We will drive to Ya'an from Chengdu along the Chengdu-Ya'an Highway (150 km). Then we will drive to Luding via Erlang Mountain Tunnel with a length of 4176 meters and an altitude of 3437 meters. We could take an overview of Minya Konka. We will keep moving toward Kangding after we have our lunch in Luding, via the famous Luding Chain Bridge. It will take us one hour from Luding to Kangding.
We can see the grasslands, snow-covered mountains and Tibetan style villages occasionally on our way from Kangding to Xinduqiao – the fork of the northern and the southern Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Then we will drive toward Litang County via two mountains with an altitude of more than 4000 meters and Maoya Grassland – the largest grassland in Kham Area with an total area of 5000 square kilometers. Litang Monastery here is very famous. It has stored a bronze boiler which could prepare food for 6000 people.
Rekeng National Geopark is located in Cuopugou Natural Reserve between Litang and Batang. It is noted for its large quantity of hot springs. It is similar to the Alps since it presents distinctive natural landscapes in different seasons. We step into the earth of Tibet Autonomous Region after we pass the Jinshajiang Bridge in western Batang. Then we will drive to Mangkang after lunch, via Zhubalong. Mangkang is the first county of Tibet on our journey.
We will arrive in Bangda – the conjunction of the southern and the northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway after we climb over Bashan Mountain. Then we will keep moving toward the west. We will arrive in Basu after we cross the Salween River Bridge.
We will drive to Ranwu Lake in the morning. It covers an area of 0.22 million square kilometers with an altitude of 3850 meters. It is noted as Little Switzerland in Tibet for its amazing natural lake and mountain landscapes and is praised as Sleeping Beauty. It is said that the scenery here tops among the natural landscapes along Sichuan-Tibet National Highway. Then we will drive to Bome.
We will drive to Tongmai Natural Barrier from Bome (90 km) and keep moving toward Lulang Forest Sea (60 km). Then we will arrive in Nyingchi after we climb over Segera Mountain Pass with an altitude of 4720 meters. We could take an overview of the natural landscapes of Namjagbrawa Peak.
We will enjoy the amazing natural landscape of Nyang River. The ancient drawbridge and the famous Mainstay are really impressive. Then we will pay a visit to Baksumtso Lake, a holy lake which is highly respected by the followers of Nyingma Sect. We can also appreciate the beautiful natural landscape of Nyang River on our way to Lhasa.
We will make a visit to the highest ancient castle style architectural complex above the sea level – Potala Palace in the morning. It was the residence of the Tibetan Dalai Lamas, as well as the political, educational and religious center of Tibet.
In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to the Jokhang Temple which was widely accepted as the spiritual center of Tibet. The precious Statue of 12-year Sakyamuni (the founder of Buddhism) brought to Tibet by Princess of Chinese Tang Dynasty and the statues of some eminent Buddhists are enshrined in the monastery. Then we will take a ramble at Barkhor Street which around the Jokhang Temple. It is a free market and a famous circumambulation in Tibet.
We will transfer you to the airport or railway station.