Nyingchi Shannan Small Loop 5-Day Private Car Tour - Basum Tso-Grand Canyon-Lhamo La Tso-Yamdrok Lake-Namtso 5-Day Private Car Tour

In the morning, depart from Lhasa by car, along the Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway, crossing the 5013-meter-high Mira Pass, heading 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, experiencing the refreshing beauty of the green mountains and clear waters of Tibet's Jiangnan. After lunch, head to Basum Tso, 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 crystal-clear water and snow-capped mountains reflected in it, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere that brings one back to "Shangri-La." Snow peaks, glaciers, primeval forests, and historical sites tightly surround Basum Tso. At sunset, the snow mountain peaks turn red while the base remains deep blue-green, and the silhouettes of trees near the lake float on the water surface. The lake is a deep blue, making this place seem like a fairyland. There is a small island in the lake with a temple built at the end of the Tang Dynasty—Cuosong Temple—which mainly enshrines Padmasambhava, Thousand-Hand Guanyin, and the Golden Boy and Jade Girl. Afterwards, drive to Bayi Town in Nyingchi for overnight stay.

In the morning, drive from Nyingchi, take the scenic shuttle bus at 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. Standing by the Yarlung Tsangpo River, watch the surging waters and listen to the roar of the canyon, experiencing the world-famous First and Second Great Bends of the Yarlung Tsangpo. Along the way, enjoy canyons, forests, streams, snow mountains, lake views, and pastoral scenery—picturesque scenes and poetic atmospheres—arriving at Mainling.

In the morning, depart from Mainling, traveling through the boundless scenery on both banks of the Yarlung Tsangpo River to Lhamo La-tso near Nang County. Lhamo La-tso, meaning "Lake of the Soul of the Heavenly Goddess" in Tibetan, is a famous sacred lake in Shannan Prefecture. This oval lake, only one square kilometer, is beautifully hidden in the embrace of mountains. Before each search for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama, and other great living Buddhas, people come to this lake to observe the lake and divine. It is said that when multiple people view it together, each sees different things, and one can see one's past and future lives in the lake's reflection. Afterwards, drive to Gyaca or Zedang for overnight stay.

After breakfast, head to Yumbulagang, the first palace in Tibet. As one of Tibet's earliest buildings, it is located southeast of Zedang Town in Shannan Prefecture, towering on the summit of Zaxiri Mountain on the east bank of the Yarlung River. It is said to have been built by Bon followers in the 2nd century BC for the first Tibetan king, Nyatri Tsenpo. It later became the summer palace of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng in Shannan, and was converted into a Yellow Sect monastery during the time of the 5th Dalai Lama. Then head to Yamdrok Lake, also known as Yamdrok Tso, which means "Jade Lake" in Tibetan. It is one of the three sacred lakes of Tibet, shaped like a coral branch, and is therefore also called "the Coral Lake Above" in Tibetan. Together with Namtso and Lake Manasarovar, it is known as one of the three sacred lakes of Tibet. It is the largest inland lake on the northern slope of the Himalayas, and its beauty of lake and mountain scenery is unmatched in southern Tibet. After the tour, return to Lhasa along the Yarlung River valley.

In the early morning, drive from Lhasa, passing through the grasslands of northern Tibet, experiencing the fluttering colorful prayer flags, speeding along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, crossing the 5190-meter-high Lakenla Pass to reach Namtso, the "Heavenly Lake," first among Tibet's three sacred lakes. At an elevation of 4718 meters, it is the highest saltwater lake in the world and the second largest in China. To the south is the year-round snow-capped Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, and to the north and west are plateau hills. The vast lakeshore is surrounded by grasslands with abundant water and lush grass. The lake water has high salinity, and the basin is rich in wildlife resources, including yaks and goats; the lake is home to many wild birds and produces scale fish and scaleless fish; the lake water is clear and reflects the surrounding snow-capped mountains, with beautiful scenery, like a crystal pearl inlaid on the vast Qiangtang grassland. Then return to Lhasa by the same route. (Note: This price is for car rental with driver/chartered vehicle. Vehicle prices vary with peak and off-peak travel seasons; this price is for reference only. Please consult us for specific details.)