Mountains, Majiao & Mindfulness: A Journey to Western Sichuan
Over the course of 8 days we’ll feast, cook, and hike our way through Sichuan’s most stunning scenery. Climb Himalayan Towers, learn to play Mahjong like a pro, and gaze at giant pandas in beautiful Bifengxia Nature Reserve. This is a winter journey to the west like no other.
Your immersion in all things Sichuan will begin in the provincial capital, Chengdu. We’ll dive right in to the region’s culinary delights with a food tour from our friends at Chengdu Food Tours, who’ll also throw a couple of cooking classes into the mix, sharing their unparalleled knowledge of Sichuan’s sensational cuisine scene and helping us to lay the foundations for our own culinary success, which we’ll need later on when we’re out on the road.
You’ll also have time to explore Chengdu some more – and experience Sichuan’s famous shua culture – before we leave the city and continue our journey to the west.
No visit to Sichuan is complete without a panda encounter, and this one will be no exception. Against the mountainous backdrop of the Bi Feng Xia nature reserve we’ll visit a conservation research base to see these fascinating international icons close-up.
Between Chengdu and the mountains we’ll overnight in a picturesque old-town, getting a good rest in before we ascend the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau on our way out into deepest Sichuan and the town of Danba.
Danba is a mountain escape which basks in nearly year-round sunshine. It is home to the unique Jiarong Tibetan community who have farmed the surrounding region for centuries. In Zhonglu village, 2600m above sea level we’ll meet The Hutong’s incredible partners from the Yunhe Forest Center.
The Forest center, an NGO based in Zhonglu, is dedicated to preserving local culture while providing educational opportunities and empowering locals of the region according to the principles of sustainable development.
As we hike, cook, meditate, explore and learn about Tibetan Buddhism, the folks from the Forest Center will help us shed light on the things which make this region truly special. This incredible expedition is the perfect way to spend the holidays, and to reset and recharge ready for the new year. Join us on our Sichuan Journey.
Join The Hutong in Sichuan on a sublime journey of spices, stillness, stunning scenery, and “shua”.
Our Sichuan Winter Journey will run from December 27th 2020 to January 3rd 2021. Leave a ticket to Chengdu under the tree for your loved ones and we will see you there!
Day 1- December 27th
Arriving in Chengdu, and a Food Tour, Too!
Chengdu
Fly into Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, ready to rush tastebuds-first into one of China’s most flavorful cities and kick things off with an extraordinary culinary initiation led by our friends from Chengdu Food Tours.
Along the way you’ll get to treat your tastebuds, sampling some of the best-kept secrets of Sichuanese cuisine. We’ll follow the bang with a burn, in the form of a fiery hotpot welcome dinner to end our opening day in style.
Day 2- December 28th
Opera, Cuisine, & Culture
Chengdu
After breakfast, we’ll take in People’s Park, one of the liveliest public spaces in the city. We’ll sip green tea and learn how to play the oh-so-addictive game of Mahjong. Later, we’ll reunite with our friends at Chengdu Food Tours for a cooking class, following that up with a baijiu tasting workshop.
Day 3: December 29th
We’ll check out of Chengdu and begin our journey to the west, heading to Ya’an’s Bifengxia Panda Base, where we’ll spend some time getting to know Sichuan’s gentle giants, set against a stunning mountain backdrop.
Later in the afternoon, Shangli Ancient Town, one of the best preserved villages in Sichuan, calls; there we’ll settle into a quaint and comfortable guesthouse house before feasting on a local BBQ dinner.
Day 4: December 30th
The Road to Danba
Shangli Ancient Town – Danba – Zhonglu Village
Today, we’ll ascend the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau towards stunning Garzê Prefecture. We’ll take a drive up some gorgeous mountain roads with amazing views before we finally reach Danba.
After exploring the village, the group will settle into a mountain guesthouse, before learning about our hosts at the Yunhe Forest Center — an incredible organization dedicated to empowering locals and enriching their lives through the principles of sustainable tourism development.
