SACRED BUDDHIST SITES & ANCIENT TRADE ROUTES IN EASTERN TIBET & LLASA, JULY/AUGUST, 2025

SACRED BUDDHIST SITES & ANCIENT TRADE ROUTES IN EASTERN TIBET & LLASA
JULY/AUGUST, 2025

with Jeremy Woodhouse & Michael Deng
(15 days – 14 nights), Group size 4-7

During its prime (618-842), the Tubo Dynasty governed not only the Lhasa area but also Ngari and the Western Nomad Corridor. This corridor, known as Kham, encompasses the eastern lower region of the Tibetan Plateau and the downstream areas of the river. Today, Kham Tibet refers to western Sichuan Province (mainly Ganzi), southern Qinghai Province (Yushu and Guoluo), northwestern Yunnan Province (Shangri-La), and eastern Tibet (Xichang).

Kham is the heart of the Tea Horse Road, a trade route that began during the Han Dynasty around 2,500 years ago, connecting Kham and Shanxi Province over the Qinling Mountain Range. Today, the term mainly refers to the trade that started during the Tang Dynasty, about 1,500 years ago, when Chinese merchants from Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces exchanged tea with Tibetans for horses. This network of trails and mountain passes spans over 3,000 kilometers. Remote ethnic groups traded goods along these trails leading to the Tibetan plateau, facilitating not just the exchange of tea and horses, but also a rich cultural exchange.

On this trip, we will travel along the northern route of the Tea Horse Trail from Chengdu to Yushu, with an extension to Tibet via the railway on the Roof of the World. The weather is unpredictable, often presenting three to four seasons within 24 hours. Hail and snow over the high mountain passes are common, with elevations reaching over 5,000 meters. The highest overnight lodge is at 4,200 meters above sea level. Due to the hazards, prayer flags are hung at all mountain passes in the Tibetan area for safety blessings. Traffic can be delayed by road construction, broken-down vehicles, and other obstacles. Throughout the trip, three people will share one 4WD SUV. Lodging will be the best available locally, equivalent to a 2-3 star hotel, though hot showers may not be available daily.

We may have the chance to witness the Tibetan Yartsa Gombu harvest and market in Serxu and Yushu. Yartsa Gombu, a valuable and natural Chinese herb, is formed when a fungus invades a dead caterpillar. Tibetan nomads at high elevations can earn a significant portion of their annual income by spending two months searching for and digging up this half-inch grass on mountain slopes.

Additionally, we will have opportunities to photograph nomads with their tents, Tibetan Mastiffs, yaks, and sheep in the grasslands. We will visit various Tibetan monasteries from different sects, such as the Gelug Order (Yellow Hat Sect), Nyingma Order (Red Sect), and Sakya Order (Stripe Hat Sect). There will be piles or towns of inscribed prayer stones, Tibetan white pagoda forests, Tibetan pilgrims kowtowing on the road, local festivals, and Tibetan Buddhist activities.

Please note that the Tibetan area is still strictly governed by authorities, so we may need to be flexible with our itinerary as some planned destinations might be inaccessible.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Chengdu
Upon arrival at Chengdu Airport, transfer to our hotel. We will meet in the hotel lobby at 6 PM for an orientation meeting followed by a welcome group dinner. If you arrive in Chengdu earlier, you can easily visit the Chengdu Panda Zoo and explore the city on your own by taking a hotel shuttle bus or a taxi.

Sichuan, known as "China's breadbasket," boasts fertile land and is home to over ten ethnic minorities. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is over 2,500 years old and lies at the heart of the Sichuan Basin. The city's defining characteristics include its teahouses and local cuisine, both competing for prominence. Mahjong, a domino-like game, is played ubiquitously. The pace of life in Chengdu is leisurely, with a relaxed lifestyle. Many Chinese people consider Chengdu the most laid-back and ideal city to live in in China.

O/N Crowne Plaza Chengdu Panda Hotel ***** (Welcome D)

Day 2: Chengdu - Danba
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and drive 360 km northwest to Danba in our 4WD SUV (three clients per SUV). Our journey begins on the highway to Yingxiu, on the edge of the 2008 earthquake area. We then drive through the valley, passing Wolong Nature Reserve and Balang Mountain Pass. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to photograph the famous Four Sisters Mountain. In the late afternoon, we will arrive in the ancient watchtower town of Danba.

Danba is situated in the higher area of the Gonglai Mountain of the Ming Mountain Range, with the Dadu River flowing through the county from north to south. It serves as the gateway to the Ganzi Tibetan area (Kham Tibet). Danba is home to Tibetan nomads and is renowned for its hundreds of slender, tall ancient watchtowers, built from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to the Qing Dynasty (1750-1800). These watchtowers, which range from 20-50 meters in height and come in various shapes, could accommodate over 100-200 people each. In the Qing Dynasty around 1800, the construction of more watchtowers ceased with the introduction of cannons in battles. Since then, the watchtowers have primarily been used as observation and beacon towers. At an elevation of 1,800 meters, Danba is an ideal stop for acclimating to the high altitudes.