12 Days Guangzhou Tibet Tour with Chengdu Pandas & Mount Everest Base Camp

Néih hóu! Welcome to Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. Renowned as a major trading and cultural hub in southern China, its culture is deeply rooted in both its ancient history and its role as a port city, which led to its blending of local and foreign influences, creating a cultural symbol that's uniquely its own. Guangzhou is also the birthplace of Lingnan Culture, Cantonese Dialogue, Cantonese Cuisine, Cantonese Opera, etc. Upon your arrival at the airport/train station in Guangzhou, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Guangzhou. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can have a good rest for the jet lag or explore by yourself around your hotel.

Arrival Ideas:

Guangzhou, being a major hub, is effortlessly reachable via air or efficient high-speed rail. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is a major international hub. Direct flights to Guangzhou are available from a plethora of Chinese cities such as Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu, and more Guangzhou South Railway Station and Guangzhou Railway Station are the main hubs for high-speed trains connecting Guangzhou to other major cities of China. Moreover, the high-speed train network connects Guangzhou with major destinations like Hong Kong (about 1 hour), Shenzhen (0.5-1.5 hours), Guilin (2.5-3.5 hours), Guiyang (4-6.5 hours), Beijing (8-10 hours), Shanghai (7-8.5 hours), Chengdu (9-10 hours), Xian (8-9 hours), Hangzhou (6-7.5 hours), among others.

Free Time Ideas:

You are welcome to ask your tour guide for some useful tips to spend your free time based on your time and interest.

Full-day exploration of Guangzhou City, the capital city of Guangdong province and the third-largest city in China (after Shanghai and Beijing). Through its Ancient Central Axis and New Central Axis, you can trace back to the "Origin" of Guangzhou and embrace the "Future" of Guangzhou by visiting the top attractions of Guangzhou such as Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Yuexiu Park, Nanyue King Mausoleum Museum, Beijing Road, Huacheng Square, Canton Tower, Pearl River. Sure you will start to enjoy the Cantonese food today from the traditional Guangzhou morning tea to all kinds of Cantonese cuisine, a dim sum meal, and local snacks.

Begin your journey at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Chen Family Ancestral Hall陈家祠), representing traditional Lingnan architecture (岭南建筑) and Lingnan culture. The clan concept in the Lingnan Region (which covers Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, and parts of Fujian) is very strong, and people attach great importance to the worship and memorial of their ancestors. The ancestral hall is the place where people worship their ancestors. The Chen Family Ancestral Hall stands as the largest, best-preserved, and most exquisitely decorated ancestral hall-style architecture in China, earning it the title of the "Jewel of Lingnan Architectural Art". The hall showcases the "Three Carvings" (三雕) - stone, brick, and wood carvings; the "Two Moldings" (两塑) - ceramic and lime sculptures; and additionally, the intricate cast ironwork and exquisite color paintings, together recognized as the "Seven Wonders" (七绝). You will love the various legendary divine beasts of China that stand on the roofs. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall uses the famous Shiwan Clay Sculptures (石湾陶塑) on its roof, commonly known as "Shiwan Ridge Tiles"(石湾瓦脊). These ridge tiles are produced in Shiwan Town (石湾镇), where the Nanfeng Ancient Kiln is located (we will visit it tomorrow). Each ridge tile has a unique decorative theme, showcasing legends, stories from Cantonese opera (粤剧), folk auspicious patterns, and a total of 1,109 sculpted figures. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall also houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum, where you can witness traditional Guangdong crafts such as ivory carvings, jade sculptures, Guangdong embroidery, and Guangdong-colored ceramics.

