Traveling from Sichuan Province to Tibet is one of the great road trips in China, with a route that covers over 2,200 kilometers, passing through some of the greatest sights of western Sichuan and Nyingchi in Tibet. There are two routes to Lhasa, one is the Northern Line and the other is the Southern Linee, which all start from Chengdu and have some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
The southern route of the Sichuan-Tibet highway is well known for its spectacular scenery while it is also considered to be very dangerous. However, it will be a perfect route to drive to Tibet as long as you are an attentive and experienced driver.
Because of the beautiful scenery on the route, the southern line is often used as a pilgrimage route to the holy city of Lhasa which is the most revered city in Tibet and the center of Tibetan Buddhism.Every day, Tibetan Buddhists in Western Sichuan travel 2149 kilometers through the wilderness of Western Sichuan and the beautiful valley of Nyingchi to Lhasa and Jokhang Temple, the most sacred place in Tibet. And it is not only the devout Tibetan Buddhists who follow this path, but also many Han Chinese youths set out on the journey in search of a challenge and fulfillment which can not be found in modern and urban cities.
There are many spectacular scenery along the route such as Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon and the snow mountain of Mount Gongga, much less Maoya Grasslands. Along the road, you will pass through regions with predominant Kham culture, and explore more of the Tibetan culture that can be found outside TAR, in places like Danba, Kangding, Xinduqiao, and Litang and Nyingchi.
It would be good to drive this road all the year around. Yet it is too too dangerous to drive in some seasons. But in other seasons, you will be returned with the spectacular landscapes and scenery when you drive along the highway at whatever time. And though the scenery changes with the season, it is spectacular at whatever time of the year.
The temperature in Nyingchi in March and April are warmer than they are in further west, so while most of Tibet is still covered by snow and quite cold, the climate in Nyingchi is already warm, which provides favourable conditions for the peach flowers blooming all over the region. Nyingchi is an area covered with wild forests, green pastures and thousands of peach trees. Spring is one of the most amazing times of year to drive along the highway because the famous Peach Blossom Festival is in mid-March to early April.
May and June are also one of the great times to drive the highway for the azaleas are blooming and summer is under way. Sejila Mountain in Nyingchi Prefecture is one of the best sites to see the beautiful azalea flowers. In the 50 km section of the highway around Sejila Mountain, there are totally around 25 species of azaleas, the blooming of which is spectacular and brings thousands of tourists from all over the world.
With the arrival of July and August, the entire highway turns green in the ornament of lush grasses on the open pasture lands and the trees heavy with leaves. In summer, with the watering of monsoon rains, small flowers on the prairie bloom and cover the grassland with a carpet of colourful flowers. The landscape comes alive with colors. Although it will sometimes shower at night or for a couple of hours in the afternoon, the weather is warm in most times. Check the latest weather report will help before you hit the road. July and August are also the horse racing festivals seasons, among which Litang Horse Racing Festival in Kham Tibetan Area is the most popular one along the highway. This traditional Tibetan festival is held from August 1 to August 7 every year in Litang County, Sichuan Province while it is also the most celebrated holiday in the Eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Septempber of western Sichuan and southeast Tibet is Autumn season, the leaves start to turn yellow. In september, the rainy season is over and weather is still warm, which makes it one of the best times to travel along the highway.And it is the ideal time to set out on the journey to the famous snow mountain of Minya Konka, or Mount Gonggar, which is the highest mountain in Sichuan province with incomparable beauty and the spectacular Hailuogou Glacier Park, which has the most stunning glaciers in China. And then enjoy the beautiful scenery of Yala Snow Mountain which is an unspoilt land in the world. Yala Kamiyama is located at the junction of Kangding, Danba and Daofu and with snow covering its peak all year round, which makes it one of the four holy mountains of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Region of Sichuan Province and sacred to the local people.
During November and February, though there are still many sightseeing in both western Sichuan and the southeastern part of Tibet ,it is really too cold and dangerous to travel along the highway. Because winter is coming and the roads are covered with snow, which causes temperatures mostly below zero and many lodges and hostels along the route closed. This situation will last until Spring when the snows thaw and the road opens up again that travelers and pilgrims can set out on the 2,149 kilometer journey to the roof of the world.
Insider Tips: As a rule, Tibet is not available to international tourists from mid-February to March, and the off season is from November to early February.So the peak season of Tibet tour begins from April to Oct.
Consisting of modern oceanic glacier, complete virgin forest, boiling, hot and cold springs, Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park is an integrative scenic district, which locates in Moxi Town of southwestern part of Luding County while sitting on the east hillside of Mt. Gongga, the highest mountain in Sichuan.
As a picturesque small Tibetan town, Xinduqiao is famous for its plateau pasture scenery, vivid green grassland, streams, mountains and Tibetan counting houses. It is well known as the “paradise of photographers” where the stunning scenery and perfect natural views will guarantee you come amazing photos.
For the tourists with a sense of real adventure and a great spot for trekking, Mount Gongga, or Minya Konka which is the highest mountain in Sichuan Province is a must-see attraction. You can reach the huge area spot, Minya Konka with several good trekking routes, almost all of which will pass by the world renowned Minya Konka Monastery. The National Geographic reporter, Joseph Rock visited the monastery which houses a sarcophagus containing the remnants of a previous “living Buddha” of the monastery which are revered as sacred by the visiting monks.
