14 Days Yunnan Tibet Discovery Tour with Yamdrok Lake & EBC

Welcome to Kunming, the Spring City! Upon arrival in Kunming, your guide will meet you at the airport/train station and escort you to your hotel. Have a good rest tonight! If you want to explore nearly, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

Arrival Ideas:
By Air: Kunming is served by Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) and it offers many domestic and international flights including Bangkok, Singapore,Tokyo, San Francisco, London, and Los Angeles, etc.
By Train: Kunming is served by Kunming Railway Station and South Railway Station. There are many high-speed trains that connect Kunming to other cities in China, such as Guiyang (2hrs), Chongqing (4hrs), Chengdu (5.5hrs), Guangzhou (7hrs), Hong Kong (7.5hrs), Beijing(11hrs), Shanghai(11hrs), etc.

This morning, drive 78km (about 1.5 hours) from Kunming to the must-see Stone Forest (Shilin), which covers an area of more than 300 square kilometers. You will see a large forest of black limestone standing through winds and rains that formed about 270 million years ago. This amazing natural scenery used to be covered by an ancient sea. There are thousands of meters of calciferous shells that would one day become limestone and dolomite. This deep layer was later uplifted and shaped like trees at an altitude of 1,500 meters. You will take a sightseeing bus to visit Big Stone Forest and Small Stone Forest. With its touching legend of Ashima and unique minority culture, you will fall in love with this famous tourist spot.

After that, you will head back to Kunming (91km, about 1.5 hours) and have a walk in the Yuantong Temple (Yuantong Si). It is the largest Buddhist temple in Kunming with a history of more than 1,200 years (founded in the Tang dynasty). Differing from most other temples that were built with an ascending entrance, you will enter the Yuantong Temple (Zen Buddhist Temple) from above. The temple's great hall is at the lowest point of the temple. It gains a high reputation in the Southeast Asia area and attracts many pilgrims and locals to visit every year. To the rear, a hall has been added with a statue of Sakyamuni, a gift from Thailand's King. You will see people throngs swarm to the temple, especially during the Qingming Festivals and the first and fifth days of each lunar month. If there is time, you can hike in the Green Lake Park (Cui Hu Park, Jade in Kunming), an urban park in Kunming. Then have a good rest at your hotel.

In this morning, your guide and driver will take you to the train station for a high speed train from Kunming to Lijiang (about 3-3.5 hours). Upon arrival at Lijiang Railway Station, the local guide and driver will meet you and take you to Lijiang Ancient Town area for today’s sightseeing.

In this afternoon, you will make a leisure visit to the Old Town of Lijiang (2,400m) which has a history of over 1,000 years. As a World Heritage Site, Lijiang Old Town was once a confluence for trade along the "Old Tea Horse Caravan Trail". In Lijiang Old Town, a well-preserved old city of the Naxi minority, you can hike leisurely and enjoy the unique Naxi culture on each corner of the town. After dark, Lijiang Old Town presents you with a more charming image with lamps, red lanterns, and alive songs and music. If time permits, you will visit Mufu Palace and Wanggu Tower.

This morning you will drive 37km (about 1.5 hours) to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park (Yulong Snow Mountain). The name comes from its appearance in the winter when its thick snow cover is thought to make its peak look like a stainless jade dragon. As the highest mountain on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain soars to some 5596m, you can take the cable car to the Spruce Meadow (3,000m) and admire the holy mountain of the Naxi people. Keep in mind that this is a very popular destination so it can be very crowded.

After the tour, you will have lunch at Baisha Ancient Town, the earliest settlement of the Naxi ethnic minority. The town has a history of more than 800 years, you will like the ancient constructions built in the Ming Dynasty, such as the Dabaoji Palace, the Liuli Temple, and the Wenchang Palace. It is a great ancient town for you to discover the incredibly beautiful sights and the culture of ethnic minorities.

