Driving the Sichuan-Tibet Route: Scenic Stops and Cities on the Way

The Sichuan-Tibet line has recently become a popular destination for tourism. In addition, the road conditions are got better, and cars can also drive into Tibet by themselves. Many mainland tourists choose to drive to Tibet by themselves. The Sichuan-Tibet line is a special route with many scenic spots and scenery on the road. but bad roads and landslides are often,

Sichuan Tibet Highway begins at Chengdu, Sichuan, and ends at Lhasa, Tibet. It extends via Ya`an and Kangding to Xinduqiao, where the road becomes crotched. The north way runs via Kartse, Dege, Chamdo to Bamda, where the south way joins in. The road goes on via Baxue, Ranwu, Bomi, Nyingchi, covering a distance of 2412km, and finally reaches Lhasa. Drivers prefer the south way because it is shorter ( 2149km ) and its average altitude is lower.

Important stop and cities on the way

Danba is a small county in the mountain valley whose residents are Gyarong Tibetans, or farmers living in a mild climate. This area of Tibetan-speaking hamlets perched stunningly on 8,000-foot-high mountainsides that loom over the town of Danba, has long been a way station on a circuit through the country’s southwest, which is home to some of China’s most exotic travel destinations.

Lithang is the county seat of Litang Couty, in western Sichuan Province, south-west China. It is also part of the ancient and historic Tibetan province of Kham. The town has a population of about 50,000 and is a major center of Tibetan culture in Kham and at an elevation of 4000m (13,123 ft) is one of the highest in the world. Several Dalai Lamas where born here and lived in the local monastery located just outside the town on a hillside.

Litang is a bustling little place with colorful street life thanks to the nomadic shepherds and Tibetan people coming here to sell and buy their products. The older parts are situated on the hill slopes to the east, while busy construction work is extending the place into the surrounding grassy plains. The vast majority of the population is ethnically Tibetan and bi-lingual but most signage is in Mandarin. The closest thing to big city entities is Kangding 8-9 hours to the east over several breathtaking and dangerous passes.

Batang means sheep-baaing lakeside and it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The scenery here is simply beyond praise. Dreams Travel`s clients often are greatly astonished: Why are people here so beautiful. Overnight at Hotel

Southern Sichuan-Tibet Route:

Chengdu- Ya’an – Xinduqiao – Litang – Daocheng – Aden – Markham – Batang – Ranwu – Bomi – Linzhi – Gongbu Jiangda – Lhasa, the whole journey is 2250KM.

Day 1 Chengdu – Yaán – Hailuogou

Assemble at a designated time and place in the morning. Depart from Chengdu and arrive at Ya’an via the Chengya Expressway for 147 kilometers.  It is the gateway and must-have of the ancient southern Silk Road and the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Pass through the Erlang Mountain Tunnel and arrive at Moxi Ancient Town, the gateway to Hailuogou via Luding County. In the afternoon, you can visit the ancient town and the Catholic Church.

Day 2: Hailuogou-Kangding-Xindu Bridge 

After leaving Hailuogou Scenic Area, we departed from Moxi Ancient Town to Kangding Ancient City. After conquering the Tibetan-Chinese dividing line, the barrier outside the Great Wall at 4298 meters above sea level was folded over mountains, entered the real Tibetan area, and arrived at Xindu Bridge. Known as the “Photography Paradise”, Xinduqiao is a small town, also called Dongeluo, which is the junction of the north-south line of Sichuan-Tibet.

​Day 3: Xindu Bridge-Litang-Daocheng-Riwa 

After breakfast, enjoy the picturesque scenery of small bridges, flowing water, houses, and Tibetan houses in the morning glow and feel the rich plateau Tibetan customs. Go over the Gaoersi Mountain (4412m), pass by the Yalong River, Kamba Mountain Town-Yajiang County, Jianziwan Mountain (4659 meters above sea level), and Kazila Mountain (4718 meters above sea level). You can also taste the plateau wild on the way through the Wuliang River. After lunch, we will arrive at the High City of the World, Litang County (4000 meters above sea level), the hometown of the Seventh Dalai Lama. Passing through Daocheng County, we will admire ten thousand acres of green poplar trees, the charming scenery of terracotta river valleys, and Tibetan villages like a paradise. Climb the Powa Mountain (4530 meters above sea level), pass the Chitu River, arrive at Riva in the evening, and check into the hotel.

Day 4: Riwa-Aden-Riwa 

After getting up early, go to Gongga Yingou for the pilgrimage to Xiannai Rishen Mountain (6023 meters above sea level), overlooking Xianuoduoji Mountain (5958 meters above sea level), Yangmaiyong Mountain (5958 meters above sea level) to see wild plants, mountains and snowy mountains, forests, and glaciers, Lakes, rivers, experience the natural fun of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Let the holy water of the sacred mountain and the heart linger together, and indulge in the dreamland. (Tour Aden Scenic Area on horseback) This is the last Shangri-La! In the afternoon, bid farewell to the three sacred mountains, step by step away from the last Shangri-La, relive the intoxicating natural scenery, and return to Riwa.

