Our first destination is Ya'an, 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Chengdu. This route has you pass through Qionglai City and Mingshan County. The road between Chengdu and Mingshan is relatively flat but rises to a slope.

(Chengdu City (alt.512m) – Shuangliu County – Xinjin County – Qionglai City – Mingshan County – Yaan City (alt.641m))
Overnight in Yaan

Today's journey is cycling along the beautiful Qingyi River. First ride to Tianquan County, a picturesque location nestled at the east foot of Erlangshan Mountain. Erlangshan Mountain boasts charming natural scenery and many minority villages. Then continue to Xigou village.

(Yaan City (alt.641m) – Feixianguan Town – Tianquan County (alt.848m) – Zishi Village – Lianglu Village or called Xingou (alt.1330m))
Overnight in Xingou

Today we will reach the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau after passing through Erlangshan Tunnel, and stop at Riyu Gaoyuan Sightseeing Terrace and Dadu He Sightseeing Terrace respectively for a while. Upon arrival in Luding County, visit Luding Bridge and the museum.

(Xingou (alt.1330m) – Erlangshan Tunnel (alt.2170m) – Luding County (alt.1330m))
Overnight in Luding

Bike along the road following the true right of the Dadu River for around 24 km north before turning west for 27 km to Kangding. But crossing the famous suspension bridge, the scene of a perhaps apocryphal story about the Revolutionaries swinging across hand over hand after the Kuomintang had torn up the planks. You might be dread that the route led up a hellish switchback as you see zig-zagging up and over the mountain opposite. The good news is the road dose indeed follow the Dadu river.

(Luding County (alt.1330m) – Wasigou – Xiaotiandu Tunnel – Kangding County (alt.2395m))
Overnight in Kangding

Today, we will challenge the 4300 meter high Zheduo mountain firstly. It is about 36 km to mountain pass, but all upward road, may be you need to push your bike most of the time. Once you arrive at the mountain pass, your eye will be cleaned immediately by the new view of wide Tibetan plateau. Endless waving hilltops, yaks, river, welcome to Tibetan plateau! There are great views of Gongga Mount and other mountains. And just ride 42 km down to the colourful small town of Xinduqiao with several nicer looking places to stay. Just enjoy the beautiful villages and land en route.

(Kangding County (alt.2395m) – Zheduotang Village (alt.3222m) – Zheduo Pass (alt.4298m) – Xinduqiao Town (alt.3630m))
Overnight in Xinduqiao

A challenging day again, but with enjoyable views. 5km west of Xinduqiao is a junction with a road heading north (surfaced) to Danba and Daofu. The road west climbs to 4412m and then crosses a bleak, windswept grassy plateau for about 5.5km with a maximum altitude of 4475m. It then descends steeply. The road then descends into Yajiang, just below 3000m, there are a few truckstops from 12km beforehand which are much cheaper than the only foreigner licenced hotel in the town. The road to Yajiang was all tarmac but sometimes quite bumpy, traffic was light. Yajiang has shops selling all essentials, a covered market and internet access.

(Xinduqiao Town (alt.3630m) – Gao´ersi Pass (alt.4412m) – Yajiang County (alt.2530m))
Overnight in Yajiang

From Yajiang the road climbs to 3500m to Xiangkezong Village that is a traditional village which is worth staying overnight at. We will have a good rest in the village and prepare for tomorrow's arduous cycling.

(Yajiang County (alt.2530m) – Xiangkezong Village (alt.3500m))
Overnight in the village

We will cycle in the sky in the whole day. From the Xiangkezong Village, the road keeps climbing to 4659km at Jianziwan Pass, then to 4718m at Kazila Pass which is today's highest pass. Then ride down to 158 Daoban.

(Xiangkezong Village (alt.3500m) – Jianziwan Pass (alt.4659m) – Kazila Pass (alt.4718m) – Leida Military Depot (alt.4387m) – 158 Daoban (alt.4090m))
Overnight at 158 Daoban

From 158 Daoban to Litang, the road climbs and falls repeatedly. We will overcome several passes over 4000m to get to today's final destination - Litang. Litang gained reputation of the highest city in all over the world for its sea level of 4200meter and is famous for its international horse racing festival of every August 1st. The area is flat with a wide valley surrounding it.

(158 Daoban (alt.4090m) – Unknown Pass (alt.4321m) – Honglong Village (alt.4321m) – Unknown Pass (alt.4377m) – 118 Daoban (alt.4008m) – Unknown Pass (alt.4312m) – Litang County (alt.4014m))
Overnight in Litang

Depart from Litang we will get into the Haizi Mountains. It was called as Haizi Mountain but the road condition from east to the west is good. And you will get up to the summit without conscious of. And then we will go down to the Batang which is located in the bank of Jinshajiang River. Here produce many good fruit and they enjoined very high honor in east Tibet. It was said that the apple had been planted by a foreign preacher firstly. And the Christian churches here are still well protected now. Today we will go through many tunnels, all of which are without lights. Batang is our last stop before Tibet.

