8 Days Private Tour of Chengdu – Lhasa – Shigatse
Tour Overview
You will get multiple experiences from this 8-day trip: observe cute pandas up close in Chengdu, watch the essence of local culture – the Sichuan Opera Face-changing Show, then fly north to Lhasa to enjoy the snow-capped mountains, pure blue sky, crystal clear lakes… This Tibet itinerary includes Lhasa and Shigatse, where you will meet devout Tibetan people and experience their sacred beliefs.
Highlights:
1. Get a step closer to the adorable pandas, watching them eat bamboo, play with each other, and sleep.
2. Watch the amazing Sichuan Opera of Face Changing Show with sipping tea.
3. Admire the world’s tallest stone Buddha carved into a cliff 1,300 years ago.
4. Head to China’s spiritual center to see the world’s tallest palace.
5. Photograph the most beautiful lake in the world, Yamdroktso Lake, and the breathtaking Karola Glacier.
Visit the largest monastery in Shigatse and enjoy the river view of the Yarlung Zangbo River on the way back to Lhasa.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Chengdu Arrival (no meal )
Upon your arrival at Chengdu airport / train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to downtown hotel for checking-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.
Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu
- Day 2: Chengdu Panda TourChengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Jinsha Site Museum, Kuanzhai Alley ( B )
AM: At around 08:30, our English speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from Chengdu downtown hotel, and your amazing exploration begins!
The first scenic site will be the exciting Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, which is well known for the protection and breeding of the endangered giant pandas which are unique to China. The base is definitely a highlight for most visitors to Chengdu. There are adorable pandas everywhere. You can watch them eating bamboo, playing with each other, and of course sleeping. Your tour guide will navigate you through the huge area, share some information about the pandas, and help you take amazing photos.
Noon: Lunch on your own.
Pandas in Chengdu Panda Base PM: After lunch, continue your visit to Jinsha Site Museum. It is an excellent place to learn about Chengdu's history. There are thousands of cultural relics that can date back to 3000 years ago. You will follow your knowledgeable tour guide to appreciate the precious artifacts such as golden sun bird disc, golden mask, bronze standing figure and stone tiger, and get to know the stories behind them. You also can enjoy a leisurely walk around the lovely park.
Afterwords, come to explore the local food and culture in Kuanzhai Alley, which has a long history and can date back to the Qing Dynasty. Now the old alleys have been converted into one of the top attractions in Chengdu. Strolling along the streets, you still can see many well-preserved Qing Dynasty buildings. In addition to appreciating the traditional architecture, you also can savor some local delicacies. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Chengdu will surprise you with its delicious food.
Optional Night Activity: Sichuan Opera of Face Changing Show
It will be a great way to end the day. You just sit back, sip your tea, and watch magic happening on the stage. The best part definitely will be the incredible face changing that everyone comes for. Face changing actually is one of the techniques of Sichuan Opera and is used to express the feelings of the characters. Seeing the performers changing their faces in seconds will completely enthrall you.
Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu
Jinsha Site Museum - Day 3: Leshan Giant Buddha TourLeshan Giant Buddha, Renmin Park ( B )
AM: Today, you’ll head to the amazing Giant Buddha in Leshan. Drive around 2 hours from Chengdu city, you can enjoy the urban scenery on the way.
Regarded as the tallest stone Buddha in the world, Leshan Giant Buddha was carved out of a cliff face 1300 years ago. When you look up to it from its toes, it’s hard to imagine how ancient Chinese people built this massive statue which withstood the ravages of wind and rain as well as man-made damages. You will climb up the stairs to the top of the mountain to enjoy wonderful scenery. The stairs may seem intimidating, but the hiking is well worth the time and effort.
Friendly Tips: There are 2 ways to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, one is climbing up the mountain, one is taking a cruise along the river to take far view of it. Climbing up the mountain was included in the package as most tourists said this way is better. Taking cruise is optional. If you would like to take cruise instead of climbing up the mountain, or if you want to try both these 2 ways, just ask your tour guide for assistance.
Noon: Lunch on your own.
