13-day's tour with the following route:

Peking - Chengdu (1N) - Dujiangyan - Wolong - Wenchuan (1N) - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou (2N) - Ruoergai (1N) - Xiahe (2N) - Xining (1N) - Koko Nor (1N) - Xining (1N) - Peking (1N)

In the west of China there are countless nature reserves scattered at the border betwwen Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces. You will experience the different scenery by this tour as well as the visits of many Lamaist Mmonasteries. You'll first welcomed by Wolong Natural Reserve - the hometown of the Giant Panda, then Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong - the Fairyland. Then the most highlight will be the Koko Nor Lake - the pearl on plateau.

Itinerary (13 days, 12 days in China):

Day01 Flight to Peking

Day02 Peking - Chengdu 1N in 3*Huayang Garden City Hotel

Arrive in Pekng in the morning, meet at the airport then transit to Chengdu - capital of Sichuan Province.

Day03 Chengdu - Dujiangyan - Wolong - Wenchuan, 240 km, 1N in 2*New CITS Hotel B/L/D

Today we start our 10-day-jouney by visiting Dujiangyan Irrigation System first. The Dam was first built for irrigation on Chengdu plain in the year of 250BC. Then we drive to Wolong Natural Reserve. There are about 20 giant pandas at the breeding research centre you can't miss as this is the very highlight today.The Reserve, first set up in 1983 with the assistance from WWF, has long been playing an very unsubstitutive role in Chinese rare animals and plants protection project.

Day04 Wenchuan - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou, 380 km, 2N in 3*New Jiuzhai Hotel B/L/D

Drive to Jiuzhaigou via Huanglong in the very early morning. On the way you'll see many Tibetan and Qing Nationality villages and enjoy their unique local feature. You'll also see the Diexi lakes formed by the earthquake in 1930. Arrive at Huanglong before noon. You'll enjoy the beautiful scenery of more than 3000 colourful terraced pools. Then drive to Jiuzhaigou in the afternoon.

Day05 Jiuzhaigou B/L/D

With the colourful pools, waterfalls, snow-covered mountains and primeval forest, Jiuzhaigou has long been the most well-known scenic spot worldwide. It got its name because of the nine Tibetan villages along the valley. The place has also won the title as "the Fairyland" on earth.

Day06 Jiuzhaigou - Ruoergai, 360 km, Guest House B/L/D

On the way you'll meet many Tibetan herdsman moving from one place to another. Ruoergai is the place of Chinese war-horse production as the local Hequ horse is vrey famous.

Day07 Ruoergai - Xiahe, 340 km, 2N in 2*Labrang Hotel B/L/D

Today you'll leave for Xiahe in Gansu Province.

Day08 Xiahe B/L/D

With a elevation of 2900 m above sea level, Xiahe is located at the edge of northeast Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Most of the residents are Tibetan. You'll visit the most siginificant Lamaist Monastery in the northeast of Tibetan civilization - Labrang Monastery. The monastery is one of the six most siginificant Yellow-hat-sect lamaist monasteris which has long been known as an improtant link between Tibetan and Mongolian lamaism.

Day09 Xiahe - Xining, 425 km, 1N in 3*Qinghai Hotel B/L/D

Drive to Xining today. Xining is the capital of Qinghai province with the elevation of 3000 m above sea level. The city is also the economy and cultural centre of the province.

Day10 Xining - Ta'er Si - Koko Nor Lake, 200 km, 1N in simple Tenthotel B/L/D

On the way to Koko Nor Lake you'll stop at visit Ta'er monastery at Huangzhong county. The monastery is one of the six most siginificant Yellow-hat-sect Lamaist monasteries, also the birthplace of Tsongkaba, founder of Yellow-hat sect. The 14th Dalai Lama's former residence is nearby. Lots of Mongolian people also come here pay their respects because the monastery has played a very important role in the process when the mongolians came to belive in Lamaism. You'll reach Qinghai lake after pass over the Riyue mountain (sun & moon mountain).

Day11 Koko Nor Lake - Xining, 190 km, 1N in 3*Qinghai Hotel B/L/D

You'll have a short trekking along the lake in the morning. The lake is the largest inland salt water lake in China and covers an area of 4500 sqk, and 3193 m above sea level. Then drive back to Xining in the afternoon.

Day12 Xining - Peking, 1N in 3*Taiwan Hotel B

Transfer to the airport then fly to Peking, free in the afternoon.

Day13 Flight Peking - home B

Today transfer to airport for flying back home.

End of the tour.

Best time: April - October.