Sichuan is in the southwest of China, and is on the eastern edge of Qinghai - Tibet plateau (also called Tibet plateau).
from the map to the left, you can see Sichuan is one province neighboring Tibet to its west, Qinghai to its northwest, Gansu to its north, and Yunnan to its south, it is lying on the transition zone gradually tilting from western plateau area (average elevation: 4000 meters) to eastern plain area (average elevation:500 meters), because of this, the diversity on geography, geology,biology, and climate create a amzing world, here, high mountains, deep valleys and big rivers are the main features; and further more, because of these, it caused this area isolated like a island from other populated areas of Sichuan provicne, and also it created a natural protection to Tibetan buddhism.
after Tibet buddhism suffered devastating hit in Lhasa, Ü, Tsang, kirshimir and Ngarhi region during 9th century; there were many enlightened lamas fled Tibet and escaped here and found shelter in the mountains and friendly environment; many monasteries belonging to different schools built up their complex; in this region, Nyingmapa order of Tibetan buddhism dominates this area (Kham and Amdo), other orders, like Kargyuelpa, Gelupa, Sakyapa, and Bon, follow behind.
in this area, you can find many Bon monastic building complex in Dan area, Nyingmapa complex in Baiyu county, Derge county and Shiqu county in northwestern Sichuan (Kham), and at Litang, you can visit the biggest Gelupa monastery - Litang monastery, famous Serthar monastery is restricted for foreign tourists.
for attractive sports, in the north are Huanglong nature , Jiuzhaigou nature, Langmusi monastery, Tangke Yellow river curves, Hongyuan Waqie monastery, Ngawa Kirthi monastery, Heishui dagu glaciers; in the west are Derge printing house, Dzochen monastery, Ganzi monastery, Baiyu monastery, Yachen monastery, kATOC MONASTERY, Pelpun monastery, Seashuel monastery, Litang moanstery, and Kangning monastery; in the south and southwest are Daochen Yading nature, Haizi mountains, Gonggha mountains.
and there are more which are hard to make sense to you, but this area is the most worth place for your discovery tour and adventure travel if you are planning your trip to Sichuan.
There are many places for you to do DIY tours in western and northern Sichuan, therefore, it is hard to tell you which route you should take; but there is one thing I can assure you: you won't get disappointed if you rent car to travel there.
Highly Recommended routes
- travel to Tibetan plateau: average 4000 meters above sea level
- beautiful mountans, grand valleys, colorful local archtechture,
- 'xiaohuanxian tour' means ....
- 4 days car rental to Jiuzhaigou nature and Huanglong nature
- 4 days car rent travel to Wolong, Danba, Tagong, Xinduqiao, Kangding and Ya'an Bifengxia panda center
- 5 days Circle-Way tour (Compared to NO.2, this route covers one more visit to Lake Mugetso in Kangding; and, on the way, you will have more free time for sightseeing)
- 5 days xiaohuanxian tour. (Compared to NO.2, this route quit the leg to Bamei, Tagong (?), but add two visits: Lake Mugetso in Kangding, and Hailuogou mountain glaciers)
- 6 days Circle-way tour ( Compared to NO.4, this route covers one more spot- Hailuogou mountain glaicers; ATTENTION: this program is a thorough/deep circle-way tour;)
- 7 days car rent tour to Daocheng, Yading, Litang, Kangding, Tagong, and Danba
- 8 days Circle-way tour (Compared to NO.5, this program highlights on 2 days hike to ruins of a local kindom 'Dong Nv Guo' and hike to reach Zhonglu village; if you like treking, maybe, this is good to you)
- 8 days car rental to Daocheng ,Yading, Litang, Kangding (with tour to lake Mugetso, and Hailuogou glaicers)
- 9 days car rent tour to Daocheng, Yading nature, Litang, Kangding, Tagong, and Danba (compared to NO.6, this program will enable you enjoy amzing Zhonglu village at Danba, and hike in one valley at Mt.Siguniangs)
- 10 days car rent to Wolong, Danba, Luhuo, Ganzi, Yhilun tsolha lake, Tsolha mountain, Derge, Baiyu, Katoc monastery, Xinlong county, Litang, Yajiang, kangding, Chengdu
- 13 days Thorough Ganzi tour in western Sichuan Tibetan region (compared to NO.10, this program covers tour to Daocheng and Yading nature)
- 7 days overland travel from Chengdu to Lanzhou, going through Jiuzhaigou,Huanglong,Tangke Yellow river view, Langmusi temple, and Labrang monastery
- 9 days overland trip from Chengdu to Xining, traveling through Jiuzhaigou,Huanglong,Langmusi, Labrang monastery,and Wutun monastery
- 9 day overland tour from Chengdu to Xining through Ganzi,Seashuel
- 11 days overland tour from Chengdu to Xining, traveling through Kangding,Tagong, Ganzi, Paryuel, Dege, Seashuel, Jyekundo, and Mardo (compared to NO.14,tour to Paryuel, Dege is included)
- (from Sichuan to Yunnan): 6 days car hire to Zhongdian through Docheng and yading nature
- (from Sichuan to Yunnan): 9 days car rental to Shangri-la through Wolong, Danba tibetan villages, Tagong, and Daocheng Yading nature.
