13 Days Chengdu Tibet Overland Tour with Daocheng Yading, Meili Mountain and Namtso Lake

Welcome to Chengdu!

Upon your arrival in Chengdu, our staff will greet you and escort you to your hotel in the city. If you have some free time, consider visiting the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to get up close with the adorable pandas. Alternatively, you can explore popular attractions such as Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street, Wide and Narrow Alley, Jin Li Ancient Street, etc.

In the evening, your guide will host a welcoming dinner at a carefully selected restaurant. During this time, the guide will introduce your travel companions and share important travel tips to ensure a pleasant and smooth journey.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Chengdu

Start your journey by exploring China's complex highway system. It winds through mountains and over bridges, slowly going up from Chengdu, which is 500 meters above sea level, to Kangding. Kangding is served as the entrance to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and sits at a stunning altitude of 2560 meters. This incredible ascent continues all the way to Lhasa in Tibet.

Once we arrive in Kangding, we pass through the towering Zhedo Mountain Pass, which stands tall at an elevation of 4298 meters. This marks our entry into the vast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Surrounded by lofty peaks and clouds below, fluttering prayer flags confirm our arrival on this high plateau.

Continuing our journey, we encounter winding roads and clear blue skies as we head towards Xinduqiao Town, the first settlement on the plateau. Here, bustling markets and comfortable hotels contrast with snowy meadows and flowing rivers. As the sun sets, the countryside is bathed in a warm glow, creating a picturesque scene of colorful meadows, traditional Tibetan homes, and lush bushes blending harmoniously in the light and shade.

Next, we reach Yajiang, nestled in a gorge. Its lower terrain provides a perfect place to adjust to the plateau's environment and weather, offering a peaceful retreat amidst the rugged landscape.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Yajiang

Meal:

Breakfast

Today, you'll set off for what is acclaimed as the "Last Shangri-La on Earth" - Daocheng Yading.

After breakfast, your guide will lead you on a journey from Yajiang towards the town of Daocheng Yading. Along the way, you'll traverse the Kazila Mountain (4718 meters) and reach the world's highest city, Litang (4014 meters), also the hometown of the 7th Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso.

You will have a chance to visit the grand Litang Chode Monastery, with its majestic golden halls layered upon one another, standing proudly against the backdrop of blue skies, white clouds, and snow-capped mountains. As the largest temple in the Litang area, it holds significant reverence as one of Tibet's foremost Gelug monasteries.

After Litang, you'll arrive at Haizi Mountain (4500 meters). This location hosts the largest ancient glacial remains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, consisting of 1145 lakes of varying sizes. At first glance, these lakes, big and small, appear like diamonds scattered by the hands of a careless deity across the plateau, prompting awe at nature's exquisite craftsmanship.

Afterward, you'll arrive at Daocheng County, where you'll spend the night and eagerly anticipate the following day's visit to the "last Shangri-La on earth" to behold the beauty of the sacred peaks.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Daocheng

Meal:

Breakfast

Today, we will set off for what is acclaimed as the "Last Shangri-La on Earth" - Daocheng Yading. We will first hike to Milk Lake and Five Color Lake, and then proceed to Luorong Cattle Farm before returning to Yading Village, where you can choose to take the scenic shuttle bus.

Milk Lake is a high-altitude lake named for its milky-white water. Surrounded by verdant grasslands and distant snowy mountains, it creates a serene and mystical scene.

In contrast to Milk Lake, Five Color Lake displays a rich palette of colors - deep blue, light blue, green, red, and white - hence its name "Five Color Lake." When sunlight touches its surface, the lake appears like a massive gem, radiating captivating brilliance.

Later, aboard the scenic area's sightseeing bus again or optionally trekking for three hours, you'll reach Luorong Cattle Farm, encountering two other sacred mountains of Daocheng Yading - Xianuo Duoji Mountain (also known as Mt. Chenadorje) and Yangmaiyong Mountain.

