Rental Car Tour from Sichuan to Tibet on G318 Highway

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12 Days Private Tour Chengdu – Yaan – Kangding – Xinduqiao – Yajiang - Litang – Batang - Markam – Zuogong – Ranwu – Lulang - Linzhi – Basum Tso – Gandan - Lhasa

Rent car and drive along G318 Highway and the ancient tea-horse-road on “the roof of the world” from Chengdu, Sichuan to Lhasa, Tibet.
At first, we reach Kangding, the gateway to Tibetan area Kham. In Litang, we can feel strong impression of Khampa-Tibetan.
We drive through the Hengduanshan Mountain Range, overcome several high mountain passes and the famous 72-turn of Yela Shan, cross the Three Parallel Rivers Regions, which is consisted of Jinsha Jiang River, Nu Jiang River and Lancang Jiang River (Mekong).
In Linzhi (Nyingchi) Prefecture, “the Little Switzerland of Tibet”, amazing various sceneries accompany our driving: Ranwu Lake, Midui Glacier, Parlung Tsangpo, Lulang Village, Mount Namjabarwa, Niyang River, Basum Tso…
In Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, we have two days for the attractions: Potala, Jokhang, Norblinka and Sera. And from Parla Lupu Monastery we'll enjoy the magnificent view of Potala Palace. We could circle around the Tibetan holiest Monastery Jokhang with pilgrims, who come from all over Tibet and the Tibetan cultural areas of Kham-Amdo of the provinces of Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan. Many pious Tibetans measure the way on the Barkhor market with their body length.

Highlights

Rental Car Tour from Sichuan to Tibet on G318 Highway

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Chengdu

Enjoy Chengdu leisurely daily life, Kuanzhai Xiangzi, drink tea in People’s Park

Arrive in Chengdu, the capital of province Sichuan, the home town of Panda. Pick up by the local guide at airport and transfer to the traffic management bureau to get your temporary Chinese driving license. If the time allows, enjoy the leisure time in Kuanzhai Xiangzi. It consists 3 alleys: Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley, and Jing Alley. Experience the typically leisure lifestyle of Chengdu. After that, we will move to the People’s Park (Renmin Gongyuan). It hosts elegant mountains, broad lake, colorful flowers and flourish woods. Have a seat in the tea house, enjoy your covered-bowl tea in the center of the city, and have a chat with your friends.

Overnight at Boyun Jinjiang Hotel

Kuanzhai Xiangzi

DAY
2

Chengdu – Yaan – Kangding

Ancient tea-horse-road, Panda in Bifengxia, Kangding - gateway to Tibetan area Kham

In the morning go to rent car and leave for Kangding along the old G318 Highway. On the way visit the Bifengxia Panda Base, it was established at the end of 2003, and has become a paradise for giant pandas, a national treasure, with the function of raising, breeding and rescuing giant pandas. It has over 20 giant pandas. Across the Tunnel of Erlang Mountain, the mountain was traditionally the natural borders of Han Chinese villages and the Tibetan communities. In the evening arrive in Kangding, the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the important juncture of Tibetan and Han People in history.

300 km, 4 hours 30 minutes
Overnight at Yuling Snow Hotel (2560 m)

Breakfast

Pandas in Bifengxia

DAY
3

Kangding - Xinduqiao - Yajiang - Litang

Panoramic view of Gongga Mountain. Litang - the “world’s highland city

Today, you’ll drive on the zigzag road up to the mountain chain of Hengduanshan, which extends from the north to the south. In the morning, cross over Zheduo Shan Pass (4298 m) to Xinduqiao, the “Paradise of Photographers”, a small town on the road juncture where the northern route of Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) and the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) meet. When the weather is good, you can see the main peak of Gongga Mountain (7556 m, Minya Konka, “the King Peak of Sichuan”) from Zheduo Shan Pass and Xinduqiao. Keep driving westwards to Litang which is known as "world’s highland city" with an altitude of 4014 m above sea level. Litang is the homeland of 7th Dalai Lama, and some other living Buddhas were also born in Litang. In late July or early August, a grand horse racing festival will be held in Litang and last about 7 days, which attracts many domestic and foreign visitors.

