{"title":"Journeys — Tibet \u0026 Northwest","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"tibet-plateau-private-tour-2026","title":"Tibet Plateau — 9 Days","description":"\u003cp class=\"ct-product-lead\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNine days at the roof of the world — Lhasa, the Potala Palace, Namtso Lake, and Buddhist monasteries that have been operating since the seventh century.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTibet is the only destination we include that requires a special permit beyond a standard China visa. It is also the destination that travelers describe most often as life-changing. The altitude (Lhasa sits at 3,650 meters), the light, and the sheer weight of spiritual life practiced there produce an effect that is difficult to describe in advance. You simply have to go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant: Altitude Acclimatization\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDays 1–2 in Lhasa are deliberately light. Altitude sickness is real — we build in rest time, provide acclimatization support, and advise consulting your doctor about acetazolamide before travel. Most guests feel fine by Day 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eItinerary Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays 1–2 — Lhasa Arrival \u0026amp; Acclimatization:\u003c\/strong\u003e Short walks only. Barkhor Circuit at your own pace. Jokhang Temple courtyard in the late afternoon light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays 3–4 — Potala Palace \u0026amp; Drepung:\u003c\/strong\u003e Potala Palace (timed entry, advance permit required — we arrange this). Drepung Monastery — once the world's largest Buddhist monastery, 10,000 monks. Morning debate session if timing allows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays 5–6 — Namtso Lake:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-hour drive to Namtso, one of the world's highest lakes (4,718m). Overnight in a guesthouse on the lake shore. Sunrise over the Nyenchen Tanglha range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays 7–8 — Shigatse \u0026amp; Tashilhunpo:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tashilhunpo Monastery — seat of the Panchen Lama. Drive back through the Himalayan foothills. Optional: Gyantse Kumbum (15th-century stupa with 77 chapels).\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 9 — Return to Lhasa \u0026amp; Departure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flight to Chengdu, Xi'an, or Beijing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePermits Required\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTibet Travel Permit + Alien's Travel Permit for areas outside Lhasa. We obtain all permits on your behalf — allow 3–4 weeks lead time for your booking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePricing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom \u003cstrong\u003eUSD 5,980 per person\u003c\/strong\u003e (based on 2 travelers). May–October only (roads close in winter). Permit fees included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e✏️ \u003cstrong\u003eHow to edit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Products → Tibet Plateau → Edit. Update the itinerary, permit details, and pricing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Tibetan Pulu Wool Weaving\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Gyantse, you spend an afternoon with \u003cstrong\u003eLhasang Drolma\u003c\/strong\u003e, an inheritor of \u003cem\u003eGyantse Pulu\u003c\/em\u003e (江孜帮典) — the traditional Tibetan wool weaving on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Pulu has been the daily fabric of the Tibetan plateau for over a thousand years. Lhasang Drolma works the traditional vertical loom set up in her courtyard, dyes the wool with locally foraged plants (walnut husk for brown, madder for red, indigo for blue), and weaves the diagonal twill pattern unique to Gyantse work. You take part in the warping and learn the foot-pedal sequence on a small sampler piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55454148657320,"sku":null,"price":5980.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596120899752,"sku":null,"price":1196.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/d6a8d0ff8224832e7fbe2244a710cd45.webp?v=1780886814"},{"product_id":"lhasa-cultural-foundation-8-days-private-tour-2026","title":"Lhasa Cultural Foundation - 8 Days","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.ct-prod{font-family:inherit;color:#171512;line-height:1.6}\n.ct-prod-tabs{display:flex;gap:0;margin:0 0 24px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.14);overflow-x:auto}\n.ct-prod-tabs a{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;padding:14px 22px;color:#69625b;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:none;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;white-space:nowrap;transition:color .2s ease, border-color .2s ease}\n.ct-prod-tabs a:hover, .ct-prod-tabs a.is-active{color:#9a7a47;border-bottom-color:#9a7a47}\n.ct-prod section{padding:18px 0 36px;scroll-margin-top:96px}\n.ct-prod h2{margin:0 0 12px;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:clamp(22px,2.4vw,30px)}\n.ct-prod h3{margin:24px 0 10px;font-size:18px}\n.ct-prod h4{margin:0 0 6px;font-size:16px;font-weight:700}\n.ct-prod p{margin:0 0 12px}\n.ct-prod ul{margin:0 0 16px;padding-left:20px}\n.ct-prod ul li{margin:6px 0}\n.ct-prod-facts{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:12px;margin:18px 0}\n.ct-prod-facts div{padding:14px;background:#fffdf8;border:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.12)}\n.ct-prod-facts b{display:block;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:400;margin-bottom:4px}\n.ct-prod-facts span{display:block;color:#69625b;font-size:12px}\n.ct-prod-day{display:grid;grid-template-columns:88px 1fr;gap:18px;padding:18px 0;border-top:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.08)}\n.ct-prod-day:first-of-type{border-top:0;padding-top:8px}\n.ct-prod-day__num{text-align:center;color:#9a7a47}\n.ct-prod-day__num span{display:block;font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:2px}\n.ct-prod-day__num strong{display:block;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-size:38px;font-weight:400;line-height:1}\n.ct-prod-day__body h4{color:#171512}\n.ct-prod-day__body p{color:#454039}\n.ct-prod-dates{background:#f5f1e9;border:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.12);padding:24px;margin:18px 0}\n.ct-prod-dates label{display:block;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:8px;font-size:14px}\n.ct-prod-dates input[type=date]{padding:10px 14px;border:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.18);background:#fff;font-size:14px;font-family:inherit;min-width:200px}\n.ct-prod-dates .ct-prod-price{margin-top:16px;padding:14px 18px;background:#fffdf8;border:1px solid rgba(154,122,71,.3);font-size:15px}\n.ct-prod-dates .ct-prod-price strong{font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-size:22px;color:#9a7a47}\n.ct-prod-dates .ct-prod-price small{display:block;color:#69625b;font-size:12px;margin-top:4px}\n.ct-prod-cautions{background:#fffaf2;border-left:3px solid #c39756;padding:18px 22px;margin:18px 0}\n.ct-prod-cautions h3{margin-top:0}\n@media(max-width:760px){.ct-prod-facts{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}.ct-prod-day{grid-template-columns:64px 1fr}}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod\"\u003e\n\n\u003cnav class=\"ct-prod-tabs\" aria-label=\"Product sections\"\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#overview\" class=\"is-active\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#itinerary\"\u003eDay by Day\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#dates\"\u003eDates and Pricing\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#cautions\"\u003ePlan Notes\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/nav\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"overview\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eRoute Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-facts\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e8 days\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrivate only, 2-traveler minimum\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTibet\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLhasa, Yamdrok Lake\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e4 to 5-star highest available in Lhasa\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHotel tier (locally owned where possible)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMay to October\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest season fit\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eWhat makes this route specific\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotala Palace private slot at dawn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThangka apprentice studio visit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYamdrok Lake day trip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eLocal intangible-heritage experience included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eTibetan thangka apprentice studio visit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePrivate licensed China guide(s), region-specialist in each city on the route\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePrivate driver and premium vehicle for all intercity transfers\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eHotel accommodation at the stated tier, locally owned where possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAll entrance tickets and reserved-slot bookings\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDaily breakfast plus selected regional cuisine meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne named local intangible-heritage experience matched to a city on the route\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e24\/7 in-China support line during the trip\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eVisa support and Alipay setup guidance before arrival\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePersonal expenses and discretionary tipping\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOptional add-on experiences quoted on a per-request basis\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (comprehensive coverage strongly recommended)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"itinerary\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eDay-by-Day Itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eA representative shape of the trip. We finalize each morning and afternoon visit during the planning call so the route reflects your interests and pace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLhasa\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrival in Lhasa. Private transfer, hotel check-in, light evening orientation with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLhasa\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst full day in Lhasa. We pace the morning gently to settle jet lag, then build into the route highlights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLhasa\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Lhasa: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLhasa\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Lhasa: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eYamdrok Lake\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravel from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake (private driver or high-speed rail as appropriate). Afternoon orientation walk in Yamdrok Lake with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eYamdrok Lake\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Yamdrok Lake: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eYamdrok Lake\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Yamdrok Lake: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eYamdrok Lake\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinal morning at leisure. Private transfer to the airport, departure from Yamdrok Lake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-top:18px;color:#69625b;font-size:14px\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: this is a private route. Days can be lengthened or shortened, cities swapped, and a custom intangible-heritage experience substituted at your request.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"dates\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eDates and Pricing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eBase price is for standard non-holiday departures. Chinese national holidays add a supplement automatically: Spring Festival and National Day Golden Week +50%, other major Chinese holidays +20%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-dates\"\u003e\n    \u003clabel for=\"ct-date-9450473128104\"\u003ePick a tentative departure date\u003c\/label\u003e\n    \u003cinput type=\"date\" id=\"ct-date-9450473128104\" min=\"2026-06-01\" max=\"2027-12-31\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-price\" id=\"ct-price-9450473128104\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eBase price: $6,200\u003c\/strong\u003e\n      \u003csmall\u003eDeposit option: $1,240 (20% of full). Pick a date above to see seasonal supplement.\u003c\/small\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eHoliday surcharge rules\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpring Festival window (around late January to mid-February): \u003cstrong\u003e+50%\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNational Day Golden Week (October 1 to 7): \u003cstrong\u003e+50%\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eQingming (early April), Labor Day (May 1 to 5), Dragon Boat (around June), Mid-Autumn (around September): \u003cstrong\u003e+20%\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAll other dates: \u003cstrong\u003ebase price\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003ePayment options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eUse the \u003cstrong\u003ePay full\u003c\/strong\u003e button to commit the entire amount now, or \u003cstrong\u003ePay deposit (20%)\u003c\/strong\u003e to secure your dates and settle the balance later per our cancellation policy. Both options trigger a personal planner call within two business days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"cautions\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eTravel Cautions and Planning Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-cautions\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eBefore you commit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChina requires a tourist visa for most nationalities; allow six to eight weeks for processing. We can recommend a visa agent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlipay and WeChat Pay dominate local payments. Set up Alipay international before arrival; ChinaTourly will brief you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMost Western apps (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram) need a VPN inside mainland China. Install and test before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-speed rail stations are large and Mandarin-signed; arrive 30 minutes before departure and confirm the gate letter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTibetan \/ high-altitude routes: arrive Lhasa rested, no alcohol for 24 hours, hydrate, and expect a slow first day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eCustomize this route\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eAdd or remove days, swap a city, raise the hotel tier, or shift to a different season. Every itinerary is private and adjustable. Talk to a planner before you book if you want changes baked in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTalk to a planner -\u0026gt;\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript\u003e\n(function(){\n  var base = 6200;\n  var dateEl = document.getElementById('ct-date-9450473128104');\n  var priceEl = document.getElementById('ct-price-9450473128104');\n  if (!dateEl || !priceEl) return;\n  function isSpringFestival(d){\n    var y = d.getFullYear(), m = d.getMonth()+1, day = d.getDate();\n    \/\/ Approximate Spring Festival window: Jan 20 to Feb 18 (varies by lunar calendar)\n    if (m === 1 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 20) return true;\n    if (m === 2 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 18) return true;\n    return false;\n  }\n  function isNationalDay(d){\n    return d.getMonth()+1 === 10 \u0026\u0026 d.getDate() \u003e= 1 \u0026\u0026 d.getDate() \u003c= 7;\n  }\n  function isOtherHoliday(d){\n    var m = d.getMonth()+1, day = d.getDate();\n    if (m === 4 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 3 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 7) return true; \/\/ Qingming\n    if (m === 5 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 1 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 5) return true; \/\/ Labor Day\n    if (m === 6 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 7 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 12) return true; \/\/ Dragon Boat (approx)\n    if (m === 9 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 14 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 22) return true; \/\/ Mid-Autumn (approx)\n    return false;\n  }\n  function fmt(n){ return '$' + Math.round(n).toLocaleString(); }\n  dateEl.addEventListener('change', function(){\n    var v = dateEl.value;\n    if (!v) { priceEl.innerHTML = '\u003cstrong\u003eBase price: ' + fmt(base) + '\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003csmall\u003eDeposit option: ' + fmt(base*0.2) + ' (20% of full).\u003c\/small\u003e'; return; }\n    var d = new Date(v + 'T12:00:00');\n    var supp = 0, label = 'Standard date, no seasonal supplement';\n    if (isSpringFestival(d) || isNationalDay(d)) { supp = 50; label = isSpringFestival(d) ? 