[Photography Tour of Sichuan-Tibet] Chengdu - Danba - Xinduqiao - Daocheng Yading - Mangkang - Nyingchi - Lhasa Photography 12-Day Tour

Welcome to Chengdu. Our guide will greet you at the airport/train station exit and take you to the hotel to check in and rest. If you arrive in Chengdu in the morning, you 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 the [IFS climbing panda]. If you arrive in Chengdu in the afternoon, you 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.

After breakfast, depart from Chengdu and head upstream along the Min River, passing through Dujiangyan and the Duwen Expressway to Yingxiu, then follow the famous scenic route—China Panda Avenue—accompanied by beautiful canyons, snow-capped mountains, and seas of clouds along the way, to visit and photograph Siguniang Mountain. [Siguniang Mountain] is known as the Oriental Alps and is famous for its magnificent snow-capped mountains and canyon scenery. Today, you will mainly tour the Shuangqiao Valley route, which is the most well-developed area of the Siguniang Mountain scenic area, with relatively concentrated landscapes and a relatively relaxed tour. You can take the sightseeing bus from the valley entrance to enjoy the magnificent scenery of snow-capped mountains, forests, meadows, streams, and waterfalls in sequence, all the way to the end of the valley. Siguniang Mountain Photography Tips 1). Best shooting spots: Renshenguo Flat, Penjing Beach, Niupengzi, etc. 2). Siguniang Mountain is mostly mountainous with high altitude. It is recommended to use a tripod for shooting so photos are less likely to be blurry. 3). Around early June, you can photograph seas of azaleas covering the mountains; in July-August, the mountains and grasslands are verdant; from October to mid-November, the autumn colors are intoxicating. After the tour, head to Danba Jiaju Tibetan Village for overnight stay. [Jiaju Tibetan Village] is built against the mountains. On slopes with a drop of nearly 1,000 meters, Tibetan-style buildings stand among verdant trees, either scattered like stars or densely clustered, either on high cliffs or among green riverbanks. You can stroll through the Tibetan village, learn about Tibetan architectural styles, deeply experience the local cultural customs, and also photograph works of China's most beautiful rural ancient towns.

After breakfast, set off from Danba and go to visit Moshigongyuan. [Moshigongyuan] is a world geological wonder and is praised as one of the eight beauties of Daofu. Here, you can gaze into the distance at Moshigongyuan's gathered peaks, forests of towers, and myriad scenes, like a carefully crafted bonsai. Entering it makes one linger even more. Compared with other stone forests, Moshigongyuan also changes color. In spring and winter, the stone forest is light gray and blue; in summer and autumn, it is bright blue; in humid seasons, the color even turns dark black. Therefore, tourists also call it the color-changing stone forest. No matter which season you visit, you can photograph different rock landscapes. After the visit, continue onward, passing through the beautiful Tagong Grassland. [Tagong Grassland] is the most famous grassland in Ganzi Prefecture. The terrain here is flat, the water and grass are abundant, and cattle and sheep are everywhere. In the distance, the sacred Yala Snow Mountain and Muya Golden Pagoda form a beautiful plateau scene. The quiet Tagong Monastery appears even more resplendent against the snow mountain and grassland. After a short stop, drive to the Yuzixi viewing platform at an altitude of 4,200 meters to photograph the magnificent scenery of Gongga Snow Mountain and Yala Snow Mountain displayed before your eyes and the vast, enchanting beauty of the western Sichuan plateau. Around evening, arrive at Xinduqiao, the paradise of photographers, for check-in and rest. [Xinduqiao] has magical light. On the broad grassland, cattle and sheep graze peacefully; a murmuring stream reflects the rolling mountains; Tibetan villages are scattered among them, just like a hidden paradise.

This morning you can get up early to photograph the beautiful Tibetan-style houses of Xinduqiao shrouded in morning mist. Then you will bid farewell to the scenic Xinduqiao, cross Gaoersi Mountain and traverse the steep 【Eighteen Bends of the Heavenly Road】, and take photos of the thrilling heavenly road scenery from the Eighteen Bends viewing platform. Afterwards, you will arrive in Litang, the hometown of Ding Zhen, and have lunch there. In the afternoon, you will set off for Daocheng. Along the way, you will pass the magical 【Rabbit Mountain】 and 【Haizi Mountain】, stopping at both places for a while to fully enjoy the scenery. Then, via Sangdui, you will pay homage at Bengbo Monastery before heading straight to the Shangri-La in your heart, and stay overnight in Shangri-La Town.

In the morning, you will set off for [Daocheng Yading Scenic Area], starting your one-day tour of Daocheng Yading. First, you will take a sightseeing bus from the scenic area entrance to Yading Village. When riding the sightseeing bus, it is recommended to choose a window seat on the right side to enjoy the village scenery beneath the snow mountains and the beautiful views along the way. Then you will arrive at Zhaguanbeng, where your journey in the Yading Scenic Area 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 Monastery and the beautiful Chonggu Grassland; nearby is a clear, murmuring stream, and in the distance is the sacred Xiannairi Snow Mountain. The scenery is very beautiful. Afterward, you will take an electric cart to Luorong Pasture, which is also the soul of the entire Yading Scenic Area. Here you can admire the beautiful Xiannairi Sacred Mountain and Yangmaiyong Snow Peak. It is recommended to spend 1 hour here, rest, and replenish your energy to prepare for the upcoming hike. Then 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; 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 experience its stunning scenery and rest by the lake for a while to replenish your energy. Then, after hiking for about 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 have enough energy, you can also continue to visit Chonggu Monastery. In the evening, stay overnight in Shangri-La Town.

