15-Day Tour Entering via Sichuan and Exiting via Qinghai | 15-Day 14-Night Group Tour of the Southern Sichuan-Tibet Route + Qinghai-Tibet Route

Distance: 280 km Accommodation altitude: 1580 m Scenic spots 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 2200-meter-altitude [Erlang Mountain Tunnel] and experience the unique scenery of different skies within ten li and different weather on each side of a mountain. Then follow the Dadu River canyon down to Luding County. After lunch in Luding, you will go to 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 snow mountain hot springs.

Drive: 170 km Overnight altitude: 3300 m Sights 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. Within the valley are alpine snow peaks, glaciers, ice waterfalls, primitive forests, geothermal hot springs, wildlife parks, Red Stone Park, glacier forests, and other landscapes and attractions. Here you can see Gongga Snow Mountain and Hailuogou Glacier, and you can also hike through the primitive forest to experience the charm of nature. After visiting Hailuogou Scenic Area, you will have lunch at the entrance of the scenic area. After a short rest, continue to Xinduqiao. First you will arrive at Kangding County, the capital of Garze Prefecture. Then you will cross Zheduo Mountain at an altitude of 4,298 meters. Zheduo Mountain is the first high mountain on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway with an altitude above 4,000 meters, and is also called the First Pass of Kham. After crossing Zheduo Mountain, you officially enter the Kham Tibetan region. Afterwards, the altitude gradually decreases, and amid picturesque scenery all along the way, you will arrive at Xinduqiao, the "paradise of photographers."

Distance: 420 km Accommodation altitude: 2800 m Attractions along the way: Eighteen Bends of the Heavenly Road, Tu'er Mountain, Haizi Mountain, Daocheng White Stupa In the morning, you will depart from Xinduqiao, first cross Gaoersi Mountain, then pass through the steep Eighteen Bends of the Heavenly Road, and take photos of the thrilling heavenly road landscape from the viewing platform. After that, arrive in Litang, Ding Zhen's hometown, and have lunch there. In the afternoon, you will set off for Daocheng. Along the way, you will pass the magical Tu'er Mountain and Haizi Mountain, and stop at these two places for a while to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery. Then, via Sangdui, make a pilgrimage to Bengbo Monastery and head straight to the Shangri-La in your heart. In the evening, stay in Shangri-La Town.

Drive: 5 km Overnight altitude: 2800 m Scenic spots 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 start your one-day tour of Daocheng Yading. First, you will take the sightseeing bus at 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 scenery under the snow mountains and the beautiful views along the way. Then arrive at Zhaguanbeng, where you will officially begin your Yading Scenic Area journey. Then walk about 500 meters along the wooden boardwalk to a viewing platform. On the right are Chonggu Monastery and the beautiful Chonggu Grassland. Nearby is the clear murmuring stream, and in the distance is the sacred Xianuoduoji Snow Mountain. The scenery is very beautiful. Then you will take the electric cart 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, rest, and replenish your energy to prepare for the upcoming hike. Afterward, 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 experience its stunning scenery, rest by the lake for a while to replenish your energy, and then hike about 30 minutes to 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 sacred lakes of Tibet, showing its extraordinary status. After sightseeing, return along the same route and arrive back at Luorong Pasture around 4 p.m. If you have enough energy, you can continue to visit Chonggu Monastery. Stay overnight in Shangri-La Town.

Distance: 420 km Accommodation altitude: 3850 m Scenic spots along the way: Changqingchun Ke'er Monastery, Sister Lakes, Maoya Grassland After breakfast, you will bid farewell to beautiful Daocheng Yading, return to Litang, an important town on Route 318, and visit [Changqingchun Ke'er Monastery]. Changqingchun Ke'er Monastery is the oldest and largest Gelug monastery of Tibetan Buddhism in the Kham region, and has long been known as a holy place of Buddhism in southern Kham. The monastery buildings rise along the mountain, with high and low levels clearly arranged. The monastery houses precious cultural relics of various types, including gilded bronze statues of Shakyamuni, Buddhist scriptures, and murals. Afterward, you will pass the beautiful [Maoya Grassland]. If the weather is clear, you can not only enjoy the beautiful grassland scenery, but also see the snow line formed by a row of snow mountains on the horizon. The scenery is very spectacular. Then you will continue onward, cross the Haizi Mountain pass, and arrive at [Sister Lakes] of Haizi Mountain, two plateau lakes nestled against each other on the desolate mountain plain, like two beautiful gems, and also like tears shed by divine compassion scattered into the human world, pure and flawless. After visiting Sister Lakes, continue onward, pass through the canyon, cross the Jinsha River, and arrive in Mangkang for overnight stay. From here, you officially enter the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Drive: 460 km Overnight altitude: 3280 m Sights along the way: Dongda Mountain, Yela Mountain, Nujiang 72 Turns, Nujiang Grand Canyon After breakfast, you will depart from Mangkang. First cross Lawu Mountain at an altitude of 4,376 meters, then cross the Lancang River Bridge, 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 route. Looking out from the snow-covered pass that reaches into the clouds, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and the Lancang River look like two glistening ribbons, faintly visible among the countless mountains and ravines. In the afternoon, you will pass the most spectacular road on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, the Nujiang 72 Turns. As a necessary route on the southern Sichuan-Tibet line, the Nujiang 72 Turns is all the more challenging and valuable precisely because of its danger. 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 to arrive in Basu for overnight stay.