'Spring Festival window: +50%' : 'National Day Golden Week: +50%'; }\n    else if (isOtherHoliday(d)) { supp = 20; label = 'Chinese national holiday: +20%'; }\n    var total = base * (1 + supp\/100);\n    priceEl.innerHTML = '\u003cstrong\u003eDate price: ' + fmt(total) + '\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003csmall\u003e' + label + ' \u0026nbsp;|\u0026nbsp; Deposit (20% of full): ' + fmt(total * 0.2) + '\u003c\/small\u003e';\n  });\n})();\n\u003c\/script\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Tibetan Medicine Doctor Consultation\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt a private Tibetan medicine clinic in Lhasa's Old Town you spend a 90-minute consultation with \u003cstrong\u003eDr. Tenzin Wangmo\u003c\/strong\u003e, a fifth-generation inheritor of the \u003cem\u003eSowa Rigpa\u003c\/em\u003e tradition (Tibetan traditional medicine) — UNESCO-recognized and on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Dr. Tenzin reads your pulse using the classical 3-fingered method, examines your tongue, and discusses how altitude and diet affect the three Tibetan medical humors (rlung, mkhris pa, bad kan). She compounds a small altitude-acclimation herbal blend for you using Tibetan saffron, fritillaria, and rhodiola from her wall-cabinet of 200+ remedies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Mentang Tangka Painting Atelier\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside Lhasa, you spend a morning with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Tsering Gyatso\u003c\/strong\u003e, a recognized inheritor of the \u003cem\u003eMentang\u003c\/em\u003e (勉唐) school of Tibetan thangka painting, on UNESCO's representative list of intangible cultural heritage. Master Tsering trained fourteen years at the Lhasa Tibetan Painting Academy. He walks you through the seven sacred ratios used to lay out a Sakyamuni figure, grinds his own mineral pigments (lapis lazuli, malachite, cinnabar) from Tibetan stone, and demonstrates the gold-line finishing that distinguishes Mentang from Khyenri school work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Tibetan Butter Sculpture Tradition\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt Kumbum Monastery's butter sculpture workshop you spend an afternoon with \u003cstrong\u003eLama Lobsang Choephel\u003c\/strong\u003e, a senior inheritor of \u003cem\u003eSuyou hua\u003c\/em\u003e (酥油花) — Tibetan butter sculpture on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Lama Lobsang's hands must remain in ice water as he sculpts — the dyed yak-butter softens at 4°C above body temperature. He demonstrates the eight bodhisattva proportions used in the Tsongkhapa lineage tradition, then guides you through shaping a small lotus petal using the ice-water technique. The annual Butter Sculpture Festival on the 15th of the first month is when masters reveal new works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55550912168104,"sku":"CT-lhasa-cultural-foundation-8-days-full","price":6200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55550912200872,"sku":"CT-lhasa-cultural-foundation-8-days-deposit","price":1240.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/cfcd74ff6529841ea4a4214edf441df7.webp?v=1780886723"},{"product_id":"silk-road-long-14-days-private-tour-2026","title":"Silk Road Long - 14 Days","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.ct-prod{font-family:inherit;color:#171512;line-height:1.6}\n.ct-prod-tabs{display:flex;gap:0;margin:0 0 24px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.14);overflow-x:auto}\n.ct-prod-tabs a{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;padding:14px 22px;color:#69625b;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:none;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;white-space:nowrap;transition:color .2s ease, border-color .2s ease}\n.ct-prod-tabs a:hover, .ct-prod-tabs a.is-active{color:#9a7a47;border-bottom-color:#9a7a47}\n.ct-prod section{padding:18px 0 36px;scroll-margin-top:96px}\n.ct-prod h2{margin:0 0 12px;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:clamp(22px,2.4vw,30px)}\n.ct-prod h3{margin:24px 0 10px;font-size:18px}\n.ct-prod h4{margin:0 0 6px;font-size:16px;font-weight:700}\n.ct-prod p{margin:0 0 12px}\n.ct-prod ul{margin:0 0 16px;padding-left:20px}\n.ct-prod ul li{margin:6px 0}\n.ct-prod-facts{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:12px;margin:18px 0}\n.ct-prod-facts div{padding:14px;background:#fffdf8;border:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.12)}\n.ct-prod-facts b{display:block;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:400;margin-bottom:4px}\n.ct-prod-facts span{display:block;color:#69625b;font-size:12px}\n.ct-prod-day{display:grid;grid-template-columns:88px 1fr;gap:18px;padding:18px 0;border-top:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.08)}\n.ct-prod-day:first-of-type{border-top:0;padding-top:8px}\n.ct-prod-day__num{text-align:center;color:#9a7a47}\n.ct-prod-day__num span{display:block;font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:2px}\n.ct-prod-day__num strong{display:block;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-size:38px;font-weight:400;line-height:1}\n.ct-prod-day__body h4{color:#171512}\n.ct-prod-day__body p{color:#454039}\n.ct-prod-dates{background:#f5f1e9;border:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.12);padding:24px;margin:18px 0}\n.ct-prod-dates label{display:block;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:8px;font-size:14px}\n.ct-prod-dates input[type=date]{padding:10px 14px;border:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.18);background:#fff;font-size:14px;font-family:inherit;min-width:200px}\n.ct-prod-dates .ct-prod-price{margin-top:16px;padding:14px 18px;background:#fffdf8;border:1px solid rgba(154,122,71,.3);font-size:15px}\n.ct-prod-dates .ct-prod-price strong{font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-size:22px;color:#9a7a47}\n.ct-prod-dates .ct-prod-price small{display:block;color:#69625b;font-size:12px;margin-top:4px}\n.ct-prod-cautions{background:#fffaf2;border-left:3px solid #c39756;padding:18px 22px;margin:18px 0}\n.ct-prod-cautions h3{margin-top:0}\n@media(max-width:760px){.ct-prod-facts{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}.ct-prod-day{grid-template-columns:64px 1fr}}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod\"\u003e\n\n\u003cnav class=\"ct-prod-tabs\" aria-label=\"Product sections\"\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#overview\" class=\"is-active\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#itinerary\"\u003eDay by Day\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#dates\"\u003eDates and Pricing\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#cautions\"\u003ePlan Notes\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/nav\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"overview\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eRoute Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-facts\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e14 days\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrivate only, 2-traveler minimum\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSilk Road West\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXi'an, Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Kashgar\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e4 to 5-star\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHotel tier (locally owned where possible)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eApr-Jun, Sep-Oct\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest season fit\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eWhat makes this route specific\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMogao Caves multi-cave slot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKashgar Sunday bazaar plus instrument workshop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJiayuguan fort\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTurpan Karez irrigation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eLocal intangible-heritage experience included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eDunhuang mineral pigment plus Kashgar instrument workshop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePrivate licensed China guide(s), region-specialist in each city on the route\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePrivate driver and premium vehicle for all intercity transfers\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eHotel accommodation at the stated tier, locally owned where possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAll entrance tickets and reserved-slot bookings\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDaily breakfast plus selected regional cuisine meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne named local intangible-heritage experience matched to a city on the route\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e24\/7 in-China support line during the trip\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eVisa support and Alipay setup guidance before arrival\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePersonal expenses and discretionary tipping\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOptional add-on experiences quoted on a per-request basis\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (comprehensive coverage strongly recommended)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"itinerary\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eDay-by-Day Itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eA representative shape of the trip. We finalize each morning and afternoon visit during the planning call so the route reflects your interests and pace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eXi'an\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrival in Xi'an. Private transfer, hotel check-in, light evening orientation with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eXi'an\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst full day in Xi'an. We pace the morning gently to settle jet lag, then build into the route highlights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eXi'an\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Xi'an: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLanzhou\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravel from Xi'an to Lanzhou (private driver or high-speed rail as appropriate). Afternoon orientation walk in Lanzhou with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLanzhou\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Lanzhou: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eJiayuguan\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravel from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan (private driver or high-speed rail as appropriate). Afternoon orientation walk in Jiayuguan with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eJiayuguan\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Jiayuguan: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDunhuang\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravel from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang (private driver or high-speed rail as appropriate). Afternoon orientation walk in Dunhuang with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDunhuang\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Dunhuang: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTurpan\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravel from Dunhuang to Turpan (private driver or high-speed rail as appropriate). Afternoon orientation walk in Turpan with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e11\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTurpan\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Turpan: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eKashgar\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravel from Turpan to Kashgar (private driver or high-speed rail as appropriate). Afternoon orientation walk in Kashgar with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e13\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eKashgar\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Kashgar: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e14\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eKashgar\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinal morning at leisure. Private transfer to the airport, departure from Kashgar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-top:18px;color:#69625b;font-size:14px\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: this is a private route. Days can be lengthened or shortened, cities swapped, and a custom intangible-heritage experience substituted at your request.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"dates\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eDates and Pricing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eBase price is for standard non-holiday departures. Chinese national holidays add a supplement automatically: Spring Festival and National Day Golden Week +50%, other major Chinese holidays +20%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-dates\"\u003e\n    \u003clabel for=\"ct-date-9450473291944\"\u003ePick a tentative departure date\u003c\/label\u003e\n    \u003cinput type=\"date\" id=\"ct-date-9450473291944\" min=\"2026-06-01\" max=\"2027-12-31\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-price\" id=\"ct-price-9450473291944\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eBase price: $11,500\u003c\/strong\u003e\n      \u003csmall\u003eDeposit option: $2,300 (20% of full). Pick a date above to see seasonal supplement.\u003c\/small\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eHoliday surcharge rules\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpring Festival window (around late January to mid-February): \u003cstrong\u003e+50%\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNational Day Golden Week (October 1 to 7): \u003cstrong\u003e+50%\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eQingming (early April), Labor Day (May 1 to 5), Dragon Boat (around June), Mid-Autumn (around September): \u003cstrong\u003e+20%\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAll other dates: \u003cstrong\u003ebase price\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003ePayment options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eUse the \u003cstrong\u003ePay full\u003c\/strong\u003e button to commit the entire amount now, or \u003cstrong\u003ePay deposit (20%)\u003c\/strong\u003e to secure your dates and settle the balance later per our cancellation policy. Both options trigger a personal planner call within two business days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"cautions\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eTravel Cautions and Planning Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-cautions\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eBefore you commit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChina requires a tourist visa for most nationalities; allow six to eight weeks for processing. We can recommend a visa agent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlipay and WeChat Pay dominate local payments. Set up Alipay international before arrival; ChinaTourly will brief you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMost Western apps (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram) need a VPN inside mainland China. Install and test before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-speed rail stations are large and Mandarin-signed; arrive 30 minutes before departure and confirm the gate letter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTibetan \/ high-altitude routes: arrive Lhasa rested, no alcohol for 24 hours, hydrate, and expect a slow first day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eCustomize this route\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eAdd or remove days, swap a city, raise the hotel tier, or shift to a different season. Every itinerary is private and adjustable. Talk to a planner before you book if you want changes baked in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTalk to a planner -\u0026gt;\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript\u003e\n(function(){\n  var base = 11500;\n  var dateEl = document.getElementById('ct-date-9450473291944');\n  var priceEl = document.getElementById('ct-price-9450473291944');\n  if (!dateEl || !priceEl) return;\n  function isSpringFestival(d){\n    var y = d.getFullYear(), m = d.getMonth()+1, day = d.getDate();\n    \/\/ Approximate Spring Festival window: Jan 20 to Feb 18 (varies by lunar calendar)\n    if (m === 1 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 20) return true;\n    if (m === 2 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 18) return true;\n    return false;\n  }\n  function isNationalDay(d){\n    return d.getMonth()+1 === 10 \u0026\u0026 d.getDate() \u003e= 1 \u0026\u0026 d.getDate() \u003c= 7;\n  }\n  function isOtherHoliday(d){\n    var m = d.getMonth()+1, day = d.getDate();\n    if (m === 4 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 3 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 7) return true; \/\/ Qingming\n    if (m === 5 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 1 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 5) return true; \/\/ Labor Day\n    if (m === 6 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 7 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 12) return true; \/\/ Dragon Boat (approx)\n    if (m === 9 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 14 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 22) return true; \/\/ Mid-Autumn (approx)\n    return false;\n  }\n  function fmt(n){ return '$' + Math.round(n).toLocaleString(); }\n  dateEl.addEventListener('change', function(){\n    var v = dateEl.value;\n    if (!v) { priceEl.innerHTML = '\u003cstrong\u003eBase price: ' + fmt(base) + '\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003csmall\u003eDeposit option: ' + fmt(base*0.2) + ' (20% of full).\u003c\/small\u003e'; return; }\n    var d = new Date(v + 'T12:00:00');\n    var supp = 0, label = 'Standard date, no seasonal supplement';\n    if (isSpringFestival(d) || isNationalDay(d)) { supp = 50; label = isSpringFestival(d) ? 