After breakfast, you will set off for Mangkang. On the way, you will pass Daocheng Red Grassland. [Daocheng Red Grassland] is actually a small pond by the roadside. Every autumn, the pond becomes covered with red aquatic grass, thus forming a patch of red grassland. Although the grassland is small, it does not diminish the fervent pursuit of it by many photographers. 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. On the way, you will pass the beautiful Sister Lakes of Haizi Mountain. [Sister Lakes] are two plateau lakes nestled against each other on a desolate mountain plain, like two beautiful gems, and also like tears of compassion shed by the gods scattered upon the earth, pure and flawless. Afterward, you will continue onward, crossing canyons and the Jinsha River, and then arrive in Mangkang, officially entering the Tibet Autonomous Region.

After breakfast, you will set off from Mangkang, first cross the winding Lancang River, and then cross the Dongda Mountain Pass at an altitude of 5,130 meters. [Dongda Mountain Pass] is the second-highest pass on the southern Sichuan-Tibet line. From the snow-capped pass reaching into the clouds, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and the Lancang River look like two crystal ribbons, faintly visible among countless mountains and ravines. In the afternoon, you will pass the most imposing road on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, [Nujiang 72 Turns]. Nujiang 72 Turns, as an essential route on the southern Sichuan-Tibet line, is precisely because of its danger that it has even more challenging value for many cyclists or drivers. Every year, travelers passing this road cannot help but marvel at it. After resting and taking photos, you will descend along the 72 Turns all the way to the Grand Canyon, then follow the Grand Canyon onward, and arrive in Basu for check-in.

In the morning, you will bid farewell to Baxoi and first visit Ranwu Lake. 【Ranwu Lake】's azure water and snow-white peaks form a picturesque scene. Depending on the season, the lake water takes on various colors, from azure to turquoise. Many rocks and small islands dot the lake channel, tree shadows dance on the water in spring, and thin mist shrouds it in autumn and winter; the scenery of all four seasons makes one feel as if entering 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, varied forms and enchanting postures. Around it are flocks of cattle and sheep, quaint Tibetan-style houses, majestic snow-capped mountains, and wild animals such as rock-climbing sheep and monkeys that stay year-round. After visiting Midui Glacier, you will pass Kuijia Mountain and arrive in Bomi for the night.

After breakfast, you will depart from Bomi. After passing through a 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. Now the natural barrier has become an open route; several tunnels and one bridge have opened up the Tongmai Natural Barrier and Pailong Natural Barrier passages. Afterward, you will pass through the dense [Lulang Forest Sea], where lush primitive forests stretch vast and form breathtaking, peerless scenery. Then you will cross the 4,728-meter-high Sejila Pass. [Sejila Pass] is located on the southeast side of Bayi Town and is a famous landmark on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Here you can gaze into the distance at 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 azaleas blooming all over Sejila Mountain. Finally, you will arrive in Nyingchi for accommodation.

After breakfast, depart from Nyingchi and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Nyang River along the way, then come to the [Lhasa-Nyingchi Highway], known as "Tibet's most beautiful high-grade highway." Then exit the highway 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. The lake is shaped like a crescent moon inlaid in a deep valley. The green mountain 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 serene, pristine, and exquisitely beautiful landscape painting. Climb onto the small island in the middle of the lake, where there is the Tang Dynasty building [Cuozong Gongba Temple], a famous Nyingma Red Sect temple in Tibet. It was built in the late Tang Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,500 years. After the tour, head to the holy city Lhasa for overnight stay.

After breakfast, go to visit the world's highest ancient palace-fortress architectural complex - the Potala Palace. [Potala Palace] is located on Maburi Mountain in the northwest of Lhasa's urban area. It is a magnificent building integrating palace, fortress, and monastery, and is also the largest and most complete ancient palace-fortress architectural complex in Tibet. The Potala Palace is built against the mountain, with a total of 13 stories, 117.19 meters high, and more than 400 meters long from east to west. You will climb up along the long stairs of the Potala Palace, overlooking Lhasa as you walk, taking in the grandeur of Lhasa City. While taking photos and resting, you will then enter the Potala Palace to explore this mysterious and ancient palace for which there are very few pictures online. Then go to visit the holy site in the hearts of Tibetan Buddhist believers - Jokhang Temple. [Jokhang Temple] was first built in 647 AD and has a history of 1,350 years. It is the most splendid surviving Tubo-period building in Tibet, with a total of 5 golden roofs and 108 Buddhist halls. Here, you can see the world's rare 12-year-old life-size statue of Shakyamuni and devout pilgrims worshipping in front of Jokhang Temple. After leaving Jokhang Temple, you can walk clockwise around Jokhang Temple, imagining yourself as a Tibetan doing a kora, or go to the handicraft market on [Barkhor Street] for some shopping, or simply stroll slowly along the street, feel the warmth of the Sunshine City, or find a sweet tea house and learn the tranquility and ease of Tibetan friends.

At this point, this wonderful Sichuan-Tibet Highway photography tour will come to an end. You can choose to leave Lhasa, and our guide will take you to the airport/train station, or you can choose to extend your trip and explore the Tibet region. Whether it is an economical Tibet group tour or a comfortable and flexible private customized tour, we can arrange it perfectly for you.