After that, head to Yading Village for lodging. Along the way, we're surrounded by beautiful high-altitude flowers, untouched forests, glacier-fed rivers, and abundant wildlife, letting us fully appreciate the natural beauty around us.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Yading Village

Meal:

Breakfast

We wake up to the soothing melody of birds in the misty wonderland and hop on a sightseeing vehicle for a one-hour ride to Zhaguanbeng at the heart of Daocheng Yading. The locals, living in Tibetan villages, seem like celestial beings, and the farmers working the land in this heavenly place make us envious.

After we arrive, we walk 760 meters to Chonggu Monastery to catch a glimpse of Xianuoru Peak, believed to be the true form of the Avalokitesvara incarnation. Standing in front of the monastery, we feel like we've transcended time and space. Above us, the sky is clear blue; beneath our feet, yellow-green grasslands spread out; ahead, the pure white Xianuoru Peak stands tall, while behind us lies the ethereal canyon that has slept for millennia. Stepping inside Chonggu Monastery feels like entering a divine world.

840 meters above the monastery sits Fairy Lake, nestled at an elevation of 4100 meters. The meltwater from Xianuoru Peak flows into the lake, resembling scattered pearls on a jade tray under the sunlight. The reflection of the snow-capped mountains in the emerald lake creates an illusion of boundless depths.

As the tour comes to an end, we reluctantly say goodbye to this naturally formed paradise and head towards our next destination, Xiangcheng.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Xiangcheng

Meal:

Breakfast

Xiangcheng, with its white Tibetan houses and the Suoqu River flowing through, is a historic gem along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. It feels like a place from a mythical tale, maybe even Shangri-La itself. In the morning mist, villages appear on mountain slopes, surrounded by fields. It feels like stepping back in time, connecting heaven and earth.

Continuing our journey from Xiangcheng, we enter the Three Rivers region of the Hengduan Mountains, where we're amazed by the natural beauty of mountains and valleys. The Jinsha River rushes eastward, carving through the landscape. At Moon Mountain, nature has created a breathtaking sight with a U-shaped circle.

But Daocheng is just the beginning. Next, we head to Feilai Temple in Deqin Prefecture, Yunnan, to see the majestic Meili Snow Mountain's thirteen peaks. The main peak, Kawakarpo, stands tall at 6740 meters. When the sun sets, the peaks shine against the blue sky, leaving a lasting impression.

We'll stay at Feilai Temple, the best spot to watch the sun's glow fade from the peaks, cherishing every moment.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Feilai Temple

Meal:

Breakfast

In the morning, the Meili Snow Mountain is a breathtaking sight. The thin mist gently wraps around the forest below the snowy peaks, making them look even more majestic. The thirteen peaks of Meili emerge in the faint light of dawn, with the moon still visible above them. It's like seeing a group of veiled maidens—mysterious and captivating.

Leaving Feilai Temple, we head back to Tibet via the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, passing by the roaring Lancang River. Along the way, we're mesmerized by the Yanjing Ancient Salt Fields, a renowned human heritage site. Here, salt farmers have been extracting brine from ancient wells for over a thousand years. The brine evaporates under the sun, leaving behind shimmering white salt crystals mixed with red soil, creating a pink hue. Walking along the ridges of the salt fields, we're filled with admiration for the wisdom of the ancients and their struggle against nature.

In Yanjing, we try a delicious snack called "Jiajia Noodles." These noodles are served in small bowls, with the server adding a portion each time. Each bowl contains just a mouthful, but the noodles mixed with minced meat are incredibly tasty, offering a unique dining experience.

After Yanjing, we continue our journey on the G318 Southern Route of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and spend the night in Mangkang, located at the intersection of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Mangkang

Meal:

Breakfast | Lunch

Today's destination is more than just stunning landscapes; it's a window into the rich Khampa culture nestled in eastern Tibet's mysterious lands. While vehicles buzz along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, we venture westward into a peaceful village road to uncover the hidden treasure of Chamdo – Gama Village.

Gama Village, situated in Gama Township, is famous yet rarely explored by tourists. It's a hub of skilled artisans, crafting valuable gilt bronze Buddha statues, Mandala gilt copper altars, and hand-painted Thangka paintings. Young Tibetans passionate about Thangka painting flock here to learn and hone their skills.