'Spring Festival window: +50%' : 'National Day Golden Week: +50%'; }\n    else if (isOtherHoliday(d)) { supp = 20; label = 'Chinese national holiday: +20%'; }\n    var total = base * (1 + supp\/100);\n    priceEl.innerHTML = '\u003cstrong\u003eDate price: ' + fmt(total) + '\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003csmall\u003e' + label + ' \u0026nbsp;|\u0026nbsp; Deposit (20% of full): ' + fmt(total * 0.2) + '\u003c\/small\u003e';\n  });\n})();\n\u003c\/script\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Turpan Karez Underground Water Engineering\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside Turpan you spend a half-day with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Ablat Hasan\u003c\/strong\u003e, an inheritor of the Karez underground irrigation tradition — a 2,000-year Uyghur engineering practice that delivered Tianshan snowmelt to the desert oases of Turpan and Hami without surface evaporation. The Karez system is a UNESCO-listed engineering heritage and a national-level Chinese intangible cultural heritage. Mr. Ablat takes you into a working vertical access shaft, explains how the chain of 100-meter-spaced wells maintains the gradient, and shows the wooden tools his grandfather used in the 1940s for tunnel maintenance. Roughly half of Turpan's vineyards still rely on Karez water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Dunhuang Wall-Mural Pigment Mixing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt a private studio attached to Dunhuang Academy, you sit with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Du Yongwei\u003c\/strong\u003e, third-generation inheritor of \u003cem\u003eDunhuang bihua linmo\u003c\/em\u003e — the traditional craft of copying Mogao murals using the original mineral pigments. Mr. Du grinds malachite (孔雀石 for green), cinnabar (朱砂 for red), and lapis lazuli (青金石 for blue) from the same Inner Mongolian and Afghan sources Tang painters used. You watch him work for an hour on a partial Cave 220 Bodhisattva face, then attempt your own small mineral-pigment brushstroke on prepared paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Yengisar Uyghur Knife-Forging\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Kashgar Old Town, you spend an afternoon at the \u003cstrong\u003eYengisar knife forge of Master Memet Imin\u003c\/strong\u003e, fifth-generation Uyghur knife-maker whose village tradition is on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Master Memet works the cold-and-hot forging cycles used since the Karakhanid era, hammering a folded steel blade through fifty cycles to produce the wave pattern unique to Yengisar work. He shapes a small letter-opener blade in your presence, then his apprentice fits the carved-bone handle. You receive the unfinished knife handle as a workshop record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55550912463016,"sku":"CT-silk-road-long-14-days-full","price":11500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55550912495784,"sku":"CT-silk-road-long-14-days-deposit","price":2300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/6e3da57a07a025a51b1cd97a3670c33f.webp?v=1780886795"},{"product_id":"sichuan-tibet-overland-16-days-private-tour-2026","title":"Sichuan + Tibet Overland - 16 Days","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.ct-prod{font-family:inherit;color:#171512;line-height:1.6}\n.ct-prod-tabs{display:flex;gap:0;margin:0 0 24px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.14);overflow-x:auto}\n.ct-prod-tabs a{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;padding:14px 22px;color:#69625b;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:none;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;white-space:nowrap;transition:color .2s ease, border-color .2s ease}\n.ct-prod-tabs a:hover, .ct-prod-tabs a.is-active{color:#9a7a47;border-bottom-color:#9a7a47}\n.ct-prod section{padding:18px 0 36px;scroll-margin-top:96px}\n.ct-prod h2{margin:0 0 12px;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:400;font-size:clamp(22px,2.4vw,30px)}\n.ct-prod h3{margin:24px 0 10px;font-size:18px}\n.ct-prod h4{margin:0 0 6px;font-size:16px;font-weight:700}\n.ct-prod p{margin:0 0 12px}\n.ct-prod ul{margin:0 0 16px;padding-left:20px}\n.ct-prod ul li{margin:6px 0}\n.ct-prod-facts{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:12px;margin:18px 0}\n.ct-prod-facts div{padding:14px;background:#fffdf8;border:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.12)}\n.ct-prod-facts b{display:block;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:400;margin-bottom:4px}\n.ct-prod-facts span{display:block;color:#69625b;font-size:12px}\n.ct-prod-day{display:grid;grid-template-columns:88px 1fr;gap:18px;padding:18px 0;border-top:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.08)}\n.ct-prod-day:first-of-type{border-top:0;padding-top:8px}\n.ct-prod-day__num{text-align:center;color:#9a7a47}\n.ct-prod-day__num span{display:block;font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:2px}\n.ct-prod-day__num strong{display:block;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-size:38px;font-weight:400;line-height:1}\n.ct-prod-day__body h4{color:#171512}\n.ct-prod-day__body p{color:#454039}\n.ct-prod-dates{background:#f5f1e9;border:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.12);padding:24px;margin:18px 0}\n.ct-prod-dates label{display:block;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:8px;font-size:14px}\n.ct-prod-dates input[type=date]{padding:10px 14px;border:1px solid rgba(23,21,18,.18);background:#fff;font-size:14px;font-family:inherit;min-width:200px}\n.ct-prod-dates .ct-prod-price{margin-top:16px;padding:14px 18px;background:#fffdf8;border:1px solid rgba(154,122,71,.3);font-size:15px}\n.ct-prod-dates .ct-prod-price strong{font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-size:22px;color:#9a7a47}\n.ct-prod-dates .ct-prod-price small{display:block;color:#69625b;font-size:12px;margin-top:4px}\n.ct-prod-cautions{background:#fffaf2;border-left:3px solid #c39756;padding:18px 22px;margin:18px 0}\n.ct-prod-cautions h3{margin-top:0}\n@media(max-width:760px){.ct-prod-facts{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}.ct-prod-day{grid-template-columns:64px 1fr}}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod\"\u003e\n\n\u003cnav class=\"ct-prod-tabs\" aria-label=\"Product sections\"\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#overview\" class=\"is-active\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#itinerary\"\u003eDay by Day\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#dates\"\u003eDates and Pricing\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"#cautions\"\u003ePlan Notes\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/nav\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"overview\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eRoute Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-facts\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e16 days\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrivate only, 2-traveler minimum\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTibet plus Sichuan\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChengdu, Kangding, Litang, Lhasa\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e4 to 5-star plus boutique camps\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHotel tier (locally owned where possible)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMay-Sep\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest season fit\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eWhat makes this route specific\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSichuan-Tibet overland highway expedition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKhampa cowboy camp night\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotala Palace arrival after the overland approach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eLocal intangible-heritage experience included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eTibetan thangka workshop plus Khampa felt-craft demo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePrivate licensed China guide(s), region-specialist in each city on the route\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePrivate driver and premium vehicle for all intercity transfers\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eHotel accommodation at the stated tier, locally owned where possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAll entrance tickets and reserved-slot bookings\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDaily breakfast plus selected regional cuisine meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne named local intangible-heritage experience matched to a city on the route\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e24\/7 in-China support line during the trip\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eVisa support and Alipay setup guidance before arrival\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePersonal expenses and discretionary tipping\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOptional add-on experiences quoted on a per-request basis\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (comprehensive coverage strongly recommended)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"itinerary\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eDay-by-Day Itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eA representative shape of the trip. We finalize each morning and afternoon visit during the planning call so the route reflects your interests and pace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eChengdu\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrival in Chengdu. Private transfer, hotel check-in, light evening orientation with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eChengdu\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst full day in Chengdu. We pace the morning gently to settle jet lag, then build into the route highlights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eChengdu\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Chengdu: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eChengdu\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Chengdu: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eChengdu\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Chengdu: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eKangding\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravel from Chengdu to Kangding (private driver or high-speed rail as appropriate). Afternoon orientation walk in Kangding with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eKangding\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Kangding: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eKangding\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Kangding: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eKangding\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Kangding: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLitang\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravel from Kangding to Litang (private driver or high-speed rail as appropriate). Afternoon orientation walk in Litang with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e11\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLitang\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Litang: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLitang\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Litang: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e13\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLhasa\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravel from Litang to Lhasa (private driver or high-speed rail as appropriate). Afternoon orientation walk in Lhasa with your guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e14\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLhasa\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Lhasa: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e15\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLhasa\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided day in Lhasa: route highlights, regional cuisine lunch, time built in for recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\u003carticle class=\"ct-prod-day\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__num\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e16\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-day__body\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLhasa\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinal morning at leisure. Private transfer to the airport, departure from Lhasa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/article\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-top:18px;color:#69625b;font-size:14px\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: this is a private route. Days can be lengthened or shortened, cities swapped, and a custom intangible-heritage experience substituted at your request.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"dates\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eDates and Pricing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eBase price is for standard non-holiday departures. Chinese national holidays add a supplement automatically: Spring Festival and National Day Golden Week +50%, other major Chinese holidays +20%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-dates\"\u003e\n    \u003clabel for=\"ct-date-9450473423016\"\u003ePick a tentative departure date\u003c\/label\u003e\n    \u003cinput type=\"date\" id=\"ct-date-9450473423016\" min=\"2026-06-01\" max=\"2027-12-31\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-price\" id=\"ct-price-9450473423016\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eBase price: $13,800\u003c\/strong\u003e\n      \u003csmall\u003eDeposit option: $2,760 (20% of full). Pick a date above to see seasonal supplement.\u003c\/small\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eHoliday surcharge rules\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpring Festival window (around late January to mid-February): \u003cstrong\u003e+50%\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNational Day Golden Week (October 1 to 7): \u003cstrong\u003e+50%\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eQingming (early April), Labor Day (May 1 to 5), Dragon Boat (around June), Mid-Autumn (around September): \u003cstrong\u003e+20%\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAll other dates: \u003cstrong\u003ebase price\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003ePayment options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eUse the \u003cstrong\u003ePay full\u003c\/strong\u003e button to commit the entire amount now, or \u003cstrong\u003ePay deposit (20%)\u003c\/strong\u003e to secure your dates and settle the balance later per our cancellation policy. Both options trigger a personal planner call within two business days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection id=\"cautions\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eTravel Cautions and Planning Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ct-prod-cautions\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eBefore you commit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChina requires a tourist visa for most nationalities; allow six to eight weeks for processing. We can recommend a visa agent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlipay and WeChat Pay dominate local payments. Set up Alipay international before arrival; ChinaTourly will brief you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMost Western apps (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram) need a VPN inside mainland China. Install and test before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-speed rail stations are large and Mandarin-signed; arrive 30 minutes before departure and confirm the gate letter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTibetan \/ high-altitude routes: arrive Lhasa rested, no alcohol for 24 hours, hydrate, and expect a slow first day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003ch3\u003eCustomize this route\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eAdd or remove days, swap a city, raise the hotel tier, or shift to a different season. Every itinerary is private and adjustable. Talk to a planner before you book if you want changes baked in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTalk to a planner -\u0026gt;\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript\u003e\n(function(){\n  var base = 13800;\n  var dateEl = document.getElementById('ct-date-9450473423016');\n  var priceEl = document.getElementById('ct-price-9450473423016');\n  if (!dateEl || !priceEl) return;\n  function isSpringFestival(d){\n    var y = d.getFullYear(), m = d.getMonth()+1, day = d.getDate();\n    \/\/ Approximate Spring Festival window: Jan 20 to Feb 18 (varies by lunar calendar)\n    if (m === 1 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 20) return true;\n    if (m === 2 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 18) return true;\n    return false;\n  }\n  function isNationalDay(d){\n    return d.getMonth()+1 === 10 \u0026\u0026 d.getDate() \u003e= 1 \u0026\u0026 d.getDate() \u003c= 7;\n  }\n  function isOtherHoliday(d){\n    var m = d.getMonth()+1, day = d.getDate();\n    if (m === 4 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 3 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 7) return true; \/\/ Qingming\n    if (m === 5 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 1 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 5) return true; \/\/ Labor Day\n    if (m === 6 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 7 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 12) return true; \/\/ Dragon Boat (approx)\n    if (m === 9 \u0026\u0026 day \u003e= 14 \u0026\u0026 day \u003c= 22) return true; \/\/ Mid-Autumn (approx)\n    return false;\n  }\n  function fmt(n){ return '$' + Math.round(n).toLocaleString(); }\n  dateEl.addEventListener('change', function(){\n    var v = dateEl.value;\n    if (!v) { priceEl.innerHTML = '\u003cstrong\u003eBase price: ' + fmt(base) + '\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003csmall\u003eDeposit option: ' + fmt(base*0.2) + ' (20% of full).