Home - Tours - Drive to Lhasa - 16 days Sichuan/Tibet highway travel
16 days adventure travel to Tibet from Sichuan
First take the north route of Sichuan-Tibet highway before Chamdo, and then switch to take south route in Tibet after Chamdo
Day01: Arriving in Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu from your home or other city in China. Upon arriving, met and transferred to hotel.
Day02: Chengdu to Xiaojin (360KM)
Drive to Xiaojin, with a tour to Wolong panda breeding & Research center
Day03: Xiaojin to Daofu to Luhuo (255KM)
Whole day drive to Luhuo, on the way, visit Huiyuan monastery at Bamei
Day04: Luhuo to Ganzi (100KM)
At Luhuo county town, visit Luhuo Lingque monastery; Ganzi is an important city on the northern Sichuan - Tibet road, visit Ganzi monastery which was once the ruling center of the Gongsha family over this land. The Shangghen Renpoche (3rd) is now the religious top leader of Ganzi monastery and Litang monastery.
Day05: Ganzi to Payul (Baiyu) (230KM)
Drive through the Haizi mountain to Baiyu which is located by a river in a deep valley, on the way there, lush forests and peaceful villages make your tour impressive. At Baiyu, visit Baiyu monastery.
Day06: Baiyu to Derge (140KM)
On the way to Derge, visit Palpun monastery which is the largest and most important Kagyulpa monastery in Kham area of Sichuan province; if time allowed, you can select to pay little extra money to visit Katoc (Gatuo) monastery, which is about 35 kilometers into Hepo village off the main transportain road; Katoc monastery is one of the most famous Nyingmapa sect monasteries.
Following upstream of Jianshajiang river to Gato bridge, then swift to east to Derge town.
Day07: Derge sightseeing
Derge is famous for its huge collection of Buddhism scriptures and books, esp. for its printing boards (wood made). Visit the Derge printing house and Gengqing monastery (Sakyapa order).
Day08: Derge to Chamdo (340KM)
Crossing Garto bridge over Jinshajiang river (which is the natural division line between Sichuan and Tibet). Just crossing the bridge is the Shenchenlangtsa holy mountain. At Tonpu, turn to the south to enjoy the unmatchable view along the Tsaqu valley. (55km in and then going back to Tongpu village). Because of its forests, many engravers working Derge printing house (major in wood carving) come from here.
Day09: whole day touring in Chamdo
Whole day touring in Chamdo city, Chamdo city is the biggest city in eastern Tibet A.R., built by the river of Lanchangjiang river (Mekhong river); while touring in Chamdo city, visit Chamdo monastery (Qiangbalin monastery) which is the biggest Gelupa monastery and the biggest one in the eastern Tibet, enjoys a high reputation among believers.
Day10: Chamdo to Bangdha airport to Basu town to Ranwu lake (340KM)
Driving about 165 KM further south is the famous Bangdha airport and Bangdha town, which lies at a strategic location (to the left of Bangdha town is road to Yunnan and Sichuan; to its west is road to Tibet and China/India Border. today on the way, there is no arranged scenic visit but natural landscape; sightseeing by Ranwu lake
Day11: Ranwu lake to Bomi (130KM)
After morning photo taking by the lake, driving downstream to Bomi, the scenery in and around Bomi town (Tsamu town) is typical subtropical weather. From the town, people can see exposing snow peaks.
Day12: Bomi to Lintse town to Bayi city
Between Bomi town and Lintse town is famous Nanjiabawa snow peak (7783M), which is highest mountain peak among peaks over 7000 meters and also it is the highest peak in east Tibet highland; on the way to Lintse town, you will feel the grandness of the rivers, mountains and valleys, deep by the road
Day13: Bayi city to Lhasa (400KM)
Drive the final 400 kilometers to get to Lhasa, the destination of this tour; naturally sightseeing along the way. having lunch at Songduo
Day14: Lhasa sightseeing
In the morning, visit the grand - looking Potala Palace, which was built in the 7th century for the King. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang temple and stroll in the famous local bazaar - Parkhor street.
Day15: Lhasa sightseeing
Visit Tsepung monastery which is the biggest monastery in Tibet. Then visit Sera monastery and Norbulingka which can give you deep impression of Tibet arts and civilization.
Day16: Lhasa to your destination by air/ or by rail
Take morning flight to your next stop; or send you to Lhas railway station, you take train to leave Tibet
There are 4 routes which start from Chengdu and winds its way to Lhasa, the other three are as below:
- Chengdu - Bamei - Luhuo - Ganzi - Baiyu - Dege - Chamdo - Riwoche - Sok - Nakchu - Dangxiong - Lhasa
- Chengdu - Litang - Batang - Mangkang - Bangda - Basu - lake Ranwok - Bomi - Lintse - Bayi - Lhasa
- Chengdu - Litang - Batang - Mangkang - Bangda (turn northward) Chamdo - Riwoche - Sok - Nakchu - Dangxiong - Lhas