Tibetan Adventure (Beijing/Chengdu/Lasha 10 Days)

　Remark: The Tibet Autonomous Region is located in the southwest part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It borders on Sichuan and Yunnan provinces to the east, Qinghai and Xinjiang to the north, and shares borders with  India , Nepal , Sikkim , Bhutan and Burma to the south, and bounded by Kashmir to the west. Tibet has various complex landforms such as high and steep mountains, deep valleys, glaciers, bare rocks and Gobi deserts. All places in the region lie at an average altitude of more than 4,000 meters. Tibet has a population of 2.61 million, 92.2 percent of whom are Tibetans, or 2.41 million. Apart from Tibetans, there are other ethnic groups such as Han, Hui, Monba, Lhoba, Enditem.

　Buddhism had established a following in Tibet , as in other countries, due to its spread from India . It received a boost when it was actively promoted in the 7th century during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo (650 AD), who was married to a Nepalese Princess as well as a Chinese Princess, both of whom were Buddhists. As part of their dowries, they brought many Buddhist scriptures and statues to the court. As a consequence, Buddhism began to infiltrate Tibetan culture and to displace the indigenous Bon religion. However, during Landama's (or Lang Darma) reign, Buddhism was banned and went into decline. The distinct form of Tibetan Buddhism also called (incorrectly) Lamaism developed during the 10th century and it became firmly established from this time onwards. Tibetan Buddhism has its particular form as it absorbed aspects of the Bon religion as it gradually established its dominance.

　Tibetan Buddhism is based on Madhyamika and Yogacara and belongs to the Mahayana school. It also utilizes the symbolic ritual practices of Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana) while incorporating features of the indigenous Tibetan Bon religion, that had continued its opposition to the new faith. The influence of Tantric doctrines and Bon make much more mystical than other forms of Buddhism. There is a strong reliance on mudras (ritual postures), mantras (sacred speech), yantras (sacred art) and secret initiation rites.

　Day One, upon your arrival at Beijing , our tour guide will help you make a transfer at the Beijing capital airport for the flight to Chengdu which is the nearest place to Tibetan. Upon your arrival, our tour guide will transfer you directly back to your hotel. On the way, you could have a window sightseeing of Chengdu city, you might learn a little about the big city in Southwestern China .

　Day Two, after a nice sleep at your hotel, we will start our one day tour in Chengdu from the morning. Firstly, you will come to the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu which is very famous place in Chengdu . Du Fu, a very famous poet, lived in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Just as its name implies, the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu was his home more than a thousand years ago. He was born in Gongyi City , Henan Province in 712. In 746, he took the official examination in Chang'an (now known as Xian) and continued to live there for more than ten years after the failure. But, in order to get away from the An-Shi Rebellion breaking out in 758, Du Fu fled to Chengdu in 759. With the help of friends, the thatched cottage was built in 760 beside the Flower Bathing Brook on the western outskirts of Chengdu . During his four years there, Du Fu composed more than 240 poems that are considered to be precious national treasures. Nowadays, it stretches out its arms to welcome visitors from all over the world.

　And thousands years ago, Chengdu used to be the capital city of Shu Kingdom during the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-80 AD). And nowadays, we could still find some remains here and the Wuhou Temple is the one of them. It is dedicated to Zhuge Liang, the Martial Marquis of Shu in the Three Kingdoms. Zhuge Liang was the personification of noble character and intelligence. Memorial temples erected in many places after his death include a famous one in Chengdu . The most valuable cultural relic within the temple is the stele set up in 809. This huge stele 367-centimeter (144-inch) high and 95-centimeter (37-inch) wide is called the Triple-Success Stele. The three successes are: an article written by Pei Du, a famous minister of the Tang Dynasty who served four emperors in succession, calligraphy by Liu Gongquan, one of the most brilliant calligraphers in Chinese history, and a statement about the morality and achievements of Zhuge Liang. His great personality, his dedicated service to others, and his outstanding intelligence, place Zhuge Liang above all emperors, generals, and ministers in history. A visit to the temple illuminates his status with the Chinese people.