Then, you can pay a visit to Yuexiu Park (越秀公园), one of the landmarks of Guangzhou, like the locals. With Yuexiu Mountain in the center, the park has remnants from over 2,000 years ago left by the Nanyue King Zhao Tuo, hence its initial name "Yue King Mountain." Sun Yat-sen used to visit Yuexiu Mountain for reading and official duties. With a stroll to the Five Rams Sculpture (五羊石雕), you will learn why Guangzhou got its nickname as the "City of Rams"(羊城). According to the lore, during a severe famine thousands of years ago, five immortals rode into Guangzhou on five rams and presented the people of Guangzhou with rice stalks held in their mouths and wished the region to be forever free from famine. After their departure, the five rams transformed into stone. Now, it not only embodies the city spirit of gratitude, compassion, mutual assistance, diligence, and bravery but also becomes a symbol of Guangzhou. Don't forget to visit the Zhenhai Tower (Five-Storied Pagoda镇海楼self-pay). During the Ming Dynasty (600 years ago), it was the highest building in Guangzhou, and a good place for the ancient people of Guangzhou to enjoy the panoramic view of the Pearl River (珠江) and Baiyun Mountain (白云山). This tower now hosts the Guangzhou Museum, which serves as a crucial venue for collecting and displaying historical artifacts of Guangzhou. Also perched on the mountain is the Sun Yat-sen Monument (中山纪念碑), built to commemorate the democratic revolutionary Sun Yat-sen (孙中山).

After the Yuexiu Park tour, time to explore the Western Han Dynasty Nanyue King Mausoleum Museum(西汉南越王墓博物馆). Here, you'll get to witness firsthand the genuine tomb of Zhao Mo, the second emperor of the Nanyue Kingdom during the early years of the Western Han Dynasty (2,000 years ago西汉). The tomb is the largest and the best preserved color-painted stone chamber found to date in the Lingnan region in South China and has unearthed numerous artifacts. The museum serves as a reminder of Guangzhou's ancient history, the Nanyue Kingdom was a significant regional power and provides crucial insights into the Nanyue culture. Among all the 1,000 pieces of cultural artifacts, you won’t miss the spotlight “Jade Burial Garment” which is made up of 2,291 pieces of jade, and also a collection of over 400 delicate ceramic pillows.

After that, head south to reach Beijing Road (北京路) - one of the most popular pedestrian streets in Guangzhou. This vibrant street offers a combination of global brands and local boutiques, as well as a wide range of dining options, from local street food to dim sum and Cantonese cuisine from high-end restaurants. Known as Guangzhou's "millennium-old pathway", Beijing Road, once the nerve center of Guangzhou's political, economic, and cultural activities, has been the city's central axis since its establishment, with the city expanding outward from this starting point. As you meander down the street, take note of the transparent glass panels underfoot. These panels offer a unique window into the past, revealing 11 ancient road layers from five historical periods: the Southern Han, Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as well as the base of the Song Dynasty's Gongbei Tower.

Next, you will shift towards the contemporary heartbeat of the city—the New Central Axis. Start your exploration at the Zhujiang New Town (珠江新城), which is Guangzhou's central business district and the symbol of its modern skyline. Home to towering skyscrapers: the sleek Guangzhou IFC Tower and the majestic CTF Finance Center. Looming in the distance is the iconic Canton Tower, an astonishing feat of engineering soaring to 600 meters. Locally, these three titans are affectionately dubbed "Guangzhou Three Piece Set" (广州三件套). The heart of the New Central Axis, Huacheng Square (花城广场), is a sprawling green urban park and public space surrounded by landmarks like the Guangzhou Opera House, designed by the famous architect Zaha Hadid, and the new Guangzhou Library, the Guangdong Provincial Museum. Most importantly, appreciate the slim outline of the iconic Canton Tower (广州塔) on the opposite bank of Pearl River. The square comes alive in the evening, with water features, light shows, and the shimmering reflections of the city's skyline in its man-made lakes.

Lastly, have a stroll along the Pearl River (珠江), the mother river of Guangzhou, especially during the evening. With the city lights reflecting on the water, and the famous Pearl River Cruise passing by, it's a picturesque scene blending the old and new worlds of Guangzhou. As you conclude your journey along the Old &New Central Axis, you're left with an impression of a city that respects its past, yet eagerly embraces the future.

