[Humanities Avenue G317] 11-Day 10-Night Pure Sightseeing Group Tour from Chengdu to Lhasa via the Northern Sichuan-Tibet Route G317

Welcome to Chengdu, the Land of Abundance. Our guide will meet you at the airport/train station exit and take you to the hotel to check in. After that, you can rest well at the hotel or go taste various foods. Suggestions for Things to Do in Free Time Friends arriving in Chengdu in the morning can stroll around Chengdu's fashion center 【Chunxi Road】 and the thousand-year-old temple 【Daci Temple】, and check in at the Chinese-Western-style 【Taikoo Li】 and the 【IFS Climbing Panda】. Friends 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." Special Reminders (1) The assembly day is free activity, not a formal itinerary. Please pay attention to personal and property safety during free activity. Insurance is not included on the assembly day. (2) To get your room at the assembly hotel, report "Great Beauty G317 + your name." The room fee has been paid, and the deposit is self-paid. Hotel check-in time is generally after 14:00 on the assembly day. If you arrive early and the hotel room has not been cleaned and cannot be checked in, you can temporarily store your luggage at the front desk and first explore freely around the city. (3) Team members who have not paid the balance or signed the contract can choose to go to the company to pay the balance and sign the contract; they can also choose to pay the balance and sign the contract after boarding. Team members who pay the balance after boarding cannot swipe cards on the bus, but can transfer money after boarding. (4) The guide will notify team members of the next day's departure time before 21:00 on the assembly day. If you have not received the guide's notification by 21:00, (5) It is recommended that team members, after arriving in Chengdu on the assembly day, purchase some travel supplies in the city, such as snacks, side dishes, and medicines.

In the morning, depart from the Chengdu hotel, pass through Dujiangyan City and Zipingpu Water Conservancy Project, follow the Duwen Expressway to Yingxiu, view the earthquake ruins from the vehicle, and feel the power of nature. From Yingxiu, arrive at Gengda Township, enjoy the canyon scenery along the way, then cross 【Balang Mountain】. In different seasons, you can see cloud seas, azaleas, red and white rhododendrons, Usnea, alpine meadows, etc. Then at 【Cat Nose Ridge Viewing Platform】, photograph the panoramic view of 【Mount Siguniang】, then head to Mount Siguniang 【Shuangqiao Valley】and transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus. Shuangqiao Valley is mainly composed of snow peaks, pastures, grasslands, forests, etc., and is the most beautiful valley of Mount Siguniang. The scenic area is divided into three sections: the front section includes Yinyang Valley, Wuse Mountain, etc.; the middle section includes Nianyu Dam, Sea Buckthorn Forest, etc.; the rear section includes Niupengzi Lawn and Changhe Beach, etc. Within the valley stretching more than 40 kilometers, snow mountains are everywhere. More than a dozen snow mountains above 4000 meters above sea level are arranged in sequence. As you go deeper, snow mountains come into view in front, behind, left, and right. Standing anywhere in the valley, you can enjoy the snow mountains from a 360-degree angle without blind spots. Then arrive at the first of "China's six most beautiful rural ancient towns"--Danba 【Jiaju Tibetan Village】, transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus. The entire Tibetan village winds along the undulating mountain terrain. On slopes with a relative height difference of nearly 1000 meters, Tibetan-style buildings are scattered among green trees, either spread out like stars or densely concentrated, either on high cliffs or among green riverbanks. After arriving at the accommodation, the host of the Tibetan village will present you with a khata to express welcome. Afterward, you can slowly observe the internal structure of the Tibetan village, or stroll around the village. In the evening, a delicious 【Gyarong Tibetan meal】will be served. After dinner, we will 【dance Guozhuang around the bonfire】under the starry sky together. Happy and leisurely!

After breakfast, leave Jiaju Tibetan Village and drive through the Danba [Yak Valley], known as a "natural bonsai." The canyon is steep and precipitous on both sides, with the river rushing along. Then cross Geda Liangzi and view [Yala Snow Mountain] from afar. Continue driving to reach the alien planet of western Sichuan—[Moshi Park]. You can first overlook the panorama of Moshi from above, then slowly walk down along the boardwalk into the interior of the Moshi area for a close encounter with the black stones. Beside the boardwalk are towering black stones, very cool and an excellent spot for portrait photography! Afterward, continue driving, enjoying the natural scenery along the way, and arrive at a hidden gem—[Kasa Lake]. This is a typical plateau freshwater lake and the largest habitat for waterfowl on the northwestern Sichuan route. It not only has beautiful scenery but also many cultural relics around, witnessing local historical changes. Tonight, stay in Garze County.

After breakfast, continue along the G317, passing through Manigango Town to reach [Yilhun Lhatso (Xinluhai)]. With blue skies and white clouds, snow-capped peaks, glistening glaciers, lush green mountains, verdant grass, and shimmering waters, the scenery here is sure to enchant you. Then pass through the [Chola Mountain] tunnel, the highest mountain on the Sichuan-Tibet route, and descend to Dege County to visit the [Dege Printing House]. The Dege Printing House is renowned as the "Encyclopedia of Tibetan Culture," a "brilliant cultural pearl of the Tibetan region," and a "treasure house beneath the snow mountains." The scriptures, prayer flags, and texts of the Tibetan region all originate from here, and woodblock printing is still practiced to this day. After visiting the Dege Printing House, continue along National Highway 317 to the banks of the Jinsha River, which forms the boundary between Tibet and Sichuan. Cross the Jinsha River Bridge to enter the Chamdo region of Tibet, and stay overnight in Jiangda County.

