Qinghai-Sichuan Exploration Tour

• Arrive in Qinghai
  

• 4+stars Hotel

• None

  
  

Welcome to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. At an altitude of 2,261 meters above sea level, this city is located in the vast, sprawling northwest of China and is known for its long history and magnificent natural beauty.

Your exclusive guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel to check in and organize the rest of your tour. After a short rest, you will have free time to acclimatize to the altitude of this highland city. Whether you are savoring Xining's culinary delights or enjoying the magnificent natural scenery, you are sure to have a fulfilling and enjoyable afternoon.

Recommended Night Program:

In Xining, don't miss Puning Pearl Tower, which is not only a 188-meter-high TV and sightseeing tower, but also an excellent place to savor the food and enjoy the night view. As night falls, climb up the Puning Pearl Tower and you will enjoy a mouth-watering dinner while taking in the glittering night view of Xining, as if you were on top of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai, experiencing the charm and vitality of the city.

• Qinghai - Xining
  

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we will drive to Qinghai Lake, which is 150 kilometers away from Xining, and this journey takes about 2.5 hours. Along the way, you will be mesmerized by the picturesque natural scenery of Riyue Mountain. The green grassland, blue sky, white clouds and countless fascinating scenes will unfold in front of your eyes like a flowing scroll.

Qinghai Lake, which is 3200 meters high, is not only the largest inland lake in China, but also the largest saltwater lake. Its vast waters cover an area of more than 4,500 square kilometers, 105 kilometers long and 63 kilometers wide.

In Erlangjian Scenic Area, we will enjoy the beauty of Qinghai Lake. Walking on the trestle, you will be able to have a panoramic view of the far-reaching Qinghai Lake. The lake's water, with its different salt content, shows different colors under the sunlight, which is magnificent and charming. In addition, Qinghai Lake is also a holy place of Tibetan Buddhism, where many devotees come to worship every year.

If you want to enjoy the beauty of Qinghai Lake from a different angle, you may choose to take a cruise. In Erlangjian Scenic Area, you can choose either a high-speed cruise ship or a catamaran for your tour.

After enjoying the beautiful view of Qinghai Lake, we will drive about 150 kilometers (about 3 hours) to Chaka town (3100 meters above sea level) to check in.
Leaving Qinghai Lake, we will embark on the journey back to Xining, which is about 300 kilometers and is expected to take 3.5 to 4 hours. During this journey, if you see any scenery that makes your heart skip a beat or wish to stop for a short break, please feel free to let us know and we will arrange appropriate stopping time for you to take photos and rest. Upon arrival in Xining, you will enjoy a one-night stay in the booked hotel.

Tips:

1, The best time to visit: the beauty of Qinghai Lake can be enjoyed in all seasons, but especially recommend that you come between May and October, when the weather is pleasant and most suitable for outdoor activities. Especially in July and August, rapeseed flowers bloom, forming a golden sea, is even more beautiful.
2, Sunscreen preparation: Qinghai Lake's sunshine is strong, especially in summer. Be sure to bring sunscreen products such as hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.
3, Plateau reaction prevention: Although the Qinghai Lake plateau reaction is not common, but if it is your first time to set foot on the plateau, you should still be vigilant. Avoid strenuous exercise and maintain adequate water intake are effective measures to prevent plateau reaction.

• Xining - Tongren - Ganjia Grassland - Xiahe

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

Today, you will embark on a journey to Tongren County in Qinghai, home to the famous "Regong Art". On the way, you will visit Longwu Monastery, the third largest Tibetan monastery in Northwest China, after Labrang Monastery and Kumbum Monastery, and now an important monastery of the Gelugpa School. Longwu Monastery has played a pivotal role in the history of Tibetan Buddhism in Northwest China, where many Buddhist masters and scholars have practiced and spread the Dharma.

Afterwards, you will drive through the vast and beautiful Ganjia grassland and finally arrive at Xiahe, the center of Buddhism in Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan provinces. Here, we have found a peaceful place for you to stay, where you can rest and reserve your energy for tomorrow's exploration.

• Labrang Monastery

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will embark on a journey to Labrang Monastery. Labrang Monastery, as one of the six major monasteries of the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism, not only has a deep historical heritage, but is also an important religious center of Tibetan Buddhism outside the Tibet Autonomous Region. Here, you will have the opportunity to witness the monks studying and debating the Buddhist classics, and feel the deep religious atmosphere.

Labrang Monastery is also famous for its world's longest Bible-Turning Path, which is about 3.2 kilometers long. Winding around in a clockwise direction, you will feel the strong religious atmosphere and devotion of the believers at every step.

