14 days North Sichuan to Tibet Northern Road Scenic Photography

Hello welcome to plan this scenic photography adventure from Chengdu to Lhasa, Tibet. With the COVID19 ongoing spread around the globe, we sugget you and your family postpone the trip no earlier than summer 2021. For the trip details, please send email to us: service@tibetctrip.com.

14 Days Northern Sichuan Tibet Scenic Driving Outline

Day01 Arrive in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
Day02 Chengdu - Wolong-Danba county
Day03 Danba - Bamei county
Day04 Bamei - Kasa Lake - Garze
Day05 Garze - Yilhun Lhatso-County of Dege Day06 Dege - Chamdo
Day07 Chamdo - Riwoche Jeep 105 km Day08 Riwoche - Dengchen Jeep 185 km
Day09 Dengchen - Bachen - Sok Dzong Jeep 255 km
Day10 Sok Dzong - Naqu Jeep 230 km
Day11 Nagqu- Nam-Tso Lake - Lhasa Jeep 484 km
Day12 - In Lhasa, visit Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar, Sera Monastery
Day13 - In Lhasa, visit Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery
Day14 Fly onward to Kathmandu, Nepal or extend back to China

Sichuan to Tibet overland Tour Day by day arrangements - 2021/2022 Tours of Tibet

Day01 Arrive in Chengdu Arrive in Chengdu, capital of province Sichuan, the home town of Panda. Picked up by the local guide at airport and transferred to hotel as per your requests.
Chengdu, centrally located in the western Sichuan Plain, Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province with nickname "Storehouse of Heaven" and longstanding history and civilization. Through the city flows the Jinjiang River. It is a beautiful city full of vigor and vitality and with pleasant climate. Among its renowned scenic spots are Marquis Wu Shrine, Thatched Cottage Du Fu, and Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Chengdu is also home of the giant panda.
Chengdu enjoys an advantageous geographical location. It has easy access to the Three Gorges on the Changjiang (Yangtze) River in the east; to Tibet, Jiuzhaigou, and Huanglong Temple in the west; to the Terra-cotta Warriors of Xi'an in the north; and to Mt. Emei and the Giant Buddha of Leshan in the south.
There are airlines between Chengdu and following cities: Hongkong, Kathmandu, Nagoya, Bangkok, Singapore, Europe, Tokyo/Osaka/Fukuoka, Seoul and every major city in China.
US consulate in Chengdu: www.usembassy-china.org.cn/chengdu/cons
Day02 Chengdu - Wolong - Danba
In the morning leave for Danba. We'll cross the Wolong Giant Panda Natural Reserve, where about 50 giant pandas are bred in a semi-natural environment. After lunch at Wolong, cross the foggy Balang Mountain (4,523 meters) and pass by the Siguniang Shan Mountain (four-girls mountain, highest peak 6250 m), late in the afternoon we reach Danba (1900 meters).
Accommodation: local tourist standard hotel
Day03 Danba - Bamei
The local people are called Jiarong (Gyarong) Tibetans. Danba has long been acclaimed as the Kingdom of Thousands of Ancient Blockhouses. Visit the ancient block towers in Suopo. In the afternoon drive to Bamei. Pass by Donggu Scenery Spot (the Natural Bonsai Valley), which is situated at the Donggu Village 21 kilometers to the southwest of Danba County. In the valley, the clear Yak River flows through and numerous varieties of plants are well preserved and the lush and damp forests make it hard to view the sky. Many lakes and hot-water pools at the bottom of the valley create a world of steam. Reach Bamei in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: local tourist standard hotel
Day04 Bamei - Kasa Lake - Garze
we will drive to Garze, the real cultural and religious center for the Tibetans living in Sichuan. In Tibetan "Garze" means "white and beauty", named after the famous temple in the county. On the way have a rest by the Kasa Lake. Upon arrival, visit Garze monastery of yellow sect (Gelug).
Accommodation: local tourist standard hotel
Day05 Garze - Yilhun Lhatso ? County of Dege
In the morning, we pass by Manigange to visit Xinlu Hai Lake (Yilhun Lhatso). Located at the foot of Chola Mountain in Dege County, Xinlu Hai Lake Scenic Spot is 98 kilometers from Garze County and 100 kilometers from Dege County. In the afternoon we visit the Dege Printing House which has always been well reputed as the "Cultural Treasury at the Foot of the Snow Mountain." As the national leading protected entity of cultural relics, it is the biggest printing house in Tibetan.
Accommodation: local tourist standard hotel
Day06 Dege - Chamdo
