Tibet Travel: 10-Day Ali Tour
The Ali region of Tibet is still not widely known. While most people have some knowledge of Tibet, many may still be unfamiliar with Ali.
First, the starting point for an Ali tour: Lhasa, the 'City of Sunshine'.
Lhasa, Tibet. I've visited many times, and each time it feels different, mostly due to its changing atmosphere. The first time was excitement, a reverence drawn by inspirational stories; the second time was love, it still holds a place in my heart; the third time was a calm detachment, as faith and social media influencers coexist, revealing the evolving society. This is the starting point for the journey to Ali.
Yet regardless of its changes, our destination this time is Ali; Lhasa can only serve as our starting and ending point.
The Potala Palace, the pearl on the Roof of the World, seems to stand right before our eyes. When in Lhasa, you can't avoid the Potala Palace. Even if you've seen it many times, you'll find yourself wandering around it to catch a glimpse of its grandeur before you can feel satisfied.
Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Shigatse
Scenery on the first day: Karola Glacier, Lhasa River (distant view), Gangbala Sacred Mountain Yamdrok Lake, Palcho Monastery (distant view), Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Recommended accommodation: Tianlin Hotel (elevation 3,850m)
Departing from Lhasa, heading west, passing through Shannan, you'll encounter the stunningly blue Yamdrok Lake. In Tibetan, it means 'Turquoise Lake,' one of the three holy lakes of Tibet, a freshwater lake with water as clear and blue as mutton fat. Under the sunlight, Yamdrok Lake is exceptionally beautiful.
△ Karola Glacier
Those who have visited Yamdrok Lake must also see the Karola Glacier to leave no regrets. Beneath the blue sky lies a massive white glacier; under nature's might, humans seem so small yet so wonderfully awed.
Because of long-term dust from vehicles on the road, the glacier exhibits a black-and-white layered form. Films such as 'Red River Valley,' 'The Battle of Gyantse,' and 'The Knot' have shot exterior scenes here.
Palcho Monastery, located in Gyantse Town, Gyantse County, Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region, about 100 km east of Shigatse, at an altitude of around 3,900m, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery where the Sakya, Shalu, and Gelug schools coexist. The Shigatse area enjoys abundant sunshine and a mild climate, making it suitable for travel all year round, though summer and autumn are the best seasons to visit.
Shigatse – Tingri – Everest Base Camp
Sights: Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp
Recommended accommodation: Tent guesthouse
△ Mount Everest
On the second day, heading to Everest, you will cross the first 5,000m pass of the trip – Gyatso La Pass. After the pass, you enter the Everest Nature Reserve, and on the way down you can catch your first glimpse of Everest. Passing by Wula Pass (5,200m) at Gyawu La Pass, you can see four 8,000m-plus snow-capped peaks lined up in a spectacular row. From left to right, they are: Makalu (8,463m), Lhotse (8,516m), Mount Everest (8,848m), and Cho Oyu (8,201m). Then continue to the world's highest-altitude Everest Nature Reserve and visit the Rongbuk Monastery, built in 1899, a Tibetan Nyingma monastery. It's located at the end of the Rongbuk Glacier on the northern slope of Everest at 5,154m, making it the highest monastery in the world.
Rongbuk Monastery is about 20 km from the Everest summit. Here you can come face-to-face with the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. Then take an eco-friendly vehicle to Everest Base Camp for free time, experiencing nature's grandeur. If you're lucky, you can see the Everest banner cloud, floating like a flame of life. Stay overnight at Rongbuk Monastery to photograph the sunset over Everest. Here you can come face-to-face with the world's highest peak, Mount Everest.
Everest Base Camp – Gangga – Peiku Lake – Saga
Sights: Everest sunrise, Shishapangma Peak, Peiku Lake
Recommended accommodation: Saga Hotel or similar
△ Shishapangma Peak
On the third day, depart from Rongbuk Monastery and travel along National Highway 3108. In the afternoon, head to the most captivating glacier group of the Himalayas, the Shishapangma Glacier Group. Shishapangma Peak stands at 8,012m, ranking 14th among the world's 14 peaks above 8,000m and the only one entirely within China. Its most fascinating feature is the ice tower zone at 5,000–5,800m, serene and exquisite like a glacial garden. Especially under sunlight, the snow-covered Shishapangma Peak is spectacular.
Peiku Lake is located in Nyalam County, Shigatse. It's the largest lake in Shigatse, surrounded on three sides by mountains, with open terrain and rich fish resources. Along its shores, wild horses, Tibetan wild asses, Tibetan antelopes, cranes, ruddy shelducks, gray ducks, and other animals roam.
