YUNNAN - TIBET ROAD ADVENTURE TO EVEREST ADVENTURE Option: Shigatse/Mt. Everest/Tingri/Kathmandu YUNNAN – TIBET ROAD ADVENTURE Kunming – Dali – Lijiang – Shangri-la – Deqin – Mangkang – Basu –Bome – Bayi – Basongcuo – Shigatse – Lhasa                                   18 days 17 nights  Min. 2 Pax   HIGHLIGHTS: Up reach of Yangtze Lijiang Old Town Yunnan-Tibet Road adventure Multi-culture encounters The magic of Tibet   Day 01: Arrive in Kunming   D Arrive in Kunming, meet the local guide and transfer to hotel. If time permits, visit the famous Bamboo Temple which dates back to the Tang dynasty with 500 colorful clay Buddhas. This evening we will arrange a welcome dinner for you.                                                                      Overnight in Kunming    Day 02: Kunming – Excursion to Stone Forest (80 km and 1.5 hrs per single way)   B/L   After breakfast, we will start out to visit Bamboo Temple (if you failed to visit it yesterday). Next comes the Stone Forest (Yi minority area), a typical karst formation, the Stone Forest covers an area of more than three hundred square kilometers. Scientific research has shown that what is now the Stone Forest was 270 million years ago an immense expanse of water with a vast stretch of limestone sediment formed over the years on the seafloor. As a result of the crustal movement, the seabed rose gradually and a large piece of land thus came into being. Exposed to rains and winds, eroded by the elements, the strange-looking limestone ranges were shaped by time. About 200 million years ago numerous stone peaks, pillars, and stalagmites rose abruptly from the ground and towered into the sky, extending now as far as the eye can see, looking like a vast forest of stone, hence the name "the Stone Forest". The Heisongyan Scenic Spot (also named as the Naigu Stone Forest) is 8 kilometers from the Scenic Spot of Stone Forest. This area is the major sightseeing area of dark stones which mainly composes of stone pillars, stone pagodas and stone castles. All of these towering stones are displaying a grand view over magical sceneries. The locla flavor Yiliang Roast Duck which famous in whole Yunnan Province will be arranged as lunch. Overnight in Kunming    Day 03: Kunming – Dali   B/L Take a morning flight to Dali (Bai minority area, 40 min flight), beautifully sited between the Cangshan (Azure Mountains) Range and Erhai Lake the Bai are the inheritors of the famed Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms and are justly famous for their wood and stone carvings. Then visit Three Pagodas which known as the Chongsheng Santa and situated on top of the ruins of Chongsheng Monastery, the Three Pagodas lie one kilometer northwest of Dali and located on the slope of Mount Cangshan. In the afternoon cruise on Erhai Lake, is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. It means, "sea shaped like an ear", in Chinese. Implying that the lake is ear shaped and as large as a sea, hence it was so named. The lake covers an area of 250 square kilometers and is located about two kilometers east of Dali. In the evening stroll through the vibrant Dali Old City.                                                                          Overnight in Dali   Day 04: Dali – Lijiang (250 km, 5 hrs)   B/L In the morning visit Xizhou (the largest Bai village) Morning Market. Also Zhoucheng Village, famous for tie-dye craftsmanship, where you can observe how Bai people make tie-dye products at home. Then drive to Lijiang (Naxi minority area). Walking in Lijiang Old Town, a lovely traditional town with beautiful wooden houses and crisscrossed with streams of mountain water. Lijiang is one of the best preserved ancient towns in China and is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Overnight in Lijiang    Day 05: Lijiang   B/L Visit Black Dragon Pool, whose name from the waters which sparkle like jade and are as clear as spring water. The entire park is green with grass and shaded by swaying willow trees. Under the Suocui Bridge, a waterfall creates a constant roar as it cascades downstream. In the afternoon take a visit to Baisha Naxi Village and Baisha Ancient Mural. Baisha (White Sand) is located in the north of Lijiang. It is named this because of the large amount of white sand on the earths surface there. According to history Baisha is the earliest place for the settlement of Naxi nationality after they entered Lijiang basin. The present murals are all kept in Dabaoji Palace and Luili Temple in Baisha. All of the 55 murals were masterpieces in the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). The biggest one is stored in Dabaoji Palace. In total, there are 100 vivid figures visible in it. Their facial expressions are vivid enough to show their happiness, anger, sadness and joys. All of the Bashai Murals are about religion. However their uniqueness comes from the fact that they are the combination of Buddhism, Taoism and Lamaism, which is a very rare phenomenon. Last visit Dongba Culture Museum. Overnight in Lijiang   Day 06: Lijiang – Shangri-la (180 km, 4.5 hrs)   B/L In the morning drive to Shangri-la (Tibetan minority area), on the way visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands (Jingsha) River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters (about 700 feet) below. Upon arrival, check in the hotel. Then visit to Songzanlin Tibetan Buddhism Monastery, which is 5 km from the seat of Shangri-la County. Construction began in 1679 and was completed in 1681. It is said that the Fifth Dalai Lama chose the site of the monastery through divination and named it "Gedan Songzanlin Monastery". In 1724, during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, the monastery was renamed the "Guihua Monastery". During its time of greatest prosperity, there were more than 3,000 monks in the temple, now there are still 700 monks inside. In the evening visit Zhongdian Old Town with Tibetan old streets and houses and enjoy the local Tibetan people dancing in the middle square of old town. Overnight in Shangri-la   Day 07: Shangri-la – Deqin (190 km, 6-7 hrs)   B/L Today we drive 4 WD vehicles north along the