Day 5: Riwa-Dongwang Grand Canyon – Meili Snow Mountain 

After breakfast, head to Meili Snow Mountain, and first climb over Rhododendron Mountain. In April and May, the Rhododendron Valley is in full bloom, and the beauty of the Rhododendrons fills the entire valley. Then on the way, you will pass the Dongwang Grand Canyon. The Dongwang Grand Canyon is next to the highway. The turquoise water and sparkling waves form a different beauty from the cliffs next to it, which is amazing to see Meilun.

There will be a lot of large trucks on road. There are falling rocks in some places. Watch for safe passage

Day 6: Meili Snow Mountain- Salt Well- Zuogong 

In the morning, the weather is good and you can see Meili Snow Mountain and Sunshine Jinshan. This kind of scenery is difficult to see. Some people may not have the opportunity to see Meili Snow Mountain for a few days. Good luck everyone. After breakfast, we will go to Mangkang Salt Well. Yanjing is a magical place in Tibet. Historically, it was the main route from Tubo to Nanzhao, and it was also the only way for Yunnan tea to be transported to Tibet.

The cultural landscape of Yanjing and Salt Fields is now the only surviving artificial original salt-dried landscape on the “Ancient Tea Horse Road”. Come out of the Yanjing Scenic Area, climb over the Hongla Mountain, and then stay at Zuogong Hotel.

Day 7: Zuogong-Bangda – Basu – Ranwu 

Zuogong departs via Bangda. Bangda, at an altitude of 4,400 meters, is the intersection of the southern and northern Sichuan-Tibet lines. It is connected to Qamdo in the north and Linzhi and Lhasa in the west. It is an important transportation hub. The only airport in eastern Tibet is built on the open Bangda grassland and is the highest civilian airport in the world. Say goodbye to the grassland and climb over the largest natural danger of Hengduan Mountain-Nujiang Mountain. The mountain pass is 4839 meters above sea level. After the famous Ninety-Nine Road, descend to the bank of the Nu River and arrive at Basu.

Day 8: Ranwu Lake – Laigu Glacier – Bomi 

After breakfast, bid farewell to Ranwu and proceed to Laigu Glacier. Located in Ranwu Town, Baxu County, Qamdo Region, Tibet, next to Ranwu Lake, Lagu Glacier is one of the world’s three largest glaciers and the source of Palong Zangbo. The ice and snow melt The water flows into Lake Ranwu. The lake is surrounded by dense virgin forests and there are many primitive Tibetan villages, including Meixi, Yalong, Ruojiao, Dongga, Xiongga, and Niuma Glaciers. Among the glaciers, Yalong Glacier is the most spectacular. The “Yalong Glacier” is 12 kilometers long and extends from the main peak of Gangri Gabu Mountain at 6,606 meters above sea level to Gangri Gabu Lake at 4 kilometers above sea level. In terms of climate, it is located in the main channel for cold air transport from the Indian Ocean monsoon to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Sufficient precipitation is conducive to the development of glaciers, which are marine glaciers. In the afternoon, we left the scenic spot and returned to Ranwu, passing by Midui Glacier, and heading to Bomi County to stay.

Day 9: Bomi – Tongmai-  Lulang – Linzhi 

From Zam Town, the town of Bomi County, walk through the virgin forest and set off towards the last Tianxian Tongmai on the Sichuan-Tibet line. Now the Tongmai tunnel has been connected to four and three, and the two bridges have also passed through one after another. Passing through Tongmai will be easier than before. Then through the dense forest like the sea of ​​Lulang, over the snow-covered, cloud-shrouded Sejila Mountain, 4702 meters above sea level, the mountain is famous for the sea of ​​azaleas in spring and summer, and this mountain is also the best view of Nanga Bawa Peak One of the places. After crossing Sejila Mountain, you will reach Nyingchi County, which is downhill all the way to the lower reaches of the Niyang River. It is 19 kilometers away from Bayi Town, the capital of Nyingchi Prefecture at an altitude of 2,400 meters. Bayi Township Giant Berlin is 4 kilometers away from Bayi Town, which is known as “The King of Cypress Trees of the World”.

Day 10: Linzhi-Gongbujiangda – Mozhugongka- Lhasa 

Depart from Nyingchi Town, enjoy the beautiful Niyang River scenery along the way (the legend says that the Niyang River is formed by the “tears of the goddess”. The green waves are at the bottom, and the water is exceptionally quiet and clear. The Niyang River originates from Mount Mila in the east It flows for more than 300 kilometers and merges into the Yarlung Zangbo River about 40 kilometers south of Bayi Town. Then along the Lhasa River Valley, you arrive at Daktze  After Daktze goes west, you can see the majestic Potala Palace on the Red Mountain from a distance. , The holy city of Lhasa is right in front of you.

Day 11: Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Lhasa

Starting in the morning, we will climb the Gambara Mountain at 4,852 meters above sea level. When standing on the pass, the Yamdrok Lake (4,441 meters above sea level), known as the sacred lake in the sky, comes into view, like a streamer hanging between the sky and the earth, the clear lake. , The majestic snow-capped mountains and the blue sky are integrated, and the beautiful and picturesque scenery makes you intoxicated. After enjoying the beautiful Yanghu, we returned to Lhasa to end the trip.

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