In this afternoon, we can explore Lijiang through Black Dragon Pool Park (Heilongtan Park) and the Old Town of Lijiang. Black Dragon Pool Park is a popular attraction to take brilliant photos of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain if the weather permits. As the Dongba Cultural Institute is part of a renovated complex on the hillside inside, you can explore more about Naxi cultural artifacts and scrolls featuring the unique Naxi pictograph script.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel and drive from Lijiang to Shangri-La (185km, about 4 hours). On the way, you will first visit the First Bend of the Yangtze River. It is called the “first bend” because the river makes a 90 degree turn from south to east within a distance of 1 kilometer. Reach the observation deck to capture the panoramic view of the bend and marvel at the beauty of the turn which like a wonderful landscape painting unfolding before your eyes.

Later, continue your driving to Tiger Leaping Gorge (1800m) on the way. The Upper Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge is 115km (about 2.5 hours) away from Shangri-La, it got its name from a legend about a hunter chasing a tiger through the gorge until they reached the narrowest point. The tiger found itself trapped between the hunter and the rushing river at the base of the gorge. As one of the deepest gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge is a good spot for you to view the roaring Jinsha River (part of the Yangtze River) and feel the strong power of nature. Also, as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5596m) and Haba Snow Mountain (5386m) stand on each side, you will immerse yourself in the beautiful and diverse landscapes.

After that, you will drive to Shangri-La, in the northwestern part of Yunnan in Diqing, a beautiful and peaceful Tibetan world. Your guide will help you check in your hotel.

In this morning, you will be transferred to visit Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery (Songzanlin Monastery, 3,380 meters), the largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Yunnan that built-in 1679. Built according to the structure of Potala Palace, Songzanlin Monastery is also reputed as the "Little Potala Palace". You will learn more about this monastery through its architecture which is a fusion of the Tibetan and Han Chinese. Currently, there are about 700 monks accommodated in its 200 associated houses. You may get the chance to discover the life of a Tibetan Lama and even meet monks who chant and meditate in the hall lit with incense and yak butter oil lamps.

Then with a drive of 25km (about 30min) to visit Potatso National Park (Pudacuo National Park), the first national park in China that open in 2007. Situated on the vast Tibetan Plateau, an important part of the "Three Parallel Rivers" scenic spot, the park is famous for its primitive landscape and features several scenic hills, meadows, lakes, plants, birds, and more than 100 endangered animals, including leopards, cranes, macaques, lynxes, and so on. Enjoy a relaxing hike in the amazing highland nature reserve, and view the mirror-like mountain lakes, pastures with clean water and green grass, wetlands full of flowers, and mystery forests hidden with birds and animals.

Before heading back to your hotel, you will visit a local Tibetan family to get a better understanding of Tibetan culture while trying some local snacks and yak butter tea.

After the tour, pay a leisure visit to 1300-year-old Dukezong Ancient Town with Tibetan cultures. It is a world of traditional Tibetan houses, ancient temples and beautiful pagodas, and narrow, winding alleyways, all adorned with iconic Tibetan prayer flags of various colors. Walk through the featured alleys to have a bite of Tibetan culture and climb to the Guishan Park for a panoramic view of the town.

In this morning, you will have some free time in Shangri-La and explore more on your own till your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa (about 2 hours.) Welcome to Lhasa (altitude: 3650m), the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region! Upon your arrival at the airport in Lhasa, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in Lhasa. You can have a good rest to get used to the altitude in your hotel and get ready to explore Lhasa with your guide the next day.

Kind Reminds:
1. Altitude sickness: With its much higher elevation, some visitors may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. We recommend taking everything slowly, getting plenty of rest the first day and staying very well hydrated by drinking plenty of water to minimize the effects of the high altitude.
2. Be sure to let your guide or the hotel staff know whenever you feel unwell or need help. The people there are always willing to help and good at dealing with altitude sickness.

Today you will explore Lhasa for its brilliant architectures, culture, and history, then stroll through the famous Barkhor Street with locals and experience the daily kora life of Tibetans.

