【Slow Travel Sichuan-Tibet G318】Chengdu to Lhasa G318 Sichuan-Tibet South Route 10 Days 9 Nights Classic Group Tour

Altitude: 500 meters Highlights: Stroll through Jinli, see beautiful women, eat hot pot, taste snacks, drink baba tea, enjoy Sichuan opera... Today is the gathering day. After dropping off your luggage, you can rest well at the hotel or go taste various delicious foods. Those arriving in Chengdu in the morning can visit Chengdu's fashion center, Chunxi Road, and the thousand-year-old Daci Temple, and check in at the Chinese-Western fusion Taikoo Li and the IFS climbing panda. Those arriving in Chengdu in the afternoon can go to Jinli and Kuanzhai Alley 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 for everyone at the hotel.

Altitude: 500-4298-2600 meters Highlights: Zheduo Mountain, "Photographer's Paradise" Xinduqiao Distance: 400 km Driving time: about 7 hours In the morning, depart from Chengdu by vehicle, passing through the world-famous "Rain City" Ya'an, onto the Ya'kang Expressway, through the Erlang Mountain Tunnel, and arrive at Kangding, the capital of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the setting of "Kangding Love Song." Continue driving, cross the first high mountain on the South Sichuan-Tibet Route—Zheduo Mountain (pass elevation 4,298 meters)—and arrive at the enchanting "Photographer's Paradise" Xinduqiao. This place is like a poetic and picturesque hidden paradise, with magical light, boundless grasslands, winding streams, rolling mountains, scattered Tibetan villages, and livestock grazing peacefully... The beauty of the western Sichuan plateau blooms here. After visiting, head to Yajiang for the night.

Elevation: 2600-4014-3300 meters Features: Ding Zhen's hometown Litang, grassland scenery, Sister Lakes Driving distance: 250KM Driving time: about 6 hours After breakfast, depart from Yajiang by car, enjoying the steepness of the [Eighteen Bends of the Heavenly Road] along the way, passing through the [Jianziwan Tunnel], then crossing [Kazila Mountain] (pass elevation 4,718 meters), arriving at [Ding Zhen's hometown] -- Litang. The scenery here is stunning. The Sixth Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso once wrote in a poem his longing for Litang: 'White crane, please lend me your wings; I will not fly far, I will return after a stroll in Litang...' We will visit in Litang the [Letong Ancient Town · Thousand Household Tibetan Village] that appeared in the promotional film 'Ding Zhen's World'. This is the largest traditional Tibetan village cluster in the world, with over 4,000 traditional Tibetan houses, an unparalleled choice for exploring Tibetan culture and Kham customs. Here, we can follow the scenic area guide to visit in order: [318 Memory Micro Museum], [Kham People Micro Museum], [Renkang Ancient House (where thirteen highly respected living Buddhas were born)], [Tsangyang Gyatso Micro Museum]. Lucky friends might even encounter Ding Zhen. Then visit the oldest and largest Gelug school Tibetan Buddhist temple in Kham -- [Changqingchun Ke'er Temple], listening to its legendary stories. After the tour, continue forward, passing the Boundless River, crossing the rabbit-shaped [Rabbit Mountain] (pass elevation 4,696 meters), passing the largest ancient glacier relic on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Daocheng Ancient Ice Cap -- [Haizi Mountain] Nature Reserve (elevation 4,500 meters). While listening to music in the car, enjoy the scenery of [Maoya Grassland]. From June to August each year, it is the most beautiful season, with wildflowers blooming on the boundless grassland, countless cattle and sheep scattered among them, and various unknown small flowers blooming brilliantly, a world of flowers. Then pass the [Sister Lakes] on Haizi Mountain. The two blue and clear plateau lakes are closely adjacent, exuding an intoxicating tranquility with each breath, embedded like heavenly gems in the desolate mountain plains, or like tears of divine compassion falling to the mortal world, pure and lovely. Driving and playing along the way, the car soon reaches Batang, the border of Sichuan.

