[Beautiful Sichuan-Tibet] 15-Day Panoramic Tour from Chengdu to Tibet via the Sichuan-Tibet Highway G318

Elevation: 500 meters Highlights: Stroll through Jinli, admire beautiful women, eat hotpot, taste snacks, drink baba tea, enjoy Sichuan opera... Today is the gathering day. You can put down your luggage and rest at the hotel, or go taste various foods. Those arriving in Chengdu in the morning can visit Chengdu's fashion center [Chunxi Road] and the thousand-year-old temple [Daci Temple], and check in at the Chinese-Western fusion [Taikoo Li] and [IFS climbing panda]. Those arriving in Chengdu in the afternoon can visit [Jinli] and [Kuanzhai Alleys] to experience the most leisurely and comfortable slow life of Chengdu, or check in at the [Little Bar] from Zhao Lei's song "Chengdu." In the evening, our tour leader will hold a brief pre-departure briefing at the hotel.

Elevation profile: 500-3,780-2,560 meters Featured highlights: Erlang Mountain Tunnel, Mugecuo scenery Distance driven: 300KM Driving time: about 300KM After breakfast, set off from Chengdu and drive along the Chengdu-Ya'an (G5) Expressway, passing through "Rain City" Ya'an, then through the [Erlang Mountain Tunnel], where the misty and rainy Sichuan Basin suddenly gives way to the magnificent scenery of the Kham Plateau. You arrive at the famous historical and cultural city—[Kangding]. One Paoma Mountain, one song "Kangding Love Song": "On the running-horse mountain a drifting cloud..." has intoxicated so many people. After lunch, go to the [Mugecuo Scenic Area], located in Yala Township north of Kangding County town, 26 kilometers from Kangding County town, with a scenic area of 500 square kilometers. It is composed of a series of scenic spots including Seven-Color Lake, Azalea Gorge, Mugecuo Lake, Red Lake, and Nameless Peak. After entering the scenic area, you can tour by sightseeing bus and enjoy the plateau lakes, primeval forests, hot springs, snow peaks, fantastic mountains and strange rocks, and an 8-kilometer-long chain of cascading waterfalls. The unique and beautiful natural scenery here is intoxicating. After the tour, go to Kangding for overnight accommodation.

Altitude: 2,560–4,298–2,600 meters Highlights: Zheduo Mountain viewing platform, Xinduqiao scenery Distance: 140 km Driving time: about 4 hours After breakfast, depart from Kangding and cross the first high mountain on the South Sichuan-Tibet Route—【Zheduo Mountain】(pass elevation 4,298 meters), known as the "First Pass of Kham." Here you can see the stunning scenery of snow mountains and prayer flags; we will make a brief stop for photos. Then you will arrive at the enchanting "Photographer's Paradise," 【Xinduqiao】. This place is like a poetic and picturesque hidden paradise—magical light, boundless grasslands, winding streams, rolling mountain ranges, scattered Tibetan villages, and livestock grazing peacefully... The beauty of the western Sichuan plateau blooms here. After sightseeing, head to Yajiang for overnight stay.

Altitude: 2600-4014-2900 m Highlights: Litang, the City in the Sky; Haizi Mountain; Tu'er Mountain; Daocheng White Stupa Distance: 360 km Driving time: about 8 hours After breakfast, drive away from Yajiang, enjoying the steep and winding Eighteen Bends of the Heavenly Road along the way, pass through the Jianziwan Tunnel, then cross Kazila Mountain (pass at 4,718 m) and arrive at Litang, the hometown of Ding Zhen. The scenery here is stunning. The Sixth Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso once wrote of his longing for Litang in a poem: "O white crane, please lend me your wings; I will not fly far—I will go to Litang and back..." In Litang we will visit the Letong Ancient Town · Thousand-Household Tibetan Village, which appeared in the promotional film The World of Ding Zhen. It is the largest traditional Tibetan village complex in the world, with more than 4,000 traditional Tibetan houses, and is the best choice for exploring Tibetan culture and the Kham style. After the visit, continue onward, pass the Boundless River, cross Tu'er Mountain (pass at 4,696 m), which resembles a rabbit, and pass the Haizi Mountain Nature Reserve (4,500 m), the largest ancient glacial site on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the ancient ice cap of Daocheng. Then enjoy the charming scenery of the Chitu River Valley and the idyllic Tibetan villages along the way, and arrive at the last Shangri-La—Shangri-La Town, where you will stay tonight.

