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A Trip from Yunnan to Tibet
| Tibet
enjoys fame as "The Roof top of the World" - and the road
from Yunnan to Lhasa is the toughest road in the world, offering surprising
views and varied ethnic cultures along the way. This trip covers all
'must-sees' in Northwest Yunnan and southeast Tibet. This road was
saturated with different cultures and religions. The ancient Tea Horse
Road of this area was once busy in transporting goods. Discover and
experience the fabulous culture diversity and real Shangri-La. No
doubt it is the most fascinating journey of all. If Tibet is the untouched
area of the world, the eastern part of Tibet, bordering Yunnan Province,
is the untouched area of Tibet. Decorated with virgin forests and
crystal blue lakes, this formerly inaccessible route offers spectacular
scenery as well as an opportunity to come in contact with primary
village cultures of Yunnan and Tibet. This journey is one of those
least traveled routes into Tibet, starting with rich cultural encounters
in the non-Tibetan Himalayas, driving through the breathtaking eastern
region of Tibet, finally ending the trip with the ultimate Tibetan
experience in Lhasa, its holy capital. The long drive on unpaved roads
is very challenging and sometimes dangerous, but the reward is equally
high and unforgettable. |
| DAY
.1 |
Arrive
at Kunming |
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Arrive
in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. Upon arrival, you will
be met by your guide. Kunming, called the City of Eternal Spring,
is more than 2200 years old. The Nationality Museum in Kunming provides
an insightful introduction to 26 ethnic groups from all over Yunnan. |
| DAY
.2 |
Kunming
- Dali |
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We
will depart Kunming early in the morning. We will take a 5-hour drive
into the old town of Dali, the former capital of Nanzhao Kingdom.
Dali has been inhabited mainly by the Bai ethnic people for nearly
1,200 years. Set beside a lake and against a backdrop of mountains,
you will see the local agriculture, observe small temples and visit
local markets. In the afternoon, visit to the Three Pagodas, or sip
a cup of Yunnan coffee in one of those cafes on the foreigners' street. |
| DAY
.3 |
Dali
- Lijiang |
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Ride
to Lijiang with stops including a visit in a typical Bai village where
people usually have their tie-dye clothes housed in the courtyard.
After arriving in Lijiang, we will visit the Black Dragon Pool in
the northern edge of the town, and explore the old town maze of Naxi
houses. A classic Naxi music concert in the evening will be the highlight
of the day. |
| DAY
.4 |
Lijiang
- Zhongdian |
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After
breakfast, we will drive to Zhongdian, This is an extraordinarily
scenic mountain drive and there will be many opportunities to stop
and observe both the natural beauty and traditional cultural practices.
Zhongdian is the first Tibetan town in Yunnan with a sprinkling of
Bai, Muslim and Naxi cultural influences. We will stop on the way
to visit the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, which was one of the
deepest gorges in the world. |
| DAY
.5 |
Zhongdian
- Deqen |
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The
drive to Deqen is simply the best way to view the great variety of
landscape in the Great Rivers region. Descending to the Yangtze Basin,
we stop at Benzilan for lunch, after which we will continue ascending
the scenic mountain and visit the Ganden Dongzhulin Monastery. The
highest pass of Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve., at 3,924 meters(12,876
ft), would stand as an altitude test for those visiting the Himalayan
mountains for the first time. Deqen, the gateway town to Tibet, a
wild west frontier town but has some decent hotels. |
| DAY
.6 |
Deqen
- Yanjing |
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Departing
Deqen early in the morning, we travel along the north of Mekong River
valley into Tibet. Along the way, we may be able to see the sunrise
above Mt. Meilixue (6,740 m/22,113 ft), the highest peaks of Yunnan.
which straddles the border of Yunnan and Tibet. Our first stop will
be in the town of Yanjing, which was once the main source of salt
for half of the Kham Tibetan area, which ranged from northwestern
Sichuan down into Yunnan. We will visit a big church which was built
100 years ago, then go to see the salt fields, If you like, we can
have a hot spring bath in a place overlooking the Mekong. Certainly
the best way to relax our body for the adventure ahead! |
| DAY
.7 |
Yanjing
- Zugong |
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We
cross two high passes in this section of the drive, one at around
3,900 m(12,795 ft), the other at 5,008 m(16,430 ft). Driving past
local Tibetan houses scattered round the feet of snow-capped peaks,
the expressions on innocent Tibetan girls would make you realize that
you are one of the first foreign visitors to this isolated region.
