Day 1: Nationwide - Chengdu Assembly
Altitude: 500 meters
Highlights: Explore Jinli, admire beautiful women, enjoy hotpot, savor local snacks, try Ba Ba tea, watch Sichuan opera…
Distance: None
Driving Time: No driving
Accommodation: Complimentary double room in a 4-diamond hotel in Chengdu
Meals: No meals included
Overview:
Travelers from all over the country gather in Chengdu. After checking in at the hotel, take the day to rest or explore various local delicacies. Those arriving in the morning can visit Chengdu’s fashion hub, Chunxi Road, the millennium-old temple, Daci Temple, and landmarks like Taikoo Li and IFS Panda. In the afternoon, explore Jinli and Kuanzhai Alley, experiencing the leisurely life of Chengdu or visiting the charming pubs mentioned in the song “Chengdu” by Zhao Lei.
Day 2: Chengdu - Barkam - Jinchuan Pear Blossom - Jinchuan
Altitude: 500-2600-2100 meters
Highlights: Western Sichuan pastoral scenery, Jinchuan pear blossoms
Distance: 410 km
Driving Time: Approximately 7 hours
Accommodation: Hotel or rural homestay in Jinchuan County, double room
Meals: Breakfast included
Overview:
Depart from Chengdu in the morning, travel along the Min River, and enjoy views of Zipingpu Dam, Dayu’s hometown, and earthquake sites. Pass through Wenchuan, Lixian, enter the Zhegu Mountain Tunnel, and enter the beautiful Suomo River Gorge, reaching the capital of Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Barkam. Continue the journey, admiring the pastoral scenery of western Sichuan, and reach Songgang Township to view the Songgang Zhibo Carved Castle.
Unconsciously, the air is filled with the fragrance of pear blossoms. Closer to Jinchuan, more pear blossoms cover the roadside, hillsides, and riverbanks. If time permits, stop for photos and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Jinchuan River Valley. Check in at Jinchuan County or a rural homestay in the evening.
Day 3: Jinchuan - Hundred-Mile Pear Blossom Sea - Danba - Zhonglu Tibetan Village
Altitude: 2100-1900-2000 meters
Highlights: Jinchuan pear blossoms, Zhonglu Tibetan Village, Jarong style
Distance: 130 km
Driving Time: Approximately 3.5 hours
Accommodation: Homestay in Zhonglu Tibetan Village, double room
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
Overview:
After breakfast, visit the viewpoint to admire the spectacular scenery of the Hundred-Mile Pear Blossom in the Jinchuan River Valley.
Jinchuan is renowned as the “Hometown of Chinese Snow Pears,” with pear trees covering both fertile riverbanks and hillsides. In March, the entire Jinchuan River Valley turns into a vast sea of pear blossoms. After capturing the beauty, proceed towards Danba along the Da Jinchuan River, enjoying the picturesque views of the villages on both sides of the Dadu River Valley, one of the origins of the Danba Jarong Tibetan culture. In the afternoon, arrive at the “First of the Six Most Beautiful Villages and Towns in China” – Danba Zhonglu Tibetan Village. The village is nestled along the undulating mountain slopes, with Tibetan-style houses scattered among the green trees, creating a beautiful scene. Upon arrival, the hostess of the village presents a Hada (traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf) to welcome you. You can explore the internal structure of the village and enjoy a delicious Jarong Tibetan dinner. After dinner, gather around the bonfire under the starry sky to enjoy the warmth of a winter night, creating unforgettable memories.