Elevation: 2,900-4,100-3,700 meters Highlights: Chonggu Monastery, Chonggu Meadow, Luorong Pasture, Milk Lake, Five-Color Lake Driving distance: 80KM Driving time: about 1.5 hours After breakfast, drive to the enchanting [Daocheng Yading Scenic Area]. Soon you will arrive at the Yading Scenic Area visitor center, where you will take the scenic shuttle bus for about 20 minutes to reach [Zhaguanbeng], then walk 800 meters to the Chonggu service area. You can challenge the Yading long route to [Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake] and enjoy the stunning beauty of plateau lakes, or take the short route to [Zhuomala Tso (Pearl Lake)] and capture breathtaking reflection photos of Chenrezig (choose reasonably based on your own condition and abilities). Along the way, observe wildlife, alpine flowers, snow mountains, forests, glaciers, lakes, and rivers, experiencing the natural delight of harmony between humans and nature. After sightseeing, take the shuttle bus out of the scenic area and head to Daocheng for tonight's accommodation.

Altitude: 3700-4014-2580 m Highlights: Second visit to Litang, scenery along G318 Distance: 320 km Driving time: about 6.5 hours After breakfast, leave Daocheng and pass through Sangdui Town. In autumn, you can see the [Sangdui Red Grassland], where we will stop for a while to take photos. Then continue onward and arrive again at [Litang]. When visiting here, you must be especially careful: even if you have already overcome altitude sickness, try not to do jumping, running, or other strenuous activities. Continue along G318, with plateau scenery all the way, occasionally seeing a few clumsy marmots. Pass through [Maoya Grassland], where the vast boundless grassland is like a blue sea, with scattered tents sending up light cooking smoke, and cattle and sheep strolling leisurely on the green grassland. You will feel the vastness of the plateau and the vitality of life, and cannot help but be immersed in the beauty of nature. Then arrive at Batang County, tonight's accommodation place.

Altitude: 2,580–5,000–3,750 meters Highlights: Jinsha River Bridge, Lawu Mountain, Dongda Mountain Distance: 240 km Driving time: about 6.5 hours After breakfast, we will enter the territory of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The vehicle will begin traveling through the 【Three Rivers Region】. The Three Rivers Region consists of three rivers originating from the Tanggula Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—the Jinsha River, the Lancang River, and the Nu River. Within this area of nearly 300 kilometers, they flow almost parallel to one another, cutting through high mountains to form canyons where rivers surge and mountains are high and valleys deep. This section is also the most treacherous part of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Heading west, we will continue over 【Lawu Mountain】(4,358 meters above sea level) and 【Dongda Mountain】(over 5,008 meters above sea level). From the towering, snow-white passes, gazing into the distance, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and the Lancang River look like two glistening ribbons, appearing and disappearing among countless mountains and ravines. The valley floor presents a brownish-red dry-hot valley landscape, surrounded by bare rocky mountains where not a blade of grass grows, yet in the valley stand cliff-like walls. A murky brown river flows from afar, like burning flames—this is also one of the most magnificent natural wonders on the Sichuan-Tibet Route. Tonight you will stay in Zogang County.

Altitude: 3750-4600-3850 m Highlights: Bangda Grassland, Nujiang 72 Turns Distance: 290 km Driving time: about 7 hours After breakfast, leave Zuogong and drive west, crossing another vast grassland wetland. With green grass like a carpet, wildflowers everywhere, fat cattle and strong horses, flocks of sheep, and wildlife scattered throughout, the river flows gently across the grassland, forming lakes and wetlands on the prairie. The vast wetlands grow dense, low pasture grass and other plants, providing a rich natural pasture for cattle and sheep. This is Bangda Grassland, an important natural pasture in eastern Tibet. Soon after bidding farewell to the quiet, beautiful grassland, we will cross Yela Mountain (4,839 m), the greatest natural barrier of the Hengduan Mountains. After crossing the pass, the road winds downhill all the way through the Nujiang 72 Turns, also often called the 99 Bends. After passing the Nujiang 72 Turns, you will see the beautiful plateau terraces of primitive villages such as Tongni Village and Gama Village at the foot of the mountain, with snow mountains stretching endlessly into the distance. Further west, snow mountains, primeval forests, and the pastoral scenery of Tibetan villages gradually appear. After passing Basu, we soon arrive at Ranwu Town, our accommodation for tonight.