\u003c\/small\u003e'; return; }\n    var d = new Date(v + 'T12:00:00');\n    var supp = 0, label = 'Standard date, no seasonal supplement';\n    if (isSpringFestival(d) || isNationalDay(d)) { supp = 50; label = isSpringFestival(d) ? 'Spring Festival window: +50%' : 'National Day Golden Week: +50%'; }\n    else if (isOtherHoliday(d)) { supp = 20; label = 'Chinese national holiday: +20%'; }\n    var total = base * (1 + supp\/100);\n    priceEl.innerHTML = '\u003cstrong\u003eDate price: ' + fmt(total) + '\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003csmall\u003e' + label + ' \u0026nbsp;|\u0026nbsp; Deposit (20% of full): ' + fmt(total * 0.2) + '\u003c\/small\u003e';\n  });\n})();\n\u003c\/script\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Kham Region Tibetan Black Pottery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Litang you visit the workshop of \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Kalsang Tashi\u003c\/strong\u003e, a recognized inheritor of \u003cem\u003eNiseh black pottery\u003c\/em\u003e — the Kham region's distinctive smoke-blackened earthenware tradition on Sichuan's provincial intangible cultural heritage list. Master Kalsang shapes vessels on a hand-spun foot wheel using clay from a single specific outcrop above the Niseh valley. He fires in a covered pit that traps wood smoke to produce the deep matte black surface characteristic of Kham work. You take part in the burnishing stage where each vessel is rubbed with smooth pebble to create the leather-like polish, and observe a small jug being fired in your presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Sichuan Opera Face-Changing (Bian Lian)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou spend a private 90-minute session with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Peng Denghuai\u003c\/strong\u003e, a recognized inheritor of \u003cem\u003eBian lian\u003c\/em\u003e (变脸) — Sichuan opera face-changing on China's national intangible cultural heritage list and traditionally guarded as a family secret. Master Peng was apprenticed by the late Master Wang Daozheng and safeguards the silk-thread mechanism. In a private back room of Shufeng Yayun teahouse he demonstrates eight different face changes at arm's length, then opens the costume to show the hidden 24-mask layered system and the timing of the silk pull-string.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Mentang Tangka Painting Atelier\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside Lhasa, you spend a morning with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Tsering Gyatso\u003c\/strong\u003e, a recognized inheritor of the \u003cem\u003eMentang\u003c\/em\u003e (勉唐) school of Tibetan thangka painting, on UNESCO's representative list of intangible cultural heritage. Master Tsering trained fourteen years at the Lhasa Tibetan Painting Academy. He walks you through the seven sacred ratios used to lay out a Sakyamuni figure, grinds his own mineral pigments (lapis lazuli, malachite, cinnabar) from Tibetan stone, and demonstrates the gold-line finishing that distinguishes Mentang from Khyenri school work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55550912757928,"sku":"CT-sichuan-tibet-overland-16-days-full","price":13800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55550912790696,"sku":"CT-sichuan-tibet-overland-16-days-deposit","price":2760.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/ffd986628cf99eb9e5cdbd9f82c253d0.webp?v=1780886784"},{"product_id":"tibet-heart-pilgrimage-private-tour-2026","title":"Tibet Heart Pilgrimage","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f1eb;border-left:4px solid #8b6f47;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul style=\"margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 days · pace: Slow, altitude-acclimatised\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;$7,250 per person\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; based on two travellers (1-traveller and group rates available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-private throughout — your party only, no joining strangers or shared vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes ChinaTourly's 24\/7 English-language support line for the duration of your travel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eLhasa five nights, Shigatse two nights, Gyantse one night, Namtso lake one day, return to Lhasa. Permits and acclimatisation built in. This journey is designed for the kind of traveller who reads the wall labels — paced for slow, altitude-acclimatised, with the operational specifics that make the days work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you actually do on this journey\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJokhang Temple at 06:30 with the morning pilgrims\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotala Palace inner-sanctum private tour (timed 90-min window)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrepung debate courtyard during afternoon session\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTashilhunpo Monastery at Shigatse — Panchen Lama's traditional seat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNamtso Lake day excursion at 4,718 m\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival · Lhasa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvening arrival. Hotel check-in. No exertion.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLhasa acclimatisation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLight walking in the Lhasa Old Town. Lunch at a Tibetan family restaurant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJokhang \u0026amp; Barkhor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e06:30 Jokhang Temple before public hours. Afternoon Barkhor pilgrimage circuit.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePotala Palace\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning Potala Palace inner sanctum (booked 2 weeks in advance). Afternoon free.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrepung \u0026amp; Sera\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning at Drepung Monastery. Afternoon Sera Monastery debate session.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLhasa → Gyantse\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrive to Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake pass (4,800 m). The Pelkor Chode Monastery.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGyantse → Shigatse\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning at the Gyantse Kumbum Stupa. Afternoon drive to Shigatse.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTashilhunpo Monastery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFull day at Tashilhunpo. The 26m gilded copper Maitreya, the debate courtyard.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 9\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShigatse → Lhasa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReturn drive via the high-altitude road. Optional Yamdrok Lake stop.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLhasa free day\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecovery day. Optional Tibet Museum or shopping at the Norbulingka district.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 11\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamtso Lake\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDay excursion to Namtso (4,718 m). Picnic by the south shore.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 12\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeparture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning transfer to Lhasa airport. Flight to Chengdu or onward.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecific timings, restaurants, and after-hours arrangements are confirmed in your final itinerary 14 days before departure.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTibet Travel Permit (TTP) arranged 25 days in advance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLicensed Tibetan-Buddhist-trained guide throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4-star hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse (St. Regis Lhasa as upgrade option)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePre-dawn Jokhang and Potala bookings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOxygen support in vehicle and hotels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChinese tourist visa (typically $140–$185 from a Chinese consulate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinners (unless specified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholic beverages at meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal shopping and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTips for guides and drivers ($10–$20 per day each is appreciated but not expected)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy book this with ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency. Our team is in China, our supplier relationships are in China, and our guides have been personally interviewed before their first client assignment. Three operational specifics that distinguish this journey from a generic package:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamed guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commit to the specific guide assigned to your trip, not \"an experienced English-speaking guide\". You receive a brief on your guide's background 14 days before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal workshops where applicable.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your itinerary includes a craft workshop or master encounter, you are visiting a working studio with a verified practitioner — not a tourist demonstration with rotating actors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriction honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e We tell you what does not work — the days that cannot avoid crowds, the seasons that cannot avoid weather, the sites that cannot be photographed inside — before you book, not after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuestions you should ask before you book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this journey actually private?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does payment work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the cancellation policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I customise the itinerary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reach you with questions during the trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOur 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this journey actually private?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does payment work?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the cancellation policy?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I customise the itinerary?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I reach you with questions during the trip?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Our 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency designing private, tailor-made journeys for English-speaking travellers worldwide. Signature Tours from $2,000 per person. Bespoke Journeys from $3,999 per person with a 2-traveller minimum. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us an inquiry\u003c\/a\u003e and we will respond within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and your guide already named.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Tibetan Tangka Painting Atelier\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside Lhasa, you spend a private morning at the studio of \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Tsering Gyatso\u003c\/strong\u003e, a recognized inheritor of the \u003cem\u003eMentang\u003c\/em\u003e (勉唐) school of Tibetan thangka painting — the dominant school of central Tibet and on UNESCO's representative list of intangible cultural heritage. Master Tsering trained for fourteen years at the Lhasa Tibetan Painting Academy before being certified. He walks you through the seven sacred ratios used to lay out a Sakyamuni figure, grinds his own mineral pigments (lapis lazuli, malachite, cinnabar) from Tibetan stone, and demonstrates the gold-line finishing that distinguishes Mentang from Khyenri school work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Tibetan Medicine Sowa Rigpa Consultation\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt a private Tibetan medicine clinic in Lhasa's Old Town you spend a 90-minute consultation with \u003cstrong\u003eDr. Tenzin Wangmo\u003c\/strong\u003e, a fifth-generation inheritor of \u003cem\u003eSowa Rigpa\u003c\/em\u003e — UNESCO-recognized Tibetan traditional medicine and on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Dr. Tenzin reads your pulse using the classical 3-fingered method and discusses how altitude affects the three Tibetan humors (rlung, mkhris pa, bad kan). She compounds a small altitude-acclimation herbal blend using Tibetan saffron, fritillaria, and rhodiola from her wall-cabinet of 200+ remedies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Tibetan Butter Sculpture Tradition\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt Kumbum Monastery's butter sculpture workshop you spend an afternoon with \u003cstrong\u003eLama Lobsang Choephel\u003c\/strong\u003e, a senior inheritor of \u003cem\u003eSuyou hua\u003c\/em\u003e (酥油花) — Tibetan butter sculpture on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Lama Lobsang's hands must remain in ice water as he sculpts — the dyed yak-butter softens at 4°C above body temperature. He demonstrates the eight bodhisattva proportions used in the Tsongkhapa lineage tradition, then guides you through shaping a small lotus petal using the ice-water technique. The annual Butter Sculpture Festival on the 15th of the first month is when masters reveal new works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55568117170344,"sku":"tibet-heart-pilgrimage","price":7250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596120834216,"sku":null,"price":1450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/2e0dc377ade40d2148207e643bef3c41.webp?v=1780894574"},{"product_id":"buddhist-art-chronology-private-tour-2026","title":"Buddhist Art Chronology","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f1eb;border-left:4px solid #8b6f47;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul style=\"margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e14 days · pace: History-dense\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;$8,890 per person\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; based on two travellers (1-traveller and group rates available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-private throughout — your party only, no joining strangers or shared vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes ChinaTourly's 24\/7 English-language support line for the duration of your travel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eDatong Yungang, Pingyao, Luoyang Longmen, Tianshui Maijishan, Dunhuang Mogao. Senior Buddhist art guide across all four grottoes. This journey is designed for the kind of traveller who reads the wall labels — paced for history-dense, with the operational specifics that make the days work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you actually do on this journey\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYungang Grottoes Caves 16-20 (Northern Wei, 460 CE)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLongmen Grottoes chronological cave-by-cave walk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaijishan wooden gallery climb to Tang colossal Buddhas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMogao Caves academic deep tour (10-12 caves chronologically)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSenior Buddhist art guide carries the artistic-style transition narrative across 800 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival · Beijing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvening arrival. Hotel check-in.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeijing → Datong\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning rail to Datong (3h 30m). Afternoon Datong City Wall and Museum.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYungang Grottoes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFull day at Yungang. Caves 16-20 in morning light, Caves 5-6 with original pigment.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDatong → Pingyao\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrive to Pingyao via Hengshan Hanging Temple. Evening inside the Ming wall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePingyao → Luoyang\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRail to Luoyang. Afternoon White Horse Temple.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLongmen Grottoes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFull day on the cliff. Chronological cave-by-cave with Buddhist art historian.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLuoyang → Tianshui\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLong rail journey to Tianshui (6h via Xi'an). Hotel check-in.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaijishan Grottoes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCliff galleries and the wooden gantry walk. Tang colossal Buddhas of Cave 13.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 9\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTianshui → Dunhuang\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFlight to Dunhuang. Afternoon at the Mogao Conservation Centre digital exhibition.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMogao Caves I\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcademic deep tour 10 caves chronologically (Northern Wei to Tang).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 11\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMogao Caves II\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLibrary Cave (Cave 17) and Tang masterpiece caves. Afternoon Singing Sand Dunes.