Yunnan – Tibet Road, part of the way beside the upper Yangtze River and see The First Bend of Golden Sand River (the upper reach of Yangtze). It is here that the Yangtze's flow south finishes and it takes an abrupt V turn, continuing on through central China to empty near Shanghai, several thousand kilometers to the East, located in Shangri-la (another one called “the First Bend of Yangtze River” is located in Shigu Town of Lijiang City ). Then we Visit Dongzhulin Monastery (110 km, 3 hours ) first built in 1667, the 6th year during the reign of Emperor Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty. It was where the Monlam Festival of Prayer for the Emperor's birthday was held. It is one of the most important monasteries in North-west Yunnan. Then continue drive to Baimang Snow Mountain Pass in the National Nature Reserve Area, 4250 meters above sea level. Overnight in Deqin    Day 08: Deqin – Mangkang (230 km, 9-10 hrs)   B/L Departing Deqin, we travel along the north of Mekong River valley into Tibet. Along the way, we may be able to see the peaks of Kawagebo Mountain range on a good day. Mt. Meili (6,740 m/22,113 ft), which straddles the border of Yunnan and Tibet, and is the highest peak in the province. And it has never been climbed. Once into Tibet, our first stop will be in the town of Mangkang. Overnight in Mangkang    Day 09: Mangkang – Basu (330 km, 8 hrs)   B/L 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 through high mountain country with Tibetan houses scattered round the feet of snow-capped peaks and then drive along the deep valleys of the Nu River (the Salween River), which is a long and tough journey, but it has its rewards: the scenery is stunning and is dotted with Buddhist monasteries and our destination, the Ranwu Lake (3,900 meters), is a spectacularly crystal blue lake set in pristine wilderness and dominated by snowy peaks. Overnight in Basu   Day 10: Basu – Bomi (250 km, 8 hrs)   B/L We will drive along the Poto-chu Valley at Tramog (2,743m/8999ft), located deep in the thickly forested gorge of Parlung Tsangpo with glacial waterfalls streaming from the mountain sides. It is one of the most stunning drives in China. We then descend several hundred meters in altitude as we reach the lowland jungle settlement of Tang-me where the Tsangpo and Parlung Tsangpo rivers meet.   Overnight in Bomi   Day 11: Bome – Bayi (250 km, 9 hrs)   B/L Subject to weather conditions you will have an unobstructed view of the majestic Nam Jiabawa peak. At 7,755 meters, it is the highest peak in eastern Tibet. After a long 9 hours drive, we will arrive in Bayi, a large Tibetan town. Overnight in Bayi   Day 12: Bayi – Basongcuo Lake (125 km, 7 hrs)   B/L Today we drive along with the nearby town of Bayi, with its famed Buddhist Buchu Monastery and Lamaling Temple. It is a temple of the Red Sect and is the most important place for the Tibetan Buddhism in Nyingchi. We finally arrive at the crystal clear waters of the Basong Lake (Basum Tso Lake), another place you would be reluctant to leave. Overnight at Basongcuo Lake   Day 13: Basongcuo Lake – Lhasa (350 km, 11 hrs)   B/L Leaving the lake after breakfast, we arrive at Gongbujiangda in time for lunch. The afternoon will be left open for you to take a walk or explore the nearby glacier. Then continue our drive. After the 9-day-long challenging overland trip, you will understand why Tibetans regard the journey to Lhasa as one of the most sacred of pilgrimages.    Overnight in Lhasa    Days 14: Lhasa   B/L In morning visit Drepung Monastery. 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 place where Tibetan merchants meet and then visit the Sera Monastery which was founded in 1419, a monastery of the Gelugpa ( Yellow Sect ) order. Its many white buildings, which sit at the base of a rocky hill, have roofs graced with gilded, bell-shaped gyamtschen ( like a “Bell” and are symbolic of flourishing Buddhism ) and the former Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace Norbu Lingka, a richly decorated complex located in a beautiful garden setting, 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. Overnight in Lhasa Days 15: Lhasa   B/L In the morning visit the world famous Potala Palace. 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. Then we visit the oldest temple in Tibet-Jokhang, which originally built in the 7th century and known for its large gold image of Sakyamuni Buddha. It is the principal Buddhist temple in Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa   Day 16: Lhasa – Shigatse (360 km, 9 hrs)   B/L/D Morning drive to Shigatse via Gyantse, pass by the Yamdrok-Tso Lake, the third-biggest holy lake in Tibet. Then cross over Kangpa-La Pass (5000 m). Afternoon arrive Gyantse, explore Gyantse Dzong Fortress (center of a battle between British and Tibetan force in 1904) and visit Kumbum Pagoda also called 100-thousand-Bouddha's-pagoda as well as Pelkor Monastery famed with its splendid Buddhist Tibetan art, both of them were built in the 15th century. On the way we explore Gyangtse Dzong Fortress, the centre of a battle between British and Tibetan forces in 1904. Overnight in Shigatse    Day 17: Shigatse – Lhasa   B/L In the morning visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the main attraction in Shigatse is the seat of the Panchen Lama—Tashilhunpo Monastery. Built in 1447 by a nephew of Tsong Khapa, the monastery once housed over 4000 monks, but now there are only 600. Apart from a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha ( nearly 27 meters high ) in the Temple of the Maitreya, the monastery is also famed for its Grand Hall with its opulent tomb ( containing 85kg of gold and masses of jewels ) of the fourth Panchen Lama. In the afternoon drive back to Lhasa for free time. Farewell dinner will be served tonight. Overnight in Lhasa   Day 18: Departure Lhasa   B Leave for home，end of service.   Option: Shigatse/Mt. Everest/Tingri/Kathmandu, plus 3 more days by road, Min. 2 pax               PLEASE CONTACT US FOR DETAILS OF OPTION TOUR   TROPICAL SAILS CORP   800-595-1003  623-444-8195      EMAIL  CP-08

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