Evening Optional Activity: Pearl River Night Cruise (around 60 min per tour)

Dive into Guangzhou's enchanting night atmosphere with a memorable cruise along the Pearl River. A night cruise (from 19:00 to 22:00) provides an unmatched vantage point to admire Guangzhou's skyline. Drift past iconic Guangzhou landmarks such as the Canton Tower, which shines brilliantly against the night sky, and the beautifully illuminated bridges that stretch across the river.

After breakfast, you are free to explore on your own until your guide and driver escort to you to the airport for your flight to next destination - Chengdu (about 2.5-3 hours). Chengdu is known for the giant pandas and Sichuan cuisine. Upon arrival in Chengdu, your guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can explore by yourself around your hotel.

Recommended Optional Evening Activities:
1)Watch a wonderful performance of Sichuan Opera which includes folk opera, face changing, fire spitting, rolling lights, and other delightful entertainment (usually performs during 20:00~21:30).2)Appreciate the city’s night view by boat (30mins) along the Jinjiang River, which winds through central Chengdu (18:00~23:30).

After breakfast, you are going to fulfill your panda dream with a 17-kilometer drive to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Also called Chengdu Panda Base, accommodated over 100 pandas, it is the base with the largest population of captive giant pandas in the world. You will see giant pandas of different ages there. It’s great fun to watch them playing, eating, climbing, sleeping… If you come in autumn, you will have the chance to see the pink newborn giant panda cubs in the Sunshine Nursery House and the Moonlight Nursery House. Besides giant pandas, you can also meet the cute red pandas walking by your side in the Red Panda Playgrounds. Then follow your guide to discover more about panda’s secrets through the Panda Museum. (Note: Pandas like cool weather, so we advise you to arrive there early as pandas are more active in the morning.)

Later, be transferred to the best preserved Buddhist monastery in Chengdu - Wenshu Monastery to feel the peaceful atmosphere. Pay a visit to Chengdu’s Renmin Park to witness the city’s leisurely lifestyle and how the local people are doing. Order a cup of fragrant green tea while sitting in the time-honored tea-house, chat with your friends and see local playing mahjong and having fun. After that, return to Chengdu downtown for an relaxing stroll at Jinli Old Street. With a history over 1,800 years, it showcases the profound cultures of Ancient Shu Kingdom. Take a nice walk on the traditional stone-paved street full of delicious local snacks, delicate artifacts, interesting folk shows, etc. (Optional Activity: Try some local spicy dishes such as chuanchuan, dandan noodles, or even get out of your comfort zone and try some rabbit's head!)

After breakfast, you will have some free time in Chengdu and explore more on your own till your guide escorts you to airport for your flight to Lhasa (about 2.5 hours).

Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region! Upon your arrival at the airport in Lhasa, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel in downtown Lhasa. You can have a good rest to get used to the altitude (3,650m) in your hotel and get ready to explore Lhasa with your guide the next day.

Kind Reminds:
1. It is good to avoid the highland sickness by slow down, keep warm, drink some water frequently, no shower for the first one or two days, take it easy, and sleep well.
2. You should always follow your doctor’s advice on altitude according to your health condition.
3. Be sure to let your guide or the hotel staff know whenever you feel unwell or need help. The people there are always willing to help and good at dealing with altitude sickness.

Today you will explore Lhasa for its brilliant architectures, culture, and history, then stroll through the famous Barkhor Street with locals and experience the daily kora life of Tibetans.

In the morning, you can walk into Potala Palace, the traditional residence and winter palace of the Dalai Lama (1649-1959). It takes 365 steps from potala gate to reach the Red Palace which is the highest palace in the world at an altitude of 3,700m. Through the principal halls, chapels, and shrines of past Dalai Lamas in the Red Palace, you will be astonished and touched by its remarkable paintings, gorgeous jeweled works, skilled carving, colorful ornamentation, and the mystery stories behind the treasures. Inside the Potala Palace you will meet lots of Tibetan pilgrims who come all the way from afar to this sacred site to pray as their life time destination. You can also ask your guide to share more information about Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet, who first build the Potala Palace in the 7th century for his marriage to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. (Note: We may adjust the visit order due to the visiting time of your Potala Palace ticket. All visitors must visit the Potala Palace with a tour group while staying inside for an hour. No photo inside.)