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 12\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDunhuang → Xi'an\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFlight to Xi'an. Afternoon at the Shaanxi History Museum Tang collection.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 13\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXi'an\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFamen Temple Tang reliquary collection.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 14\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeparture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning transfer to Xi'an airport.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecific timings, restaurants, and after-hours arrangements are confirmed in your final itinerary 14 days before departure.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSenior Buddhist art historian guide (PhD-level) for the four grotto days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMogao academic deep tour ticket (book 4 weeks in advance)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll internal flights and high-speed rail (first class)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecialist accommodation in Dunhuang (Silk Road heritage hotel)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLecture sessions evenings between cave visits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChinese tourist visa (typically $140–$185 from a Chinese consulate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinners (unless specified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholic beverages at meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal shopping and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTips for guides and drivers ($10–$20 per day each is appreciated but not expected)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy book this with ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency. Our team is in China, our supplier relationships are in China, and our guides have been personally interviewed before their first client assignment. Three operational specifics that distinguish this journey from a generic package:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamed guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commit to the specific guide assigned to your trip, not \"an experienced English-speaking guide\". You receive a brief on your guide's background 14 days before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal workshops where applicable.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your itinerary includes a craft workshop or master encounter, you are visiting a working studio with a verified practitioner — not a tourist demonstration with rotating actors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriction honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e We tell you what does not work — the days that cannot avoid crowds, the seasons that cannot avoid weather, the sites that cannot be photographed inside — before you book, not after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuestions you should ask before you book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this journey actually private?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does payment work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the cancellation policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I customise the itinerary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reach you with questions during the trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOur 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this journey actually private?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does payment work?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the cancellation policy?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I customise the itinerary?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I reach you with questions during the trip?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Our 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency designing private, tailor-made journeys for English-speaking travellers worldwide. Signature Tours from $2,000 per person. Bespoke Journeys from $3,999 per person with a 2-traveller minimum. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us an inquiry\u003c\/a\u003e and we will respond within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and your guide already named.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Datong Yungang Sculpture Reproduction\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt a private workshop attached to the Yungang Grottoes you spend an afternoon with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Liu Yongxiang\u003c\/strong\u003e, an inheritor of \u003cem\u003eYungang shidiao\u003c\/em\u003e (云冈石雕) — the Yungang stone-carving tradition on Shanxi's provincial intangible cultural heritage list. Master Liu's family has carved replicas of Yungang Buddha figures using the original 5th-century Northern Wei techniques for four generations. He demonstrates the seven-tool sequence (chisel, point, claw, file, rasp, polish, wax) used to carve a small Buddha head from sandstone in your presence. You attempt your own basic chisel-strike on a prepared block and learn why Yungang figures show clear Gandharan influences absent from later Longmen work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Dunhuang Wall-Mural Pigment Mixing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt a private studio attached to Dunhuang Academy, you sit with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Du Yongwei\u003c\/strong\u003e, third-generation inheritor of \u003cem\u003eDunhuang bihua linmo\u003c\/em\u003e — the traditional craft of copying Mogao murals using the original mineral pigments. Mr. Du grinds malachite (孔雀石 for green), cinnabar (朱砂 for red), and lapis lazuli (青金石 for blue) from the same Inner Mongolian and Afghan sources Tang painters used. You watch him work for an hour on a partial Cave 220 Bodhisattva face, then attempt your own small mineral-pigment brushstroke on prepared paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Tang Sancai Tri-Color Pottery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Luoyang, the cradle of \u003cem\u003eTang Sancai\u003c\/em\u003e (唐三彩), you spend a half-day with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Gao Shuiwang\u003c\/strong\u003e, a national-level inheritor whose family has produced funerary three-color glazed pottery for six generations from the same Mengjin County workshop. Tang Sancai is UNESCO-recognized and on China's first national list of intangible cultural heritage. Master Gao demonstrates the rare \u003cem\u003echuibo\u003c\/em\u003e streaking technique (yellow, green, white glazes) and walks you through shaping a small horse figurine on his potter's wheel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55568117694632,"sku":"buddhist-art-chronology","price":8890.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596116017320,"sku":null,"price":1778.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/ct-card-yungang.jpg?v=1781708210"},{"product_id":"xian-to-kashgar-14-days-private-tour-2026","title":"Xi'an to Kashgar 14 Days","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f1eb;border-left:4px solid #8b6f47;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul style=\"margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e14 days · pace: Full corridor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;$9,420 per person\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; based on two travellers (1-traveller and group rates available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-private throughout — your party only, no joining strangers or shared vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes ChinaTourly's 24\/7 English-language support line for the duration of your travel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll six anchor cities, three UNESCO sites, two academic cave sessions, the Sunday Livestock Market. This journey is designed for the kind of traveller who reads the wall labels — paced for full corridor, with the operational specifics that make the days work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you actually do on this journey\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMogao academic deep tour (10-12 caves chronologically)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKashgar Sunday Livestock Market at 08:00\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTurpan Karez underground irrigation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJiayuguan Ming fortress at the western Great Wall terminus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLanzhou Yellow River crossing + Bingling Temple boat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival · Xi'an\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvening Bell Tower district.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXi'an\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTerracotta Warriors + Shaanxi History Museum.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXi'an → Lanzhou\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHigh-speed rail (3h). Gansu Provincial Museum.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBingling Temple\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoat to the cliff grottoes.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLanzhou → Jiayuguan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRail to Jiayuguan.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJiayuguan Fortress\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFortress, museum, Overhanging Wall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJiayuguan → Dunhuang\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRail to Dunhuang.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMogao Caves I\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcademic deep tour.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 9\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMogao + Dunes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrescent Moon Spring afternoon.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDunhuang → Turpan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFlight to Turpan via Urumqi.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 11\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTurpan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKarez + Flaming Mountains + Gaochang.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 12\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTurpan → Kashgar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFlight.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 13\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKashgar Sunday Market\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e08:00 livestock market + Old Town walk.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 14\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeparture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning Id Kah Mosque. Afternoon flight.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecific timings, restaurants, and after-hours arrangements are confirmed in your final itinerary 14 days before departure.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMogao academic deep tour ticket (4-week lead)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll internal flights and high-speed rail (first class)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSenior Silk Road specialist guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUyghur-speaking Kashgar guide for Sunday market\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePermit support where required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChinese tourist visa (typically $140–$185 from a Chinese consulate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinners (unless specified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholic beverages at meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal shopping and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTips for guides and drivers ($10–$20 per day each is appreciated but not expected)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy book this with ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency. Our team is in China, our supplier relationships are in China, and our guides have been personally interviewed before their first client assignment. Three operational specifics that distinguish this journey from a generic package:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamed guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commit to the specific guide assigned to your trip, not \"an experienced English-speaking guide\". You receive a brief on your guide's background 14 days before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal workshops where applicable.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your itinerary includes a craft workshop or master encounter, you are visiting a working studio with a verified practitioner — not a tourist demonstration with rotating actors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriction honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e We tell you what does not work — the days that cannot avoid crowds, the seasons that cannot avoid weather, the sites that cannot be photographed inside — before you book, not after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuestions you should ask before you book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this journey actually private?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does payment work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the cancellation policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I customise the itinerary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reach you with questions during the trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOur 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this journey actually private?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does payment work?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the cancellation policy?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I customise the itinerary?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I reach you with questions during the trip?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Our 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency designing private, tailor-made journeys for English-speaking travellers worldwide. Signature Tours from $2,000 per person. Bespoke Journeys from $3,999 per person with a 2-traveller minimum. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us an inquiry\u003c\/a\u003e and we will respond within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and your guide already named.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Kashgar Uyghur Knife-Forging Workshop\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Kashgar Old Town, you spend an afternoon at the \u003cstrong\u003eYengisar knife forge of Master Memet Imin\u003c\/strong\u003e, a fifth-generation Uyghur knife-maker whose Yengisar village tradition is on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Master Memet works the cold-and-hot forging cycles used since the Karakhanid era, hammering a folded steel blade through fifty cycles to produce the wave pattern unique to Yengisar work. He shapes a small letter-opener-sized blade in your presence, then hands it to his apprentice for the carved-bone handle. You receive the unfinished knife handle as a workshop record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Dunhuang Wall-Mural Pigment Mixing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt a private studio attached to Dunhuang Academy, you sit with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Du Yongwei\u003c\/strong\u003e, third-generation inheritor of \u003cem\u003eDunhuang bihua linmo\u003c\/em\u003e — the traditional craft of copying Mogao murals using the original mineral pigments. Mr. Du grinds malachite (孔雀石 for green), cinnabar (朱砂 for red), and lapis lazuli (青金石 for blue) from the same Inner Mongolian and Afghan sources Tang painters used. You watch him work for an hour on a partial Cave 220 Bodhisattva face, then attempt your own small mineral-pigment brushstroke on prepared paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Turpan Karez Underground Water Engineering\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside Turpan you spend a half-day with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Ablat Hasan\u003c\/strong\u003e, an inheritor of the Karez underground irrigation tradition — a 2,000-year Uyghur engineering practice that delivered Tianshan snowmelt to desert oases without surface evaporation. The Karez system is a UNESCO-listed engineering heritage and on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Mr. Ablat takes you into a working vertical access shaft, explains how the chain of 100-meter-spaced wells maintains the gradient, and shows the wooden tools his grandfather used in the 1940s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55568121856168,"sku":"xian-to-kashgar-14-days","price":9420.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596121129128,"sku":null,"price":1884.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/33136bdfef66533973e21424e973779d.webp?v=1780886833"},{"product_id":"photographers-western-desert-private-tour-2026","title":"Photographer's Western Desert","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f1eb;border-left:4px solid #8b6f47;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul style=\"margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 days · pace: Photo-led\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;$6,240 per person\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; based on two travellers (1-traveller and group rates available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-private throughout — your party only, no joining strangers or shared vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes ChinaTourly's 24\/7 English-language support line for the duration of your travel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eDunhuang, Turpan, Kashgar, with timing-led access at each. The reverse-direction western half. This journey is designed for the kind of traveller who reads the wall labels — paced for photo-led, with the operational specifics that make the days work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you actually do on this journey\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMogao Crescent Moon dawn \/ dusk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlaming Mountains golden-hour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKarez underground photography\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKashgar Old Town early morning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSunday Livestock Market hand-clasp negotiations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival · Dunhuang\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSunset Crescent Moon Spring.