you choose car rental program in accordance with your holiday length and interest; if you find hard to select, tell me your holiday length and primary interest, I choose for you.
- 1 day car rental to Chengdu panda center and some other visits inside Chengdu city
- 1 day car rental to Chengdu panda center and tour to Huanglongxi ancient town
- 1 day car rental to Chengdu Panda center and Leshan big buddha statue
- 1 day car rental to Chengdu Panda center and visit to Sanxingdui museum
- 1 day car rental to Huanglongxi ancient town and some visits in Chengdu downtown region (no tour to Chengdu panda base)
- 1 day car rental to Leshan big Buddha statue and Mt.Emei
- 1 day car rental to Leshan buddha and Huanglongxi ancient town
- 1 day car rental to Ya'an Bifengxia and Shangli ancient town
- 1 day car rental to Dujiangyan water project and Mt. Qingcheng
- 1 day car rent to Dazu rock carvings (Dazu Shike /Dazu grottoes), destination: Chongqing
- 2 days car rental to Ya'an Bifengxia panda center, Shangli ancient town, and some visits inside Chengdu downtown
- 2 days car rental to Leshan big buddha and Mt. Emei
- 2 days car rental to amaizing Sanjiang area (which is close to Dujiangyan, Wolong and Yingxiu)
- 2 days car rent to Yibin Bamboo sea ('Shu nan zhu hai')
- 2 days car rent to Chengdu panda center and Chongqing Dazu rock carvings
- 3 days car hire to Mt.Siguniangs for hiking
- 3 days car rental to Hailuogou glaciers and de tour to Ya'an Bifengxia panda center
- 3 days car rental to Leshan buddha, Mt. Emei, and Ya'an bifengxia Panda center
- 3 days car hire to Leshan for Big buddha statue, Jiayang Steam Train, and Mt.Emeishan tour
- 4 days car hire to Leshan for Big buddha statue, Jiayang Steam Train, and Mt.Emeishan, Ya'an Bifengxia panda center and Shangli ancient town
- 4 days car rental to Leshan buddha, Mt. Emei, Ya'an bifengxia Panda center,+ Dujiangyan water proje and hike Mt.Qingcheng
- 4 days car hire to Hailuogou mountain glaciers, Kangding Mugetso lake, Ya'an bifengxia panda base, and Shangli ancient town
- 4 days car hire to Chengdu panda base, Mt. Emeishan, Leshan Buddha statue, Dazhu grottoes. destination: back to Chengdu city or going to Chognqing city for Yangtze cruise.
- 5 days car hire to Chengdu panda base, Mt. Emeishan, Leshan Buddha statue, Yibin Lizhuang old town, Yibin Bamboo sea in southern Sichuan, Dazhu grottoes. destination: back to Chengdu city or going to Chognqing city for Yangtze cruise
- 6 days car rental to Aba Tibetan region - tour Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Langmusi, Ro'ergai, and Songpan ancient town
- 7 days car rental to visit Sichuan old towns and further more: Dayi An Ren old town, Pingle old town, Shangli old town, Ya'an bifengxia panda base, Liujiang old town, Mt. Emeishan, Leshan big Buddha statue, Yibin Lizhuang old town, Yibin bamboo sea, Dazu grottoes. destination: back to Chengdu city or going to Chognqing city for Yangtze cruise
- 3 days car rental tour to Jian men guan,zhaohua,guangyuan, and Langzhong old city (discover the unveiled beauty of northern Sichuan)
- 6 days car hire program to Jiuzhaigou, huanglong, heihe valley, langmusi, songpan old city
- 7 days car rental program to jiuzhaigou,huanglong,heihe valley, langmusi, tangke yellow river curves, songpan old city.
- 8 days northern sichuan tour to jiuzhaigou, huanglong,heihe valley,langmusi,tangke yellow river curves,mt.siguniangs, chengdu
- 10 days northern sichuan highlights: tour jiuzhaigou, huanglong,heihe valley,langmusi,tangke yellow river curves,mt.siguniangs, danba tibetan village, lake mugetso,and ya'an bifengxia panda base, shangli old town.
