The Whispering Winds of the Tibetan Plateau

Begin in Chengdu, where your guide welcomes you at the hotel and each guest enjoys a dedicated airport pick-up. If you arrive early, you can choose to enjoy a Sichuan Opera performance on your own. In the evening, gather near the hotel for a warm welcome dinner to start your journey.

We begin at Wolong Panda Base, the world’s largest natural-habitat sanctuary, where you can quietly watch giant pandas and their adorable cubs roaming just steps away—no glass, no crowds. After that, Maobiliang Viewpoint offers your first enchanting look at the four sacred peaks of Siguniang, often glowing gold under the afternoon sun. Afterwards, you’ll arrive at Zhonglu Tibetan Village, called the most beautiful Tibetan villages in China. As the sun sets over the old village, warm light spills across the rooftops and fields, offering a peaceful and timeless moment.

After the sunrise, continue your journey to the Tagong Grassland, a sacred place said to be beloved by Bodhisattvas. Guided by our local English-speaking guide, you’ll touch the rescued deer at Muya Monastery, which is under the snow mountains. At Tagong Monastery, listen to a teaching from the monks and offer a touch of light to a butter lamp. In a secluded nunnery, learn the art of Tibetan debate and feel the dynamic exchange of Buddhist philosophy. Then we will take you to Gerima Village, where devotees from across the plateau live and practice their faith.

Guided by a monk from Tagong Monastery, you’ll learn one of the oldest meditation practices in Tibetan Buddhism. Travel to Litang, the Sky City hidden deep within the Tibetan region beneath towering snow mountains, a highland settlement said to be closest to the sun. Here, you’ll see thousands of traditional Tibetan homes, and in the evening, join the locals for a lively Guozhuang dance.

Passing the Sisters Lakes, two deep-blue lakes resting side by side beneath snow-covered peaks, the scenery feels almost unreal. Then enter Cuopu Valley, a place often described as a microcosm of Sichuan’s natural wonders. Here, snowy mountains, steep gorges, alpine forests, and crystal-clear lakes all converge within a single valley. A gentle hike along the wooden boardwalk leads you slowly through this ever-changing landscape, The walk ends at Cuopu Monastery. On clear days, blue sheep are often seen moving across the rocky slopes near the monastery.

In the early morning, you will visit Changqingchunker Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelug monastery in the Kham region. From its hilltop location, you can also enjoy a panoramic view over Litang. In the afternoon, your local English-speaking guide will take you to a Tibetan herder’s home. Here, you will spend time herding yaks on the grasslands, learn to make tsampa and butter tea inside a traditional black tent, and experience a herder’s daily life firsthand. In the evening, you will enjoy a home-cooked Tibetan dinner with the family.

From Xinduqiao, enjoy distant views of Mount Gongga, continue to Zhonggu Village to unwind in a natural outdoor hot spring beneath snow-capped mountains, letting the warm mineral waters ease away the fatigue. Later, we will bid a warm farewell to the Tibetan highlands and make our way to Shangli Ancient Water Town, a tranquil thousand-year-old riverside settlement. Unlike other ancient towns , it has preserved its most authentic and untouched beauty.

Starting your day with an early-morning stroll through the quiet, crowd-free streets of Shangli Ancient Town, where historic wooden houses stand peacefully in the dawn light. nAfterward, we will drive to the Leshan Giant Buddha for a VIP boat experience, offering the best panoramic view of the world’s largest cliff-carved Buddha and allowing you to admire this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site up close.

Start your morning with one last cup of tea in the gentle Chengdu sunshine, watching the city slowly come alive around you. As locals stroll through nearby parks, practising tai chi, take a quiet moment to soak in the laid-back spirit that makes Chengdu so unforgettable. nAn airport drop-off will be arranged according to your flight time, bringing your memorable journey to a smooth and pleasant close.