In the late afternoon, we will drive to Langmusi Town, located on the border of Gansu and Sichuan Provinces. This journey is about 180 kilometers and is expected to take about 3 hours. Upon arrival, you will be accommodated in Langmusi town to refresh yourself for tomorrow's exploration.

• Langmu Temple - Ruoergai Flower Lake - Chuanzhusi Town

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

Early in the morning, we will visit the serene and solemn Langmu Monastery. This Tibetan monastery, founded in 1748, carries a deep historical and cultural heritage. Here you can gain insight into its unique religious history and cultural traditions.

Afterwards, we will depart for Ruoergai Flower Lake. On the way, you will enjoy the magnificent scenery of Ruoergai Prairie, which is known as one of the "Ten Most Beautiful Wetlands", and the vast and boundless prairie seems to be a natural picture scroll, which makes you feel relaxed and happy.

When you arrive at the Ruoergai Flower Lake, you will be shocked by the beauty of the scenery in front of you. Flower Lake looks like a beautiful girl, elegantly lying on top of the wetland at an altitude of 3468 meters. You can hike in and savor this gift of nature and enjoy the two hours of quiet time. Don't forget to bring your camera with you, the beauty of this place is definitely worth the memories.

After finishing the trip to the Flower Lake, we will continue our journey to Chuanzhusi Town. The drive is about 190 kilometers and we will have dinner and overnight in Chuanzhusi Town.

• Chuanzhusi - Huanglong National Geological Park
  

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you can drive about 30 minutes from Chuanzhousi to visit Huanglong National Park.

Huanglong Valley, the jewel of the Minshan Mountains in northwestern Sichuan, is famous for its world-class limestone lake terraces. The 3.6-kilometer-long valley, lying under the Xuebao Peak (5,588 meters above sea level), looks like a yellow dragon coiled, hence its name. The most fascinating part of the valley is the colorful pools at an altitude of 3,556 m. The 693 colorful pools are like emeralds scattered all over the world, glittering and breathtaking, and the Huanglong Valley was awarded the World Natural Heritage title in 1992, which is well deserved.

In order to save energy and time, you will take the fast cable car to the top of the mountain, and then stroll through the valley to revel in the picturesque scenery, which is expected to last for about 3 hours. Afterwards, we will drive you to Jiuzhaigou for about 2 hours to check in and get ready for the next day's full-day tour.

Tips:
1. Huanglong Valley part of the area at a higher altitude, more than 3500 meters, some visitors may experience plateau reaction, please walk slowly. In case of discomfort, such as breathing difficulties or headache, please go to the oxygen bar in time to rest and inhale oxygen.
2. Please note that the Huanglong Ropeway suspends operation in winter, so please plan ahead.
3. The food and beverage facilities in the valley are limited, so it is recommended to bring a moderate amount of food or snacks, or choose to have lunch after leaving the park.

• Jiuzhaigou
  

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will travel to Jiuzhaigou, a national park known as the fairyland on earth. Your guide will lead you on a scenic bus ride that will take you to every corner of Jiuzhaigou to discover the mesmerizing natural wonders.

Jiuzhaigou, a secret land once guarded by nine Tibetan villages, has captured the world's attention with its unrivaled natural beauty since its discovery in the mid-20th century. In Jiuzhaigou, Rizegou, Zechawa Gully, Shuzheng Gully, the three major gullies, the distribution of large and small lakes 114, 17 waterfalls, Calcium Hua beach flow 5, 47 springs, turbulence of 11 sections, which, with the change of seasons, show white, blue, green, turquoise and even emerald colors, as if nature's most pleased with the palette.

Your guide will carefully plan your tour according to your situation, ensuring that you experience the essence of Jiuzhaigou at a comfortable pace. The classic tour route includes starting from the entrance of Norilang Waterfall, passing through the Changhai and Wucai Pond in Zechawa Gully, and then proceeding to the Jinling Sea, Peacock Sea, Sea of Five Flowers, Panda Sea, and Arrow Bamboo Sea in Rize Gully. Finally, you will slowly descend along the Shuzheng Gorge, enjoying the Rhinoceros Sea, Tiger Sea, Shuzheng Group Sea and so on along the way until you return to the entrance of the park, ending the day's journey to the wonderland. Afterwards, your guide and driver will escort you back to the hotel for a safe rest.

• Jiuzhaigou Departure
  

• None

• Breakfast

Our 8-day trip to Qinghai-Sichuan ends here, the guide and driver will send you to the airport or station according to your itinerary, I hope this trip can leave you with good memories, look forward to meeting you again!