　Time is going too fast and maybe it is the time for lunch, you will have the experience with another local culture, Sichuan food. It is the time for the lunch, as you know the Sichuan dishes are very famous around the country, even around the world. It is famous for its many flavors, and almost every dish has its own unique taste. This is because many flavorings and seasonings are produced in Sichuan Province . These include soy sauce from Zhongba, cooking vinegar from Baoning, special vinegar from Sanhui, fermented soy beans from Tongchuan, hot pickled mustard tubers from Fuling, chili sauce from Chongqing , thick, broad – bean sauce from Pixian, and well salt from Zigong . Beside the hot dishes, it also has many delicious snacks and desserts, such as Bangbang chicken, chicken with sesame paste, lantern shadow beef, husband and wife's pork lung slices, steamed beef, noodles with chili sauce, and rice dumplings stuffed with sesame paste. We hope that you could have a good appetite.

　Near Wuhou Temple , it is Jinli Street . Dating back to the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), Jinli Street in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, was in ancient times one of the busiest of commercial boulevards of the Kingdom of Shu, during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). It is thus known as the " First Street of the Shu Kingdom ." At the time of the Three Kingdoms period, the production of the famous Shu brocade (a rich silk fabric with raised patterns in gold and silver) was centralized at the southern bank of the Jinjiang River in Chengdu , adjacent to the historical Temple of Marquis Wu . The area was originally known as Jinguan or Jinli, and during the later Tang and Song Dynasties, Jinli became another name for the city of Chengdu . Chengdu was the capital city of the Kingdom of Shu (221-263). Due largely to the leadership of Zhuge Liang and other personages of the Kingdom of Shu, the Three Kingdoms culture took strong root here. And here still exists some of the richest of the remains of the Three Kingdoms Period. Renovation of the street was completed at the end of 2004.Visitors from all over China and abroad gathered here in this ancient street to relax, take in the surroundings, and perhaps taste some of the local specialties. It is said that citizens of Chengdu are particularly fond of dining and socializing, and perhaps this is what helps to create the city‘s leisurely ambience. Chengdu has been newly designated as one of the ten most livable cities in China .

　Next one is the Wangjiang Tower Park , it located on the south bank of Jinjiang River , Chengdu , is one of three famous cultural relics in Chengdu , along with Wuhou Memorial Temple and the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu. While Wuhou Temple honors the legendary minister of Shu, Zhuge Liang, and Du Fu Cottage honors the Sage of Poetry, Wangjiang Tower is dedicated to a woman, Xue Tao, a poet in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Since in the past women lacked social status, the story of Xue Tao is all the more fascinating. Xue Tao was born in a turbulent society so her father named her "tao" wave in Chinese. She led a hard life after her father's death, eventually becoming a singer. She was versatile and beautiful. History records that she wrote 500 poems and that her contemporaries greatly admired her. Bamboos will get your attention as you enter the park. Xue Tao loved bamboo; over 150 kinds of bamboos from home and abroad grow here in her honor. This park with its elegant garden of bamboo is the finest in Chengdu . Built in 1889, Wangjiang Tower has become a Chengdu landmark. Visitors can enjoy tea made from Xue Tao Well water, read poems and couplets left by celebrities, and become intoxicated by the ethereal surrounding.

　Understanding more about Chengdu , you will come back to the hotel, maybe you could choose any option tour in the evening. Otherwise, you like to wait for the tomorrow's flight to Tibetan.

　Day Three, in the morning, we will take you for the flight to Tibetan. Upon your arrival, we will transfer you back to hotel in Lhasa . The rest of day will be free for you.