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMogao I\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcademic deep tour (morning).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMogao II + Dunes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSinging Sand Dunes at sunrise.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDunhuang → Turpan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFlight.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTurpan I\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKarez + Gaochang at sunset.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTurpan → Kashgar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFlight via Urumqi.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKashgar I\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOld Town dawn walk.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKashgar Sunday Market\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e08:00 entry with Uyghur guide.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 9\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeparture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning Id Kah Mosque. Afternoon flight.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecific timings, restaurants, and after-hours arrangements are confirmed in your final itinerary 14 days before departure.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhotographer-priority schedule (dawn \/ dusk windows)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSenior local guides Uyghur + Han\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoutique hotels at each stop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll flights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhotography permits where applicable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChinese tourist visa (typically $140–$185 from a Chinese consulate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinners (unless specified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholic beverages at meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal shopping and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTips for guides and drivers ($10–$20 per day each is appreciated but not expected)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy book this with ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency. Our team is in China, our supplier relationships are in China, and our guides have been personally interviewed before their first client assignment. Three operational specifics that distinguish this journey from a generic package:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamed guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commit to the specific guide assigned to your trip, not \"an experienced English-speaking guide\". You receive a brief on your guide's background 14 days before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal workshops where applicable.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your itinerary includes a craft workshop or master encounter, you are visiting a working studio with a verified practitioner — not a tourist demonstration with rotating actors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriction honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e We tell you what does not work — the days that cannot avoid crowds, the seasons that cannot avoid weather, the sites that cannot be photographed inside — before you book, not after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuestions you should ask before you book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this journey actually private?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does payment work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the cancellation policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I customise the itinerary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reach you with questions during the trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOur 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this journey actually private?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does payment work?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the cancellation policy?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I customise the itinerary?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I reach you with questions during the trip?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Our 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency designing private, tailor-made journeys for English-speaking travellers worldwide. Signature Tours from $2,000 per person. Bespoke Journeys from $3,999 per person with a 2-traveller minimum. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us an inquiry\u003c\/a\u003e and we will respond within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and your guide already named.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Dunhuang Paper-Cut Master Workshop\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetween Mogao shoots you spend two hours with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Wei Xiufang\u003c\/strong\u003e, the regional inheritor of \u003cem\u003eDunhuang jianzhi\u003c\/em\u003e (敦煌剪纸) — the Dunhuang paper-cutting tradition that draws from cave-mural iconography rather than Han Chinese folk motifs. Master Wei works with the same hand-folded technique used in the Five Dynasties period to produce eight-fold radial designs. She cuts a flying-apsara (飞天) motif in front of you using a single rice-paper sheet and surgical scissors, then guides you through your own four-fold lotus design. Bespoke souvenir-grade paper cuts arranged for your home gallery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Dunhuang Wall-Mural Pigment Mixing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt a private studio attached to Dunhuang Academy, you sit with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Du Yongwei\u003c\/strong\u003e, third-generation inheritor of \u003cem\u003eDunhuang bihua linmo\u003c\/em\u003e — the traditional craft of copying Mogao murals using the original mineral pigments. Mr. Du grinds malachite (孔雀石 for green), cinnabar (朱砂 for red), and lapis lazuli (青金石 for blue) from the same Inner Mongolian and Afghan sources Tang painters used. You watch him work for an hour on a partial Cave 220 Bodhisattva face, then attempt your own small mineral-pigment brushstroke on prepared paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Yengisar Uyghur Knife-Forging\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Kashgar Old Town, you spend an afternoon at the \u003cstrong\u003eYengisar knife forge of Master Memet Imin\u003c\/strong\u003e, fifth-generation Uyghur knife-maker whose village tradition is on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Master Memet works the cold-and-hot forging cycles used since the Karakhanid era, hammering a folded steel blade through fifty cycles to produce the wave pattern unique to Yengisar work. He shapes a small letter-opener blade in your presence, then his apprentice fits the carved-bone handle. You receive the unfinished knife handle as a workshop record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55568122151080,"sku":"photographers-western-desert","price":6240.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596120146088,"sku":null,"price":1248.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/c6e6b6037e6b0f0ca9570f63f3040f0c.webp?v=1780886761"},{"product_id":"xian-mogao-depth-private-tour-2026","title":"Xi'an \u0026 Mogao Depth","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f1eb;border-left:4px solid #8b6f47;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul style=\"margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 days · pace: Eastern half, cave focus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;$5,420 per person\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; based on two travellers (1-traveller and group rates available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-private throughout — your party only, no joining strangers or shared vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes ChinaTourly's 24\/7 English-language support line for the duration of your travel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eXi'an four nights, Lanzhou one, Jiayuguan one, Dunhuang three. The eastern half with Mogao at its centre. This journey is designed for the kind of traveller who reads the wall labels — paced for eastern half, cave focus, with the operational specifics that make the days work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you actually do on this journey\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMogao academic deep tour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamen Temple Tang reliquary\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLanzhou Gansu Provincial Museum (Galloping Horse)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJiayuguan Ming fortress\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrescent Moon Spring at dusk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival · Xi'an\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvening Bell Tower.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXi'an I\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTerracotta Warriors reverse-route.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXi'an II\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShaanxi History Museum Tang vault. Famen Temple afternoon.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXi'an III\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBig Wild Goose Pagoda. City Wall sunset walk.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXi'an → Lanzhou\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRail. Gansu Museum.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLanzhou → Jiayuguan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRail. Fortress.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJiayuguan → Dunhuang\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRail to Dunhuang.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMogao + departure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcademic deep tour morning. Afternoon flight.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecific timings, restaurants, and after-hours arrangements are confirmed in your final itinerary 14 days before departure.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMogao academic deep tour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamen Temple specialist visit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSenior Silk Road art historian\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll rail tickets first class\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeritage hotel in Dunhuang\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChinese tourist visa (typically $140–$185 from a Chinese consulate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinners (unless specified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholic beverages at meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal shopping and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTips for guides and drivers ($10–$20 per day each is appreciated but not expected)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy book this with ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency. Our team is in China, our supplier relationships are in China, and our guides have been personally interviewed before their first client assignment. Three operational specifics that distinguish this journey from a generic package:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamed guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commit to the specific guide assigned to your trip, not \"an experienced English-speaking guide\". You receive a brief on your guide's background 14 days before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal workshops where applicable.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your itinerary includes a craft workshop or master encounter, you are visiting a working studio with a verified practitioner — not a tourist demonstration with rotating actors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriction honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e We tell you what does not work — the days that cannot avoid crowds, the seasons that cannot avoid weather, the sites that cannot be photographed inside — before you book, not after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuestions you should ask before you book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this journey actually private?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does payment work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the cancellation policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I customise the itinerary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reach you with questions during the trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOur 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this journey actually private?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does payment work?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the cancellation policy?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I customise the itinerary?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I reach you with questions during the trip?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Our 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency designing private, tailor-made journeys for English-speaking travellers worldwide. Signature Tours from $2,000 per person. Bespoke Journeys from $3,999 per person with a 2-traveller minimum. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us an inquiry\u003c\/a\u003e and we will respond within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and your guide already named.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Dunhuang Wall-Mural Pigment Mixing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt a private studio attached to the Dunhuang Academy, you sit with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Du Yongwei\u003c\/strong\u003e, a third-generation inheritor of \u003cem\u003eDunhuang bihua linmo\u003c\/em\u003e — the traditional craft of copying Mogao murals using the original mineral pigments. Mr. Du grinds malachite (孔雀石 for green), cinnabar (朱砂 for red), and lapis lazuli (青金石 for blue) from the same Inner Mongolian and Afghan sources Tang painters used, mixing them with rabbit-skin glue. You watch him work for an hour on a partial Cave 220 Bodhisattva face, then attempt your own small mineral-pigment brushstroke on prepared paper. This craft is a Dunhuang City protected heritage practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Yengisar Uyghur Knife-Forging\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Kashgar Old Town, you spend an afternoon at the \u003cstrong\u003eYengisar knife forge of Master Memet Imin\u003c\/strong\u003e, fifth-generation Uyghur knife-maker whose village tradition is on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Master Memet works the cold-and-hot forging cycles used since the Karakhanid era, hammering a folded steel blade through fifty cycles to produce the wave pattern unique to Yengisar work. He shapes a small letter-opener blade in your presence, then his apprentice fits the carved-bone handle. You receive the unfinished knife handle as a workshop record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Turpan Karez Underground Water Engineering\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside Turpan you spend a half-day with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Ablat Hasan\u003c\/strong\u003e, an inheritor of the Karez underground irrigation tradition — a 2,000-year Uyghur engineering practice that delivered Tianshan snowmelt to desert oases without surface evaporation. The Karez system is a UNESCO-listed engineering heritage and on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Mr. Ablat takes you into a working vertical access shaft, explains how the chain of 100-meter-spaced wells maintains the gradient, and shows the wooden tools his grandfather used in the 1940s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55568122478760,"sku":"xian-mogao-depth","price":5420.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596121030824,"sku":null,"price":1084.