After breakfast, depart from Jiangda County and continue along G317 for about 3.5 hours, then turn right onto Y507, a road with few people and beautiful scenery. Just one fork separates the Sichuan-Tibet route and this township road into two worlds: one bustling with traffic, the other rarely visited. Travel along the emerald green Zaqu River and enjoy the beautiful canyon scenery, then pass a mountain peak shaped like a palm, which locals call "Palm Mountain." Friends who are interested can stop and take a photo with it. Walking and playing along the way, arrive at 【Karma Valley】 around noon. This hidden gem of eastern Tibet has been visited by 99.9% of tourists never. Due to historical opportunities, Karma Valley has descendants and inheritors of large numbers of craftsmen and artists from Nepal, India, Sikkim, Lhasa, and the interior, and is therefore known as the "Home of Craftsmen" and "Home of Thangka." We have specially invited an old artist who paints thangka to teach everyone how to 【paint thangka by hand】 and inherit the essence of Tibetan culture. Dinner will serve you delicious Tibetan food. Surely, such a night will be unforgettable for you! Special Reminders (1) The guesthouses in Karma Valley are all tourist reception points converted from residential houses. Please be mentally prepared accordingly. (2) If due to force majeure or special circumstances we cannot stay in Karma Valley, we will change to staying in Qamdo City, and the corresponding Tibetan dinner that night will also be experienced in Qamdo City.

After breakfast, leave Gama Valley, the hometown of Tibetan culture, and take the G317 directly to Qamdo City. Then cross Zhujiaola Mountain and visit the Enda Battle Site in Enda Village, Binda Township. After sightseeing, continue onward, cross the Xiegala Mountain Pass (elevation 4,652 meters), and arrive at the "Land of Many Colors" Necham Mani Pile. The Necham Mani Pile is said to be one of the two oldest and largest mani piles on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Tibetan compatriots passing by all offer stones carved with Buddhist words and Buddha images, a practice passed down through generations, thus forming a massive mani stone pile. After sightseeing, head to Dingqing County for overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, head to visit [Zizhu Monastery]. Zizhu Monastery is located on Zizhu Mountain in Jue'en Township, Dingqing County, Chamdo Prefecture, Tibet, about 37 kilometers from the county seat. Here, strange peaks rise abruptly, tall and steep, with jagged rocks and layers of meditation halls, like a city in the sky standing quietly here for a thousand years. It is an important site for studying the ancient Tibetan Bon religion. After touring and taking photos, leave Dingqing, pass through the [Xiela Mountain Tunnel], and on clear days, you can gaze at the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains in the distance. Continue driving and arrive in Baqing County for accommodation.

After breakfast, drive about 30 kilometers, crossing a large stretch of grassland to reach Sog County. Here, [Zandan Monastery] is known as the "Little Potala Palace" and can be seen from the roadside about 1 kilometer from Sog County. The entire Zandan Monastery is built against the mountain and is divided into red and white architectural complexes. From a distance, its appearance closely resembles the Potala Palace. It is the earliest Gelug monastery in northern Tibet and the largest ancient Buddhist architectural complex in northern Tibet. The monastery houses a large collection of murals and printed Tibetan scriptures, possessing high cultural relic and artistic value. Then continue onward, enjoying the scenery of the [Northern Tibet Grassland] along the way—azure skies, herds of cattle and sheep, swaying wildflowers, colorful prayer flags... a feast for the eyes. Stay overnight in Damxung.

After breakfast, depart from Damxung County and head to the sacred lake 【Namtso】. After driving about 8 kilometers, the Namtso scenic area gate suddenly comes into view. With the scenic area gate as the background, take a tourist photo to mark your visit. After passing the scenic area gate, begin crossing the Lakenla Pass. From here, Namtso is still 60 kilometers away. After crossing the Lakenla Pass, you can see the beautiful figure of Namtso. The lake water is clear and transparent, and the lake surface is sky blue. In Tibetan, Namtso means "Heavenly Lake," and it is one of Tibet's "three great sacred lakes." After the visit, head to Lhasa. After checking into the hotel, the beautiful Sichuan-Tibet journey ends, and then you are free to explore, wandering the streets of Lhasa and moving among the crowds, experiencing the different feeling Lhasa brings you. Friends who like photography can go photograph the 【Potala Palace】. Potala Palace Square and Chakpori Hill Viewing Platform are both the best places to photograph the Potala Palace at night.

After breakfast, head to visit the Potala Palace. Located on Maburi Hill in the northwest of Lhasa's urban area, the Potala Palace is the world's highest-altitude grand structure combining palace, fortress, and monastery, and is also Tibet's largest and most complete ancient palace-fortress complex. Built against the mountain, the Potala Palace has 13 stories and stands 117.19 meters tall, stretching over 400 meters from east to west. The Potala Palace we see today consists of two parts: the White Palace and the Red Palace. After the visit, head to the Jokhang Temple. Located in the heart of Lhasa's old town, the Jokhang Temple has a history of 1,350 years. It is the most magnificent surviving structure from Tibet's Tubo period, first built in 647 AD. It has 5 golden roofs and 108 Buddha halls. Tibetans have a saying: "First came the Jokhang Temple, then came Lhasa City." The Jokhang Temple holds a central position in Lhasa, not only geographically but also in social life. The circuit around the central Shakyamuni Buddha Hall inside the Jokhang Temple is called the "Nangkor," the circuit 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, also known as Bajiao Street. With the Jokhang Temple at the center, a large circuit encompassing the Potala Palace, Chakpori Hill, and Ramoche Temple is called the "Lingkor." These three circuits from inner to outer are the routes Tibetan compatriots follow for their kora rituals.

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 arrive at 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 to assist with check-in procedures, and the itinerary officially ends here.