Top Things to Do and Attractions in Chengdu and Tibet

During a Chengdu Tibet tour, you will explore two featured destinations which have long history, impressive culture and stunning landscape. Traveling Chengdu and Tibet, you not only see with your eyes, but also learn deep to the essence.

Traditional Historical sites & Incredible Buddhist Culture

Visiting Chengdu and Tibet, you have chance to experience two greatly different types of culture. Chengdu is one of the oldest cities in China endowed with significant history and culture. While on the roof of the world, there is a remarkable ethnic group – Tibetan who has created the brilliant Tibetan Buddhism culture. After visiting Chengdu and Tibet, you will get a profound learning about these two cultures.

Visiting the Cute Rare Species – Giant Panda

Chengdu proudly has the one of the best giant Panda bases. Fully named as Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, here in this base, you have chance to get close to these cute living fossils. Besides, you can learn much scientific knowledge about Giant Pandas, including some newly research achievements.

Amazing Journey to See the High Plateau Landscapes

Tibet is regarded as the last pure land on our planet, and no mistake, Tibet really offers you an amazing feast of natural landscape. Here you can see many of the highest mountains in the world. They are always covered by pure snow, and associated with old legendary stories. In Tibet, you can’t miss the visiting to its several holy lakes. Actually, no matter where you go, you will get amazed by its beautiful plateau views.

What to See in Chengdu

Visiting the landmarks of Chengdu, and enjoy the relaxing leisure living style, is the best way to travel Chengdu. Following are some popular attractions in Chengdu:

Panda Base

As we have introduced in above paragraphs, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the No.1 attraction in Sichuan, only 18km north of the city. It is the warm home to nearly 120 giant pandas and more than 70 red pandas.

Jinli Ancient Street and Wuhou Monastery

You can visit Jinli Street and Wuhou Monastery together because they are close to each other. Wuhu Monastery has already existed nearly 1800 years. It compose of Hui Tomb (Emperor Liu Bei’s tomb), ancestral temple of Zhuge Liang , and several other halls. This temple is the best preserved place to learn about the history of the Three Kingdoms period. On the left side of Wuhou Monastery’s gate is the famous Jinli Ancient Street. It is an ancient street keeping traditional old architectures. You can also see some folk arts shows, souvenir stalls, and try some local snacks on the street.

Wenshu Temple

Wenshu Temple is a Buddhist temple built in Tang Dynasty to worship the Wenshu Buddha, or the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. During weekends and holidays, it is usually crowed with worshippers. But you can still feel the sense of serenity and solitude because of its sacredness.

Jinshan Site Museum

The discovery of Jinshan Site in 2001 shocked the entire world. This site had been hidden under the western suburbs for more than 3000 years. Now it is an excellent museum keeping and displaying more than 6000 relics and arts from which you can see the exact life of ancient Shu Kingdom.

Useful Link: Things to do in Chengdu.

Recommended Chengdu Tours:

☞ 2 Days Classic Chengdu Tour

☞ 2 Days Best Chengdu Leshan Giant Buddha Tour

Chengdu Panda Base

Chengdu Panda Base

 

Wuhou Temple

Wuhou Temple

 

Jinsha Site Museum

Jinsha Site Museum

What to See in Tibet

There is no need to worry about finding no things to do in Tibet, and you only need to worry how I can have more days to spend in Tibet. Here we have concluded three best highlights of Tibet for you.

Fabulous Tibetan Monasteries & Palaces

Since the ancient times, Tibetan craftsmen have created excellent skills and styles which are passed down from generation to generation. The architectural style of Tibet originates from local tradition, and gets influenced by Chinese and Indian building style. From the buildings you can find many Buddhist elements such as prayer wheel, prayer flags, golden roof, Buddha statues, and Thangka. Many monasteries are built on elevated sunny hillside facing south, and are usually made of mixture of rocks, wood, cement and earth. The walls are usually painted in white or red.

Among all the excellent buildings in Tibet, Potala Place is the most outstanding one. This palace is 117 meters in height and 360 meters in width. It is considered as the most important and typical building applying the best features of Tibetan architecture. There are thousands of rooms and chapels inside the palace housing precious arts and treasure.

Some other important monasteries are Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Ganden Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Palcho Monastery, etc. They share similar architecture style, but usually differ a lot in details. The Sera Monastery is famous for Buddhism debating, Jokhang Temple is the holiest place of pilgrimage, and Palcho has the famous Kumbum…

High Sacred Snow Mountains

Everyone has the ambition to tread the high mountains underfoot. So why not come to Tibet to challenge yourself? If you are professional and fully prepared, go to conquer the highest peak in the world – Mount Everest. As for regular tourists, we don’t need to hike up to the top of those mountains higher than 7000 meters, but we can get closer to them. Today, the highest peak can’t stop our steps. We can travel to the Everest Base Camp which is 5200 meters above sea level and offers you clear views of the giant Everest. Tibet has too many high mountains, and the locals relate them with many beautiful legendary religious stories. The most holiest mountain in the world – Mt. Kailash is standing on the remote Ngari and waiting for your visit.

