DISCOVER THE ANCIENT TEA-HORSE ROAD

This motorcycle adventure will discover the TEA-HORSE ROAD where “Few people have realized how vast and unprecedented this sudden expansion of caravan traffic between India and China was, or how important. It was a unique and spectacular phenomenon. No complete story has yet been written about it, but it will always live in my memory as one of the great adventures of mankind. Moreover, it demonstrated to the world very convincingly that, should all modern means of communication and transportation be destroyed by some atomic cataclysm, the humble horse, man’s oldest friend, is ever ready to forge again a link between scattered peoples and nations [Goullart 1955: 88].”

To day we EXPLORE THE TEA-HORSE ROAD on the “IRON-HORSE”. Riding a motorcycle is the best way to learn about this historical road. Wheeling from Chengdu the capital of Sichuan Province, (also the Southern Silk Road) will take you deeply to mountaineer’s custom and cultures. There are more than twenty different ethnic groups to be found along the route. Some famous old towns and villages which once were key stations and markets of the Tea and Horse Caravan Road have been listed among the most important international sites for historic preservation. For example, the Lijiang, where the Naxi people form the majority of inhabitants, was been designated as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. In 2002, Sidengjie village, Shaxi Township in Yunnan, was listed as a “protected world architectural heritage site” by the World Architecture Foundation. Moreover, the Tea and Horse Road continues to be a sacred road for many people. The different religions along the road include, for example, the white, yellow and red sects of Tibetan Buddhism; the Bon religion of pre-Buddhism in Tibet; the Dongba religion of the Naxi people which combines Bon, Buddhism and its own animism; Han Buddhism and Taoism, as well as the Hinayana belief of the Dai people, and the Benzhu (local gods and goddess) worship of the Bai people. Along the caravan road, there are many sacred mountains belonging to the different ethnic groups. For example, Kawagebo Snow Mountain [Meiliexuashan] (6740 m), near Yubeng in northern Yunnan, is one of the most famous sacred mountains of the Tibetan people. Every year many pilgrims from Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibet, Qinghai, and Gansu come there to worship and circumambulate the mountain with their tents, sheep and horses to ask for blessings from the mountain god. Pilgrims still travel annually to Lhasa to pay their respect to the deities of Buddhism, often still “measuring the road” by prostrating their bodies along its length. The road these pilgrims follow is the Tea and Horse Caravan Road. In the past, young monks often shared the road with the caravans when traveling to Lhasa to carry on their studies and to advance their careers.

Day 1: 2^nd Sep, 2010: Chengdu Arrival, Welcome dinner
Pickup at Chengdu Airport and transfer to Xinshulian Hotel 4****, in the afternoon check up for the motorcycle and get the last inform about the tour.
- Xinshulian Hotel 4****
- L,

Day 2: 3^rd Sep, 2010: Chinese Temporary Driving License Test
In the morning, go to the hospital by bus to have a physical check-up. In the afternoon, go to Chengdu Vehicle Management Station to take the Chinese Traffic and Road Law training, and get the Chinese Temporary Driver License.
- Xinshulian Hotel 4****
- B, L, D

Day 3: 4^th Sep, 2010: Chengdu - Leshan - Emeishan, 163km, Elevation: Chengdu = 512m, Emeishan =420m
The adventure start from Chengdu, ride towards south to Huanglongxi, pay a visit to Huanglongxi Ancient Town, then passing by Fuhe Village to Pengshan, via Jiajiang to Emeishan. Mileage:
- Emeishan Hotel****
-(B, L, D)

Day 4: 5^th Sep, 2010: Emeishan - Erbian - Meigu, 243km, Meigu = 2.254m
One beautiful ride on mountain passes of Mt. Er’e, Dafengding with the attitude of average 2000m above the sea level. We also ride along Dadu River valley, visit ethnic village of Ebian where the kibutz of Yi people in China and Heizhugou which is called Bermuda then ride downward to Meigu County in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. Meigu County is famous for the its beautiful girls, and people hold the beauty contests.
- Guesthouse
-(B, L, D)

