[In-Depth Pure Sightseeing] Classic 10-Day Tour of Chengdu + Hailuogou + Daocheng Yading + Litang + Ranwu + Basum Lake + Lhasa + Yamdrok Lake

Distance: 280 km Accommodation altitude: 1580 m Attractions along the way: Erlang Mountain Tunnel, Luding Bridge, Moxi Ancient Town, snow mountain hot springs In the morning, you will depart from Chengdu via the Chengdu-Ya'an Expressway to Ya'an, then pass through the Erlang Mountain Tunnel at an altitude of 2,200 meters and experience the unique scenery of different weather within ten miles and different conditions on each side of the mountain. After that, follow the Dadu River canyon down to Luding County. After lunch in Luding, you will visit Luding Bridge. Luding Bridge is 103.67 meters long. It is an ancient bridge with a long history and a milestone in the history of the Red Army's Long March. The bridge is famous at home and abroad for the battle of "Flying Capture of Luding Bridge." After visiting Luding Bridge, you will continue onward and arrive at the world-class Gongga Mountain Hailuogou Glacier Scenic Area. In the evening, you can stroll around Moxi Ancient Town and experience the snow mountain hot springs.

Drive: 170 km Overnight altitude: 3300 m Scenic spots along the way: Hailuogou Scenic Area, Zheduo Mountain, Xinduqiao, Moshigou Park, Yala Snow Mountain After breakfast, you will first visit Hailuogou Scenic Area. [Hailuogou] is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, with alpine snow peaks, glaciers, ice waterfalls, primeval forests, geothermal hot springs, wildlife parks, Red Stone Park, glacier forests, and other landscapes. Here you can see Gongga Snow Mountain and Hailuogou Glacier, and you can also hike through the primeval forest to feel the charm of nature. After visiting Hailuogou Scenic Area, you will have lunch at the entrance of Hailuogou Scenic Area. After a short rest, continue to Xinduqiao. First arrive in Kangding County, the capital of Ganzi Prefecture, then cross the 4298-meter Zheduo Mountain. [Zheduo Mountain] is the first high mountain on the Sichuan-Tibet route with an altitude above 4000 meters, also known as the First Pass of Kham. After crossing Zheduo Mountain, you officially enter the Kham Tibetan area. Then the altitude gradually decreases, and amid picturesque scenery all the way, you arrive at Xinduqiao, the "paradise of photographers."

Distance: 420 km Accommodation altitude: 2800 m Scenic spots along the way: Eighteen Bends of the Heavenly Road, Rabbit Mountain, Haizi Mountain, Daocheng White Stupa In the morning, you will depart from Xinduqiao, first cross Gaoersi Mountain, then traverse the steep [Eighteen Bends of the Heavenly Road], and take photos of the thrilling heavenly road landscape at the Eighteen Bends viewing platform. Then arrive in Litang, the hometown of Ding Zhen, and have lunch here. In the afternoon, you will set off for Daocheng. Along the way, you will pass the magical [Rabbit Mountain] and [Haizi Mountain], and stop at these two places for a while to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery. Then pass through Sangdui, pay homage at Bengbo Monastery, and go straight to the Shangri-La in your heart. In the evening, stay overnight in Shangri-La Town.

