Day 1 USA - Chengdu

Today we board an international flight bound for Chengdu, China. Cross the International Date Line.

Day 2 Chengdu

Arrive in Chengdu. Our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the luxury hotel for rest and relaxation. Chengdu is the capital of "Heavenly State" (Tian Fu Zhi Guo), habitat of giant pandas and city of cotton-rose hibiscus. Benefiting from Dujiangyan Irrigation Project which was constructed in 256 B.C., Sichuan Province is reputed as "Tian Fu Zhi Guo", literally a place richly endowed with natural resources. Chengdu, as the capital, is extremely productive. The Min and Tuo Rivers, two branches of the Yangtze River, connected to forty other rivers, supply an irrigation area of more than 700 square kilometres (270.27 square miles) with 150-180 million kilowatts of water. Consisting of abundant mineral resources, the land is extremely fertile. 

Day 3 Chengdu

In the morning, tour the Chengdu Panda Base. Chengdu Panda Base was founded in 1987, it started with 6 giant pandas that were rescued from the wild. It had about 150 panda births, and the captive panda population has grown to about 100 now. Visit Kuanzhai Alley. Kuanzhai Alley is a newly renovated Qing dynasty district in Chengdu, made up of three parallel lanes lined with traditional Chinese architecture. Kuanzhai Alley is a good place to stroll, try some local food, shop for souvenirs, and get a taste of local culture. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Marquis Wu and the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu. Enjoy the famous Sichuan local cuisine for dinner today.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Chengdu - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou

In the morning, take the high- speed train to Huanglong Jiuzhai. Upon arrival, tour to Huanglong. Huanglong is the world natural heritage site, famed for its peculiar karsts landscape and multihued ponds that are set off picturesquely by snow-top mountains, vertical ravines and vast forests. Finish sightseeing the main scenic spots in Huanglong, we drive to Jiuzhaigou.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Jiuzhaigou

The fairyland - Jiuzhaigou, the world natural heritage site, has been known for its natural wonders in terms of colorful waters appearing to be either magically peacock blue or emerald. All those who encounter it are overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of both its landscape and its lakes, springs, waterfalls, streams, rivers and shoals Jiuzhaigou National Park is a network of valleys in Sichuan province, it is located in Jiuzhaigou County, 450 kilometers to the north of Chengdu. Its name is due to the existence of nine stockaded villages of Tibetan origin, and it is always regarded as a holy mountain and watercourse by the Tibetan people. In the northern Shuzheng Valley, Nuorilang Waterfall cascades from the edge of a large tree-fringed lake. The Zharu Monastery is a place of worship for the park’s Tibetan villages. In the south, Rize Valley’s mountains are covered with ancient forests. Fallen trees are scattered on the bottom of the striking, multicolored Five Flower Lake. Jiuzhaigou is a great masterpiece of nature having dreamlike scenery and abundant natural resources. The best time to visit Jiuzhaigou is autumn, especially September and October. Whole day excursion exploring the fantasy of Jiuzhaigou including visits to Shuzheng Waterfall, Changhai Lake, the River View Pavilion and Tibetan Village. Enjoy a cultural performance of "Jiuzhai Romance" at night.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 6 Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu - Leshan - Mt. Emei

After breakfast, we take the high speed train back to Chengdu. Later proceed by bus to Leshan, the tour of Leshan includes a cruise on Min River, and a view of Leshan Grand Buddha, the largest stone-carved Buddha in the whole world, described as "A mountain emerges as a Buddha, and a Buddha- a mountain". Finish sightseeing at Leshan, before we drive to Mt. Emei, enjoy the local cuisine dinner - Tofu Banquet. 

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Mt. Emei

A cable car ride takes us up to the Golden Summit. Sightseeing of Golden Summit at Mt. Emei. The Golden Summit rises over 3000 meters above sea level. There one may find an advantage point to appreciate sunrise, to view the sea of clouds, the Buddhist lamps and particularly the Buddhist flory which is most wonderful and captivating. Tonight we will enjoy Emei Vegetarian Dinner.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Mt. Emei - Chengdu - Lhasa

After breakfast, we drive to Chengdu airport and fly to Lhasa. Arrive in Lhasa, you will be met by the guide and have a good rest to adapt yourself to the high altitude.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 9 Lhasa

After breakfast, you will tour Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Norbu Lingka. Potala Palace was built at the time of Songtsan Gampo in the 7th century. In the 17th century the 5th Dalai Lama rebuilt it and extended it to its present size. Its 13-story main building is 117 meters high and is composed of the Red and White Palaces, with the red one in the middle. The main building consists of the Hall of stupas of Dalai Lamas from various historical stages and halls of Buddha. The White Palace is the residence of the Dalai Lamas and place for handling political affairs. Sera Monastery is one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa. It was built by one of the disciples of Zonggaba in 1419. On the 27th of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar, it holds the great Sera Bungchen Festival, which attracts flocks of Buddhists and others. Norbu Lingka means a lovely garden in Tibetan. Located in the western suburbs of Lhasa, it has been a place for the Dalai Lamas to stay to escape the summer heat.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Lhasa

Today you will tour Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkor Street. Drepung Monastery was built in 1416 and is the largest of the Monasteries of the Gelug Sect. In its heyday, it had more than 10,000 Monks. It has trained a large group of talents for Tibetan Buddhism. Jokhang Monastery is located in the center of the old city of Lhasa and was built in the 7th century by Songtsan Gambo, the Tang Dynasty Princess Wen Cheng and Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti. After touring Barkor Street you will know something about the local life. In the evening you are entertained by Tibetan Music and Dance Show after a local Tibetan Cuisine dinner. You may try a cup of jam butter tea, the local favorite.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Lhasa - Lake Yamdrok Tso - Gyangtse- Shigatse

Drive to Shigatse. On the way you will see Lake Yamdrok, one of the three most sacred lakes in Tibet and Karola Glacier. After arrival you will visit Pelkor Monastery built in 1414. Its 17 Dratsang belong to three sects of Sagya, Kadam and Gelug and gather all religious sects, a salient feature of the Hall of Coqen. By the monastery stands the resplendent Palkor Pagoda. This nine-story pagoda is 32.5 meters high house some 100,000 statues of Buddhas. So the pagoda is also famous as the 100,000-Buddha PAGODA". 

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Shigatse - Lhasa

Shigatse is the second largest town in Tibet. Visit Tashilunpo Monastery. Tashilunpo Monastery was built in 1447 under the supervision of the First Dalai Lama Gedun Zhuiba, one of the disciples of Zonggaba. It was expanded by the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Bainqen Lamas and has become the place of the reincarnation of the Bainqen Lamas. It houses the 22.4-meter-high gilded bronze statue of Qiangba Buddha, the tallest of its kind in the world. The image of the Buddha is kind and generous, and is vivid. Later, we drive back to Lhasa. On the way back to Lhasa, enjoy the fascinating highland scenery at the "roof of the world." 

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Lhasa - Chengdu

Day 14 Chengdu - USA

After breakfast, you are transferred to airport for your return flight back to your home. You will be in the United States the same day. End of tour.

• Includes Breakfast

Your vacation getaway is waiting.