7 Days Chengdu to Lhasa Overland Tour via G318 National Highway

In the morning, begin your 450-kilometer drive from Chengdu to Xinduqiao. Your first highlight is Mount Siguniang, or Four Sisters Mountain, with its stunning snow-capped peaks reaching elevations of 5,025 to 6,250 meters.

Next, you'll pass through Danba County, known as the Valley of Beauties, where traditional Tibetan watchtowers and picturesque scenery await.

Arrive in Xinduqiao by late afternoon, where the interplay of light and shadow over the tranquil villages, meadows, and rivers creates a dreamlike landscape.

Relax and prepare for your journey into the Tibetan Plateau with an overnight stay in Xinduqiao.

Stay overnight in Xinduqiao.

After breakfast, you'll set off for Litang, the world's highest-altitude city at 4,015 meters. En route, you'll visit the historic Ke'er Monastery, also known as Litang Monastery. Established in 1580, it is the oldest and largest Gelug sect Tibetan Buddhist temple in the Kham region, sprawling over 500 acres and housing nearly a thousand monks.

Next, you'll continue your journey west to Batang. Along the way, you'll visit Maoya Prairie, a highland grassland encircled by mountains. This expansive green landscape, dotted with tents emitting light smoke and traversed by cattle and sheep, is a serene sight. If you're lucky, you might spot antelopes, yellow ducks, marmots, and other wildlife. Here, you'll experience the vastness of the plateau and the vibrant energy of life, immersing yourself in the natural beauty.

Finally, you'll arrive at today's destination, Batang, a plateau city at 2,575 meters. Staying at a lower altitude in Batang will help with your acclimatization, especially if you've recently entered the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Stay overnight in Batang.

Today, we begin to enter the region of Tibet. Our tour vehicle will pass through three renowned rivers, namely Jinsha River, Lancang River and Nu River, all originating from the rivers of Tanggula Mountains. As the raging torrent pounds jagged mountains in deep valley, you can hear the roaring sound of nature. Undoubtedly, this part of the road is treacherous.

Keeping moving westwards, we will pass Lawu Mountain (4358m) and Dongda Mountain (5008m). Standing on the lofty mountain passes, you can take in the spectacular views of wandering Sichuan-Tibet highway and Lancang river crawing through mountain ranges. At night, we will arrive in Zogong.

Stay overnight in Zogong.

Today, we will continue our adventure to the next destination of Rakwa Tso. We will first pass Bangda Grassland, one of the most important pastures in Tibet. This place is quite enchanting, decorated with tender flows of river, boundless grass, flocks of yaks and horses, and nameless wild flowers and lushes.

After a short visit to Bangda Grassland, we will overcome the precipitous Yela Mountain (4839m), the most dangerous natural barrier on Hengduan Mountain Range. Then following the famous Seventy-two Bends, we will descend to the shore of Nu River.

Keeping moving westwards, we will enter a world of snow-capped mountains, pristine forests and idyllic villages. The altitude change could reach 2500m from the mountain pass to the valley bottom, thus you can experience 4 seasons just in a single day. At night, we will reach Rakwa Tso.

Stay overnight at Rakwa Tso.

Rakwa Tso is a typical seasonal glacial lake in Chamdo, serving as source of Parlung Tsangpo Lake. Stretching westwards for about 10 km, this narrow river slowly plunges into a huge canyon. The flickering light of Rakwa Tso shows incredible beauty, with the snow-capped peaks and primeval forests afar as the background.

Leaving the amazing Rakwa Tso behind, we will hit the road and traverse dense forest and turbulent Parlung Tsangpo, until reaching Bome. On the way, you can visit the Midui Glacier, famed as the most beautiful glacier in China. It is also known as the only glacier with the lowest altitude in the world.

Stay overnight in Bome.

In the morning, you'll leave Bome and head east. As you drive, the snow-capped mountains grow more enchanting, and the forest becomes denser. The mountains, like diamonds against the clear sky, create a breathtaking scene, with white clouds floating between them and the vast forest below.

After a while, you'll arrive at Guxiang Lake, hidden in the forest. Next, you'll climb to the Sejila Mountain pass at 4,702 meters, where you'll have a breathtaking view of Mt. Namcha Barwa, the famous snow-capped peak at the eastern end of the Himalayas. Towering like a majestic spear, Namcha Barwa's snowy summit glistens like diamonds against the blue sky.

Continuing onward, you'll reach the Lulang Forest Platform, the second observation deck for viewing Namcha Barwa. Here, you can once again marvel at the stunning beauty of the peak rising above the vast forest, cutting through the sky.

After this visual feast of snow-capped mountains and forests, you'll arrive at Lulang International Tourism Town. Here, you can savor delicious local cuisine, stroll through the town, and soak in the peaceful, leisurely atmosphere.

After that, we will move westwards to Nyinchi, the biggest city in eastern Tibet. If you come in spring, you will see beautiful peach flowers in full bloom at the foot of the forest.

Stay overnight in Nyingchi.

After breakfast, your tour guide will escort you to Basum Tso Lake, revered by the Tibetan Red Sect. The island in the center of the lake resembles a tranquil water garden, with blue waves lapping at its shores and ancient trees shading the temple. This serene spot stands out from other temples and attractions along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. You'll explore Tsozong Gompa Temple, a millennium-old sanctuary on the island, and delve into its rich religious heritage.

Then, you'll head towards the holy city of Lhasa via the highway connecting Lhasa and Nyingchi. As you travel, you'll encounter a stretch along the Nyang River, offering a breathtaking view that feels like gliding above a vast blue ocean.

The sight of the majestic Potala Palace signifies the culmination of your adventurous journey on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Upon arrival, your tour guide and driver will assist you with hotel check-in, allowing you to freshen up and relax.

The tour concludes in Lhasa.

Notice:

If you wish to extend your adventure to other parts of Tibet, such as Shigatse, Everest Base Camp, or Mount Kailash, please inform us. We offer a variety of exceptional tours to other destinations in Tibet starting from Lhasa.