7 Days Chengdu to Lhasa World-Class Overland Tour: Travel across the Top Scenic Road to Tibet from Chengdu via G318 National Highway

Start your journey from Chengdu to Kangding, experiencing the transition from the plain to the plateau. You will meet the first snow-mountain above 4000 meters - Mt. Siguniang, and reach the first highland station - Xinduqiao.

In the morning, you will start the 450-kilometer journey from Chengdu to Xinduqiao. The first highlight of today’s journey is Mt. Siguniang, also known as the Four Sisters Mountain, which is the famous snow-capped mountain of the western Sichuan Plateau. You could see the four peaks standing side by side, have elevations of 5025 meters, 5276 meters, 5355 meters, and 6250 meters.

Then, you will pass through Danba County inhabited by Jiarong Tibetans. Danba County, also known as the Valley of Beauties, is adorned with watchtowers and many beautiful Tibetan girls.

Finally, you will arrive in Xinduqiao in the late afternoon. The play of light and shadow on the serene villages, lush meadows, tall shrubs, and rivers transforms Xinduqiao into a colorful dreamlike paradise.

You will rest in this gateway town to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, preparing for your journey into the Tibetan Plateau.

Stay overnight in Xinduqiao Town.

Overnight in Xinduqiao

• The panoramic view of Mt. Siguniang showcases four peaks exceeding 5000 meters.

• The featured watchtower in Danba Tibetan Village

Entering the highest-altitude city in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Litang and visit Ke’er Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple along the G318 National Highway, and explore the vast grassland.

After breakfast, you will travel to Litang, the world’s highest-altitude city at 4015 meters. Along the way, you will visit the historic Ke’er Monastery, also known as Litang Monastery. Founded in 1580, it’s the oldest and largest Gelug sect Tibetan Buddhist temple in the Kham region, covering a vase area of over 500 acres and home to almost a thousand monks.

Then, continue your journey west to Batang. On the way, you will visit Maoya Prairie, a highland grassland surrounded by mountains. The vast green sea of grass, dotted with tents emitting light smoke, is traversed by cattle and sheep. If you are lucky, you may also have the opportunity to see antelopes, yellow ducks, marmots, and other wild animals on this grassland. Here, you will feel the vastness of the plateau and the lively energy of life, completely getting lost in the beauty of nature.

After that, you’ll finally reach today’s destination - Batang, a plateau city at an altitude of 2,575 meters. Staying at a lower altitude in Batang is good for your acclimatization, especially if you've recently entered the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Stay overnight in Batang.

Overnight in Batang

Breakfast

• Ke’er Monastery, also known as Litang Monastery, stands as the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple of the Gelug sect in the Kham region.

• The vast of Batang Maoya Prairie

Today is an adventure through the steep mountains and canyons along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and enjoy the spectacular sight of the turbulent Jinsha River, Lancang River, and Nu River rushing down.

After breakfast, your overland journey continues to Zogong. First, you will pass through the most spectacular canyon area on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Three major rivers, the Jinsha River, the Lancang River, and the Nu River, run side by side within a 300-kilometer area, rushing out like wild beasts from the deep mountains and canyons of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. These three rivers meander through the canyons and eventually rush down to become the Yangtze River, the mother river that nourishes Chinese civilization.

After passing through the steep canyon, you will continue to drive westward and climb over Mount Lawu with an altitude of 4358 meters, and Mount Dongda with an altitude of over 5130 meters. Standing at the mountain pass, looking far into the distance, the brown-red valley passing by is like a burning flame, while the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is like two bright ribbons shuttling between thousands of mountains and valleys.

Finally, you will arrive in Zogang. Stay overnight in Zogang.

Overnight in Zogang

Breakfast

• The first bend of Jinsha River

• Mount Dongda Pass

Today, you will face the exciting challenge of rapid descent of 1800 meters in altitude, crossing the most spectacular and exciting winding mountain road in the whole journey - the Grand 72 Turns of Nujiang River.

After breakfast, you will set off from Zogang and drive west to Bangda Grassland, the most important pasture in eastern Tibet. Here, herds of yaks and sheep roam leisurely on the vast grassland, and the pastoral scenery of the grassland will be displayed again.

Then, you will face an exciting challenge, descending from the Yela Mountain Pass at 4650 meters to the Nu River at an altitude of 2800 meters in just 12 kilometers. This section known as the "Nujiang River 72 Turns" is the most exciting section of the G318 National Highway to Tibet. Standing on the top of the mountain and looking down, the winding road is like a winding dragon. After countless 180-degree turns, it reaches the riverside. There is no end as far as the eye can see.

Continuing to drive west, snow-capped mountains, forests, and Tibetan villages gradually appear, taking you through the pastoral scenery of eastern Tibet.