271 km, 6 hours 21 minutes
Overnight at Litang Yalong Hotel (4014 m)

Breakfast

Nunnery of Hepingfahui in Tagong

DAY
4

Litang - Batang

Litang Monastery, Cuopu Valley, Sister Lakes

Visit Litang Monastery (Changqingchunke'er Monastery) lying in the western suburbs of the city. The monastery was originally under the control of the Bon religion but converted into a Gelug Sect monastery in 1580 in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) by the third Dalai Lama. Today, it is the largest monastery of the Gelugpa in south Kham. You will also visit the Renkang Old House - the residence of the 7th Dalai Lama, and walk through the old town Letong. Then drive through the central area of Hengduanshan Mountain Range to the county city Batang, on the way visit Cuopu Valley and stop at the Sister Lakes.

170 km, 3 hours 30 minutes
Overnight at Batang Xianyun Hotel (2580 m)

Breakfast

Sisters Lake

DAY
5

Batang - Markam - Zuogong

Drive in the Three Parallel Rivers Regions, central area of Hengduanshan Mountain Range. Leave Sichuan and enter Tibet

drive from Batang via Golden Sand River (Jinsha Jiang, upper reaches of the Yangtze) Bridge to Markam, the first city of Tibet on this overland journey. Jinsha Jiang is the boundary between Sichuan and Tibet. You drive now in the Three Parallel Rivers Regions, which is consisted of Jinsha Jiang River, Nu Jiang River and Lancang Jiang River (Mekong) originated from the Tanggula Mountain Range of Tibetan Plateau flow in parallel southward. On the way cross three mountain passes: Joba (3880 m), Lawu (4358 m) and Dongda (5080 m).

259 km, 5 hours 4 minutes
Overnight at Yuexi Holiday Hotel (3750 m)

Breakfast

Jinsha River

DAY
6

Zuogong - Bangda - Baxoi - Ranwu

Overcome 72-turn, stay be the beautiful Ranwu Lake

Drive along upstream to Bangda, a town junction where Lhasa connects to the Chamdo-Kunming Highway. Keep drive across Yela Mountain (4,618 meters), then enter the famous 72-turn, it is the most tortuous road in Tibet. Afterwards drive to Ranwu Lake (Ngan Tso), a spectacularly crystal blue lake surrounded by snow peaks. As a part of Parlung Tsangpo River, Ranwu Lake is composed of Upper Ranwu Lake and Lower Ranwu Lake. And there is a large meadow between Upper Ranwu Lake and Lower Ranwu Lake. Parlung Tsangpo River originates from Laigu Glacier that is 40 km away from Ranwu Town. Walking along the Upper Ranwu Lake and Lower Ranwu Lake, you can enjoy the scenery of beautiful snow mountain and meadow, as well as village by the lake.

292 km, 5 hours 32 minutes
Overnight at Mingjing Hotel (3970 m)

Breakfast

Winding Mountain Road

DAY
7

Ranwu - Midui - Bome - Lulang

Midui Glacier, Parlung Tsangpo, Lulang Town

Drive to Bomi along Ranwu valley. On the way, visit Midui Glacier which is consisted of beautiful Tibetan village, farm fields, snow mountains, glaciers, forests, lakes, etc. Midui Glacier is on the upstream of Midui River and melting glacier flows into Midui River and then into Parlung Tsangpo River. Midui Glacier is the most important marine glacier in Tibet and the lowest elevation glacier in China. The main peak of the glacier is 6800 meters above sea level and its snow line is only 4600 meters above sea level. From Ranwu to Bomi, about 100 km, is the most beautiful part of this overland tour. Driving along the Parlung Tsangpo River and enjoying the beautiful primitive landscape of snow mountains, forests and rivers. Drive down a few hundred meters then reach the lowland jungle settlement of Tongmai. Pass by Guxianghu Lake (2600 m) and Tongmai Bridge, through the Tongmai No. 1 Tunnel, finally reach Lulang Town. Leisurely walking in the natural oxygen bar - Lulang.