In the morning, you can walk into Potala Palace, the traditional residence and winter palace of the Dalai Lama (1649-1959). It takes 365 steps from potala gate to reach the Red Palace which is the highest palace in the world at an altitude of 3,700m. Through the principal halls, chapels, and shrines of past Dalai Lamas in the Red Palace, you will be astonished and touched by its remarkable paintings, gorgeous jeweled works, skilled carving, colorful ornamentation, and the mystery stories behind the treasures. Inside the Potala Palace you will meet lots of Tibetan pilgrims who come all the way from afar to this sacred site to pray as their life time destination. You can also ask your guide to share more information about Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet, who first build the Potala Palace in the 7th century for his marriage to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. (Note: We may adjust the visit order due to the visiting time of your Potala Palace ticket. All visitors must visit the Potala Palace with a tour group while staying inside for an hour. No photo inside.)

After exploring the Potala Palace Museum, move to the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet and a world cultural heritage site. It is said that the Jokhang Monastery is built for King Songtsen Gampo's two brides: Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal Princess Bhrikuti. "Jokhang" means "House of Buddha", it houses the statue of the life-size 12-year-old Sakyamuni which is the treasure of the Buddhism world. That is why Buddhist pilgrims take it as the holiest destination. The time seems to stand still when you watch them pray in front of the temple during the day and night.

Later, you can take a walk back to the busy Barkhor Street, it was a place for Buddhists to do a kora (pilgrim circuit) around the Jokhang Monastery in ancient times. Nowadays, it become a thriving local market where you can try local snacks, dress in Tibetan clothes for photos, and pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. The first stop today is to visit Dadong Village, one of the best preserved Tibetan villages hidden in the peaceful valley. It is said that the 6th Dalai Lama - Tsangyang Gyatso had lived in coupled with the original local Tibetan house and he conducted his spiritual exercise there for years and left numerous romantic poems like On the Top of the East Mountain. Take a relaxing walk to the Nyimatang Monastery. This monastery is the place that the first generation of grand Tibetan Medicine masters studied the Medicine, and it makes plenty of Tibetan medicinal substances and remains the only temple in Tibet that mainly enshrines Bhaiṣajyaguru. Walk around and enjoy the primitive local Tibetan life in this beautiful village and then pay a visit to a local Tibetan family and enjoy lunch offered by the family.

In this afternoon, drive about 50 minutes (30km) to visit Sera Monastery. Step on one of the most beautiful monastery compounds, and its white stone roads and walkways makes you feel almost Mediterranean. The highlight of Sera Monastery is watch the monks’ debate at around 15:00 - 17:00 (except Sundays). It is an interesting form of debate, you can see one monk, the questioner, standing while the answerer or group of answerers, sitting. The standing monk will ask question and slap his palms and stomp, each action has its special meaning, such as activating wisdom, and are not meant to be aggressive. Furthermore, pay a visit to Tibetan Religious Scripture Printing House and appreciate three sand Mandalas and the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

After that, be escorted back to your hotel in Lhasa.

On this day, drive about 8 to 9 hours (340km) from Lhasa to Shigatse via a visit to two amazing natural landscapes - Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier on the way.

In the morning, after about 3 to 4 hours’ drive (200km), you'd better have your camera ready. When reaching Kampala Pass (4,797 meters), you’ll have a breathtaking view of Yamdrok Lake (a freshwater lake) down below as well as spectacular views of the holy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. It is one of the four largest sacred lakes in Tibet along with Lake Lhamo Latso, Lake Manasarovar, and Lake Namtso. And Lake Yamdrok is said to be able to help Tibetans find the reincarnated soul of the Dalai Lama. You will be happy to see dressed-up Tibetan mastiffs/dogs, goats, and yaks there. It is optional for you to pay 5-10 yuan to pose with and take photos of them, for local Tibetans, it’s a subsidy income for their family.

In the afternoon, drive about 1.5 hours (70km) to visit one of the most beautiful Glaciers in Tibet - Karola Glacier, the location of the film Red Valley (Hong He Gu). As one of Tibet's three major continental glaciers, backed by the southern slope of Naiqin Kangsang Peak (7,191 meters), one of the four highest peaks in Tibet, this white glacier is also the source of the eastern part of the Nianchu River. The Karola Glacier (5,012m) is only 300 meters away from the Highway connecting Lhasa to Gyantse town. You can view it right off the highway from your car. Sure you can easily walk to the foot of the charming glacier which shape is like a frozen waterfall right above the road and you. Besides the fantastic hike to the Karola Glacier, on the opposite side of the road, you can appreciate the beautiful snow-capped mountain of Mt Kalurong.

