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Zhongdian tour - Tibetan monks of Zhongdian

At the Foot of the Himalayas

Zhongdian tour - Yunnan province, south-west China

Route: Lijiang - Zhongdian

If you decide not to visit Tibet due to its high altitude or due to lack of time, this module will at least give you a sense of being in Tibet. If you are travelling to Tibet as well, this is the perfect place to acclimatise and you can fly straight to Lhasa after your Zhongdian tour.

This is where the Tibetan world begins. You’ll travel from Lijiang through the Himalayan foothills to the Tibetan village of Zhongdian. During your Zhongdian tour you'll visit a Tibetan monastery at an altitude of 3200m.

If you prefer to see the grasslands and nomadic people instead of white mountain tops, visit Xiahe and experience the Monks on the grassy plains module.
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights Departure: Daily
Comfort level (1-4): 2 (see accommodation) Accommodation: 2 nights in a simple hotel in Zhongdian
Price: £98 per person - based on 2 people sharing Included: Transfer from Lijiang, accommodation
Transport: Local bus Lijiang - Zhongdian (one-way) Excluded: Meals, drinks and entrance fees

Day 1: Lijiang – Zhongdian
Elevation 3200m

In all likelihood, you'll add this tour after your Lijiang’s Chinese Lanterns trip, so we'll arrange a local bus to the start of your Zhongdian tour, a 200km journey. During the drive you’ll pass through mountain passes and valleys. You’ll travel by bus and experience what it’s like to travel by public transport through China. At times your sitting space may be limited; however you’ll be sitting in between locals and enjoying cheerful- albeit mostly unintelligible- music.

After about 5 hours you’ll reach Zhongdian, which thanks to a Chinese publicity stunt is also known as Shangri-La. You’ll be awaited by our driver who will take you to your simple hotel, just outside of town. During your stay in this Tibetan region, it may be a little more difficult to communicate.... but eventually, perhaps even using your hands or paper and pen, you'll get your point across.

Zhongdian tour - Tibetan monasteries
Zhongdian tour - The streets of Zhongdian

Day 2: Zhongdian

The following day is free to explore the city. We would recommend visiting the 300-year old Tibetan Ganden Sumtseling Gompa Monastery (also known as the Tsongtam Monastery), located just ourside of Zhongdian. The monastery is home to more than 300 monks and is the most important Tibetan complex in south-western China. You can go inside of the monastery after paying a Yuan 85 entrance fee. 

China Travel Plan supports a local charity in Napa Village. Donations made by travellers who visit our site are used to build better facilities and homes in the village in order to help develop tourism in the area (which will help the village to support itself). Click here for more information. If you would like to visit the village during your stay then just let us know. 

Day 3: Departure from Zhongdian

 

Today this Zhongdian tour will end and you’ll arrange your own transport to the Zhongdian airport. If you’d like to visit Tibet, there are two morning flights to Lhasa each day. You can also visit the karst mountains near Guilin (transfer in Kunming) with the Bamboo sailing through karst mountains module. If you like you can also travel back to Lijiang, perhaps to hike the Tiger Leaping Gorge, or travel to Dali by bus.
Zhongdian tour - Travellers
Zhongdian tour - A taste of Tibet.... in China



Best time of year for a Zhongdian tour


The best time to travel to Zhongdian is May - September. It’s very cold during the rest of the year and we wouldn't recommend travelling here during those months.

If while travelling between Lijiang and Zhongdian you’d like to do the Tiger Leaping Gorge trek, we suggest doing the two-day trek during the months June - August. You’ll walk along the top of the canyon and the weather conditions are most favourable during these months.


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