After exploring the Potala Palace Museum, move to the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet and a world cultural heritage site. It is said that the Jokhang Monastery is built for King Songtsen Gampo's two brides: Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal Princess Bhrikuti. "Jokhang" means "House of Buddha", it houses the statue of the life-size 12-year-old Sakyamuni which is the treasure of the Buddhism world. That is why Buddhist pilgrims take it as the holiest destination. The time seems to stand still when you watch them pray in front of the temple during the day and night.

Later, you can take a walk back to the busy Barkhor Street, it was a place for Buddhists to do a kora (pilgrim circuit) around the Jokhang Monastery in ancient times. Nowadays, it become a thriving local market where you can try local snacks, dress in Tibetan clothes for photos, and pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. The first stop today is to visit Dadong Village, one of the best preserved Tibetan villages hidden in the peaceful valley. It is said that the 6th Dalai Lama - Tsangyang Gyatso had lived in coupled with the original local Tibetan house and he conducted his spiritual exercise there for years and left numerous romantic poems like On the Top of the East Mountain. Take a relaxing walk to the Nyimatang Monastery. This monastery is the place that the first generation of grand Tibetan Medicine masters studied the Medicine, and it makes plenty of Tibetan medicinal substances and remains the only temple in Tibet that mainly enshrines Bhaiṣajyaguru. Walk around and enjoy the primitive local Tibetan life in this beautiful village and then pay a visit to a local Tibetan family and enjoy lunch offered by the family.

In this afternoon, drive about 50 minutes (30km) to visit Sera Monastery. Step on one of the most beautiful monastery compounds, and its white stone roads and walkways makes you feel almost Mediterranean. The highlight of Sera Monastery is watch the monks’ debate at around 15:00 - 17:00 (except Sundays). It is an interesting form of debate, you can see one monk, the questioner, standing while the answerer or group of answerers, sitting. The standing monk will ask question and slap his palms and stomp, each action has its special meaning, such as activating wisdom, and are not meant to be aggressive. Furthermore, pay a visit to Tibetan Religious Scripture Printing House and appreciate three sand Mandalas and the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

After that, be escorted back to your hotel in Lhasa.

On this day, drive about 8 to 9 hours (340km) from Lhasa to Shigatse via a visit to two amazing natural landscapes - Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier on the way.

In the morning, after about 3 to 4 hours’ drive (200km), you'd better have your camera ready. When reaching Kampala Pass (4,797 meters), you’ll have a breathtaking view of Yamdrok Lake (a freshwater lake) down below as well as spectacular views of the holy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. It is one of the four largest sacred lakes in Tibet along with Lake Lhamo Latso, Lake Manasarovar, and Lake Namtso. And Lake Yamdrok is said to be able to help Tibetans find the reincarnated soul of the Dalai Lama. You will be happy to see dressed-up Tibetan mastiffs/dogs, goats, and yaks there. It is optional for you to pay 5-10 yuan to pose with and take photos of them, for local Tibetans, it’s a subsidy income for their family.

In the afternoon, drive about 1.5 hours (70km) to visit one of the most beautiful Glaciers in Tibet - Karola Glacier, the location of the film Red Valley (Hong He Gu). As one of Tibet's three major continental glaciers, backed by the southern slope of Naiqin Kangsang Peak (7,191 meters), one of the four highest peaks in Tibet, this white glacier is also the source of the eastern part of the Nianchu River. The Karola Glacier (5,012m) is only 300 meters away from the Highway connecting Lhasa to Gyantse town. You can view it right off the highway from your car. Sure you can easily walk to the foot of the charming glacier which shape is like a frozen waterfall right above the road and you. Besides the fantastic hike to the Karola Glacier, on the opposite side of the road, you can appreciate the beautiful snow-capped mountain of Mt Kalurong.

