| 6 Days All Inclusive Gansu Tibetan New Year Festival No Shopping Tour 2024 (Tour code: EGGS6) | |
| Themes:Culture, nature, minorities | |
| Destinations: Shanghai - Gansu Lanzhou - Hezuo - Langmusi - Xiahe - Shanghai | |
| From: $1650 |  |
| Destination | Shanghai - Lanzhou - Hezuo |
| Activities | We depart Shanghai and fly to the capital of Gansu Province, Lanzhou. After lunch by the airport, we start our journey into the Tibetan territory(approx. 4.5hrs), slowly climbing to 3000 meters altitude. On the way to visit the Octagon City, a Tibetan family visit and lunch. From the bus we can enjoy the karst Gansu countryside scenery before we reach Hezuo, check-in and rest. |
| Attractions | Gansu's stunning scenery |
| Meals | Lunch and dinner |
| Accommodation | 4* hotel |
| Destination | Hezuo - Langmusi |
| Activities | After breakfast we visit the Tibetan Mila Repa Buddhist Pavilion and the temple. As we leave Hezuo we start our journey into the heart of the Tibetan areas, slowly climbing to 3300 meters altitude (approx 3.5hrs). Here and there we will likely see herds of yak grazing. The traditional homes of the Tibetans, distinguished by white walls and colorful window frames, are becoming the dominant style of housing. When we reach Langmusi we check in at our modest hotel. The scenery is stunning, with snow-capped mountains all around us if it snowed before. Free time on your own or follow our local guide to explore this small Langmusi town before we gather again for dinner. |
| Attractions | The Tibetan Mila Repa Buddhist Pavilion and the temple, Langmusi Village, Gansu's stunning nature |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| Accommodation | 4* hotel |
| Destination | Langmusi - Xiahe |
| Activities | Witness the sunning of the Tangka. Not much else in this world comes close to the experience of being part of the crowd that gathers to see what, to many Tibetans, is the most important religious relic anywhere in the world. At some point during the morning the monks from Langmusi Temple will carry the Tangka out from the dark halls inside and display it on a nearby mountainside. The Tangka, a 40-by-20 meter large painting of Buddha, is only displayed for about 30 minutes every year, on this day, and attracts huge numbers of pilgrims. The grand spectacle is preceded and followed by hundreds of monks accompanying the Tangka with music and prayers. If we are allowed we also enter the temple itself. It is not large, but is considered one of the most important and is part of the grouping of the six great monasteries outside Tibet itself. It is part of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. We have lunch in Langmusi before we board the bus. We have a four hour drive to reach Xiahe, where another part of the festival will take place tomorrow. After arrival in Xiahe we have dinner and relax. |
| Attractions | Langmu Monastery, participate in the religious festival 'The Sunning of the Tangka' |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| Accommodation | 4* hotel |
| Destination | Xiahe |
| Activities | After breakfast we head for Labrang Temple. Centuries old, this is one of the largest, most beautiful and influential temples outside of Tibet. During the morning a huge crowd will gather outside the main entrance to the temple, as will we. The center of the spectacle is the Cham Dance, a religious dance where dancers dressed in ornamented costumes, accompanied by monks playing music on traditional Tibetan instruments, offers moral instructions and merit to all who listen. This is one of the most important aspects of the Monlam Festival, also known as the Great Prayer Festival, which we have come to participate in. |
| Attractions | Labrang Monastery, participate in the incredible Monlam Festival |
| Meals | Breakfast and dinner |
| Accommodation | 4*hotel |
| Destination | Xiahe |
| Activities | After breakfast we visit other scenic spots in the temple, incl. the Main Assembly Hall, the Suyouhua Pavilion, the Nunnery and the Mongolian Sect. Afternoon is on your own before we meet again for dinner. Tonight is the very important 'blessing of the pilgrims', which will draw thousands of pilgrims back to the temple, where they line up and await the blessing by one of the monks. We may be allowed to watch from the courtyard in front of the temple. |
| Attractions | Labrang Monastery, the Blessing of the Pilgrims |
| Meals | Breakfast and dinner |
| Accommodation | 4* hotel |
| Destination | Xiahe - Shanghai |
| Activities | We leave Xiahe early for the rather long drive (approx. 4 hrs) back to the airport near Lanzhou. We stop for lunch somewhere around Linxia or Lanzhou, and then continue to the airport for check-in formalities and our return flight to Shanghai. Tour ends. |