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/958c2e63833fd4d9760d02363f79cafb.webp?v=1780894605"},{"product_id":"tang-capital-hexi-corridor-private-tour-2026","title":"Tang Capital and the Hexi Corridor","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f1eb;border-left:4px solid #8b6f47;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul style=\"margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 days · pace: Mid-corridor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;$6,420 per person\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; based on two travellers (1-traveller and group rates available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-private throughout — your party only, no joining strangers or shared vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes ChinaTourly's 24\/7 English-language support line for the duration of your travel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eXi'an four nights, Lanzhou two, Zhangye one (Rainbow Mountains), Jiayuguan one, Dunhuang two. Skips the western desert. This journey is designed for the kind of traveller who reads the wall labels — paced for mid-corridor, with the operational specifics that make the days work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you actually do on this journey\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRainbow Mountains at Zhangye Danxia landform\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMogao Caves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamen Temple Tang reliquary\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJiayuguan fortress at the corridor's narrowest pass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBingling Temple cliff grottoes by boat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival · Xi'an\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBell Tower.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTerracotta Warriors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReverse-route morning.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXi'an\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTang museum + Famen Temple.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXi'an City Wall\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCycling and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXi'an → Lanzhou\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRail. Museum.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBingling Temple\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoat day.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLanzhou → Zhangye\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRail. Rainbow Mountains sunset.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZhangye → Jiayuguan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRail. Fortress afternoon.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 9\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJiayuguan → Dunhuang\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRail. Crescent Moon Spring evening.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMogao + departure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcademic deep tour. Afternoon flight.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecific timings, restaurants, and after-hours arrangements are confirmed in your final itinerary 14 days before departure.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMogao academic deep tour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhangye Rainbow Mountains golden-hour timing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBingling Temple boat charter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSenior Tang-history guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll rail and hotel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChinese tourist visa (typically $140–$185 from a Chinese consulate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinners (unless specified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholic beverages at meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal shopping and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTips for guides and drivers ($10–$20 per day each is appreciated but not expected)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy book this with ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency. Our team is in China, our supplier relationships are in China, and our guides have been personally interviewed before their first client assignment. Three operational specifics that distinguish this journey from a generic package:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamed guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commit to the specific guide assigned to your trip, not \"an experienced English-speaking guide\". You receive a brief on your guide's background 14 days before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal workshops where applicable.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your itinerary includes a craft workshop or master encounter, you are visiting a working studio with a verified practitioner — not a tourist demonstration with rotating actors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriction honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e We tell you what does not work — the days that cannot avoid crowds, the seasons that cannot avoid weather, the sites that cannot be photographed inside — before you book, not after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuestions you should ask before you book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this journey actually private?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does payment work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the cancellation policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I customise the itinerary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reach you with questions during the trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOur 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this journey actually private?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does payment work?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the cancellation policy?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I customise the itinerary?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I reach you with questions during the trip?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Our 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency designing private, tailor-made journeys for English-speaking travellers worldwide. Signature Tours from $2,000 per person. Bespoke Journeys from $3,999 per person with a 2-traveller minimum. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us an inquiry\u003c\/a\u003e and we will respond within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and your guide already named.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Zhangye Mati Temple Tibetan Tangka Sketching\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt Mati Temple in Zhangye — one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist sites on the Silk Road — you spend two hours with \u003cstrong\u003eLama Tsering Dorje\u003c\/strong\u003e, a recognized inheritor of the \u003cem\u003eMati Si Tangka\u003c\/em\u003e tradition (a regional variation of the larger national-level Tibetan tangka heritage). Lama Tsering walks you through the precise iconographic measurements (in finger-widths) used to lay out a Sakyamuni figure, the order of the seven preliminary marks, and the geometry of the lotus throne. You sketch your own seven-mark proportions in charcoal on small parchment, learning why no detail in a tangka is ever decorative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Dunhuang Wall-Mural Pigment Mixing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt a private studio attached to Dunhuang Academy, you sit with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Du Yongwei\u003c\/strong\u003e, third-generation inheritor of \u003cem\u003eDunhuang bihua linmo\u003c\/em\u003e — the traditional craft of copying Mogao murals using the original mineral pigments. Mr. Du grinds malachite (孔雀石 for green), cinnabar (朱砂 for red), and lapis lazuli (青金石 for blue) from the same Inner Mongolian and Afghan sources Tang painters used. You watch him work for an hour on a partial Cave 220 Bodhisattva face, then attempt your own small mineral-pigment brushstroke on prepared paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Mentang Tangka Painting Atelier\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside Lhasa, you spend a morning with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Tsering Gyatso\u003c\/strong\u003e, a recognized inheritor of the \u003cem\u003eMentang\u003c\/em\u003e (勉唐) school of Tibetan thangka painting, on UNESCO's representative list of intangible cultural heritage. Master Tsering trained fourteen years at the Lhasa Tibetan Painting Academy. He walks you through the seven sacred ratios used to lay out a Sakyamuni figure, grinds his own mineral pigments (lapis lazuli, malachite, cinnabar) from Tibetan stone, and demonstrates the gold-line finishing that distinguishes Mentang from Khyenri school work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55568122708136,"sku":"tang-capital-hexi-corridor","price":6420.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596120572072,"sku":null,"price":1284.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/188c40b23a6bf84e5c6113d704f8a0d8.webp?v=1780886807"},{"product_id":"kashgar-karakoram-five-days-private-tour-2026","title":"Kashgar \u0026 Karakoram Five Days","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f1eb;border-left:4px solid #8b6f47;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul style=\"margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 days · pace: Western terminus add-on\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;$3,240 per person\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; based on two travellers (1-traveller and group rates available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-private throughout — your party only, no joining strangers or shared vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes ChinaTourly's 24\/7 English-language support line for the duration of your travel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eThree Kashgar nights, two Tashkurgan\/Karakoram nights. Add to a longer Silk Road trip. This journey is designed for the kind of traveller who reads the wall labels — paced for western terminus add-on, with the operational specifics that make the days work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you actually do on this journey\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKashgar Sunday Livestock Market\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eId Kah Mosque Friday prayer hour observation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOld Town daily craft walking tour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKarakoram Highway start (M7 \/ Karakul Lake)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTashkurgan Tajik village\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival · Kashgar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvening Old Town.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKashgar I\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSunday Livestock Market (or daily produce market if not Sunday).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKashgar → Karakul Lake\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKarakoram Highway south. Evening at Karakul Lake.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKarakul → Tashkurgan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrive to Tashkurgan. Tajik village evening.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn Kashgar \/ Departure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning return drive. Afternoon flight.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecific timings, restaurants, and after-hours arrangements are confirmed in your final itinerary 14 days before departure.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAliens' Travel Permit for Pamir foothill areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUyghur-speaking Kashgar Old Town guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTajik-speaking guide for Tashkurgan leg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKarakoram Highway road permits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoutique hotel in Kashgar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChinese tourist visa (typically $140–$185 from a Chinese consulate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinners (unless specified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholic beverages at meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal shopping and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTips for guides and drivers ($10–$20 per day each is appreciated but not expected)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy book this with ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency. Our team is in China, our supplier relationships are in China, and our guides have been personally interviewed before their first client assignment. Three operational specifics that distinguish this journey from a generic package:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamed guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commit to the specific guide assigned to your trip, not \"an experienced English-speaking guide\". You receive a brief on your guide's background 14 days before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal workshops where applicable.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your itinerary includes a craft workshop or master encounter, you are visiting a working studio with a verified practitioner — not a tourist demonstration with rotating actors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriction honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e We tell you what does not work — the days that cannot avoid crowds, the seasons that cannot avoid weather, the sites that cannot be photographed inside — before you book, not after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuestions you should ask before you book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this journey actually private?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does payment work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the cancellation policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I customise the itinerary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reach you with questions during the trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOur 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this journey actually private?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does payment work?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the cancellation policy?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I customise the itinerary?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I reach you with questions during the trip?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Our 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency designing private, tailor-made journeys for English-speaking travellers worldwide. Signature Tours from $2,000 per person. Bespoke Journeys from $3,999 per person with a 2-traveller minimum. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us an inquiry\u003c\/a\u003e and we will respond within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and your guide already named.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Kashgar Old Town Earthenware Pottery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Kashgar Old Town's clay-roof district, you visit the workshop of \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Tursun Niyaz\u003c\/strong\u003e, a sixth-generation Uyghur potter and inheritor of the \u003cem\u003eKashi tuyao\u003c\/em\u003e (喀什土窑) tradition — earthenware pottery fired in updraft mud-brick kilns identical to Karakhanid-era kilns 800 years ago. The craft is on Xinjiang's regional intangible cultural heritage list. Master Tursun throws a small water jug on a hand-spun wheel in your presence, decorates it with the cobalt-blue floral pattern unique to Kashgar work, and explains the firing temperature (900°C, 14 hours) that gives Kashi pottery its specific ring when struck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Yengisar Uyghur Knife-Forging\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Kashgar Old Town, you spend an afternoon at the \u003cstrong\u003eYengisar knife forge of Master Memet Imin\u003c\/strong\u003e, fifth-generation Uyghur knife-maker whose village tradition is on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Master Memet works the cold-and-hot forging cycles used since the Karakhanid era, hammering a folded steel blade through fifty cycles to produce the wave pattern unique to Yengisar work. He shapes a small letter-opener blade in your presence, then his apprentice fits the carved-bone handle. You receive the unfinished knife handle as a workshop record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Turpan Karez Underground Water Engineering\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside Turpan you spend a half-day with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Ablat Hasan\u003c\/strong\u003e, an inheritor of the Karez underground irrigation tradition — a 2,000-year Uyghur engineering practice that delivered Tianshan snowmelt to desert oases without surface evaporation. The Karez system is a UNESCO-listed engineering heritage and on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Mr. Ablat takes you into a working vertical access shaft, explains how the chain of 100-meter-spaced wells maintains the gradient, and shows the wooden tools his grandfather used in the 1940s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55568123101352,"sku":"kashgar-karakoram-five-days","price":3240.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596118933672,"sku":null,"price":648.