　Day Four, in the morning, we will come to Potala Palace , which is originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, it is located on the Red Hill of Lhasa, Tibet. Destroyed by lightning and war, but it had been rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1645. Since then, it has become the seat of Dalai Lamas and also the political center of Tibet . The thirteenth Dalai Lama extended it to the present size, 384 ft in height and 1,180 ft in width, covering an area of more than 32 acres. Mainly comprised by the White Palace (administration building) and the Red Palace (religious building), it is famous for its grand buildings, complicated constructions, devotional atmosphere and splendid artworks.

　Next, it is the Sera Monastery which is located at the foot of Tatipu Hill is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City . It is one of three famous monasteries in Lhasa along with the Drepung Monastery and the Ganden Monastery . It is dedicated to the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsong Khapa. Jamchen Chojey, one of Tsong Khapa's disciples built the monastery in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The monastery was named Sera which mean wild rose in the Tibetan language, because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built. T he monastery is magnificent and covers an area of 28 acres. Its main buildings are the Coqen Hall, Zhacang (college) and Kamcun (dormitory). Scriptures written in gold powder, fine statues, scent cloth and unparalleled murals can be found in these halls. Colorful debates on Buddhist doctrines are held here and these employ a style distinctive from those at Lhasa 's other famous monasteries.

　Then, we pay the visit to the Jokhang Temple which is located in central Lhasa in Tibet . With an area of six acres, it is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. The Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), was characterized by economic prosperity and great progress in politics. During this time, China was considered the cultural and political center of the world. King Songtsem Gampo (617 – 650, the 33rd king of Tibet ) was the leader of the Tubo (or Tibetan) Kingdom. He actively promoted Buddhism in Tibet and under his reign, Tibet achieved great progress in social innovation and realized the integration of Tibet for the first time. In order to promote friendly relationships with the neighboring countries, he successively married Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal and Princess Wen Cheng of the Tang Dynasty. When the two wives arrived in Tibet , each brought a statue of Jowo Sakyamuni. During this time, most people lived in tents and there were few palaces. To house the Buddha brought by Princess Wen Cheng, King Songtsem Gampo constructed the Little Jokhang. Jealous of her, Princess Burikuti asked Gampo to build a Jokang for her as well. Therefore, in 647 the giant complex was built. It was built on the former site of a lake. According to the legend, the lake site was chosen after many failed attempts to build a temple in the region. Prior to this, every time a temple was built, it would collapse. Confused by this phenomenon, Princess Bhrikuti turned to Wen Cheng for help. Being a learned woman, Wen Cheng told the Princess that the geography of Tibet was very much like a hag, with the lake at the heart. In order to build the temple, Wen Cheng advised they must demolish the hag by filling and leveling the lake using 1,000 sheep to carry soil from a mountain far away. When the temple was done, it was called Ra-Sa-Vphrul-Snang ('ra' meaning sheep and 'sa' meaning earth in Tibetan) to commemorate those sheep. Whether the legend is true or not, this temple brought Buddhism into Tibet and became an inseparable part of Tibetan history and culture. The city of Ra-Sa grew around the temple and over time, become known as Lhasa , a holy land.

　The last for today is Barkhor, a circular street at the center of Old Lhasa, is the oldest street in a very traditional city in Tibet . It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble and a place to which a visit must be paid. Barkhor is the road which pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along the street clockwise every day into deep night. Most of Lhasa 's floating population is comprised of these pilgrims. The pilgrims walk outside four columns on which colorful scripture streamers are hung, a custom which began in the Tubo period (633-877) as a way to show respect. Nowadays, Barkhor, the sacred pilgrim path, is also a marketplace where shaggy nomads, traders, robed monks and chanting pilgrims join together. Clustered shops and stalls sell printed scriptures, cloth prayer flags and other religious vessels, jewelry, Tibetan knives, ancient coins and other Tibetan relics.

　Day Five, we will drive you from Lhasa to Shigatse, and stay in Shigatse. On the way, we will pass the Yamdrok Lake , and have the sightseeing at Gyangtse.

