Beijing – Jiuzhaigou – Huanglong – Chengdu – Bifenxia – Lhasa – Shanghai
High in the Min Mountains of China’s Sichuan province rare plants and animals find sanctuary in the Jiuzhaigou National Park, a green reserve bumped up against the Tibetan Plateau. Our Zen Panda tour offers a peek into the rich Tibetan culture as well as its stunning geographical beauty. Visit Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, as well as the Dali Lama’s summer palace. In the middle of it all, you’ll witness the stunning giant pandas at Bifengxia Reserve.
Your tour begins in the beautiful city of Beijing, and from there you’ll be arriving in Beijing, you’ll take a guided tour of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and you’ll also attend a Tea Ceremony at Bell Tower after a ride in a Hutong Rickshaw. The next day you’ll get to see the magnitude of The Great Wall of China from a gondola.
Next, you will visit the Jiuzhaigou National Park for a day of hiking and sight-seeing. That evening, you’ll get to visit a Tibetan family, where they will perform a dance for you and you’ll enjoy a fire roasted lamb for dinner. The next morning you’ll visit the Huanglong Scenic Spot, which is world-renowned for it’s serene multi-colored ponds.
Next up you’ll fly to Chengdu, and in the morning you’ll get to visit one of the largest giant panda breeding centers and reserves, the Bifengxia Panda Reserve. After visiting a nearby ancient town in Shangli, you’ll get to experience a traditional Shichuan Opera.
After travelling to Lhasa, you’ll visit the Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace. Afterwards you’ll get to peruse the various vendors on Barkor Street. The next day you’ll get to explore Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. In the afternoon you’ll see Buddhist monks debate scripture at the Sera Monastery. That evening, you’ll fly to Shanghai.
To wrap your trip up, you will take a full day’s tour of the Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, the Yu Yuan Garden, and explore the various market streets surrounding the garden.
The Zen Panda Tour truly provides a relaxing experience in your travels to China, and you’ll get to experience numerous popular sights and activities. If you’re looking for a laid back atmosphere that allows for exploration of China’s natural beauty while still visiting many popular tourist destinations, the Zen Panda Tour is the one for you.