Classic central Tibet
Highlights of Sichuan and Tibet
12 days private Sichuan-Tibet journey following Chengdu - Leshan - Emeishan - Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou - Huanglong - Chengdu - Lhasa connecting Chengdu with Lhasa or the Qinghai-Tibet railway, shaped around plateau pace, city sequence and local logistics.
We shape the route around your dates, pace and comfort level before preparing the proposal.
Choose with confidence
Picture the route before asking for a proposal.
Follow the route rhythm, landscapes and travel moments first. If this feels like the China you want, we shape the dates, pace, hotels, transport and special interests around your group.
What you will see
Lhasa monasteries, lakes, Everest, Kailash or Tibetan towns are tied to real stops.
How the pace feels
Altitude, drives, overnight places and rest time decide whether the plateau route feels smooth.
How it can change
Photography, kora, softer pace, border extensions or better hotels can be redesigned.
Route fit
For Tibet travellers who want the dream handled realistically.
You want monasteries, lakes, Everest, Kailash or Lhasa with altitude, permits and road rhythm handled carefully.
You expect to travel in Tibet like a normal independent city trip.
Highlights
- Chengdu
- Leshan
- Emeishan
- Chengdu
- Jiuzhaigou
- Huanglong
Planning focus
Tibet routes need altitude, permits and backup rhythm.
After your dates and comfort level are clear, we check current rules, altitude rhythm, roads, vehicles, guides, hotels and backup days.
Route at a glance
See the sequence before the details.
This quick route view helps you understand the order of stops, where the journey slows down and what we check before the final proposal.
Route sequence
Altitude rhythm
Add acclimatization time and avoid compressing high passes or remote nights.
Permit check
Tibet and special-route rules must be verified before the proposal is treated as confirmable.
Season and roads
Roads, mountain weather, festivals and scenery windows change the best version of the route.
Daily pace
Driving time, rest time and hotel location decide whether the route feels smooth.
Itinerary rhythm
What each day can feel like
The day-by-day view shows altitude, drives, monasteries, lakes and overnight rhythm. Before confirmation, we check current rules, roads, vehicles, hotels and acclimatization.
Arrival in Chengdu
Arrival in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, the home town of Panda. Picked up by the local guide at airport and transferred to hotel.
Chengdu – Leshan – Emei Shan
In the morning leave for Leshan. On the way enjoy the beautiful countryside landscape of western Chengdu Plains during about two hour’s driving on the expressway. Upon arrival in Leshan visit of the Grand Buddha in Lingyun Temple. The grand Buddha was completed in 803 of Tang Dynasty after 90 year’s construction and enjoys the fame of the biggest sitting stone sculpture in the world with a 71-meter height. Carved on the cliff face, the sculpture is well designed with perfect balance and effective water drainage sys
Emei Shan – Chengdu
Early in the morning take the sightseeing bus to the Leidongping Bus Station along the 52-kilometer zigzag mountain road. Upon arrival, take the cable car to the Golden Summit. With a 3099m altitude, if the weather is clear, you can have a very large view; the verdant forest waves surge along the mountain; Min River, Qingyi River and Dadu River are like three pieces of silk; Mt. Daxue and Mt. Gongga seem to stretch to the horizon; the sun emerges with all shimmering rays through the surging cloud. If you are lucky
Chengdu – Jiuzhaigou
In the morning drive to Chengdu Giant Panda Base of Breeding and Research. Founded in 1985, today there are over 50 giant pandas living here. In the afternoon transfer to airport, fly to Jiuzhaigou (Nine-villages Valley), which is listed as a World Natrual Heritage and reputed as a “fairyland” with its fantastic natural view. It is named after the nine Tibetan villages in the scenic area. 2N at 4*Gesang Hotel
Jiuzhaigou
Walking and sightseeing the whole day in three valleys of Jiuzhaigou (Nine-villages Valley). As the water, the “soul of Jiuzhaigou”, is purely and crystal-like clear and rich in colors, there goes the saying that no water is worth your attention after your visit to Jiuzhaigou.
Jiuzhaigou – Huanglong, fly to Chengdu
In the morning drive to visit the Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Scenic Spot which is listed as a World Natural Heritage. Huanglong is marked by its low-temperature and highly calcified Karst landform, which forms numerous valuable colored ponds. In the afternoon transfer to airport, fly back to Chengdu. 1N im 4*Tianfu Sunshine Hotel
Air Chengdu – Lhasa
Take a morning flight to Lhasa (3650m), the capital of Tibet, transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, visit of the beautiful Ani Sangkhung Nunnery. There are plants everywhere and it feels like you are in a garden in the middle of the city. In the nunnery there is a little shop where they print prayer books. If the nuns are working on it you are welcome inside to see how it is done. 3N at 3*Thangka Hotel
Lhasa
In the morning visit of Drepung monastery, the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416, and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in (place of living). After the visit of Norbulinka, the Dalai Lamas’summer residence. In the afternoon, visit of Sera monastery, which was built in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As roses are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild roses”. Today 200 lamas still live there. The "Bud
Lhasa
In the morning drive to Gyantse along the Kyichu River. On the Kamba La (4.796 m) we have a fantastic view of Yamdrok Yumtso holy lake (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. The lake and the Yarlungtsangpo River (3570) are sepa
Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Gyantse – Shigatse
On the Kamba La (4.796 m) we have a fantastic view of Yamdrok Yumtso holy lake (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. The lake and the Yarlungtsangpo River (3570) are separated by a mountain and the shortest distance between them is only 6 kilometers. The 800m difference in he
Shigatse – Lhasa
In the morning visit Tashilhunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and the grave of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha.
Images help show the landscape and travel mood of the route. The exact hotel, vehicle, guide and timing are confirmed with your proposal.
Trip inquiry
Send us the route you imagine
Tell us your route, dates and group size. A specialist will reply with a practical route plan.