Drive: 5 km Overnight altitude: 2800 m Sights along the way: Milk Sea, Five-Color Sea, Chonggu Meadow, Luorong Pasture In the morning, you will set off for Daocheng Yading Scenic Area to begin your one-day tour of Daocheng Yading. First, you will take a sightseeing bus from the scenic area entrance to Yading Village. When taking the sightseeing bus, it is recommended to choose a window seat on the right side to enjoy the village views beneath the snow mountains and the beautiful scenery along the way. Then you will arrive at Zhaguanbeng, where your Yading Scenic Area journey officially begins. After that, you will walk along the wooden boardwalk for about 500 meters and reach a viewing platform. On the right is Chonggu Temple and the beautiful Chonggu Meadow; nearby is a clear, murmuring stream; and in the distance is the sacred Xianuoduoji Snow Mountain. The scenery is very beautiful. Afterwards, you will take a shuttle bus to Luorong Pasture, the soul of the entire Yading Scenic Area. Here you can admire the beautiful Xianuoduoji Sacred Mountain and Yangmaiyong Snow Peak. It is recommended to spend 1 hour here and rest to replenish your energy in preparation for the upcoming hike. After that, you will hike to Milk Sea and Five-Color Sea, which takes about 2-3 hours. During the hike, pay attention to adjusting your breathing rhythm and pace, and it is not recommended to rely excessively on oxygen bottles. You will generally reach Milk Sea around 12 o'clock. After arriving at Milk Sea, you can walk around the lake to take in its stunning scenery and rest by the lakeside for a while to replenish your energy. Then, after hiking for about another 30 minutes, you will reach Five-Color Sea. It is said that Five-Color Sea has the magical power to reflect history and predict the future. In Buddhist scriptures, Five-Color Sea is listed alongside Yamdrok Lake, one of the three great sacred lakes of Tibet, showing its extraordinary status. After sightseeing, you will return along the same route and get back to Luorong Pasture at around 4 p.m. If you still have energy, you can continue to visit Chonggu Temple. Overnight in Shangri-La Town.

Distance: 420 km Accommodation altitude: 2800 m Attractions along the way: Maoya Grassland, Sister Lakes After breakfast, you will set off for Mangkang. Along the way, you will pass the Daocheng Red Grassland. The Daocheng Red Grassland is actually a small pond by the roadside. Every autumn, the pond becomes covered with red aquatic grass, forming a patch of red grassland. Although the grassland is small, it does not diminish the enthusiasm of many photographers for it at all. Many photographers travel thousands of miles just for that touch of brilliant color. Then you will return to Litang via Daocheng. In the afternoon, you will set off for Batang. Along the way, you will pass the beautiful Sister Lakes of Haizi Mountain. The Sister Lakes are two plateau lakes nestled against each other on a desolate mountain plain, like two beautiful gems, or like tears shed by divine compassion scattered upon the world, pure and flawless. After that, you will continue onward, crossing canyons and the Jinsha River, and then arrive at Mangkang, officially entering the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Drive: 420 km Overnight altitude: 3260 m Scenic spots along the way: Dongda Mountain, Bangda Grassland, Nujiang 72 Turns, Nujiang Gorge After breakfast, you will depart from Mangkang, first cross the winding Lancang River, then cross the 5130-meter Dongda Mountain Pass. [Dongda Mountain Pass] is the second-highest pass on the southern Sichuan-Tibet route. Looking out from the snow-capped pass reaching into the clouds, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and the Lancang River are like two crystal ribbons, faintly visible among countless mountains and valleys. In the afternoon, you will pass [Nujiang 72 Turns], the most imposing road on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. As a must-pass route on the southern Sichuan-Tibet route, Nujiang 72 Turns is precisely because of its danger that it has more challenge value for many cyclists and drivers. Every year, travelers passing this road are full of admiration for it. After resting and taking photos, you will descend along the 72 Turns to the Grand Canyon, then follow the Grand Canyon all the way to Baxoi for the night.

Distance: 280 km Accommodation altitude: 2700 m Scenic spots along the way: Ranwu Lake, Midui Glacier, Armor Mountain, internet-famous water-splashing spot In the morning, you will bid farewell to Basu and first go to visit Ranwu Lake. The azure water of [Ranwu Lake] and the snow-white peaks form a picturesque and poetic beautiful scene. Depending on the season, the water of Ranwu Lake also presents several colors such as azure or blue-green. Many rocks and small islands dot the lake channel. On the lake surface, tree shadows dance in spring, while thin mist spreads in autumn and winter. The beautiful scenery of all four seasons makes people feel as if they have entered a dreamland. After visiting Ranwu Lake, you will go to visit Midui Glacier. [Midui Glacier] is the lowest-altitude glacier in the world. The entire glacier is as pure as jade, with beautiful scenery, various forms, and charming postures. Around it are herds of cattle and sheep, simple Tibetan-style houses, majestic snow mountains, as well as wild animals such as rock-climbing sheep and monkeys that stay year-round. After visiting Midui Glacier, you will pass Armor Mountain, and then head to Bomi for overnight stay.

