In 640, Princess Wencheng (Tibetan: Mung-chang Kungo) of Tang Dynasty traveled all the way from the capital city Changan (the present Xian) to Tibet to marry Songtsan Gampo -the thirty-third king of the Yarlung Dynasty of Tibet in a marriage of state as part of a peace treaty. As the pious Buddhist, she introduced Buddhism to Tibet. Now, you have the chance to follow the footsteps of the Tang Princess to enter Tibet. During the journey, you may visit monasteries of different sects of Tibetan Buddhism, view distinctive Buddhism assembles, or even join the grand Derby in Yushu together with the Tibetans.
Itinerary
Day 1 Beijing/Xining
During the first day of the tour, you will fly from Beijing to Xining, starting the exciting tour. After your arrival in Xining, you will visit the Kumbum Monastery (also known as Ta’er), one of the six most renowned Buddhist monasteries under the principle of Tibetan Buddhism. It was there in the former, Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelupa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism was born in 1357 and was later founded in 1583. Its superior monastery is Drepung, immediately to the west of Lhasa. Its fabulous fresco, delicate barbola and lively butter sculptures are very impressive, representative of elite traditional Tibetan handicrafts.
Accommodation: Xining
Day 2 Xining/Qinghai Lake/Maduo
Today you will have an excursion to Qinghai Lake is a saline lake situated in Qinghai Province, and is the largest lake in China. The names Qinghai means blue. It is located about 100km west of Xining. There is a fairy tale saying that the lake was pooled by the tears of Princess Wencheng for homesick, but actually due to the orogeny of Tibet plateau. The lake is also sometimes circumambulated by pilgrims from the region, because circuit around the lake is regarded as a kind of religious cultivation for Tibetans. The famous bird island is in the west of the lake, with as many as 100 thousand birds sharing the area smaller than half of one square kilometers. Many photo shots opportunities abound, especially at sunset, when the blue lake, vast pasture take the particularly haunting aspect in the shadows thrown by the surrounding snow-capped peaks. Then you will travel all the way to Maduo and stay overnight there.
Accommodation: Maduo
Day 3 Maduo/ Zhaling Lake and E Ling Lake /Yushu
Today you will travel from Maduo to Yushu and have a stop at Zhaling and E Ling Lake. It was at the lake that Songtsan Gamboruler, ruler of the Tubo Kingdom, greeted his fiancée - Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. In addition to that, located at the source of Yellow River, those two lakes also have picturesque natural landscapes and the profusion of flora and fauna.
Accommodation: Yushu
Day 4 Yushu
Today you will spend the whole day in Yushu. Being a constituent of the former Nangchen kingdom, the area was, for most of the time, not under domination by the Dalai Lama’s Gelugpa order in Lhasa. The different balance of power in this part of Kham enabled the older Tibetan Buddhist orders to prevail in Yushu. Yushu is rich in Buddhist monasteries of different sects of Tibetan Buddhism, and some sect only found in this part of Tibet. A temple was built here to memorize Princess Wencheng, the pious Buddhist who first introduced Buddhism into Tibet. Every summer, a grand Derby will be held here, with the small county immerged in gala atmosphere.
Accommodation: Yushu
Day 5 Yushu/Shiqu/Yushu
Today you will have an excursion to Shiqu County, where you can see the grandest Tibet Mani Stones in the world (granted the Guiness world record), the colorful cluster of sutra streamers and the mysterious Heaven Funeral Stage. In Tibet you may find mani stones and mani stone mounds almost everywhere. Usually the universal mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, is inscribed on these smooth stone plates, pebbles and rocks. Images of deities and great adepts and sutra texts are also common themes. Tibetan people build these unique works of art to show their piety to their deities and the Buddha’s teachings. Upon encountering a mani stone mound, Tibetan people circumambulate it clockwise as a prayer offering for health, peace, and protection.