Finally, you will arrive at Ranwu Lake, the most charming lake in eastern Tibet. Here is a beautiful ending to your journey today.

Stay overnight by the lake.

Overnight by Ranwu Lake

Breakfast

• Nu River 72 Turns

• Stunning view of Ranwu Lake

Today, embark on a picturesque journey to Eastern Tibet. Marvel at snow-capped mountains, serene lakeshores, and uncovered hidden glaciers.

In the morning, you will visit Ranwu Lake, the most beautiful lake in eastern Tibet. The long and narrow blue lake and more than 20 kilometers of shoreline slowly lead you into forests, snow-capped mountains, flower-filled meadows, quiet and warm Tibetan countryside, and villages. It seems like a tranquil and peaceful place that people in the noisy city have found.

Then, your guide will take you to Midui Glacier, the most beautiful glacier in China and the lowest glacier in the world. Just like the elves in the snow-capped mountains hiding in the depths of the forest, the glacier rushes down from the main peak at an altitude of 6,800 meters to the ice tongue at an altitude of 2,400 meters close to the lake. Dense forests, blue lakes, and white glaciers complement each other, forming a dreamlike and dense Eden.

Especially in late autumn, the colorful forest makes this secret land as intoxicating as a fairy tale world. If you like, you can also choose to hike to the foot of the glacier to touch the huge ice tongue (optional).

After the trip, you will reach today’s final destination, Bome. Stay overnight in Bome.

Overnight in Bome

Breakfast

• Well-known Ranwu Lake

• Midui Glacier, the most beautiful glacier in China

Today, you will step into the dense forest area and walk through the lush green forest.

In the morning, you'll leave Bome and continue driving east. You will find that the snow-capped mountains in front of you become more enchanting and the forest becomes denser. The snow-capped mountains are like diamonds set in the clear sky, which makes people dizzy. Under the snow-capped mountains is a vast forest, with white clouds floating between the snow-capped mountains and the forest.

After a while, you will come to Guxiang Lake hidden in the forest, climb to the pass of Sejila Mountain with an altitude of 4702 meters, and overlook the famous snow mountain at the eastern end of the Himalayas - Mt. Namcha Barwa. The towering Namcha Barwa Peak looks like a majestic spear, and the snow on the top of the mountain shines like diamonds in the blue sky.

Continuing forward, you will come to the second observation deck for viewing the Namcha Barwa Peak - Lulang Forest Platform. Here, you will once again appreciate the stunning beauty of Namcha Barwa Peak standing above the vast forest sea and cutting through the sky.

After appreciating the visual feast brought by the snow-capped mountains and forests, you will arrive at Lulang International Tourism Town. After arriving, you can enjoy the delicious food of Lulang Forest, stroll through the town, and feel the peaceful and leisurely atmosphere.

That night, you will arrive at Bayi Town in Nyingchi City, the most prosperous area in eastern Tibet. Here, you have the opportunity to taste the famous Stone Pot Chicken in Nyingchi (optional).

Stay overnight in Nyiching City (Bayi Town).

Overnight in Nyingchi

Breakfast

• You can enjoy a great view of Mt. Namjia Bawa when it's fine.

• While visiting Lunang Forest, you will see a typical highland meadow landscape.

Today, you will conclude the final stretch of the journey in eastern Tibet, explore the Basumtso Lake , and finally drive to the holy city of Lhasa.

After breakfast, the tour guide will lead you to Basum Tso Lake for a tour. Compared with other lakes in Tibet, Basum Tso Lake is the holy lake of the Tibetan Red Sect. The island in the middle of the lake is like a quiet water garden, with blue waves surrounding the island and ancient trees covering the temple. It is completely different from other temples and attractions on the Sichuan-Tibet highway. Here, you will board the Tsozong Gompa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple on a small island in the middle of the lake, and experience the ancient and profound religious culture.

Then, you will drive to the holy city of Lhasa via the highway connecting Lhasa and Nyingchi. On the way, there is a section passing through the Nyang River, which will give you a wonderful feeling of flying above the blue ocean.

When you see the majestic Potala Palace, it means that the long and exciting journey on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is at the end.

Upon arrival, the tour guide and driver will take you to the hotel to check in, where you can wash away the travel dust.

End the tour in Lhasa.

Notice:
If you want to continue your journey to other part of Tibet, like Shigatse, the Everest Base Camp, and Mount Kailash, please feel free to tell us. We offer many wonderful tours to other destination in Tibet starting from Lhasa.

Overnight in Lhasa

Breakfast

• Surrounded by green mountains, Basom Tso, which means 'green water' in Tibetan language, is a wonderland for you to refresh yourself.

• Arrive in Lhasa, the Holy City in the Tibet Plateau