(Litang County (alt.4014m) – Haizi Pass (alt.4685m) – Haizishan Police Station – Deda Tunnel (length 659m) – Lieyi Tunnel (length 2107m) – 323 Daoban (alt.3370) – Bogexi Tunnel (length 2743m) – Lanashan Tunnel (length 3451m) – Huangcaoping No.1 Tunnel (length 1221m) – Huangcaoping No.2 Tunnel (length 917m) – Batang County (alt.2580m))
Overnight in Batang

Leaving Batang, a flat road will lead you to Zhubalong Village easily located at the east bank of the Jinshajiang River. Across the Bridge of Jinshajiang and over the Zhongbala Mountain, you will reach the Mangkam County, Tibet. Mangkang is at the junction of roads to Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet provinces. It is the first county you can have a lodge in the hostel and appreciate a warm meal after you enter in Tibet. It is located 1 kilometer away from the National Highway 318, you can overnight in the local Weather Bureau rest house to take a bath and prepare for the Tibet part bicycle tour.

(Batang County (alt.2580m) – Jinsha River Bridge (alt.2451m) – Hotspring Cottage (alt.2635m) – Haitong Military Depot (alt.3536m) – Zongbala Pass (alt.4170m) – Mangkang County (alt.3875m))
Overnight in Mangkang

Today's journey is cycling along the Langcang river. For the first 12 kilometers, you will get over the Lawu Mountain Pass; and the following 33 kilometers are the downhill path, the elevation will decline by 1700 meters. Then get over Jueba mountain for about 24.5 kilometers and follow the downhill path for 13 kilometers to Dengba. As the trail along the Lancang River is extremely steep, you need to proceed with particular caution and prudence and control your brake tightly. It is really a test for your strength and will, but the visit of the pass-by Lancang Valley will be worthwhile. The Lancang Valley is the typical mountain-valley physiognomy; the exotic site will offer a comfort to your weary body.

(Mangkang County (alt.3875m) – Lawu Pass (alt.4338m) – Chuka Bridge (alt.2640m) – Jueba Pass (alt.3930m) – Dengba Village (alt.3440m))
Overnight in Dengba (camping)

Today, continue the uphill path road for 13 kilometers to Rongxu. The elevation will raise by 1900 meters totally. Keep cycling to get over mountains and proceed for 56.5 kilometers to reach Zuogong. Most of this path is still dirty and dusty road. Upgrade for 24.5 kilometers to cross Dongda Mountain, and downgrade for 32 kilometers to Zuogong. Dongda Mountain is the highest pass in the whole route, where the altitude has reached 5100 meters, and the uphill path will be quite strenuous. The downhill road is gentle and you can have complete relax. Additional 10 kilometers bituminous macadam will lead you to Zuogong.

(Dengba Village (alt.3440m) – Rongxu Military Depot (alt.4046m) – Dongda Pass (alt.5008m) – Zuogong County (alt.3877m))
Overnight in Zuogong

Proceed for 105 kilometers to Bangda. As the initial 63 kilometers are bituminous macadam, arrival at 3654 on the National Highway 318; for the following 42 kilometers are dusty road in poor condition with lots of uphill path. The excited thing is that there is fiber in Bangda and you can make a call there. And cycling along with Yuqu river is enjoyable, too.

(Zuogong County (alt.3877m) – Tiantuo Town – Tiantuo Village – Asi Village – Bangda Town (alt.4120m))
Overnight in Bangda military depot

First cycle 75 kilometers from Bangda to Wadayue. Most of this part is still the dirty road. The former 13.5 kilometers is the up slope to get over Yela Mountain, also named as Nujiang Mountain; such a trail is relatively in good condition. However the following 43 kilometers down slope path to Nujiang Bridge is indeed tough, with more than 50 sharp turnings of 180 degrees. This trail is often called "Nujiang 72 turnings" for its dangerous and zigzag path. Cover another 20 kilometers to Basu. This part of road seems good in the sunny day, but it will turn extremely terrible after rain.

(Bangda Town (alt.4120m) – Yela Pass (alt.4658m) – Nujiang River Bridge (alt.2740m) – Basu County (alt.3280m))
Overnight in Basu

Bike 60 kilometers to Zhongsha at first. It is still the dusty and dirty road and mainly composed of uphill path. Then cycle 30 kilometers dusty road extending to Ranwu town, a paradise place with mirror-like lake, jade-green pines and snow-capped mountains in the distance. The first 7.5 kilometers gentle upgrading roads lead you to the Mt. Anjiula Pass, and the following 27 kilometers downgrading will lead you to fantastic Ranwu soon. You just need to ride for another 1 kilometer to reach Ranwu lake from the Ran-Cha highway to appreciate the dream-like scenery there.