Drive across the Jinsha River (upper reaches of Yangtze) Bridge connecting Sichuan and Tibet heading for Chamdo. We will cross over no less than four passes: Khargang La (4,352 m), Lashi La (4,450 m), Jape La (4,680 m), and Tama La (4,511 m), with clutters of prayer flags waving in the wind on the peaks and friendly nomads waving to us from the grasslands. Straddling the Mekong River, Chamdo (3200 m) was the former capital of Kham in East-Tibetan area and has a rich history as one of the earliest centers of the Tibetan plateau and home of Kalden Jampaling.
Accommodation: local tourist standard hotel
Day07 Chamdo - Riwoche Jeep 105 km
In the morning we visit Galden Jampaling monastery. In the afternoon drive over the Zholpel La pass (4688 m) to Riwoche (3810 m).
Accommodation: local tourist standard hotel
Day08 Riwoche - Dengchen Jeep 185 km
The road from Riwoche to Dengchen is a little bit tough. But after about 3 hours safe drive, we will get to Dengchen, which is the center of the Boen-Religion, the primitive religion based on ancient witchcraft and the worship to god and ghost, and was spread through the whole Tibet before the Buddhism was introduced into Tibet. Here we are going to visit two monasteries: Tengchen and Ritro Lhakhang
Accommodation: local tourist standard hotel
Day09 Dengchen - Bachen - Sok Dzong Jeep 255 km
After master Tsuri La Pass (4200 m) and Shel La Pass (4750 m) we arrive at Bachen, the "big Yak hair tents". Continue to drive 30 km we reach Sok Dzong (also named Thoshan).
Accommodation: local tourist standard hotel
Day10 Sok Dzong - Naqu Jeep 230 km
we will drive to the Sok Tsanden Zhol village, and visit the monastery of Nyima sect - Sok Tsanden Gompa. After that cross over two passes and reach the city of Shakchuka. Still just 100 km and two other passes have to be mastered before arrive at the today's destination Naqu. The northern route of Sichuan - Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) and the Qinghai-Tibet Highway (Golmud - Lhasa) meet in Naqu.
Accommodation: local tourist standard hotel, normally we use Nagchu Hotel
Day11 Nagqu- Nam-Tso Lake - Lhasa Jeep 484 km
Drive on the vast Qiangtang Grassland for Nam Tso. Cross the 5,150 m Lhachen La Pass and reach the Namtso or Tengri Nor along the newly paved way and set up camp at Tashi Dorie peninsula. It is said the holy lake and the holy mountain Nyanchenthangula are a couple of lovers, who altogether guard the vast pasture and cattle. In the afternoon, we will drive to Lhasa (3650 m), capital of Tibet.
Accommodation: Yak Hotel or Shangbala Hotel, or similar one such as Kailash Hotel, Gorkha Hotel, House of Shangbala, Ramche Hotel, Mandala Hotel, etc. all these hotels are with good locations.
Day 12 - In Lhasa, visit Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar, Sera Monastery
On this second day morning we will take a very easy visit to Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar. Jokhang temple, the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques, is the most revered shrine in all of Tibet and is constantly bustling with devoted worshippers. Everyday, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. In the afternoon we will visit is Sera Monastery, a fifteenth century sprawl of golden roofs and whitewashed walls. This well preserved monastery locates 5 km to the north direction of central Lhasa city. Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The 'Buddhism Scriptures Debating' in Sera is very famous. Please be aware of the activities always begin in the afternoon except Sundays.
Day 13 - In Lhasa, visit Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery
A trip to Tibet is a big loss if without experiencing the vital Potala Palace. Potala Palace is a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. We will visit those rooms, halls and chapels Another visit is to Drepung Monastery, once the world's largest monastery, housing 10,000 monks, it lies hidden in rocky ridges just beyond the city. Drepung Monastery is about 8km west from central Lhasa. These white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains.
Day 14 Fly onward to Kathmandu, Nepal or extend back to China
Your Tibet guide and your driver will see you off to airport or train station, your Tibet tour with us ends. And hopefully it will leave you unforgettable memory in your whole life.
It is suggested to extend further to visit more highlights in Tibet, such as Everest Base Camp (8 km trek), Shigatse, Tsetang, etc.