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/34be2bdb968333ce53f38cff7d6aaf30.webp?v=1780886704"},{"product_id":"naxi-lijiang-shangri-la-private-tour-2026","title":"Naxi Lijiang \u0026 Shangri-La","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f1eb;border-left:4px solid #8b6f47;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul style=\"margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 days · pace: Slow, courtyard-base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;$5,420 per person\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; based on two travellers (1-traveller and group rates available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-private throughout — your party only, no joining strangers or shared vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes ChinaTourly's 24\/7 English-language support line for the duration of your travel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eThree nights Lijiang courtyard, two Shaxi Tea Horse Road, two Shangri-La (high-altitude Tibetan town), one Tiger Leaping Gorge. This journey is designed for the kind of traveller who reads the wall labels — paced for slow, courtyard-base, with the operational specifics that make the days work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you actually do on this journey\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRestored Naxi merchant courtyard stay in the Old Town\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBaisha village morning craft villages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShaxi Friday market (Tea Horse Road heritage)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTiger Leaping Gorge upper trail walk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSongzanlin Monastery at Shangri-La\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival · Lijiang\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvening Naxi orchestra performance.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBaisha \u0026amp; Yuhu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning Baisha mural village. Afternoon Yuhu (Joseph Rock's residence).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLijiang Old Town free\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCooking class or calligraphy session.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLijiang → Shaxi\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrive to Shaxi (3h). Afternoon Old Town.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaxi Friday market\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning Bai market. Tea Horse Road museum afternoon.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaxi → Shangri-La via Tiger Leaping Gorge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUpper trail walk. Continue to Shangri-La.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShangri-La\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSongzanlin Monastery. Pudacuo National Park.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShangri-La → Lijiang\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReturn drive.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 9\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeparture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning at Black Dragon Pool. Afternoon flight.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecific timings, restaurants, and after-hours arrangements are confirmed in your final itinerary 14 days before departure.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRestored Naxi courtyard hotel in Lijiang Old Town\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTibetan-friendly hotel in Shangri-La\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocal Naxi, Bai, and Tibetan-trained guides\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTea Horse Road museum specialist access\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAltitude awareness for Shangri-La leg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChinese tourist visa (typically $140–$185 from a Chinese consulate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinners (unless specified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholic beverages at meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal shopping and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTips for guides and drivers ($10–$20 per day each is appreciated but not expected)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy book this with ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency. Our team is in China, our supplier relationships are in China, and our guides have been personally interviewed before their first client assignment. Three operational specifics that distinguish this journey from a generic package:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamed guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commit to the specific guide assigned to your trip, not \"an experienced English-speaking guide\". You receive a brief on your guide's background 14 days before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal workshops where applicable.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your itinerary includes a craft workshop or master encounter, you are visiting a working studio with a verified practitioner — not a tourist demonstration with rotating actors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriction honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e We tell you what does not work — the days that cannot avoid crowds, the seasons that cannot avoid weather, the sites that cannot be photographed inside — before you book, not after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuestions you should ask before you book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this journey actually private?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does payment work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the cancellation policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I customise the itinerary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reach you with questions during the trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOur 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this journey actually private?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does payment work?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the cancellation policy?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I customise the itinerary?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I reach you with questions during the trip?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Our 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency designing private, tailor-made journeys for English-speaking travellers worldwide. Signature Tours from $2,000 per person. Bespoke Journeys from $3,999 per person with a 2-traveller minimum. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us an inquiry\u003c\/a\u003e and we will respond within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and your guide already named.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Naxi Ancient Music Orchestra Evening\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne evening in Lijiang's Old Town you attend a private performance of \u003cstrong\u003eNaxi guyue\u003c\/strong\u003e (纳西古乐) — the Naxi ancient music tradition that preserves Tang and Song dynasty court music nearly extinct elsewhere in China, on the national intangible cultural heritage list. The Daxue Mountain Naxi Orchestra is led by recognized inheritor \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Xuan Ke\u003c\/strong\u003e's direct students, and the youngest player is 67. The orchestra uses pre-Ming instruments including the \u003cem\u003eboluo\u003c\/em\u003e (a 10-stringed Tang lute) and the \u003cem\u003esu gu\u003c\/em\u003e (large frame drum). You sit in the front row of a 30-seat private house for the 90-minute program. No applause until the end, by tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Naxi Dongba Pictographic Writing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Lijiang's Dongba Cultural Research Institute you spend a morning with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Dongba He Wenzhi\u003c\/strong\u003e, an inheritor of \u003cem\u003eNaxi Dongba wenhua\u003c\/em\u003e (纳西东巴文化) — UNESCO Memory of the World registered and on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Master He is one of fewer than fifty practising Dongba priests still able to read and write the world's only living pictographic script. He demonstrates the four ritual brushwork forms on hand-made bark paper, then teaches you to write your own name in Dongba pictographs using a sharpened bamboo pen and pine-soot ink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Bai Tie-Dye Indigo Workshop\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Zhoucheng village outside Dali you spend an afternoon at the workshop of \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Duan Yinkai\u003c\/strong\u003e, a national-level inheritor of \u003cem\u003eBai zu zharan\u003c\/em\u003e (白族扎染, Bai people tie-dye) on China's national intangible cultural heritage list since 2006. Master Duan's family has dyed cotton with locally grown indigo (板蓝根) for seven generations. The indigo fermentation vats at his courtyard sit at 35°C for two weeks before they are ready. He demonstrates the seven traditional binding methods, then guides you through binding a small scarf with the butterfly-and-crane pattern unique to Zhoucheng.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55568123920552,"sku":"naxi-lijiang-shangri-la","price":5420.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596119851176,"sku":null,"price":1084.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/6b4724e29c571a5e765a3fbe9cac05d7.webp?v=1780886754"},{"product_id":"danba-watchtower-private-tour-2026","title":"Danba Watchtower \u0026 Sichuan-Tibet","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f1eb;border-left:4px solid #8b6f47;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul style=\"margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 days · pace: High-altitude, valley-based\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;$4,640 per person\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; based on two travellers (1-traveller and group rates available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-private throughout — your party only, no joining strangers or shared vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes ChinaTourly's 24\/7 English-language support line for the duration of your travel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo nights Danba Tibetan villages, two Tagong grassland, two Songpan, one Chengdu return. Pre-acclimatisation for higher-altitude itineraries. This journey is designed for the kind of traveller who reads the wall labels — paced for high-altitude, valley-based, with the operational specifics that make the days work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you actually do on this journey\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJiaju Tibetan village (350-year-old watchtowers)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTagong grassland Tibetan family\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSongpan horse trek (Tibetan Plateau edge)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamily lunch in a working Tibetan home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuopo watchtower walk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival · Chengdu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvening Jinli Old Street.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChengdu → Danba\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLong drive west (8h).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDanba\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJiaju village morning. Watchtower walk.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDanba → Tagong\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrive (4h). Tagong grassland evening.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTagong\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTibetan family. Lhagang Monastery.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTagong → Songpan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrive (5h). Horse trek arrangement.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn Chengdu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning ride. Afternoon flight.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecific timings, restaurants, and after-hours arrangements are confirmed in your final itinerary 14 days before departure.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTibetan-trained Sichuan borderlands guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTibetan family stay arrangements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHorse trek at Songpan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAltitude awareness for 2,500m sections\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrivate 4WD vehicle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChinese tourist visa (typically $140–$185 from a Chinese consulate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinners (unless specified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholic beverages at meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal shopping and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTips for guides and drivers ($10–$20 per day each is appreciated but not expected)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy book this with ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency. Our team is in China, our supplier relationships are in China, and our guides have been personally interviewed before their first client assignment. Three operational specifics that distinguish this journey from a generic package:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamed guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commit to the specific guide assigned to your trip, not \"an experienced English-speaking guide\". You receive a brief on your guide's background 14 days before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal workshops where applicable.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your itinerary includes a craft workshop or master encounter, you are visiting a working studio with a verified practitioner — not a tourist demonstration with rotating actors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriction honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e We tell you what does not work — the days that cannot avoid crowds, the seasons that cannot avoid weather, the sites that cannot be photographed inside — before you book, not after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuestions you should ask before you book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this journey actually private?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does payment work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the cancellation policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I customise the itinerary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reach you with questions during the trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOur 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this journey actually private?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does payment work?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the cancellation policy?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I customise the itinerary?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I reach you with questions during the trip?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Our 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency designing private, tailor-made journeys for English-speaking travellers worldwide. Signature Tours from $2,000 per person. Bespoke Journeys from $3,999 per person with a 2-traveller minimum. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us an inquiry\u003c\/a\u003e and we will respond within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and your guide already named.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Jiarong Tibetan Stone Watchtower Architecture\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Danba's Jiaju village you spend a half-day with \u003cstrong\u003eMr. Tashi Dorje\u003c\/strong\u003e, a fifth-generation Jiarong Tibetan builder and inheritor of the \u003cem\u003eJiarong diaolou\u003c\/em\u003e (碉楼) construction tradition — UNESCO-recognized and on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. The Jiarong watchtower technique uses dry-laid stone blocks fitted with such precision that 9-story towers have stood since the Tang dynasty without mortar. Mr. Tashi walks you through the eight types of corner-stone joints, the geomantic siting principles that protect against earthquakes, and the architectural meaning of each watchtower's number of corners. You handle a sample stone fitted in his courtyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Mentang Tangka Painting Atelier\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside Lhasa, you spend a morning with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Tsering Gyatso\u003c\/strong\u003e, a recognized inheritor of the \u003cem\u003eMentang\u003c\/em\u003e (勉唐) school of Tibetan thangka painting, on UNESCO's representative list of intangible cultural heritage. Master Tsering trained fourteen years at the Lhasa Tibetan Painting Academy. He walks you through the seven sacred ratios used to lay out a Sakyamuni figure, grinds his own mineral pigments (lapis lazuli, malachite, cinnabar) from Tibetan stone, and demonstrates the gold-line finishing that distinguishes Mentang from Khyenri school work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Sichuan Opera Face-Changing (Bian Lian)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou spend a private 90-minute session with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Peng Denghuai\u003c\/strong\u003e, a recognized inheritor of \u003cem\u003eBian lian\u003c\/em\u003e (变脸) — Sichuan opera face-changing on China's national intangible cultural heritage list and traditionally guarded as a family secret. Master Peng was apprenticed by the late Master Wang Daozheng and safeguards the silk-thread mechanism. In a private back room of Shufeng Yayun teahouse he demonstrates eight different face changes at arm's length, then opens the costume to show the hidden 24-mask layered system and the timing of the silk pull-string.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55568124477608,"sku":"danba-watchtower","price":4640.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596116541608,"sku":null,"price":928.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/42ee935d21493efa2e5ebfc2ba0788ec.webp?v=1780886642"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/collections\/ct-coll-tibet.jpg?v=1780480874","url":"https:\/\/chinatourly.com\/collections\/tibet-northwest.oembed","provider":"Chinatourly","version":"1.0","type":"link"}