While we’re up there, there will be a chance to climb to the top of one of the village’s tallest Himalayan towers to see the most incredible view of the mountaintops, and the valleys below.
Day 5: December 31st
Zhonglu Village and Surrounds
Following a holy mountain welcome ceremony we’ll hike to a meditation cave in which we’ll learn about Tibetan Buddhism. After some quiet time in this unique spot, we’ll hike back to base for a home-cooked feast.
In the afternoon we’ll meet with an organisation focused on empowering local women and preserving cultural heritage. Not forgetting today is New Year’s eve, we’ll get into teams and go head-to-head to make a celebratory dinner via The Hutong’s classic “Hook-n-Cook” competition, in the kitchen of the Forest Center. After feasting on our own creations, we will start off the new year right with a sky-high evening celebration.
Day 6: January 1st
Zhonglu Village – Suopo Village
Today we’ll take on the day-hike from Zhonglu village to Suopo to see its mountains, villages, and mystical Himalayan towers. We’ll eat lunch along the trail as we continue to learn about this fascinating region and the Jiarong Tibetan people who call it home.
Day 7: January 2nd
On our last evening in this magical place, our local friends will lead us in a traditional fireside Guozhuang Dance workshop, under the stars. We will then share our memories together over a final dinner celebration.
Day 8: January 3rd
The Journey Home
We’ll wave goodbye to Danba and our incredible hosts as we prepare to make the long drive back to Chengdu. Taking in the incredible roadside scenery as we wind back down the plateau, we’ll stop midway for one last, sumptuous, Sichuanese meal. Our journey will end at Chengdu Airport, making any drop-offs along the way, as travelers make their way home on afternoon flights.*
*This is a long day of travel, approximately a seven hour drive from Danba to Chengdu. If participants wish to break their return journey up, we recommend staying a final night in Chengdu and flying out on 4th January. If you choose this option, we can provide lodging and dining recommendations for your final night in the city.
Trip Details
Hiking Info: Our homestays in Danba are at around 2600m above Sea Level. After acclimatizing this shouldn’t be an issue for most travelers, but bear in mind that key parts of our journey involve frequent walking in the surrounding hills..
The Food: Thought by many to be the finest of all of China’s many cuisines, Sichuanese food is exquisite and we will do our utmost to bring you to the best spots around. Come with a sense of adventure as we taste the vastly different cuisines of the Sichuan Basin and the Tibetan areas of the west.
Price: 9,850 RMB
Included: All meals (including a food tour, two cooking classes and our DIY New Year’s Dinner Competition), twin-share accommodation, bilingual guides, all transportation and activity fees and vehicle transfers to and from Chengdu Airport / train station. Expect: some of the best meals of your life, finding out that pandas are cuter than you had imagined, and views that will stick to the back of your eyelids when you sleep.
Start Date: Sunday, December 27th, 2020
This journey begins in Chengdu. Participants should plan their travel to arrive in Chengdu by midday on Sunday, December 27th. The Hutong will help to arrange a group flight option.
Return Date: Sunday, January 3rd, 2021
This Journey ends in Chengdu mid-afternoon on Sunday, January 3 and the Hutong will help you arrange your travel back to Chengdu Airport or high-speed rail station (where there are flights and trains back to all major cities). Please check ticket availability for your return before you book.
Departures:
Departing From Beijing:
There are many direct daily flights from Beijing to Chengdu. Bullet trains to Chengdu East Station are around eight hours from Beijing.
Departing from Shanghai:
There are many direct daily flights from Shanghai to Chengdu. The 11+ hour train ride is for enthusiasts only.
Departing from Shenzhen and Guangzhou: Nine-hour high-speed trains from Guangzhou are available daily, though there is no feasible rail option from Shenzhen. There are multiple direct daily flights from Shenzhen and Guangzhou to Chengdu.
How to book:
To receive an itinerary and reserve your space, contact travel@thehutong.com.
Some upcoming programs:
A Christmas Bike Journey through Tea Farms and Tulous
2020 Winter Yunnan Bike Journey
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