Altitude: 3,300–4,100–3,800 m Highlights: The hidden gem of western Sichuan, Cuopu Gorge Distance: 155 km Driving time: about 4.5 hours After breakfast, head to the world's [Cuopu Gorge] — the most beautiful encounter on G318. It concentrates the beauty of the plateau, with snow mountains, grasslands, forests, lakes, and temples all present. Then transfer at the visitor center to the scenic-area shuttle bus. First we will pass [Yasuo Monastery], a Nyingma school temple of Tibetan Buddhism; amid deep mountains and green waters, its red buildings stand out strikingly. Next we come to the [Rekeng Hot Spring Group], the Chaluo Rekeng hot spring group, which enjoys the reputation of being the crown of Sichuan's geothermal resources. Within an area about 1.5 kilometers long and about 300 meters wide, more than 150 steam-hot springs and thermal geysers are concentrated, with temperatures as high as over 85°C, so in about 10 minutes you can enjoy delicious hot-spring-boiled eggs. The next stop is [Zhangde Grassland], once praised by Chinese National Geography as the most beautiful alpine grassland in western Sichuan; as far as the eye can see, in the distance stands the majestic sacred mountain Zhajinjiabo. Then come to the first sacred lake of Kham — [Cuopu Lake]. The lake surface sparkles, and in summer the lakeside is covered with colorful wildflowers, sure to make you linger. Finally, check in at [Cuopu Monastery], [Kangzhulacuo], and [Zhima Yongcuo]. You must not miss these two sister lakes, as green as turquoise; they are the face of Cuopu Gorge. While touring the scenic area, if you are lucky, you may also encounter adorable marmots and interact closely with them, experiencing the great harmony between humanity and nature. After leaving the scenic area, pass through Zhubalong, cross the Jinsha River Bridge, and enter the Tibet region, arriving at tonight's destination, Mangkang.

Altitude: 3,800-4,376-3,260 meters Highlights: Jinsha River, 72 Turns of the Heavenly Road, Bangda Grassland Driving distance: 360 KM Driving time: about 8 hours After breakfast, depart from Mangkang, cross Lawu Mountain (4,376 meters), then pass the Lancang River Bridge, cross Jueba Mountain (3,940 meters) and Dongda Mountain (pass altitude 5,008 meters), pass through Zuogong County, and follow the beautiful Yuqu River up to Bangda Town. In Tibetan, Bangda means "grassland where even eagles cannot fly out." Bangda Grassland is absolutely a great grassland within Tibet. Due to the terrain, at Yela Mountain (pass altitude 4,658 meters) in Bangda, the famous 72 Turns of the Heavenly Road on the Sichuan-Tibet route was formed, also often called the ninety-nine bends. After passing the 72 Turns of the Heavenly Road, you will see the beautiful plateau terraced fields of primitive villages such as Tongni Village and Gama Village at the foot of the mountain. Then pass the Nujiang Bridge, follow the Lengqu River forward, and stay overnight in Basu County in the evening.

Altitude: 3260-3850-2750 meters Highlights: Anjiula Mountain, Ranwu Lake, Midui Glacier Distance: 230 km Driving time: about 6 hours After breakfast, depart from Basu, cross the Anjiula Mountain Pass (elevation 4,468 meters). Along the way, snow-capped mountains, primeval forests, and pastoral scenery complement each other, creating exceptionally beautiful views. Then visit Ranwu Lake, a famous plateau glacier lake and a star lake on the Sichuan-Tibet route. If you're lucky, you can capture the beautiful reflections of Middle Ranwu Lake. Afterwards, head to Midui Glacier, located in Yupu Township, about 100 kilometers east of Bomi County. As a monsoon maritime glacier, it is formed by the confluence of two world-class ice waterfalls. The glacier shines with snow year-round, offering magical and enchanting scenery. Around the glacier, mountain flowers bloom against the snow mountains, and lush forests dance like silver serpents. The beautiful and mysterious pastoral scenery of Midui Village especially makes it hard to believe you are on the snowy plateau. Snow mountains, glaciers, forests, lakes, and villages form a unique and breathtaking landscape. After visiting, continue onward and arrive in Bomi County for the night.