Altitude: 3850-4600-2750 m Highlights: Ranwu Lake, Midui Glacier Driving distance: 130 km Driving time: about 3.5 hours After breakfast, head to [Ranwu Lake] for a visit. Ranwu Lake is a famous plateau glacier lake and a star lake on the Sichuan-Tibet route. If you are lucky, you can capture the beautiful reflection of Middle Ranwu Lake. Then head to [Midui Glacier], located in Yupu Township about 100 km east of Bomi County. As a monsoon maritime glacier, it is formed by the confluence of two world-class ice waterfalls, and the glacier shines with snow light all year round, offering magical and enchanting scenery. Around the glacier, mountain flowers bloom against the snow mountains, and lush forests dance like silver serpents. In particular, the beautiful and mysterious pastoral scenery of Midui Village makes it hard to imagine you are on the snowy plateau. Snow mountains, glaciers, forests, lakes, and villages form a unique landscape that stirs the heart. After the visit, continue on the road and arrive in Bomi County for the night.

Altitude: 2750-3700-2900 m Highlights: Guxiang Lake, Namcha Barwa Distance: 235 km Driving time: about 6 hours After breakfast, leave Bomi by vehicle and enjoy the beautiful ink-painting-like scenery along the way. Pass by the azure [Guxiang Lake]. The lake water is very beautiful, flowing quietly against the backdrop of snow mountains, with soft fine sand on the shore. Interested friends can hike along the lakeside, fully immerse themselves in the beautiful plateau scenery, measure every inch of this land with their own feet, and feel the breeze, sunlight, and birdsong... After sightseeing, continue driving through Tongmai. Tongmai has long been known as a natural chokepoint and has always attracted much attention on the Sichuan-Tibet route. With national construction, the [Tongmai Bridge] has turned the natural chokepoint into an open passage. Then arrive at [Lulang Town]. The town is very beautiful, built by the water, with snow mountains and forest seas in the distance, alpine pastures up close, as well as Tibetan-style buildings, lakes, cattle and sheep, and white stupas, truly a fairyland on earth. The curling cooking smoke from Tibetan-style houses also reveals the warmth of everyday life. If you have the chance, you can also taste the famous local Lulang stone pot chicken. Then head to a small Tibetan village, with pastoral scenery all the way, lush vegetation, leisurely cattle and sheep, crowing chickens and barking dogs, crisscrossing fences, and fields and paths, perfectly interpreting the title of "Little Switzerland of Tibet." After sightseeing, cross the snow-covered and mist-shrouded [Sejila Mountain] (pass altitude 4702 m). This mountain is one of the best places to view [Namcha Barwa]. Standing on Sejila Mountain and gazing at the famous Namcha Barwa in the distance, you will suddenly feel relaxed and joyful. After crossing Sejila Mountain, descend all the way to the [Niyang River] and enjoy the beautiful river valley scenery. Then continue onward and arrive in Nyingchi, known as the "Little Jiangnan of Tibet," for overnight stay.

Altitude: 2900-3400-3650 m Highlights: Basum Lake, scenery along the best section of G318 Distance: 465 km Driving time: about 7 hours After breakfast, depart from Nyingchi and once again enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Nyang River along the way. Then you will arrive at the Linzhi-Lhasa Highway, known as the "most beautiful high-grade highway in Tibet." Afterwards, exit the highway at Bahe Town and turn right for about 50 km to reach the beautiful Basum Lake. Basum Lake, also called "Cuogao Lake," is the largest barrier lake in eastern Tibet. The lake is shaped like a crescent moon set in a deep valley, and the green mountain peaks around it are capped with snow that never melts all year round. Tender in spring, passionate in summer, elegant in autumn, and pure in winter, no matter when you come to Basum Lake, you will be captivated by its serene, pristine, and exquisitely beautiful landscape. Step onto the small island in the middle of the lake, where you will find the Tang Dynasty building Cuozong Gongba Temple, a famous Nyingma red sect temple in Tibet. Built in the late Tang Dynasty, it has a history of more than 1,500 years. After sightseeing, head to the holy city of Lhasa for overnight stay.