Karola Glacier Visiting Notes:
1. The altitude at the glacier scenic spot is about 5,012m, be sure to slow down to avoid altitude sickness.
2. The public toilet at the glacier is very basic.
3. Local people would ask you to take photos with them for a fee. Be sure to ask before taking photos to avoid potential little troubles.

After that, drive about 3.5h (170km) to your hotel in Shigatse, the nearest town on the Friendship Highway between Tibet and Nepal. Have a good rest and get ready for a lifetime trip to EBC the next day.

After breakfast, drive about 6.5 hours (330km) to the peak of the world - Mount Everest, while stopping by the Rongbuk Monastery - the world’s highest altitude monastery before spending the night at the Everest Base Camp.

Departing from Shigatse, after about 4.5 hours of driving (240km), you would get your first glimpse of Mt. Everest from the Gyawu La Pass (5,200m, Gyatso La Pass), between Lhatse and Shelkar. Apart from Mt. Everest, you will be marveled at the zigzag road that looks winding to the end of the world. On the road, you may see local people biking or hiking all the way to Everest Base Camp, for them reaching the base of the world's highest mountain is a must do goal or holy belief that is worth the effort.

After enjoying the beautiful and unique scenery on the pass with incredibly snow-capped mountain ranges, blue skies, floating high clouds, and endless grasslands, it is time to head to Rongbuk Monastery (about 3.5 hours,122km) for the first good view of Mt. Everest. At an altitude of 5,154m, Rongbuk Monastery is the world’s highest monastery, a must-visit for spiritual travelers, and you will find it photo worthy. It used to be an area of meditation huts, and you can find hermitage meditation caves with a history of over 400 years, dotting the cliff walls all around the monastery and the valley. Along with incredible Mt. Everest views, at Rongbuk Monastery you will be touched by the breathtaking scenery such as large white chorten, piles of mani stones, colorful prayer flags, devout pilgrims passing by...

Notes:
1.Travelers can only go as far as the Rongbuk Temple area rather than a few kilometers farther as before. But it’s no big difference in terms of viewing Mt. Everest.
2.Today’s food and lodging is very basic. Due to the high altitude, it is possible that you may have some symptoms of altitude sickness. We recommend that you stay well hydrated, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery to minimize your symptoms.

You will get an early start with the sunrise of Mt Everest, then head to Gyatso La Pass (Gyawu La Pass, the Dingri Boundary, 122km, 3.5 hours) again with a quick photographic stop. After that, drive back to Shigatse (240km, about 4.5 hours) to visit Tashilunpo Monastery.

Founded by His Holiness the 1st Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gedun Drup in 1447, Tashilhunpo Monastery is the largest monastery in Tsang Area, Tibet. In Tashi Lunpo Monastery, you can unveil the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, Tibet's second-highest incarnation. Pay a visit to the ancient tombs of the fourth and tenth Panchen Lama and the chortens, which hold the bones and remains of the sacred Tibetan lamas. Learn more from your guide about Panchen Lamas and Dalai Lamas while appreciating the brilliant religious painting on Tibetan architecture, listening to the Tibetan Buddhism chanting by local monks, and even participating in the kora like locals. Don’t forget to hike up to the top of the monastery and have a stunning bird view of the monastery itself and Shigatse City. 

After that, drive back to your sweet hotel in Shigatse, take a shower and prepare for the departure by train the next day.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. It is time to drive back to Lhasa from Shigatse. On the way, you have a chance to appreciate some stunning landscapes on the viewing platform. With several hours’ driving, you will arrive in Lhasa and be transferred to the hotel for a good rest.

It is time to end your 14-day Yunnan Tibet tour. You will have some free time in Lhasa and explore more on your own till your guide escorts you to the airport/train station for your flight or train to your next destination. 

Extension Ideas: If you prefer to travel longer in Tibet, you can extend your trip to Namtso Lake, Mount Kailash, and Gyirong Port. Tell us your ideas.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!