One of the most beautiful and popular places on the Tibetan Plateau is the Yading Nature Reserve in the Kham region of Sichuan, which is the home to the three holy mountains of Chenrezig (with elevation of 6,032 meters), Chanadorje (with elevation of 5,958 meters) and Jambeyang (also with elevation of 5,958 meters). These snow-capped peaks are shaped in the form of a triangle among which there are forested valleys, clear rivers, glacier-fed lakes and abundant wildlife.
This amazing scenic spot has unparalleled natural beauty, which is a typical Tibetan landscape decorated by a beautiful striking blue lake and a natural hot spring sourced from the purest natural mineral-rich waters. The monastery contrasts sharply with the barren and empty landscape, with only towering mountains and spectacular glaciers. It is worthwhile for visitors to visit the Haizi Mountain and Sister Lake in Daocheng County.
Maoya Prairie, locating in western Litang County of Ganzi Prefecture, is the largest area of grassland in the central Shaluli Range of the Hengduan Mountains. This boundless prairie at a elevation between 3,800 meters and 4,500 meters is filled with wandering flocks and herds, and it is the site to held the famous Litang Horse Racing Festival.
Lancang River is known as the upper reaches of the Mekong River in China and one of the biggest rivers in Southwest China. Lancang River Canyon, China’s most beautiful grand canyon, cuts through the mountains from Foshan township to Yanmen township with a stretch of 150 kilometers. Meili Snow Mountain lies on the left bank of the canyon while the Baima Snow Mountain is on the right bank. And the length of the slopes of the canyon are nearly 14 kilometers.
Many highways in china are terrific modern architectures, among which the best is the one that meanders down the side of the Nujiang Mountain, in Baxoi County of Chamdo prefecture. The 12-kilometer-long road turns back and forth on the downhill, with sharp turns at intervals. Extreme care shall be taken to drive down this road since there is 72 turns along the downhill path which ends at the Nujiang River at the foot of the mountain.
The Nujiang Grand Canyon is part of the Nujiang River and not far from the Nujiang Mountain with 72 turnings of Nujiang River.It is a spectacular marvel of nature with length of 315 kilometers and banks at height of 3,000meters, which is carved out by Nujiang River, one of the most important rivers in China to be one of the world’s most outstanding gorges.
As a perfect combination of Swiss Alps snow peaks, glaciers and streams in Jiuzhaigou Valley, Ranwu Lake is the largest lake in Eastern Tibet and surrounded by Mt. Gangrigabu in the southwest, the Azhagongla Glacier in the south, the Bosula Peak in the northeast and the famous Lagu glacier in the north.
With elevation of 7,782 meters, Namcha Barwa is the highest mountain in Nyingchi and ranks as the 28th highest peak in the world. As the main holy mountain for Bonism and the oldest religion in Tibet, it is one of the most revered snow mountains in southeast Tibet. And Namcha Barwa, where there is the most intact vertical vegetation zone in China, with evergreen and semi-evergreen tropical rain forests scattered in the river valley below, is noted as the “Museum of Natural Vegetation”.
Midui Glacier, located at Yupu Town, is a typical maritime glacier in Tibet as well as the lowest glacier in the world with its snow line at just 4,694 meters high, which is a must-see tourist attraction for tourists driving to Tibet with the distance of only eight kilometers from the G318 National Highway.
Lulang Forest, located in Lulang Town, Nyingchi County, is a typical plateau mountain meadow featured in stunning mountain scenery. At an elevation of 3,700 meters, Lulang Forest locates between the mountains and glaciers and consists of a vast land of plants, villages and a wide variety of vegetation. Lulang in Tibetan means “a place to forget your homesickness” which is really achievable with its breathtaking landscapes, authentic rural scenery and pure Tibetan lifestyle here.
A Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet is needed for all foreign citizens and it can only be obtained through a registered tour operator who can book your itinerary and apply for the Tibet Travel Permit with your Chinese Entry Visa. And because of the strict policy on the foreign tourists unaccompanied, the tour operator will designate a guide for your entire trip along the highway and before you leave Sichuan obtain Alien’s Travel Permit which is necessary for traveling outside Lhasa. Except above, the guide will also obtain the Military Permit for those wish to visit sensitive areas such as Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
You’d better have a clear idea of which are necessary and unnecessary to take with you in the journey to Tibet. Some travelers like to take the least things in journey while others prefer to take many things to be as comfortable as at home. It is sure that packing light is not advisable because it can be so cold at night even in summer in Tibet and even on the highway across western Sichuan that you shall take warm clothes with you. You can wear lighter clothes when you are in vehicle, but warm layers, a decent down jacket, weatherproof pants and sturdy boots are necessary for excursions along the way. And it is necessary to take sunglasses and sunscreen once you entered Tibet and they can also prevent against snow blindness when you are adventuring in the mountains of western Sichuan.
If you are specifically trekking in Sichuan or Tibet, a large backpack is needed and recommended. Otherwise, a small backpack can be useful for day excursions to carry extra layers and essential items. Remember to prepare medicines and pack them well before you depart.
Tourist-based hotels and hostels are available for foreign travelers with their guide while many other lodges and truck-stops along the road are provided for cyclists and hitchhikers instead of tourists. There are some better hotels along the route in the major towns and cities such as Kangding, Xinduqiao, Zuogong and Bomi, and some smaller lodges and hostels designed for tourists as well. The costs for foreign tourists are much higher than those for Chinese or Tibetans travelers.
Although some western dishes are shown on the menus at the hotels and hostels, the food is a blending of Tibetan dishes and local Sichuan cuisine. So you shall take food enough for the entire trip to Lhasa with you if you are not keen on either Tibetan or Sichuan cuisine.
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