Tours Sightseeing Secrets of Sichuan (12 Days) | Secrets of Sichuan (12 Days) |
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Sichuan's Tibetan Aba County is quickly becoming known as one of the world's
most legendary landscapes. From the
rugged Minshan Mountains and its dense bamboo forests
which shroud less than 1,000 of the world's remaining Giant Pandas to the alluring
and peaceful grasslands and rolling mountain highlands inhabited by Tibetan
nomads, budding tourism in the region comes as little surprise. The ascent into to the intimidating Minshan
range quickly causes the fertile Chengdu
plain to become a distant memory.
Further north, tiny Tibetan communities demonstrate the province's
marked cultural diversity. Epic scenery
of varying types mixed with a few rather unknown communities allows for many
new secrets to be unlocked in Aba.
Day 1, Chengdu: The first full day after arriving in Chengdu will be spent easing you into the time change and understanding aspects of local culture which makes Sichuan so unique. A walking tour of Chengdu's ever-expanding central business district will be the first step in contrasting China's booming cities with its innocent agricultural and mountain regions, which await in the journey's coming days. After a creative vegetarian lunch we'll visit the Wenshu Monastery, Chengdu's largest Buddhist complex. In the late afternoon we'll take a stroll around River Viewing Pavilion Park to witness Chengdu locals in their element: drinking tea, playing mahjong or cards, snacking, and just chatting the day away. At night we'll have a traditional Sichuan meal which consists of a wide variety of stir-fried meat, vegetable, and tofu dishes.
Day 3, Wolong - Songpan: After a short guided hike at Wolong in the morning we'll spend the afternoon following the Min River as it knifes its way northward toward Songpan. The ancient city is packed into the narrow river valley cut out by the Min River which flows through the middle of town. We'll visit with some Hui minority and Tibetan traders and merchants who inhabit much of the town. Those who are up for a short, but steep jaunt up to the Guanyin temple will be afforded excellent views of the Songpan river valley below.
Day 5, Ruoergai - Langmusi: After visiting Ruoergai's Tibetan Ta Tsa Gompa Temple in the morning we'll need another two hours to reach the harmonious village of Langmusi, which straddles the border of Sichuan and Gansu provinces. Each side of the tiny town boasts its own Tibetan Lamasery and the surrounding scenery is breathtaking in every direction. Various one, two, and three day hiking or horseback riding options exist in Langmusi, so depending on your hiking level and interests we'll arrange the proper guided adventure.
Day 7, (or your last day in Langmusi) Langmusi - Jiuzhaigou: In the morning we'll visit both of Langmusi's Tibetan monasteries as well as the Chinese Islamic Hui minority mosque. For being such a small town, Langmusi retains an incredible religious presence. After lunch we'll need the rest of the day to make the drive to Jiuzhaigou through the backroads of northern Aba County. The excellent scenery along the road will only be outdone by Jiuzhaigou's magical scenery.
Day 9, Jiuzhaigou - Wanglang: In the morning we'll visit parts of the park we could not see on the first day. After lunch we'll head south towards Pingwu where we'll stay in an eco-lodge at the nearby Wanglang Nature Reserve. The scenic drive will take up the rest of the day. Day 10, Wanglang: Wanglang naturalists will be available to serve as guides to explain more about the sensitive eco-system and other rare flora and fauna that call Wanglang home. At night guests will be able to make use of the many nature resources at the Wanglang Eco-Lodge. Day 11, Wanglang - Chengdu: In the morning we'll visit the nearby Baima communities. The Baima are a vibrant community that is become smaller and smaller each year. Only 4,000 Baima people are left in the entire world, most of whom reside in the villages near the Wanglang reserve. They are well known for their colorful dress and passion for song. After lunch we'll stop at the Bao'en Temple near Pingwu before making the long drive back to Chengdu. Day 12, Chengdu: Back in the big city the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center guarantees visitors the ability to get up close up with these majestic animals. More than 40 pandas of all ages reside at the research base. In the afternoon we'll visit the Great Buddha at Leshan, and then dine on fiery Sichuan hotpot for your final goodbye dinner back in Chengdu.
We'll see you off to the airport at the end of day 12 or on the morning
of day 13, but we hope it won't be the last time we meet! Note: Depending on the time of your departure travel, the schedule of the twelfth and final day may be subject to change.
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Day 2, Chengdu - Wolong: An hour outside Chengdu
we'll visit 
Day 4, Songpan -
Ruoergai: We'll first head to the nearby Muni Valley
where the EU-China forestry commission has been working with local Tibetan villages
and monasteries to develop a basic sustainable tourism industry.
Day 6, Langmusi: Day
6 will be a day of exploration and cultural understanding.
Day 8, Jiuzhaigou:
Day 8 features the much-anticipated 