Spending the night in Gama Village, we join in joyful dancing around a campfire after dinner, immersed in the warmth of village life.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Gama Village

Meal:

Breakfast | Dinner

Since the 16th century, Gama Township has been known for its Gama Gazhi painting school, which has produced many skilled Thangka painters. Each painter has their own unique style, making Gama Township a hub of Chinese folk cultural arts. The Thangkas from Gama Township are so special that they've been recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage.

In the morning, we'll visit the talented painters and artisans in the village, where we'll get a chance to see how Thangka artworks are made. This experience is one-of-a-kind in Tibet. Afterward, the friendly villagers will teach us a traditional Tibetan game called "Urduo" in the village square. It's a fun game where you throw stones with hemp ropes to hit targets, bringing back memories of carefree childhood days.

After lunch, we'll leave Gama Village and cross the Shegar La Mountain Pass (altitude 4652 meters) to reach the "Colorful Holy Land" - Naizha Mani Piles. These are the oldest and most abundant Mani piles in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Tibetans pass through here and leave stones inscribed with Buddha's words and images, creating huge piles of Mani stones that have been passed down for generations.

From here, we'll officially start our journey on the G317 National Highway on the northern Sichuan-Tibet route, ready for more exciting adventures ahead.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Dingqing

Meal:

Breakfast

Dingqing, located in the northeast of eastern Tibet, is a sacred place untouched by worldly influences. Here lies the most awe-inspiring secret of our journey—Zizhu Monastery. As we drive up to the mountaintop platform of Zizhu Monastery, we'll feel an unparalleled sense of spirituality. Six towering stone peaks, resembling giant pillars reaching for the sky, stand atop Zizhu Mountain, representing the six realms in Buddhist cosmology. The tallest peak has a massive natural stone gate, believed to be the gateway to transcending the cycle of rebirth.

Zizhu Mountain has been around for millions of years, and Zizhu Monastery has upheld the belief in human transcendence for 3000 years, making it the oldest temple in Tibet. Looking up at the six stone peaks from the summit, we'll feel humbled, realizing how small we are in the cycle of rebirth, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Baqing

Meal:

Breakfast

Leaving Baqing and heading west, we leave the canyon area of eastern Tibet and enter the expansive Nagqu grasslands—a vast, flat stretch covered in grass. Along the way, we visit Zandan Monastery, resembling the Potala Palace. Inside, we marvel at ancient murals and Tibetan scriptures preserved for centuries.

The Nagqu grasslands are the heart of the Nomad grasslands in northern Tibet, producing most of Tibet's high-quality protein—yak meat. In spring, summer, and autumn, the grasslands are lush green with low-hanging clouds. Along the road for miles, we see herds of cattle, sheep, and sturdy horses roaming freely. In peak summer months, the grasslands bloom with flowers, offering a sense of freedom and relief from worries.

We stop by several black yak hair tents, taste freshly squeezed yak milk and yogurt, chat with grassland hosts, and enjoy peace away from the world's worries.

The grasslands are so vast that we spend almost the entire day under the open sky, surrounded by clouds and green meadows. By nightfall, we reach the Dangxiong grasslands, the closest point to Lhasa.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Dumxung

Meal:

Breakfast

Just 220 kilometers from Lhasa, our final destination, lies Namtso Lake, one of Tibet's holiest lakes, amidst the Qiangtang grasslands. Its vast expanse and crystal-clear waters make it a sacred place for Tibetans and a paradise for visitors.

Following your guide, you'll reach the lakeshore and trek to Tashi Dor Island for a closer panoramic view of the lake. Standing here, the vista mirrors an expansive blue ocean. Under the warm sun, cattle and sheep leisurely graze, while the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains peacefully overlook the vast expanse of the northern Tibetan grasslands. Occasional passing trains stir the air, lending the pure plateau a radiant brilliance.

After visiting Namtso, we'll drive for 4 hours to Lhasa, where our 12-day journey through Sichuan and Tibet will come to an end.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Accmodation:

Overnight in Lhasa

Meal:

Breakfast

Today your guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board. Please confirm your departure flight or train details in advance with your guide. The tour ends.

Meal:

Breakfast