Day 5: 6^th Sep, 2010: Meigu - Zhaojue - Xichang, 168km, Elevation: Xichang city = 1.500m
Ride to Zhaojue, which used to be the capital of Liangshan Autonomous Prefecture, pay a visit to the famous handcraft workshop here, you can see the world famous Eagle Paw like cup and the wooden lacquer. Leave Zhaojue, ride through Jiefang Gulley, arrive at Xichang City, which is located the seaside of Qionghai Sea. Xichang is also called the Moon City, for Qionghai Sea was formed under the affection of earthquake, and it looks like a moon.
- Shunhua Hotel****
- B, L, D

Day 6: 7^th Sep, 2010: Xichang - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake, Mileage: 249km, Elevation: Lugu Lake = 2.690m
Cross An’ning River Valley, ride over Mt. Mopan, via Yanyuan County, ahead to the world famous Lugu Lake, which is a pearl in the plateau, and Mosuo people are still living in the matriarchal clan society. Feel the traditional Mosuo custom here.
- Mosuowu Guesthouse
- B, L, D

Day 7: 8^th Sep, 2010: Lugu Lake – Ninglang, Mileage, 94km, Elevation: Ninglang = 2.800m
Take the special Zhucao boat to Liwubi Island, which is located at the center of lake, admire the beautiful scenery here. Then back to the bank, ride to Ninglang County, where is the kibutz of Yi people.
- Luguhu Hotel**
- B, L, D

Day 8: 9^th Sep, 2010: Ninglang – Lijiang, 217km, Elevation: Lijiang = 2.400m
Leave Ninglang, still riding in the Yi people’s kibutz, via Yongsheng, arrive at Lijiang Ancient Town.
- Qianxuelou Hotel***
- B, L, D

Day 9: 10^th Sep, 2010: Visit Lijiang.
Pay a visit to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you can only park the motorbikes at the foot of the mountain. And take the subway to the sightseeing platform. And back to Lijiang city in the afternoon, free sightseeing, walking around Sifang Street.
- Qianxuelou Hotel***
- B, L, D

Day 10: 11^th Sep, 2010: Lijiang - Zhongdian, 161km, Elevation: Zhongdian = 3.200m
To day we drive to visit the famous Tiger Leeping Gorge then ride upward along Xiaodian River, via the beautiful Little Zhongdian to Zhongdian County which is called the Shangri-la. Zhongdian is an important center of ancient south Tea and Horse Trading Market. In the afternoon, pay a visit to Songzanli Monastery, and it is called the Little Potala Palace.
- Longfengxiang Hotel****
- B, L, D

Day 11: 12^th Sep, 2010: Zhongdian - Deqen, 184km, Elevation: Deqen = 3.640m – 5.500m
In the morning, pay a visit to Napa Sea, enjoy the alp meadow and seasonal lake. Via Napa Grassland, ride downward into the valley, over Jinsha River, get to Benzilan which is an important town of ancient tea and horse road. And ride over the snow mountains, arrive at Deqen County, admire the panoramic view of Meili Snow Mountain, and it is one of the eight holly mountains in Tibetan area. Meili Snow Mountain is located at the middle part of Mt. Nu, and it is a famous place where Jinsha River, Lancang River and Nu River meet together.
- Zangxiang Hotel***
- B, L, D

Day 12: 13^th Sep, 2010: Deqen – Mangkang, 224km, Elevation: Mangkang = 3.780m
Leave Deqen County, admire the sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain. Ride backwards along Lancang River Valley, get into Tibetan Autonomous Region, pay a visit to the unique and old salt well and the old way of making salt; also can visit the only one ancient ruins of Catholic Church. After lunch, ride over Hongla Snow Mountain, along Mangkang River to Mangkang. Mangkang County is the first county after getting into Tibet, with the elevation of 3.780m, and famous Sichua-Tibet road and Yunnan-Tibet road are meeting here.
- Kangsheng Hotel**
- B, L, D

Day 13: 14^th Sep, 2010: Mangkang – Zuogong, 158km, Elevation: Zuogong = 3.890m
Mangkang is the southeast gate of Tibet, and also the first station of ancient tea and horse road in Tibet, and it is a crossing of two ancient tea and horse road, one is from From Sichuan to Tibet, another is from Yunnan to Tibet. Ride start from Mangkang, cross over Mt. Lawu (4.358m), and descend down the mountain to Lancang River, via Bianzhuka military depot, over Lancang River, cross Zhuka bridge, over Mt. Jiaoba to Dazhuka military depot, and over the hightest mountain pass—Mt. Dongda (over 5.008m), arrive at Zuogong.
- Guesthouse
- B, L, D

