the Tagong Grassland area with the ancient Tagong Monastery and amazing view in Xinduqiao, which is known as the heaven for photographers.

Stay overnight at Xinduqiao.

Cattle on Road

Ya'an

If you’re a shutterbug, then you can’t afford to miss the light and shade here. So get up early in the morning with your camera and immersed into this photograph paradise. Then, we’ll be ready to drive back to Chengdu and have a good rest in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Chengdu.

Transfer you to airport or train station. Tour ends.