Drive: 230 km Overnight altitude: 3000 m Sights along the way: Guxiang Lake, Lulang Town, southern view of Namcha Barwa from Sejila Mountain After breakfast, you will depart from Bomi and first visit Guxiang Lake. Guxiang Lake is located beside the famous Guxiang Town on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and is a barrier lake on the Parlung Tsangpo River. The lake is not large, but it is surrounded by dense trees, with pavilions and towers on the lake. On clear days, the lake water is azure blue, and the environment is very pleasant. The mountain tops on both sides of the lake are often covered with snow, making it a beautiful spot for photos of the lake beneath the snow mountains. Afterwards, you will continue onward. After passing through a stretch of primitive forest, you will head to the Tongmai Natural Barrier. In the past, along the 15-kilometer section from Tongmai to Pailong, mountain torrents and mudslides often triggered landslides during the rainy season and cut off the highway. Today, the natural barrier has become a thoroughfare; several tunnels and one large bridge have opened up the Tongmai and Pailong natural barrier passages. Then you will cross the Sejila Pass at an altitude of 4,728 meters. Sejila Pass is located southeast of Bayi Town and is a famous landmark on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Here you can gaze into the distance at the Lulang Forest Sea and Namcha Barwa behind it, making it a great spot for photos. If you travel in May or June, you can also see azalea flowers blooming all over Sejila Mountain. Finally, arrive in Nyingchi for overnight stay.

Distance: 450 km Accommodation altitude: 3650 m Attractions along the way: Basum Lake, Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway, Potala Palace After breakfast, you will first visit Basum Lake Scenic Area, known as Tibet's "Little Switzerland." Basum Lake is a sacred lake of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Its pure, emerald-green water looks especially enchanting against the blue sky and white clouds. Walk across the floating bridge, step onto the island in the middle of the lake, and come to the viewing platform. Leaning on the railing in the breeze and climbing high to take in the view will be enough to enchant you. The ancient Cuogao Temple on the island is the main sight to visit. It was built in the 13th century and is a famous monastery of the Nyingma school. Afterward, travel to Lhasa along the Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway, China's most beautiful expressway. After passing Dazi County, you can see the majestic Potala Palace on the Red Hill in the distance, and arrive in Lhasa, the holy city you have long dreamed of.

Drive: 270 km Overnight altitude: 3650 m Scenic spots along the way: Yamdrok Lake, Lhasa River After breakfast, you will drive to visit [Yamdrok Lake], one of the three sacred lakes of Tibet. On the way, you will cross the 5030-meter Gampala Pass, then drive along the road by the shore of Yamdrok Lake for about 30 minutes in total. This route offers the best angle to admire Yamdrok Lake, with multiple viewing platforms along the way where you can stop and take photos. Yamdrok Lake has three viewing platforms in total. Gampala Pass is the first viewpoint, where you can admire the winding lake scenery. The mountainside is the second viewpoint, suitable for portrait photos. The viewing platform near the lake surface is the third, where you can experience Yamdrok Lake up close and gaze at the distant snow mountains. Yamdrok Lake means Coral Sea in Tibetan. The lake surface is at an altitude of 4441 meters, with a water area of 650 square kilometers, equivalent to 70 times the area of Hangzhou West Lake. The lake water is as clear as mutton fat, and the deep blue lake merges with the distant snow mountains.