Day 14: 15^th Sep, 2010: Zuogong – Basu, 221km, Elevation: Basu = 3.910m
In the morning drive the motorbike over Bangda (4.400m) this is the crossing between the south and north route of Sichuan - Tibet road, north to Changdu, west to Linzhi and Lhasa, it’s an important transportation conjunction. The only on airport in the east Tibet was built on the wide Bangda Grassland, and it is the world highest civil aiport. Farewell to the grassland, ride over Mt. Nujiang (4.839m), descend down to Nujiang River. En route, admire the scenery of weathering rocks, celestial burial and carve stone Buddha figure, virgin forest, snow mountains, The riding tour today will be a challenge to every rider.
On the Mt. Dongda, the temperature on Badang Grassland can be under the 0?, but at Lancang River and Nujiang River, it can be around 20?
- Xianwei Guesthouse
- B, L, D

Day 15: 16^th Sep, 2010: Basu - Bome, 217km, Elevation: Bome = 4.200m
Ride along the alp meadow, overlook the snow mountains and ice glacier, get into Ranwu Gulley, admire the giant ice glacier. And get to Ranwu Lake, which is a famous alp glacier lake(3850m) and covering 22 square kilometers. Leave Ranwu County, ride on the most beautiful road on No. 318 National Road, arrive at Zhamu Town(1100m), which is crowded with snow mountains and forest, in Bome County in the evening.
- Minzheng Guesthouse
- B, L, D

Day 16: 17^th Sep, 2010: Bome - Linzhi (Bayi), 187km, Elevation: Linzhi = 3.020m, Bayi = 3.000m
Start from Zhamu Town, ride in the virgin forest, ride to Tongmai. The 15km road from Tongmai to Pailong, is covered by snow mountains and river, and the road is dangerous here. And after passing this road, the road condition will be better, ride through Lulang, over Mt. Sejila (4702m), overlook the famous Namjag Barwa Peak. And ride downward to Niyang River to Linzhi County. Go on riding for about 19km, arrive at Bayi Town, the capital of Linzhi.
- Local Hotel
- B, L, D

Day 17: 18^th Sep, 2010: Linzhi - Cuogao Lake – Gongbujiangda, 207km, Elevation: Gongbujiangdas = 3.500m
Admire the beautiful Niyang River to Basonguo, which is crowded by the forest. And then ride back to the No. 318 National Road to Gongbujiangda.
- Local Guesthouse
- B, L, D

Day 18: 19^th Sep, 2010: Gongbujiangda – Lhasa, Mileage, 279km, Elevation: Lhasa = 3.658m
Drive over Mt. Mila, via Mozhugongka, along Lhasa River Valley to visit the famous Gandan Monastery. Via Datze, ride westward to the holly city--Lhasa.
- Namtso Hotel***
- B, L, D

Day 19: 20^th Sep, 2010: Lhasa,
In the morning, pay a visit to the world famous Potala Palace. In the afternoon, visit the great Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.
- Namtso Hotel***


Day 20: 21^th Sep, 2010: Flight Lhasa - Chengdu,
Transfer to airport in Lhasa and pickup from Chengdu Airport to transfer to Xinshulian Hotel****. In the afternoon, pay a visit to Jinli Folk Street.
- Xinshulian Hotel****

Day 21: 22^th Sep, 2010: Chengdu Departure
Pickup from hotel and transfer to Chengdu Airport, end trip.
Please note B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dfinner.


OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

1. To get the China Temporary Driver License you must provide us the documents bellow:
- A: Passport (Scanning);
- B: Visa (Scanning);
- C: Native Driver License (Scanning; International Driver License is not accepted);
- D: Digital Photo (of your face without wearing classes) with white background.
2. Personal Insurance from your country
3. OBAY CHINESE TRAFFIC & ROAD LAW STRICTLY. Back to Tour Calendar