　Yamdrok Lake is one of four such holy lakes, the others being Lhamo La-tso (mentioned above), Namtso and Manasarovar. It is revered as a talisman and is said to be part of the life-spirit of the Tibetan nation. The largest lake in southern Tibet , it is said that if its waters dry, Tibet will no longer be habitable. The lake has nine islands, of which one houses the famous Samding Monastery. This monastery is interesting, as it is the only Tibetan monastery to be headed by a female re-incarnation. Since it is not a nunnery, female abbot heads a community of about thirty monks. Today, both pilgrims and tourists can be seen walking along the lake's perimeter, enjoying the diversified fauna and flora, admiring the snow-capped mountains in the distance and visiting the villages scattered along its shores. One of the most newly popular pastimes for Tibetans is fishing, new because Tibetans are traditionally not allowed to eat fish.

　In Gyangtse, Lying about 230 kilometers (143 miles) south of Lhasa and 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Shigatse, Pelkhor Choede (Palkhor Monastery or Palcho Monastery) is a monastery having the characteristics of Han, Tibetan and Nepali architecture. Pelkhor Choede enjoys a high status in Tibetan Buddhism history because it houses three sects - Sakyapa, Kadampa and Gelugpa together. Those three sects get along well with each other though they once quarreled and fought. The Bodhi Dagoba, the Main Assembly Hall, murals and Zhacang (hall for the monks) in the monastery are the most renowned. Murals in the Monastery are also well known. These murals mainly relate to Esoteric and Exoteric Buddhism, and stories about the Buddhas. Tourists will find them almost everywhere in the monastery. Zhacang refers to the rooms where the monks live. Each sect has their own Zhacang in the monastery.

　Day Six, in Shigatse, we will come to Tashilhunpo Monastery which is one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet . Also called the Heap of Glory, the monastery is located at the foot of Drolmari ( Tara 's Mountain), Shigatse. Founded by the First Dailai Lama in 1447, the monastery's structure was expanded by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. It covers an area of nearly 3,229,279 square feet. The main structures found in the Tashilhunpo Monastery are The Maitreya Chapel, The Panchen Lama's Palace and The Kelsang Temple. Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas. And it also treasures characteristic wall paintings. Because of the variety of shapes, resplendent colors and exquisite painting, the murals are considered to be another masterpiece of Buddhist art. Rare sutras, thangka, china and glass services of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911) are also invaluable assets found in the monastery. These are good relics for researching the history and society of Tibet .

　After that, we will drive you back to Lhasa and transfer to the hotel, be free of the rest of day.

　Day Seven, we will transfer to Lhasa airport for the flight to Beijing . Upon the arrival at Beijing airport, we will transfer you to the hotel and stay over a night.

　Day Eight, we will take back to Beijing airport for your flight back to your home, end of the Tibetan tour.

  　Tour Quotation:

　 Remark: Price might be changed during the period of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

　Remark: The price will be based on per person

　All the quotation will be including:

　1.  All the Entrance fees listed in the itinerary

　2.  Meals only including breakfast and lunch

　3.  Skillful driver with private vehicle

　4.  Hotel room should be on twin share bases

　5.  Excellent English speaking local guide

　6.  Domestic transportation
　   * Air tickets: Beijing to Chengdu and Chengdu to Lhasa and Lhasa back to Beijing
　   * All the ground transfer

　7.  Tibetan entrance allowance document

　8.  Insurance within China

　9.  All the quotation is by US Dollars which is based on the rate of Bank of China

　10.  Cancellation policy: Cancellation should be informed three days before departure otherwise should have 30% penalty of total price.

　11.  Payment policy: All the payment should be three days in advance before departure when you received the final confirmation and tickets

　12.  Payment method: cash, credit card and wire transfer

　  All the quotation will be NOT including:

　1.   International ticket

　2.  All the dinners

　3.  Personal Expenses.

　4.  Gratuities, Tips to guides or drivers

　Notes: All the quotation would be changed due to the unexpected reason.