Accommodation: Yushu
Day 6 Yushu/Shiqu/Dege
Today you will spend a whole day visiting Dege County. The small town also contains several historic Tibetan monasteries. Historically, Dege, which means “land of mercy”, was one of the three ancient centres of Tibetan culture, along with Lhasa and Xiahe. In Dege, you will visit the Dege Scriptures Printing Hall, the grandest of its kind in Tibet area, Babang Monastery (Gaju Sect) and Zhuqing Buddhist School (Nyingma Sect)
Accommodation: Dege
Day 7 Dege/Changdu
Today you will travel to Changdu. Then it’s your free time to visit the county and have a rest. Changdu is a prosperous town in Tibet area and abundant in Tibetan Herbal Medicine. You can buy some replenishment and medicine there.
Accommodation: Changdu
Day 8 Changdu/Dingqing
Today you will visit the 2000-year-old Zizhu Monastery in Dingqing County. It was built at the cliff 4800m above the sea level and the living way is still primitive without any modern facilities even electricity. It is the birth place of Bon, the oldest spiritual tradition of Tibet, often described as the shamanistic and animistic tradition of the Himalayas prior to Buddhism’s rise to prominence in the 7th century. A mysterious religious dance performed by naked monks is held once every 13 years, only in the temple.
Accommodation: Dingqing
Day 9 Dingqing/Suoxian
It will a whole day to travel from Dingqing to Suoxia and you will stay overnight in Suoxian after the long treck journey.
Accommodation: Suoxian
Day 10 Suoxian/Biru/Naqu
Today you will travel from Suoxian to Naqu and have a stop at Biru County to visit the incredible Skull Wall. Heaven Funeral is the unique burial way in Tibet, with the whole body eaten by condors. But in Biru County, the skulls of bodies are kept and piled as the skull wall, special reverence and memory to the dead. Then you will continue your journey to Naqu and stay there overnight.
Accommodation: Naqu
Day 11 Naqu / Namtso Lake/ Lhasa
Namsto Lake is the largest lake in Tibet Autonomous Region and one of the three holy lakes of Tibetan Buddhism. It was regarded Heaven Lake by pious pilgrims, whenever they pass by, they will drop a pebble in the lake praying for bless. . As the highest salt-water lake in the world, Namtso is renowned as one of the most beautiful places in the Nyainqêntanglha mountain range. Its cave hermitages have for centuries been the destination of Tibetan pilgrims. Then you will head towards Lhasa.
Accommodation: Lhasa
Day 12 Lhasa (Potala Palace/Jokhang Temple)
Today you will have one day city tour to explore the wonderful city Lhasa. You will visit those symbolic spots in Lhasa. Morning, visit to Potala Palace (1.5h-2.5h), the symbol of Tibetan theocracy. It was built in 641 by Songtsan Gamboruler, ruler of the Tubo Kingdom, to welcome his fiancée- Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. Later it became the office and residence of Dalai Lama. In the afternoon, you will visit Jokhang Temple (1.5h), the holy land in Tibetan Buddhism.
Accommodation: Lhasa
Day 13 Lhasa/ Shigats
Today you will travel from Lhasa to Shigats, another major city in Tibet. During the trip you will have a stop to visit Lake Yamdrok. Both pilgrims and tourists can be seen walking along the lake’s perimeter, enjoying the diversified fauna and flora, admiring the snow-capped mountains in the distance and visiting the villages scattered along its shores. In Shiagats, you will visit Tashilumpo Temple, the residence of Banchan Lama. It is one of the four monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The largest indoor bronze statue up to 26 meters was worshipped in the temple and the 10th Bancha Lama was buried there too.
Accommodation: Shigats
Day 14 Shigats/Lhasa
Today you will go back to Lhasa by the road along Brahmaputra Yarlung Zangbu River, accompanied by pious pilgrims along the way, for it is a religious cultivation for Tibetans to prostrate along the whole way to Lhasa.
Accommodation: Lhasa
Day 15 Lhasa/Leave for your place
Today is the last day of the tour. Wrap your luggage and say goodbye to your group mates.
Toursim Season: April-November
Best Season: July (Yushu Derby Month)
Independent Group Price (2-5 Persons)
Quotation: USD2666 (minimum 3 persons)
Single Room Suppliment: USD /per/ person
Group Discount
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Group Size
(Adults Only)
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The Discount You Will Get
|
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6
|
50% of your tour cost
|
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7
|
60% of your tour cost
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8
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70% of your tour cost
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|
9
|
80% of your tour cost
|
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10
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90% of your tour cost
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11
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Your tour free!
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