Day 4: Jagu Tibetan Village - Yala Snow Mountain Viewpoint - Moshikou Park - Tagong Grassland - Muya Golden Pagoda - Yajiang
Altitude: 2000-3500-2600 meters
Highlights: Zhonglu Tibetan Village, Yala Snow Mountain, popular Moshikou Park, Muya Golden Pagoda
Distance: 210 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Yajiang County, double room
Meals: Breakfast included
Overview:
Today’s itinerary is relatively relaxed, offering beautiful scenery along the way. Start the day by capturing the sunrise in the “First of the Six Most Beautiful Villages and Towns in China,” Zhonglu Tibetan Village, experiencing the unique features of Jarong Tibetan culture, and searching for the beautiful women of Danba. Later, enjoy the natural bonsai landscape of the “Mao Niu River Valley” for more than ten kilometers. During the journey, you can also have a distant view of the sacred Yala Snow Mountain, praised by the Tibetan people as a holy mountain. Continue the journey to appreciate the Lotus Temple, Huiyuan Temple, and enter the “Oil Painting World” in Bamei. Explore the “Inkstone Park,” which provides a panoramic view of the inkstones. After the visit, drive to Tagong Grassland, known as “the place where Bodhisattva loves,” and visit the Muya Golden Pagoda. The scene of the glittering temple against the magnificent Yala Snow Mountain is unforgettable. The rest of the day involves enjoying the views of the Tibetan village, grassland, yaks, blue sky, white clouds, streams, poplar trees…
Day 5: Yajiang - Litang - Haizishan - Zimei Lake - Batang - Mangkang
Altitude: 2500-4100-3800 meters
Highlights: Kazi La Mountain, Sky City, Maoya Grassland, Haizishan Zimei Lake
Distance: 410 km
Driving Time: Approximately 9 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Mangkang County, double room
Meals: Breakfast included
Overview:
After breakfast, depart from Yajiang, passing through the Jianzi Bend Tunnel, then crossing Kazi La Mountain Pass (altitude 4718 meters), and arriving at the world’s highest city, Litang. Enjoy the scenic views of Maoya Grassland, and on clear days, witness the spectacular sight of a snow-capped mountain range on the horizon.
Next, cross the Haizishan Mountain Pass, pass by Haizishan’s Zimei Lake, two azure and crystal-clear highland lakes closely connected. Between each breath, they exude an intoxicating charm, embedded like heavenly gemstones in the desolate mountainous area, akin to tears of compassion from the gods. Pure and flawless, inviting and warm.
After visiting Zimei Lake, continue the journey, chasing the sun’s footsteps, and reach Mangkang for an overnight stay.
Day 6: Mangkang - Dongda Mountain - Zuogong - Bangda - Tianlu 72 Turns - Basu
Altitude: 3800-3760-3260 meters
Highlights: Jinsha River, Tianlu 72 Turns, Bangda Grassland
Distance: 360 km
Driving Time: Approximately 8 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Basu County, double room
Meals: Breakfast included
Overview:
After breakfast, depart from Mangkang, crossing the Lao’ushan Mountain Pass (4338 meters), passing the Lancang River Bridge, then crossing the Jueba Mountain Pass (3991 meters) and Dongda Mountain Pass (altitude 5130 meters). Travel through Zuogong County, following the beautiful Yuqu River upstream, and reach Bangda Town.
In Tibetan, Bangda means “the grassland where eagles cannot fly out.” The Bangda Grassland is a vast grassland within Tibet’s borders. Due to the terrain, the famous Tianlu 72 Turns, or commonly known as the Ninety-Nine Bends, is formed at the Yela Mountain Pass (altitude 4658 meters) in Bangda. After traversing the Tianlu 72 Turns, you’ll witness the beautiful primitive villages like Tuni and Gama at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by picturesque highland terraces. Continue through the Nu River Bridge, along the Langqu River, and check in at Basu County in the evening.
Day 7: Basu - Renlongba/Yalong Glacier - Ranwu Lake - Bomi
Altitude: 3280-4560-3850-2750 meters
Highlights: Renlongba Glacier, Ranwu Lake
Distance: 300 km
Driving Time: Approximately 6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Bomi County, double room
Meals: Breakfast included
Overview:
After breakfast, depart from Basu, cross the Anjiula Mountain Pass (altitude 4468 meters), and enjoy the picturesque scenery of snow-capped mountains, primitive forests, and pastoral landscapes along the way.
Next, visit Ranwu Lake, a renowned highland glacier lake and a star attraction along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. If lucky, capture the beautiful reflection of Ranwu Lake.
After exploring Ranwu Lake, continue the journey to Renlongba Glacier. Untouched and undeveloped, Renlongba Glacier remains in its pristine state. The glacier’s terminus is at an altitude of 4560 meters, easily accessible for a close encounter with the glacier. This is one of the most captivating aspects of Renlongba.
Day 8: Bomi - Taohua Gou - Bomi
Altitude: 2750 meters
Highlights: Taohua Gou (Peach Blossom Valley)
Distance: 50 km
Driving Time: Approximately 2 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Bomi County, double room
Meals: Breakfast included
Overview:
Every year, Bomi is the first place in Tibet where peach blossoms bloom. Along the largest tributary of the Parlung Zangbo River, Bodui Zangbu, crystal-clear green waters flank both sides. Pink peach blossoms dot the landscape, especially the stretch from Linqiong Village to Yuxu Township, where both riverbanks are covered in dense peach blossom forests. The robust peach trees create a cloud of pale pink against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, making the scenery exceptionally beautiful.