PM: After the interesting hiking, drive back to Chengdu city and enjoy some relaxing tea time in Renmin Park. Renmin Park is a perfect place to do people watching. Here you can enjoy a cup of tea in a nice tea house and watch local people while away the time with various activities such as playing cards, doing tai chi, playing mahjong, dancing, and napping.
Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu
Leshan Giant Buddha - Day 4: Chengdu - Lhasa by Flight ( B )
Free and easy on your own in the morning.
In the afternoon, our driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival, our local English speaking guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.
Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa
- Day 5: Lhasa Classic TourPotala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street ( B )
AM: The imposing Potala Palace is the highlight of any trip to Tibet. Today you are going to visit this majestic architectural treasure of Lhasa, over 3,700 meters above sea level. The whole architectural complex includes two parts, the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace is the place where the Dalai Lamas lived and handled political affairs, while the Red Palace mainly houses the stupas of the Dalai Lamas. Your tour guide will share a wealth of information with you to help you understand its history and Tibetan Buddhism.
Noon: Lunch on your own.
PM: After that, continue to explore the holy Jokhang Temple which has a history of over 1300 years. The temple is a mixture of Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese, and Indian architectural styles and has become an example of Tibetan religious architecture. The interior is so impressive with plenty of statues, colorful murals, and rows of butter lamps. It’s not allowed to take photos at most parts, but you will have opportunity to take some at the rooftop.
After coming out of the sacred Jokhang Temple, you will follow your tour guide threading your way through the throngs of pilgrims and other travelers in the mesmerizing Barkhor Street. This old street will give you a taste of Tibetan people's life and their faith. You can casually walk around and do some shopping.
Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa
Jokhang Temple - Day 6: Lhasa- Gyantse - Shigatse , 360km, Approx 6hrsKarola Glacier, Manla Reservoir, Penchor Chode Monastery ( B )
AM: Today’s first stop will be the charming Yamdroktso Lake, one of the three largest scared lakes in Tibet. It is famed as “the Most Beautiful Lake in the World”. When looking it from map or sky, you will be surprised to see the lake embedded in this land, glittering like an earring under the sunshine at different time.
Noon: Lunch on your own.
PM: After that, drive to the Karola Glacier with an elevation of 5400 meters above sea level. Getting off the car, the magnificent glacier jumps into your eyes with its shinning body soaked in the gentle sunshine. You are worry free from people or cars intruding into your shot and disturbing your selfies with the stunning sights as it’s usually off the beaten track.
Stop by Manla Reservoir, which is the unique scenery line around the mountains with average elevation of 4330 meters above sea level. Embedded onto the awe-inspiring mountain, the Reservoir is glittering in its transparent green water, showing a distinct beauty with the blue water of Yambork Lake.
Afterwords, come to the most important site in Gyantse - Penchor Chode Monastery, located in Gyangze Country, Shigatse area, surrounded by hills, this Monastery isa typical Tibetan Buddhist structure with harmonious fusion of pagodas and temples, fully representing the architecture style of monasteries in Shigatse from late of 13th century to the middle of 15th century. Besides, you’ll also have chance to see the notable Penchor Chode Pagoda (its official name is Bodhi Moanstery) injecting more special charm of this place. It has 9 tiers, 77 chapels and 108 doors, shrines and so on, housing hundreds of thousands of Buddha Images, hence the name “Hundreds of Thousands of Pagodas”.
Accommodation: Overnight in Shigatse
Yamdroktso Lake - Day 7: Shigatse - Lhasa, 300km, Approx 5hrsTashilhunpo Monastery ( B )
After hotel breakfast, follow you guide to explore Tashilhunpo Monastery, the largest one in Shigatse with location at the foot of a hill, titled as one of the “Four Greatest Monasteries of Tibetan Gelug Sect together with Gandan Monastery, Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery. The Monastery of sparkling yellow roofs and red walls houses those devout monks and visitors, describing the beautiful moments about human and their holy religious belief.
Later, drive around 5 hours back to Lhasa. On the way, you can enjoy the river view of Yarlung Zangbo River.
Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa
Tashilhunpo Monastery - Day 8: Lhasa Departure ( B )
Free and easy on your own until the pickup time for departure. Our guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer to Lhasa airport / train station to see you off.
Accommodation: N/A