Altitude: 3650 m Highlights: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street Distance: 20 km Driving time: about 0.5 hours Today you will sightsee in Lhasa city. First, visit the Potala Palace. It stands on Maburri Mountain in the northwest of Lhasa city and is the highest-altitude majestic building in the world integrating a palace, castle, and monastery. It is also the largest and most complete ancient palace-castle complex in Tibet. The Potala Palace was built against the mountain, with 13 stories in total, 117.19 meters high and more than 400 meters long from east to west. The Potala Palace we see now consists of two parts: the White Palace and the Red Palace. The visit to the Potala Palace takes about 2 hours. Then we will walk along Yutuo Road to the Jokhang Temple, enjoying Lhasa's street views along the way. The Jokhang Temple is located in the center of Lhasa's old town and has a history of 1,350 years. It is the most splendid surviving Tubo-period building in Tibet, first built in 647 AD, with 5 golden roofs and 108 Buddhist halls. Tibetans have a saying: "First there was the Jokhang Temple, then there was Lhasa city." The Jokhang Temple occupies a central position in Lhasa, not only geographically but also in social life. The circle around the central Shakyamuni Buddha Hall inside the Jokhang Temple is called the "Nangkor"; the circle around the outer wall of the Jokhang Temple is called the "Barkhor"; and the streets radiating outward from the Jokhang Temple are called Barkhor Street, or Bajiao Street. With the Jokhang Temple as the center, a large circle including the Potala Palace, Chakpori, and Ramoche Temple is called the "Lingkor." These three rings from inner to outer are the routes Tibetan compatriots follow for kora rituals. In the evening, you can also stroll around Barkhor Street (Bajiao Street), a landmark street near Lhasa with strong Tibetan characteristics, and taste the food there: Makye Ame, Adiao Yogurt, Canggu Temple Teahouse, and so on.

Altitude: 3650-4441-3800 m Highlights: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Pelkor Chode Monastery Driving distance: 350 km Driving time: about 7.5 hours Depart from Lhasa along the Lhasa-Shigatse Expressway, then take Provincial Road S307, known as the Sightseeing Avenue, cross the 4990-meter [Gampala Snow Mountain] and head to [Yamdrok Lake (Yang Lake for short)]. Yang Lake is a freshwater lake and one of the three sacred lakes of Tibet. Its water is sweet and as clear as mutton fat, and it is drinkable. The deep blue lake merges with the distant snow mountains, and with the colorful mountains on both banks, distinctive Tibetan villages, and herds of cattle and sheep everywhere, the journey is refreshing and delightful. [Gampala Pass] is the best spot to admire Yang Lake, and about 30 minutes is recommended. The viewing platform at the foot of the mountain is a place to get close to Yang Lake. If the weather is good, you can see Noijin Kangsang Peak in the distance, where many mountaineering enthusiasts train for climbing. The blue Yang Lake and the distant snow-capped mountains echo each other, simply a paradise for the eyes. The vehicle winds around Yamdrok Lake and passes [Karola Glacier], once a filming location for the movie Red River Valley. The glacier right beside the road is breathtaking. Continue to the heroic town of Gyantse, an ancient city with more than 600 years of history and a key transportation hub from U-Tsang to Tsang. View [Gyantse Dzong Anti-British Site] from afar, and visit [Pelkor Chode Monastery], the only monastery integrating the three major sects of Tibet and famous for its exquisite murals and carvings, with its Hundred Thousand Buddha Stupa. Then drive to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city, and stay there tonight.

Altitude: 3800-4000-3650 m Highlights: Tashilhunpo Monastery Distance: 265 km Driving time: about 4 hours After breakfast, visit [Tashilhunpo Monastery], the resting place of the souls of the Panchen Lamas and one of the six great monasteries of the Yellow Sect. It is also the residence of successive Panchen Lamas and was once the political ruling center of the important rear Tibet region. Tashilhunpo Monastery, together with Lhasa's "Three Great Monasteries" Ganden, Sera, and Drepung, is collectively known as the "Four Great Monasteries" of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery enshrines the world's largest seated bronze Buddha statue, the 28-meter-high Jampa Buddha (that is, the Maitreya Buddha statue). After the visit, return to Lhasa.

After breakfast, pack your luggage. If your return flight is in the afternoon or evening, you can sleep in or go to the streets of downtown Lhasa to explore on your own. After sightseeing, return to the hotel to pick up your luggage and prepare for your return trip, heading to the airport 2.5 hours in advance. We will take you to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport. After arriving at the airport, the guide will contact you and handle your check-in procedures. This itinerary ends here. We wish you a happy life, Tashi Delek!