Drive: 260KM Overnight altitude: 2700M Attractions along the way: Ranwu Lake, Midui Glacier, Armor Mountain In the morning, you will bid farewell to Basu and first head to Ranwu Lake. 【Ranwu Lake】The azure lake water and snow-capped peaks form a picturesque scene. Depending on the season, the lake water of Ranwu Lake also presents several colors such as azure or turquoise. Many rocks and small islands dot the lake channel. In spring, tree shadows dance on the lake surface; in autumn and winter, thin mist fills the air. The beautiful 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, various shapes, and charming postures. Around it are herds of cattle and sheep, quaint Tibetan-style dwellings, majestic snow mountains, and wild animals such as rock-climbing sheep and monkeys that stay year-round. After visiting Midui Glacier, you will pass by Armor Mountain and then head to Bomi for overnight stay.

Drive: 235 km Overnight altitude: 2900 m Scenic spots along the way: Tongmai Bridge, Lulang Forest Sea, Nyingchi and Namcha Barwa from the south of Sejila Mountain After breakfast, you will depart from Bomi, pass through a primeval forest, and head to the Tongmai natural barrier. In the past, on the 15-kilometer section from Tongmai to Pailong, mountain torrents and mudslides often triggered landslides during the rainy season and interrupted the highway. Now the natural barrier has become a thoroughfare. Several tunnels plus [Tongmai Bridge] have opened the Tongmai and Pailong natural barrier routes. Then, after passing through the beautiful [Lulang Forest Sea], you will cross the 4728-meter Sejila Pass. [Sejila Pass] is located southeast of Bayi Town and is a famous landmark on the Sichuan-Tibet route. Here you can look out at Lulang Forest Sea and Namcha Barwa behind it, a great spot for photos. If you travel in May or June, you can also see azaleas blooming all over Sejila Mountain. Finally arrive in Nyingchi for the night.

Distance: 497 km Accommodation altitude: 3650 m Scenic spots along the way: Niyang River Scenic Belt, Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway After breakfast, you will continue westward to the holy city of Lhasa. Along the way, accompanied by the beautiful scenery of the [Niyang River], you will reach China's most beautiful expressway, the [Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway]. Over the more than 400-kilometer journey, snow mountains, forests, rivers, and villages along the way are simply breathtaking. Finally arrive in Lhasa for overnight stay, and then you can enjoy free time. You can stroll along the streets of [Barkhor Street] and experience the cultural charm of the ancient plateau city, or visit [Potala Palace Square] and pay homage to the sacred Potala Palace...

Drive: 270 km Overnight altitude: 3650 m Sights along the way: Yamdrok Lake, Lhasa River After breakfast, you will drive to visit Yamdrok Lake, one of the three great sacred lakes of Tibet. Along the way, you will cross the Gambala Pass at 5,030 meters, and then drive along the highway by the shore of Yamdrok Lake for about 30 minutes in total. This route offers the best angles for appreciating Yamdrok Lake, with multiple viewing platforms along the way where you can stop for photos. Yamdrok Lake has three viewing platforms in total. Gambala Pass is the first viewpoint of Yamdrok Lake, where you can admire the lake's winding and twisting scenery. The second viewpoint is halfway up the mountain, suitable for portrait photos. The third viewing platform is close to the lake surface, where you can experience Yamdrok Lake up close and gaze at the distant snow mountains. In Tibetan, Yamdrok Lake means "Coral Sea." The lake surface is at an altitude of 4,441 meters, and the water area reaches 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 water merges with the distant snow mountains. Tip: When taking photos at some viewing platforms, local Tibetans may be there with distinctive animals for photos. Taking photos requires payment, so try to obtain consent before taking pictures.

