5-Day Private Car Tour: Shigatse - Nyingchi - Basum Tso - Grand Canyon

In the morning, depart from Lhasa by car, along the Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway, cross the 5013-meter Milha Pass, and head to Nyingchi, known as the 'Jiangnan of the Plateau' and an oxygen bar. Drive east along the Nyang River, passing the birthplace of Songtsen Gampo and the Middle Stream Pillar, and feel the refreshing beauty of Tibet's Jiangnan with its green mountains and clear waters. After lunch, visit Basum Co, the sacred lake of the Red Sect, a tear left by an angel. The lake is shaped like a crescent moon inlaid in a high mountain valley, with clear water reflecting snow mountains, creating a delightful atmosphere that truly brings one back to 'Shangri-La' and intoxicates. Snow peaks, glaciers, primeval forests, and historical sites tightly surround Basum Co. The setting sun turns the snow mountain peaks red, while the base remains deep blue-black. The silhouettes of trees near the lake float on the water surface, and the lake water is leisurely blue, making this place like a fairyland on earth. There is a small island in the lake, with a temple built at the end of the Tang Dynasty—Cuosong Temple, mainly enshrining Padmasambhava, Thousand-Hand Guanyin, and the Golden Boy and Jade Girl. Then drive to Bayi Town in Nyingchi for overnight stay.

In the morning, drive from Nyingchi, take the scenic area shuttle from Pai Town to Zhibai, and arrive at the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon Scenic Area. At the Grand Canyon viewing platform, admire Namcha Barwa, 'China's most beautiful snow peak,' up close. Stand by the Yarlung Tsangpo River, watch the surging waters, listen to the canyon roar, and appreciate the world-famous First and Second Great Bends of the Yarlung Tsangpo. Along the way, experience canyons, forests, streams, snow mountains, lake views, and pastoral scenery—picturesque and poetic—and return to Nyingchi.

After breakfast, head to Kating Gully, also known as Gading Gully Heavenly Buddha Waterfall. The terrain here is steep and towering, a typical canyon landform. It features strange peaks, unusual rocks, ancient towering trees, and a majestic waterfall with a drop of nearly 200 meters cascading down. On the cliffs are naturally formed Great Buddha, Goddess, Guanyin, Dharma Protectors, Tathagata Buddha, lamas chanting, divine turtle calling to heaven, divine eagle offering treasure, butter lamps, and Tibetan 'Six-Character Mantra' Buddhist characters. Then continue to a Tibetan village to participate in unique folk village activities of Tibetan compatriots (taste butter tea, eat snacks, learn about their daily life and diet) and appreciate Tibetan culture. Finally, on the return trip, enjoy the various water birds dotted along the Nyang River, terraced fields, and unique Tibetan villages, depicting a plateau paradise scroll. Return to Lhasa in the evening for overnight stay.

In the morning, drive from Lhasa, take National Highway 318 to the bridge junction, and travel along the Yarlung Tsangpo River scenery to Gambala Pass (elevation 4990m), an excellent spot to overlook Yamdrok Lake (elevation 4441m), one of Tibet's three great sacred lakes. From the Tibetan-style viewing platform with fluttering colorful prayer flags and a huge mani pile, gaze at the clear and calm lake surface under the sunlight, changing into varying shades of light blue, deep blue, and sky blue, reflecting the washed blue sky and the distant majestic snow mountains—the ultimate beauty of Southern Tibet. If lucky, you might even see the wonder of dark clouds on one side, a brilliant rainbow on another, and infinite sunset glow on yet another. After lunch in Nagarze, continue driving to visit Karola Glacier (elevation 5000m). The glacier stands by the roadside like a giant thangka hanging on the cliff, crystal clear and pure white, so close that it seems touchable. Finally, pass through Gyantse Ancient Town to Shigatse City (elevation 3750m), the capital of Tsang, for overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of successive Panchen Lamas. In the monastery, incense smoke rises from censers, offering lamps flicker, and the Buddhas have various countenances. In the main hall, monks chant sutras in orderly fashion, and pilgrims prostrate before the Buddha statues. Here is enshrined the world's largest indoor bronze seated Buddha statue, Maitreya Buddha, built in 1914 under the auspices of the Ninth Panchen Lama, Chökyi Nyima, and treasures include the Buddhist scriptures Kangyur and Tengyur written in gold powder. Then return to Lhasa along the Sino-Nepal Highway and the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley. (Note: This price is for car rental with driver/chartered car. Vehicle prices vary with peak and off-peak travel seasons; this price is for reference only. For specific matters, please consult us.)