Karola Glacier Visiting Notes:
1. The altitude at the glacier scenic spot is about 5,012m, be sure to slow down to avoid altitude sickness.
2. The public toilet at the glacier is very basic.
3. Local people would ask you to take photos with them for a fee. Be sure to ask before taking photos to avoid potential little troubles.

After that, drive about 3.5h (170km) to your hotel in Shigatse, the nearest town on the Friendship Highway between Tibet and Nepal. Have a good rest and get ready for a lifetime trip to EBC the next day.

After breakfast, drive about 6.5 hours (330km) to the peak of the world - Mount Everest, while stopping by the Rongbuk Monastery - the world’s highest altitude monastery before spending the night at the Everest Base Camp.

Departing from Shigatse, after about 4.5 hours of driving (240km), you would get your first glimpse of Mt. Everest from the Gyawu La Pass (5,200m, Gyatso La Pass), between Lhatse and Shelkar. Apart from Mt. Everest, you will be marveled at the zigzag road that looks winding to the end of the world. On the road, you may see local people biking or hiking all the way to Everest Base Camp, for them reaching the base of the world's highest mountain is a must do goal or holy belief that is worth the effort.

After enjoying the beautiful and unique scenery on the pass with incredibly snow-capped mountain ranges, blue skies, floating high clouds, and endless grasslands, it is time to head to Rongbuk Monastery (about 3.5 hours,122km) for the first good view of Mt. Everest. At an altitude of 5,154m, Rongbuk Monastery is the world’s highest monastery, a must-visit for spiritual travelers, and you will find it photo worthy. It used to be an area of meditation huts, and you can find hermitage meditation caves with a history of over 400 years, dotting the cliff walls all around the monastery and the valley. Along with incredible Mt. Everest views, at Rongbuk Monastery you will be touched by the breathtaking scenery such as large white chorten, piles of mani stones, colorful prayer flags, devout pilgrims passing by...

Trip Notes:
1.Travelers can only go as far as the Rongbuk Temple area rather than a few kilometers farther as before. But it’s no big difference in terms of viewing Mt. Everest.
2.Today’s food and lodging is very basic. Due to the high altitude, it is possible that you may have some symptoms of altitude sickness. We recommend that you stay well hydrated, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery to minimize your symptoms.

You will get an early start with the sunrise of Mt Everest, then head to Gyatso La Pass (Gyawu La Pass, the Dingri Boundary, 122km, 3.5 hours) again with a quick photographic stop. After that, drive back to Shigatse (240km, about 4.5 hours) to visit Tashilumpo Monastery.

Founded by His Holiness the 1st Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gedun Drup in 1447, Tashilumpo Monastery is the largest monastery in Tsang Area, Tibet. In Tashi Lumpo Monastery, you can unveil the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, Tibet's second-highest incarnation. Pay a visit to the ancient tombs of the fourth and tenth Panchen Lama and the chortens, which hold the bones and remains of the sacred Tibetan lamas. Learn more from your guide about Panchen Lamas and Dalai Lamas while appreciating the brilliant religious painting on Tibetan architecture, listening to the Tibetan Buddhism chanting by local monks, and even participating in the kora like locals. Don’t forget to hike up to the top of the monastery and have a stunning bird view of the monastery itself and Shigatse City. 

After that, drive back to your sweet hotel in Shigatse, take a shower and prepare for the departure by train the next day.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. It is time to drive back to Lhasa from Shigatse. On the way, you have a chance to appreciate some stunning landscapes on the viewing platform. With several hours’ driving, you will arrive in Lhasa and be transferred to the hotel for a good rest.

It is time to end your 12-day China tour. You will have some free time in Lhasa and explore more on your own till your guide escorts you to the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!