Overnight altitude: 3650M Attractions along the way: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street In the morning, you will visit the world's highest ancient palace-style architectural complex 【Potala Palace】, the residence of successive Dalai Lamas and the center of Tibetan political and religious power. Before climbing up the Potala Palace, you must climb 1080 steps. Although it will be a bit tiring, you can overlook the entire Lhasa city. The beautiful scenery will make you forget your physical fatigue! In the afternoon, you will visit 【Jokhang Temple】, the holy land in the hearts of Tibetan Buddhist believers. "Going to Lhasa without visiting Jokhang Temple is like never having been to Lhasa." This is a saying by the famous lama Nyima Tsering of Jokhang Temple, and almost every traveler agrees with it. Jokhang Temple combines Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese, and Indian architectural styles and is a classic model of Tibetan religious architecture. After leaving Jokhang Temple, you can walk clockwise around Jokhang Temple as the center, imagining yourself as a Tibetan doing a kora, or go to the handicraft market on 【Barkhor Street】for some shopping, or simply stroll slowly on the street, feel the warmth of the Sunshine City, or find a sweet tea house and learn the tranquility and contentment of Tibetan friends.

Drive: 450 km/470 km Overnight altitude: 4500 m/4800 m Scenic spots along the way: Yangbajing, Nyainqentanglha Mountains, Namtso, Northern Tibet Grassland After breakfast, you will depart from Lhasa, cross the 5190-meter Lakenla Mountain, and arrive at ["Heavenly Lake" Namtso], the first of Tibet's three sacred lakes. Namtso is 4718 meters above sea level, the world's highest large lake and China's second-largest saltwater lake. To the south is the year-round snow-capped Nyainqentanglha Mountains, and to the north and west are plateau hills. The broad lakeshore is surrounded by grasslands with abundant water and lush grass. The lake water has a high salt content, and the basin is rich in wildlife resources, including yaks and goats. The lake has many wild birds and produces schizothoracin and scaleless fish. The lake water is clear and reflects the surrounding snow mountains, with beautiful scenery. Namtso is like a crystal pearl inlaid on the vast Qiangtang Grassland. In the afternoon, you will drive along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, enjoying the picturesque [Northern Tibet Grassland] scenery and plateau views along the way, leaving you dazzled. Stay overnight in Nagqu or Amdo.

Drive: 700KM Overnight altitude: 2,800m Attractions along the way: Tanggula Mountains, Sanjiangyuan (Source of Three Rivers), Fenghuo Mountain, Kunlun Mountains, Hoh Xil, wildlife After breakfast, you will continue along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, first crossing the 5,231-meter-high [Tanggula Pass], then entering Qinghai Province, and arriving at the Tuotuo River, the source of a hundred streams, where you will visit the [Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve Monument] for a photo stop. Then enter the [Hoh Xil Nature Reserve], where the water and grass are abundant, and Tibetan gazelles, Tibetan wild donkeys, Tibetan foxes and other wild animals appear from time to time along the roadside. Afterwards, you will pass Fenghuo Pass, Kunlun Pass, Kunlun Sacred Spring, Kunlun Bridge, etc. If interested, you can stop at these places for a while and take photos. In the evening, arrive in Golmud for overnight stay.

Drive: 660 km Overnight altitude: 3100 m Sights along the way: Qaidam Basin, Chaka Salt Lake, Qinghai Lake After breakfast, you will depart from Golmud and travel all the way along the Qaidam Basin, enjoying the beautiful Gobi scenery along the route. Then you will pass Dulan County, an important town on the Tang-Tubo Ancient Road, and arrive at the beautiful Chaka Salt Lake, the Mirror of the Sky. In Chaka Salt Lake, salt grains form patches of white crystals, and the tranquil lake without a ripple reflects the sky on its clear silver-white surface. As you walk, it feels as if you are walking in a dreamland above the sky. You can stroll in the salt lake above the clouds, fully enjoy the beautiful scene where water and sky meet, and also take a retro small train along the tracks deep into the heart of the lake, placing yourself in a world of salt. In the afternoon, you will visit Qinghai Lake, the blue gem of the plateau. Qinghai Lake is like a brilliant pearl inlaid among high mountains and grasslands. In the northwest of Qinghai Lake there are two small islands, home to nearly 100,000 birds, earning it the reputation of a kingdom of birds.

Drive: 220KM Attractions along the way: Qinghai Lake, Riyue Mountain, Daotang River In the morning, you will first go to the shore of Qinghai Lake to enjoy the beautiful 【Qinghai Lake Sunrise】. Watching the sunrise by Qinghai Lake gives a unique feeling. As the lake surface where water and sky meet gradually brightens, distant clouds are slightly tinted with color, and fine ripples layer upon layer in the charming morning light. A red trace slowly emerges from within, and then thin parabolic lines appear in the golden clouds. These lines are bright red, a scene of glowing clouds and rosy mists. After enjoying Qinghai Lake, you will pass by 【Riyue Mountain】and 【Daotang River】, then arrive in Xining where the tour concludes.