| Attractions | Gansu's stunning scenery |
| Meals | Breakfast and lunch |
| Accommodation | Not incl. |
| Price information | |
Double occupancy: 1650 USD/person Single room supplement: 250 USD Luxury upgrade: not available GUARANTEED no shopping stops
Travel dates to be announced
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| Price including |
| Return flight tickets Shanghai/Lanzhou
Private bus for sightseeing as in proposal Five nights of accommodation as listed Meals and entrance fees as listed English-speaking local guide and GCTs tour leader Tips for guide and driver Chinese government tax Chinese Travel Agency Duty Insurance |
| Price not including |
Personal expenses Anything not listed in itinerary |
| Important tour information |
Luxury Upgrade Policy: A luxury upgrade option is available with many of our tours. In accordance with our quality benchmark, upgrade options are divided into four categories: 1. Available - upgrade possible at all destinations in tour itinerary. 2. Partially available - upgrade not possible at one or more destnations in tour itinerary. 3. Not recommended - available or partially available, but not recommended (see Hotel Policy). 4. Not available - luxury upgrades are not possible on many of our trademark specialty tours to remote or developing regions. These tours are deeply genuine and authentic.
Keeping our guests' comfort in mind, we prefer to stay in a 2* or 3* hotel in or close to the attraction, rather than a 4* or 5* hotel much further away. Genuine China Tours' all-encompassing hotel policy is that we will never pick a hotel only because of its price. All our partner hotels must live up to a strict quality test that includes: 1. Geographical location - the location of our chosen hotel is of great importantce, both in large cities, where traffic congestion can play a vital role in the handling of the tour, and also on tours to remote villages, where the right choice of village or hotel can mean a world of difference to the tour. 2. Quality of hotel - including room size and cleanliness, quality of breakfast, ease of getting in/out and more. 3. Local environment - local environment should include local sights (when possible), be in the vicinity of local markets/night markets (if any) and have access to shops and convenience stores (if any). 4. Design and layout of hotel - we prefer hotels with history and atmosphere, especially if these have relevance with the sight(s) at the destination. 5. Value for money - any hotel must pass requirements 1-3 and 5. If a hotel passes all five requirements it becomes a Priority Hotel.
Also important: 1. Please perform a thorough health check before traveling. If your health is not good enough please refrain from traveling. Most major tourist destinations in China have good health care services, but on tours to remote or high altitude destinations you should make sure your health allows you to travel to these destinations. Genuine China Tours will bear no responsibility in case of any accident, relapse or discomfort. 2. Disabled persons should be accompanied by by their own aid instruments or an accompanying person. Genuine China Tours can not provide aid instruments. 3. While traveling please adhere to instructions from your guide and stay clear of any dangers and/or annoyances. 4. Genuine China Tours reserves the right to refuse participation on a tour if the traveler is deemed unfit to participate or will be a nuisance to other travelers. 5. On tours to remote areas or high altitude areas accommodation and restaurants may not be up to standart. You should be prepared for this if choosing a tour to these areas. 6. Please make sure to bring items that may be necessary, like windproof jacket, umbrella, sun screen (sun lotion), health related articles, items of personal nature etc. 7. On speciality tours to remote regions, Tibetan areas and mountainous regions Genuine China Tours will bear no responsibility if tour itinerary is changed due to government policies, weather or any other influencing factors outside GCTs control. |
| Genuine China Tours is an officially registered travel agency operating under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. Guests are required to follow rules and regulations set forth by existing laws of the country, including behavior respectful of local customs and manners. Tour designs and quotations may not be used in connection with other travel agencies. Genuine China Tours cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience caused by weather, traffic, government policies or other situations outside GCTs control. |