World-Class Overland Route: Chengdu to Lhasa via G318 National Highway-15 Days

Start the thrilling Sichuan-Tibet highway journey from Chengdu to Kangding and experience the breathtaking landscapes from the Chengdu plain to the plateau at 2560 meters above sea level.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive through the Chengdu Plain, reaching Kangding after a 300-kilometer overland journey that takes about 3 hours. Situated on the edge of the Tibet Plateau, Kangding was once a crucial transfer port on the Ancient Tea-horse Road and now still serves as a significant gateway for trade between Tibetans and Han groups.

Upon arrival in Kangding, your first stop is the Mugecuo Scenic Area, also known as the Kanding Love Song Resort. Here, indulge in splendid views of highland lakes, pristine forests, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, unique rock formations, and a waterfall canyon of 8 kilometers long.

After the visit, return to downtown Kangding.

Stay overnight in Kangding.

Today, conquer Zheduo Mountain, the first high peak on your way to Tibet, and pass through the scenic photography haven, Xinduqiao.

After breakfast, depart Kangding for Zheduo Mountain (4962m), the first gateway to the Kham region. You’ll be captivated by the breathtaking scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—Tibetan villages, expansive grasslands, yaks, under the backdrop of blue skies, white clouds, flowing streams, and picturesque poplar trees.

After crossing Zheduo Mountain, you will keep heading west and reach Xinduqiao (3460m), known as a paradise for photography. The tranquil villages, meandering rivers, vibrant traditional Tibetan homes, and fragrant alpine meadows create an enchanting scene, seemingly transporting you to the idyllic landscapes of your dream hometown, leaving you captivated. Particularly in autumn, the vibrant hues of the alpine meadows and trees transform Xinduqiao into a vivid and colorful living canvas.

In the evening, you will finally reach Yajiang County

Stay overnight in Yajiang.

Today is the journey to Daocheng Yading, the “Last Shangri-La on Earth”!

In the morning, start today’s drive from Yajiang to Daocheng Yading. En route, you will cross the Kazila Mountain (4718m) and reach Litang, the highest city in the world at 4014 meters above sea level.

Since Litang is the hometown of the 7th Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso, you can see many icons of cranes in this small town, like the streetlights and portraits are all shaped like cranes.

Passing through Litang, you’ll reach Haizi Mountain (4500m). Here is the largest site of the ancient glacier on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, consisting of 1145 lakes of various sizes, which seem like diamonds dropped by God on the plateau. You will marvel at the miraculous craftsmanship of nature.

Then, you will drive through Tibetan villages at Chitu River Valley and finally reach today’s destination – the Shangri-La Town in Daocheng County.

Stay overnight in Shangri-La Town (Daocheng County).

Today, you’ll be enchanted by the breathtaking beauty of Daocheng Yading!

After breakfast, hop on the sightseeing bus to Chonggu Temple, the heart of Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve. Here, you will get a close-up view of the Xiannairi Snow Mountain with an altitude of 6,032 meters, as well as the grasslands, forests, and streams beneath the snow-capped peaks. These natural scenery together with colorful prayer flags and Mani stones form a dream-like scene.

Then, you will board the sightseeing bus again to Luorong Cattle Farm. Or, you can choose to trek for three hours (optional) to reach the farm. Here, you will appreciate another two sacred mountains of Daocheng Yading – Xianuo Duoji Mountain (also known as Mt. Chenadorje) and Yangmaiyong Mountain.

After the tour, get back to your hotel in Shangri-La Town.

Stay overnight in Shangri-La Town.

Continue your journey today and bask in the beauty of Maoya Prairie in Litang.

In the morning, you will take a scenic drive from Daocheng Yading back to Litang. On the way back, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of Haizi Mountain again.

Then, you’ll reach today’s destination – Batang, a plateau city at an altitude of 2,560 meters.

After arriving in Batang, you will head to 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 the tour, get back to your hotel in Batang.

Stay overnight in Batang.

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.

Today, you will face the exciting challenge of rapid descent, crossing the most spectacular and exciting winding mountain road in the whole journey – Nu River 72 Turns.

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 “Nu 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.

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.

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).

Today, you will complete the last leg of your trip to eastern Tibet, visit the beautiful Basongtso, and then 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 of more than ten days on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is coming to an end. The holy city of Lhasa welcomes you!

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

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today’s Highlight is a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Sites Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, providing a glimpse into the daily beliefs and lives of the people of Lhasa.

After breakfast, your first stop is the Potala Palace, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Lhasa Old Town. Discover the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After touring the Potala Palace, you will visit Longwangtan Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, you can appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities.

In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion – the Jokhang Temple. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Next, follow your guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. Sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea alongside local Tibetans as your guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, start the overland journey from Lhasa to Shigatse, which includes visits to Tibet’s most beautiful lake, glacier, and a charming Tibetan village.

First, drive over the Gampala pass (4900m) to catch a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The Yamdrok Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa.

Next, you will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside. It is the largest glacier in Tibet. As you see the ice tongue of the glacier climb the entire hillside, you will feel the magical power of nature.

Then, continue your journey to Gyantse. On the way, you will stop at Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang prayer flags to pray for world peace and the health of your family.

After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse. From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green (in summer) and golden (in autumn) Tibetan barley fields and countless farms.

Finally, we arrive in Shigaste (3900m), the second largest city in Tibet. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today’s main attraction is a visit to Shigatse’s largest monastery, the Tashilhunpo Monastery. Later, you’ll return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchen Lama – Tashilunpo Monastery. The grand and magnificent halls of the largest local monastery occupy the entire hillside. This is the spiritual home of the Tibetan people in Shigatse, housing the world’s largest statue of Maitreya Buddha. Inside, you will see monks adorned with yellow hats and red robes, moving about the temple.

Then, you will return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the mother river of the Tibetan people.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight/train details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport or train station.

Thank you for choosing Good Karma Trekking, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.