305 km, 5 hours 36 minutes
Overnight at Dayhello Hotel (3200 m)

Breakfast

Palong Tsangpo

DAY
8

Lulang - Linzhi - Basum Tso

Overlook Gyala Pelri and Namjabarwa, Niyang River, Basum Tso Lake

After breakfast, drive through picturesque Lulang Forest. When crossing Serkhyem La Pass (Seji La, 4,515 m) you will have spectacular views of Mount Gyala Pelri (7,150 m) and Mount Namchak Barwa (Namjabarwa, 7,782 m), when the weather is so fine. During downhill, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Niyang River valley and the panorama of Lingzhi. Then drive along the Niyang River to the Basum Tso Lake, a holy lake of Nyingma school. More than 6000 m high snow-covered mountains’ reflection images make the lake very cinematic. It is no doubt that the main actor is Tsodzong Monastery on the Tashi Island. Hike on the island to visit Tsodzong Monastery. If you are interested, you can continue to walk by Basum Tso, enjoy the snow mountain and thick forest, and enter the Jieba Village that maintains pure Gongbo style. Basum Tso is located in Gongbo’gyamda County. The Tibetans who live in Gongbo’gyamda County are called “Gongbo people” by other Tibetan people. They have their own costume, special buildings, different festivals, and even different dialect. Visiting a family at Jieba Village, you will be treated warmly by them.

222 km, 3 hours 29 minutes
Overnight at Himalaya Basum Tso Resort (3500 m)

Breakfast

Lulang Forest

DAY
9

Basum Tso - Gandan - Lhasa

Mi La Mountain Pass. Gandan Monastery. Welcome in Lhasa!

Drive over the impressive Mi La Mountain Pass (4865 m) to Lhasa (3650 m), capital of Tibet Autonomous Region. On the way visit Gandan Monastery. It was built in 1409 by Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelugpa of Tibetan Buddhism. Gandan, Drepung and Sera are the three largest monasteries in Lhasa. And Gandan is the place where Tsongkapa passed away. Therefore, it has the highest reputation of all the monasteries of the Gelugpa. If you are interested, you can walk along the pilgrimage way to the left and right hillsides of Gandan Monastery to visit Tsongkhapa’s meditation cave and enjoy the panorama of Gandan Monastery and magnificent scenery of Lhasa River valley. Return of cars in the evening at the car rental company's parking spot.

363 km, 6 hours 30 minutes
Overnight at Thangka Hotel (Oxygen Bar Room)

Breakfast

Gandan Monastery

DAY
10

Lhasa

Potala Palace - landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Overnight at Thangka Hotel

Breakfast

DAY
11

Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. The "Buddhism Scriptures Debate" in Sera is very famous.

Overnight at Thangka Hotel

Breakfast

DAY
12

Leave Tibet

ravel to next destination

Today transfer to Gongga Airport or Lhasa Railway Station, leave Tibet.

Breakfast

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This trip can also be tailor-made, please let us know your travel idea: travel date, duration, number of travelers, child (2 - 12 years old), baby (0 - 2 years old), other travel destinations, meals, accommodation category, boutique hotel, special interest ...

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Private travel, great experiences! Please contact us for your tailor-made travel offer.

With individual China Tibet travel, you can decide when, where and how you go on tour by yourself. What's more, you can choose the length of travel and whom you go with.

Information

Hotel, program, itinerary, and flights are subjected to change with prior notice.
We must point out that you counter a basic tourism infrastructure in this region. Long driving on bad roads and on high altitude and delays require good physical fitness, resilience and flexibility of the participants. Program and route changes due to unforeseen events are expressly reserved. If you desire the unknown and have an understanding of contingency, this is the right trip for you.

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