Elevation: 2750-3700-2900 meters Features: Guxiang Lake, Lulang Stone Pot Chicken, Tibetan experience, Namcha Barwa Driving distance: 235KM Driving time: about 6 hours After breakfast, depart from Bomi by car, enjoying the beautiful scenery like an ink painting along the way, passing the blue [Guxiang Lake]. The lake water is beautiful, flowing quietly against the backdrop of snow mountains, with soft fine sand on the shore. Interested friends can hike along the lake, immersing themselves in the beautiful plateau scenery, measuring every inch of land with their own feet, feeling the breeze, sunlight, and bird songs... After the tour, continue driving through Tongmai. Tongmai has always been known as a natural danger and has been much talked about on the Sichuan-Tibet line. With national construction, the [Tongmai Bridge] has turned the natural danger into a thoroughfare. Then arrive at [Lulang Town]. The town is very beautiful, built by the water, with snow mountains and forests in the distance, alpine pastures in the foreground, and Tibetan-style buildings, lakes, cattle and sheep, and white pagodas, a fairyland on earth, while the curling smoke from Tibetan houses reveals the warmth of human life. For lunch, taste the delicious [Lulang Stone Pot Chicken]. The unique stone pot material is its proud capital; each pot uses Tibetan fragrant chicken as the main ingredient, supplemented with hand ginseng, gastrodia, etc. Then head to a small Tibetan village. The pastoral scenery along the way, lush vegetation, leisurely cattle and sheep, crowing chickens and barking dogs, crisscrossing fences, and fields perfectly interpret the title of 'Little Switzerland of Tibet'. The Tibetan host will [offer you a hada] to welcome you, after which you can [drink butter tea], [make tsampa], [ride horses], [shoot arrows]. If you love Tibetan customs, you must not miss this. We have also prepared exquisite Tibetan costumes for you to take photos. After the tour, cross the snow-covered and mist-shrouded [Sejila Mountain] (pass elevation 4,702 meters). This mountain is one of the best places to view [Namcha Barwa]. Standing on Sejila Mountain, gazing at the famous Namcha Barwa in the distance, you will feel refreshed. After crossing Sejila Mountain, descend all the way to the [Niyang River], enjoy the beautiful river valley scenery, then continue forward to Nyingchi, known as 'Little Jiangnan of Tibet', to check in.

Altitude: 2,900–3,480–3,650 m Highlights: Basum Lake, the holy city of Lhasa Distance: 460 km Driving time: about 6.5 hours After breakfast, set off from Nyingchi. Along the way, once again enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Nyang River, and then we come to the [Linla Highway], hailed as "Tibet's most beautiful high-grade highway." Then exit the expressway at Bahe Town and turn right for about 50 kilometers to reach the beautiful [Basum Lake]. Basum Lake, also called "Cuogao Lake," is the largest barrier lake in eastern Tibet. Its shape is like a crescent moon inlaid in a deep valley, and the green peaks around it are capped with snow that never melts all year round. It is gentle 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 landscape scroll, as serene and beautiful as ever and absolutely exquisite. Climb onto the small island in the middle of the lake, where there is the Tang Dynasty building [Cuozong Gongba Monastery], a famous Nyingma red-school 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 the night.

Altitude: 3,650 meters Highlights: Visit Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple Driving distance: 20 KM Driving time: about 0.5 hours After breakfast, head to visit the Potala Palace at an appropriate time. The Potala Palace is located on Mabur Ri in the northwest of Lhasa's urban area. It is the world's highest-altitude grand building integrating palace, castle, and monastery, and 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 over 400 meters long from east to west. The Potala Palace we see now is divided into two parts: the White Palace and the Red Palace. Then go to the Jokhang Temple. 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 Buddha halls. Tibetans have a saying that "the Jokhang Temple came first, and then the city of Lhasa." The Jokhang Temple holds a central position in Lhasa, not only geographically but also in social life. The circle around the central Sakyamuni Buddha Hall inside the Jokhang Temple is called the "Nangkor," the circle around the outer wall of the Jokhang Temple is called the "Barkor," and the street radiating outward from the Jokhang Temple is called Barkor Street, also known as 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 for Tibetan compatriots to perform the kora ritual.

Altitude: 3650-3600 meters Highlights: Free time in Lhasa, airport transfer Distance: 60 km Driving time: about 1.5 hours After breakfast, pack your luggage. If your return flight is in the afternoon or evening, you can store your luggage at the hotel, then freely explore the streets of Lhasa. After the tour, return to the hotel to pick up your luggage and prepare for departure. It is recommended to head to the airport 2.5 hours in advance. We will transfer you to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport. After arriving at the airport, the tour leader will contact you to assist with check-in procedures. At this point, the tour officially concludes.