Overnight in Zugong. |
| DAY
.8 |
Zugong
- Ranwu |
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We
will drive along the deep valleys of the Nu River (the Salween River),
which is a long and tough journey, but our destination, the Ranwu
Lake, is another place where you will totally fall in love with. |
| DAY
.9 |
Ranwu |
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A
rare day which involves no driving! You have two options available:
for those interested in a day hike, our photographer/guide would take
you onto a scenic day hike; while those who'd rather opt for a day
of retreat would find this place ideal for relaxing, writing your
travel notes and washing off the dust accumulated in the journey so
far. |
| DAY
.10 |
Ranwu
- Bomi |
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Drive
to Bomi, where some of the best Tibetan tea are made. Visit a local
tea factory and get a comfortable southern feeling in the Tibet. |
| DAY
.11 |
Bomi
- Bayi |
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Waking
up to the birds' singing, you will have an unobstructed view of the
majestic NanJiabawa peak. After a long 9 hours drive, we will arrive
in Bayi, the largest Tibetan town we will have reached at this point
which is the capital town of Linzhi Prefecture. |
| DAY
.12 |
Bayi
- Bosang |
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Drive
to Basong Lake. The crystal clear water of the lake will seem like
an oasis to you -- another place you would be reluctant to leave.
Some short hikes or a boat trip will be arranged. |
| DAY
.13 |
Bosang
- Gongbujiangda |
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Leaving
the lake after breakfast, we arrive at Gongbujiangda in time for lunch.
The afternoon will be left open for you to take a gentle walk or explore
the nearby glacier. |
| DAY
.14 |
Gongbujiangda
- Lhasa |
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Drive
to Lhasa. After the 13-day-long challenging overland trip, you will
understand why Tibetans regard the journey to Lhasa as one of the
most sacred of pilgrimages. And some of them even sacrifice their
lives on this pilgrim trip. |
| DAY
.15-17 |
Lhasa,
Lhasa - Shigatse |
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We
will have three full days in Lhasa to make excursions to the following
places:
The Jokhang Temple - The Jokhang, originally built in the 7th century
and known for its large gold image of Sakyamuni Buddha, is the principal
Buddhist temple in Lhasa.
The Norbulingka Palace - A richly decorated complex located in a beautiful
garden setting, it has been the traditional summer palace of the Dalai
Lamas. This is the very place from which the Dalai Lama fled to exile
in 1959.
Sera and Drepung Monasteries - The Sera, founded in 1419, is a monastery
of the Gelugpa order. Its many white buildings, which sit at the base
of a rocky hill, have roofs graced with gilded, bell-shaped gyamtschens.
The Drepung was once home to 8,000 monks, who were taught in the traditions
of Vajrayana, Mahayana and Sutrayana, the three vehicles of Tibetan
Buddhism. We will also visit the lively Barkor bazaar in Lhasa, a
colorful congregating place for Tibetan merchants.
The 13-story Potala Palace, reputed to contain 1,000 rooms, is one
of the world's most remarkable buildings. The palace, which covers
the mountain it sits upon, contains hundreds upon hundreds of magnificent
thangkas, frescoes and images built in an era when religious art was
created anonymously as a means of gaining merit for future lives.
In he afternoon of the D17, we will drive to Shigatse, Tibet's second
largest city. |
| DAY
.18 |
Shigatse
- Lhasa |
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In
the morning we will visit the Tashilumpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen
Lama which dates back to the 15th century. Important art works are
stored here and pilgrims from the far corners of Tibet come to pay
their homage. After lunch, we drive back to Lhasa. |
| DAY
.19 |
Daparture
from Lhasa |
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After
breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your departure. |
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