Amazing Places to Photograph from Lhasa to Kathmandu

Taking pictures during trip is a good idea to keep your memories alive. If you travel to Tibet, do bring a camera. There are so many beautiful places for photography. Lhasa to Kathmandu tour and Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour are two of the most popular Tibet tour routes. When you make this trip, do not miss the places to photograph on the way from Lhasa to Kathmandu recommended by experienced Tibetan tour guide Lotse of Tibet Travel Org, the leading Tibet travel agency online.

1. 5km away from Qushui County

The blue sky, white clouds, clear water, grand mountains and green plants make a beautiful picutre.

When you head from Lhasa to Gyantse, you are highly recommended to stop to take some stunning pictures at 5km away from Qushui County. You can see the breathtaking scenery of Junba Village at the confluence of Lhasa River and Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra).

Two villagers are working on the river.

Junba Village is the only fishing village in Tibet. In the Tibetan language, Junba means "fishing or catching." For generations, villagers have sustained themselves almost entirely by fishing the Lhasa and Yarlung Tsangpo Rivers in these unique boats made from six to eight bull skins.

2. 100m away from Qushui Bridge

A water burial site by the river

Qushui Bridge is a 300-meter long bridge located in Qushui County, about 60 km south of Lhasa. Crossing over Lhasa River, it's the main artery from Lhasa to Gongga Airport and a place you must pass on the way from Lhasa to Gyantse.

Except enjoying charming scenery of Qushui River, you can visit the interesting water burial site by the Qushui Bridge. Water burial is one of the typical Tibetan forms of burial. On the rocks along the river side you can see some white ladders for taking the souls to the heaven.

3. At the altitude of 4,000m before arriving Gambala Pass

Charming view of Yarlung Tsangpo Valley

When ascending to the famous Gambala Pass over 5,000m, you are highly recommended to make a stop at the altitude around 4,000m where you can get a full view of the fabulous Yarlung Tsangpo Valley which is the cradle of Tibetan civilization.

4. Gambala Pass

Full view of yamdrok Lake

Gambala Pass is the best place to panoramically view the famous holy Lake Yamdrok. At the Gambala Pass, you can also see the Naiqinkangsang Snow Mountain in distance if the weather permits. The Mount Naiqinkangsang located in Langkazi County is one of the holy mountains of Tibet.

5. Yamdrok Lake

It is easy to get to the Yamdrok lake by road.

After descent from the Gambala Pass, you can drive to the lakeshore of Yamdrok Lake to get a close view of the beautiful Yamdrok Lake.

6. On the way to Langkazi

Tibetan village

When you drive to Langkazi, you can stop on the way to take the Tibetan village of  half farming and half nomadism life style.

7. Karola Glacier 

The magnificent Karola Glacier 

The Karola Glacier located at the boarder of the Langkazi County and the Gyantse County in the Shannan Prefecture of Tibet is quite close to the road from Lhasa to Gyantse. A breathtaking view of the Karola Glacier is an unforgettable experience. The Karola Glacier is famous for its grand appearance and perpetual ice.

8. Smira pass 

The Manla Reservoir

Make a stop at Smira Pass at 4200 meters to take pictures of Manla Reservoir located in the valley under Smira Pass, on the Nianchu River in Malong Village, Gyantse County. It is like an emerald embedding in the grand mountain. The Manla Reservoir not only provides the "attached" function of sightseeing, it also has the functions of irrigation, generation, water storage and flood control.

At the Smira Pass, you can also view the colorful prayer flags dancing in the wind.

9. Gyantse Dzong

Gyantse-Dzong

Gyantse Dzong or Gyantse Fortress perched high above the town of Gyantse on a huge spur of grey brown rock makes a great first impression of Gyantse.

10. Bailang County of Shigatse

Tibetan farmers are working in the highland barley field.

At Bailang County, you can see the biggest highland barley field at Jin'ga Village. Especially in autumn, it is very beautiful when the whole field becomes golden. Modern agricultural machines are used on a large scale for autumn harvest in this area.

11. At milestone of 5,000m on Friendship Hwy

Gyantse Knife

Among various famous Tibetan knives, the Lhatse knife has long been recognized as an outstanding artifact with beautiful appearance, sharp blade and delicate scabbard. You can stop at the milestone of 5,000m on Friendship Hwy to buy a Tibetan knife as a souvenir.

12. At Gyatso-La Pass

Colorful prayer flags at Gyatso-la Pass

Gyatso-la Pass at 5,248m is the highest pass you will pass on the way from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp or Kathmandu. It deserves your stop to take some pictures for memory.

13. At Gyawu-la Pass

Tourists are taking pictures of grand Mt. Everest in distance.

You can have a short break at Gyawu La Pass (5050m) to get a panoramic view of the Mt. Everest and Himalayas in distance if the weather permits.

14. At Tongla Pass

Fantastic view of snow mountains at Tongla Pass

At Tong La Pass rising to 5150 meters, you can get a good view of the Mount Shisha Pangma on a clear day. The Shisha Pangma at 8013m is the 14th highest mountain on earth and the highest mountain that is located entirely within Tibet. Besides, you will get a chance to see herds of wild horses and Mongolian gazelles.

15. 11 km north of Nyalam Town

Milarepa cave  is in this beautiful valley.

Around 11km north of Nyalam Town at an altitude of 3,750 meters, there is a Tibetan monastery, Pelgyeling Monastery built around a meditation cave where the enlightened yogi Milarepa (1040-1123) and his disciple Rechungpa spent many years in meditation. Milarepa was a famous Buddhist mystic and composer of songs (Tibet's St Francis of Assisi) who lived in the late 11th and early 12th centuries.

16. Zhangmu Valley

Cascading waterfalls at Zhangmu Valley

Zhangmu Valley south of Nyalam is cool in summer and warm in winter. During rainy season, you can see cascading milky waterfalls along Qupo River, wild flowers in the valley. This area is occupied by high mountains and deep valleys, cliffy narrow coulees, thickly wooded with tall trees and huge stones. On some cliffs there even more than 11 pieces of waterfalls falling from the thousand meters high peak in the clouds, across the stones and pines.