(Basu County (alt.3280m) – Anjiula Pass (alt.4475m) – Ranwu Town (alt.3960m))
Overnight in Ranwu

Today, bid fare well to Ranwu and continue to ride for Zhongba, which is 53 kilometers away. Proceed along the tempered declivous path, and have a brief visit of Anmucuo and Palong Tsangpu River. As most of this path, you will go through the forestry area and linger in the mist and clouds between mountains. Continue to the relevantly big town Bomi for 76 kilometers. The dirt road stretches for 36 kilometers until Songzong; and the following 40 kilometers is the bituminous macadam as gentle down slope. Plenty of Glaciers will catch your eyes on the way.

(Ranwu Town (alt.3960m) – Midui Glacier – Zhongba Village (alt.3330m) – Bomi County (alt.2725m))
Overnight in Bomi

Today is an arduous cycling day leading you to Tongmai, covering about 90 kilometers. 40 kilometers declivous path guides you to Guxiang bituminous macadam and the following 50 kilometers path will not cost you lots of strength and energy. However, it comes to atrocious when you close to Tongmai.

(Bomi County (alt.2725m) – Guxiang – 102 landslide area – Tongmai Town (alt.2070m))
Overnight in Tongmai

Go cross Dongjiu for the first 37 kilometers and continue to Lulang Town for 37 kilometers more. When you reach Pailong, 17 kilometers from Tongmai, you will see the wreckage of Yigonghe River flood collapse, and the present path is new- repaired. The slope is still barrier and bold and you can see the trace after flood. The trail from Tongmai to Pailong is in well condition. Then continue for 37 kilometers after the forest ecological system Orientation and the pass-by sight just looks like tropical rain forest. Try the delicious food of Lulang Chicken Soup cooked by stone pot.

(Tongmai Town (alt.2070m) – Laohu Zui – Pailong country – Layue Village (alt.2372m) – Dongjiu country (alt.2560m) – Lulang Town (alt.3370m))
Overnight in Lulang

It will be a fatigued but rewarding day for 72.5 kilometers and arrive in Bayi; you will get over Sejila Mountain for 23.5 kilometers. Sightseeing Terrace for the sea of Lulang forests is 19km away from Lulang Town. The National Highway 110 gently upgrades and you need to push you bicycle to surmount Sejila Mountain. The latter 30 kilometers path to Nyingtri is steep and in poor condition. There are approximately 19 kilometers from Nyingtri to Bayi, and as it is the even bituminous macadam. The Niyangqu and poplars dotted in emerald green constitutes picturesque scenery. The Huge Cypress Park is situated near Bayi roadside. You can find a hostel to have a rest and take a shower easily in Bayi Town.

(Lulang Town (alt.3370m) – Sejila Pass (alt.4559m) – Nyingchi Town (alt.3010m) – Bayi Town (alt.2930m))
Overnight in Bayi

You will enjoy the ease to ride on the bituminous macadam. The blue mountains and green waters will feast you eyes all along the way and you will cover 127 kilometers arrival in Gongbo'gyamda without awareness.

(Bayi Town (alt.2930m) – Gengzhang Town – Baiba Town – Gongbo'gyamda County (alt.3440m))
Overnight in Gongbo'gyamda

Continue to ride on the bituminous macadam for 96 kilometers to Songduo and mainly composed of uphill path. Songduo is the only small town with room and board between Gongbu pass and Mila Pass.

(Gongbo'gyamda County (alt.3440m) – Jinda Town – Jiaxing country – Songduo country (alt.4288m))
Overnight in Songduo

Ride from Songduo to Mozhugongka for 110 kilometers. The first 20 kilometers is the tempered uphill bituminous macadam, but you need to push your bicycle to the second highest pass, Mila Pass (5030m), along Sichuan – Tibet Highway. Then continue for 27 kilometers to Riduo on the bituminous macadam and head for Mozhugongka for another 56 kilometers. The head to your final destination - Lhasa. The last period is approximately 68 kilometers bituminous macadam. You will see the lofty Potala Palace, as you enter in the Lhasa Forestry checkpoint in distance. The challenging tour ends here and you might feel as comfortable as home at that moment.

(Songduo country (alt.4288m) – Mila Pass (alt.5013m) – Riduo country (alt.4370m) –Mozhugongka County (alt.3830m) – Datse County (alt.3440m) – Lhasa City (alt.3650m))
Overnight in Lhasa