Different from other tours that quickly pass through, we spend a day exploring this area, gradually experiencing the essence of spring.
Day 9: Bomi - Luorong - Sejila Mountain & Namcha Barwa Viewpoint - Linzhi Ga La Peach Blossom Village - Nyingchi
Altitude: 2750-3700-2900 meters
Highlights: Sejila Mountain, Bomi Peach Blossom Valley, Linzhi Ga La Peach Blossom Village
Distance: 240 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Nyingchi City, double room
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (complimentary Luorong stone pot chicken)
Overview:
After breakfast, we continue our westward journey, traversing the most picturesque section of the G318 National Highway from Bomi to Nyingchi. Scenic landscapes unfold outside the car window, and we later cross the Sejila Mountain, offering views of the majestic Namcha Barwa Peak.
Next, we arrive at Ga La Village, located 8 kilometers from Nyingchi, where the opening ceremony of the Peach Blossom Festival is held every year. Ga La Village is enveloped by wild peach blossoms, creating a surreal scene stretching for miles. The Tibetan village becomes a picturesque canvas adorned with pink flowers. After touring and capturing the beauty, we reach Nyingchi for an overnight stay.
Day 10: Nyingchi - Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon - Suosong Village Peach Blossom - Suosong Village
Altitude: 2900-3000-3100 meters
Highlights: Neyang River Scenery, Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, Suosong Village, Namcha Barwa Peak
Distance: 100 km
Driving Time: Approximately 3 hours
Accommodation: Suosong Village or guesthouse within the Grand Canyon scenic area/Hotel in Nyingchi City, double room
Meals: Breakfast included
Note: We will prioritize accommodation in Suosong Village. However, due to limited capacity, if there are no available rooms, accommodation may be arranged in a hotel in Nyingchi.
Overview:
After breakfast, depart from Nyingchi and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Neyang River. The natural beauty of Neyang River is enhanced by the blooming peach blossoms in March.
Later, arrive at the confluence of two rivers, known as the “Confluence of Two Rivers,” where the Yarlung Zangbo River and the Neyang River meet, creating a unique natural landscape with distinct water qualities.
Continue the journey, and upon reaching Danniang Township, witness a sand dune resembling a Buddha’s palm, known as the “Buddha’s Palm Sand Dune.” Located in the strong wind zone of the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, this sand dune has been formed by the wind over the years.
Proceed further, capturing the endless beauty of peach blossoms and landscapes. In the afternoon, arrive at the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, where you’ll take a sightseeing car to explore the canyon. Afterward, head to Suosong Village, a small village overlooking the Grand Canyon, perched on a cliff hundreds of meters high. Below is the rushing Yarlung Zangbo River, and across is the majestic Namcha Barwa Peak. Suosong Village is the best location to photograph Namcha Barwa, especially during spring when the pink and white peach blossoms are in full bloom, creating an enchanting scene.
Day 11: Suosong Village/Nyingchi - Close-up View of Namcha Barwa - Lhasa
Altitude: 3100-5013-3650 meters
Highlights: Namcha Barwa, Linla Highway, Holy City Lhasa
Distance: 480 km
Driving Time: Approximately 7 hours
Accommodation: Complimentary hotel in Lhasa, double room
Meals: Breakfast included
Overview:
After breakfast, depart from the Grand Canyon, with opportunities for a closer view of Namcha Barwa. In the morning mist, the mountain appears shyly, resembling a bashful girl reluctant to reveal her true face. There’s a local saying: if your luck is good enough, you can see the complete appearance of this sacred mountain. So, let’s test our luck.
Next, appreciate the beautiful scenery along the Neyang River once again. Then, embark on the renowned Linla Highway, considered the “most beautiful high-grade highway in Tibet,” stretching approximately 400 kilometers from the southern Tibet region to the sacred city of Lhasa. Along the way, experience diverse facets of Tibet, from snow-capped mountains, forests, and rivers to Tibetan villages and pastoral landscapes.
After a 7-hour journey, arrive in Lhasa, check in at the hotel, and conclude the beautiful Sichuan-Tibet Highway journey. The remainder of the day is free for independent activities, allowing you to wander through the streets of Lhasa and experience a unique atmosphere amid a diverse crowd of Chinese people, foreigners, pilgrims, travelers, and individuals with different skin colors. Photography enthusiasts can explore locations like the Potala Palace, Potala Square, and Medicine King Mountain Viewing Platform, which offer the best views of the Potala Palace at night.