Turquoise Holy Lakes

Lakes on the plateau are quite different from those in plains, basins, etc. They are less visited, and still keep the wild environment. Tibet has three most famous holy lakes – Namtso Lake, Yamdrok Lake and Manasarovar Lake.

Namtso is usually reported as the most beautiful lakes in China. It is only 220km away from Lhasa. It is surrounded by snow mountains and grasslands. Namtso is also a popular place for pilgrimage and meditation. Yamdrok Lake is located along the roads from Lhasa to Gyantse. Its water is as pure as crystals. While the Manasarover Lake is in the remote western Tibet. Around the lake and Mount Kailash is the word famous pilgrimage yatra route.

Useful Link: More Attractons in Tibet.

Recommended Tibet Tours:

☞ 5 Days Lhasa & Namtso Tour

☞ 7 Days Lhasa Shigatse Gyantse Highlights Tour

Potala Palace

Potala Palace

 

Gandan Monastery

Gandan Monastery

 

Mount Everest

Mount Everest

 

Namtso Lake

Namtso Lake

 

How to Plan a Chengdu Tibet Tour

It usually takes 6-7 days to tour Chengdu in Sichuan and Lhasa in Tibet. You can either take a flight (2.5h) to shorten your trip or take a train (36.5h) to help yourself adapt to the high altitude gradually.

While you are in Chengdu, it is recommended to meet the national treasure – Giant Pandas in Chengdu Panda Base in the morning, and then visit the peaceful Wenshu Temple in Chengdu downtown. In the afternoon, have a cup of tea at People’s Park to feel the leisure lifestyle of Chengdu and try some reputed Chengdu snacks in Jinli Old Street.

☞ 2 Days Classic Chengdu Tour

☞ 4 Days Best of Lhasa Tour from Chengdu by Flight

After take a flight or train to Lhasa and a night’s good sleep, you can start your Lhasa exploration from the grandiose Potala Palace and the holiest Jokhang Temple. Then take a walk at the Barkhor Street. The next day, spend a leisure time at the largest Tibetan garden – Norbulingka Park and then watch the famous Buddhist debating in Sera Monastery.

☞ 4 Days Lhasa Essence Tour

☞ 6 Days Classic Chengdu & Lhasa Highlights by Flight

If you have more days, it is highly recommended to extend your tour to Mt. Everest - the highest mountain in the world. On the way, you can pay a visit to holy Yamdrok Lake and you will pass Shigatse and Gyantse where you can see the magnificent Karola Glacier and tome-honored Palcho Monastery.

☞ 9 Days Lhasa Kathmandu Overland Tour from Chengdu

☞ 10 Days Chengdu Lhasa Everest Overland Tour

Travel with China Discovery

China Discovery is a leading comprehensive travel agency in China, providing excellent customized tour packages across China. We have helped thousands of travelers fulfill their dream tour in China. Just tell us your schedule and budget, we can arrange a satisfactory China tour including Chengdu, Lhasa and other popular tourist destinations. It will cover transport, sightseeing, tour guide, local vehicle and driver, accommodation, Chinese Visa application assistance, etc. The length, places to visit, and theme can be customized depending on your individual requirements. You may choose from our most popular Chengdu Tibet tours or contact us to customize a special one!

Chengdu Tibet Tours

Chengdu Family Tour Customized by China Discovery

Chengdu Tibet Tours

Jeff from Taiwan Visited Potala Palace with China Discovery

Chengdu Tibet Tours

Our Customers in Front of the Mt. Everest

Recommended Chengdu Tibet Tours

Top 3 Chengdu Tibet tours chosen by most customers to explore Chengdu Tibet in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

Little Tibetan Lamas

6 Days Classic Chengdu & Lhasa Highlights Tour

Chengdu / Lhasa

Qinghai Tibet Train Passes Magnificent Snow-capped Mountains

7 Days Lifetime Tibet Train Tour from Chengdu

Chengdu / Lhasa

Cute Pandas Living in Their Natural Environment

9 Days Lhasa Kathmandu Overland Tour from Chengdu

Chengdu / Lhasa / Shigatse / Gyirong Port / Kathmandu

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip

Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts or guests

  • Your Question:
  • Your Name:
  • Your Email:
  • Submit