Saga – Zhongba – Mount Kailash – Barga (Darchen)
Sights: the sacred Mount Kailash, the holy Lake Manasarovar, the ghostly Lake Rakshastal
Recommended accommodation: Sanxia Hotel or similar
Day 4, begin driving into the true snowy land of Ali, the wildest part of China, with vast grasslands, countless snow-capped mountains, and one breathtaking lake after another...
Inspired by the film 'Kailash,' I want to go to Tibet again. Heading to the sacred Mount Kailash, the pinnacle of Ali, is not only about faith but also its unique beauty—the year-round snow-covered peak shimmering with an extraordinary light under the sun, dazzling the eyes.
△ Holy Lake Manasarovar
After seeing the sacred Mount Kailash, drive to visit the holy Lake Manasarovar and the ghostly Lake Rakshastal. These are shared sacred mountains and lakes for Tibetans, Indians, Nepalese, and many other ethnic groups. Tibetans regard this place as a paradise on earth. Lake Manasarovar is a freshwater lake, considered the purest lake, a nectar bestowed by the deity Chakrasamvara; its holy water can cleanse the mind of troubles and karmic obstacles.
Lake Rakshastal, separated from Lake Manasarovar by a narrow embankment, is a saltwater lake. The ghostly lake has waves even without wind, and the dark reddish hills on its shore add a mysterious allure.
[According to research, Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal were once connected and formed a large outflow lake. Since the Quaternary period, climate change caused the lake level to drop and the waters to retreat, ultimately separating them into the two lakes we see today. Later, flooding and glacial deposits from the Gangdise Mountains blocked the river valley, creating a watershed divide that turned them into inland lakes.]
Barga (Darchen) – Zanda – Guge Kingdom – Tholing Monastery
Sights: Mount Kailash, Zanda Earth Forest, Tholing Monastery, diverse natural scenery
Recommended accommodation: Chongqing Hotel or similar
Throughout its history, Tholing Monastery has endured civil war, fires, invasions by Ladakh, and the Cultural Revolution. Destroyed and restored multiple times, its exterior looks unremarkable. Yet beneath its humble appearance lie pearls unique to Tibet—its murals.
The Zanda Earth Forest is the most famous geological landscape in Zanda County. Formed by long-term water erosion, it's a special landform created from the ancient lake basin and riverbeds over millions of years of geological changes. Spanning hundreds of square kilometers, the earth forest features 'woods' of clay formations in various shapes and sizes, with early human cave dwellings as well.
The mysterious Guge Kingdom – Donggar Piyang – starting point of the northern route – Shiquanhe
Scenery: Ayila Mountain, Guge Kingdom, Donggar Piyang ruins, Shiquanhe (Sengge Zangbo)
Recommended accommodation: Chongdeyuan Hotel or similar
The ruins of the Guge Kingdom are an ancient plateau city. Located on a clay hill beside the Sutlej River in Zabarang District, Zanda, Ali, the site spans over 300 meters with a strict hierarchical layout from top to bottom. Remnants of palaces, caves, watchtowers, stupas, and protective walls are arranged in an orderly fashion, built up the slope to form a massive ancient architectural complex.
Shiquanhe – Rutok – Bangong Lake – Shiquanhe
Sights: Bangong Lake, Rutok rock paintings, Rutok Grand Grassland
Recommended accommodation: Chongdeyuan Hotel or similar
An Ali journey: first, the sacred mountain and holy lake; second, Guge; third, Bangong Lake. The beauty of Bangong Lake lies not just in its deep blue water and pristine sky, but in the lush lakeside pastures that attract large flocks of black-headed gulls, bar-headed geese, and the first-class nationally protected black-necked cranes.
Into the wilderness: Shiquanhe – Rincheng Township
Sights: salt lakes, the Roof of the World, Chali Lake
Recommended accommodation: Rincheng Shubtso Guesthouse
Depart from Shiquanhe for Rincheng, driving across the wilderness. Soon you'll reach the first lake, Reban Co. Along the way, there's hardly a soul or anything else, just an occasional small white stupa on a mountaintop, hinting at the presence of religion. Leave Gê'gyai Town and head east to the salt lake area. En route, admire the unique landforms and scenery of the 'roof of the world's roof,' and spot nomadic herders who bring infinite warmth to the lonely wilderness. Then arrive at Rincheng, deep in the wild, where the natural environment is harsh, supplies are extremely scarce, and even drinking water must be carried by hand.
Sights: Rincheng Shubtso, Zabuye Salt Lake, one lake after another, a wildlife paradise
Recommended accommodation: Plateau Impression Hotel or similar
Depart from Rincheng Township, and be amazed by one lake after another. Ngangla Ringco (4,700m): a lake hailed by locals as a fairyland on earth.
△ Rincheng Shubtso
Rincheng Shubtso (4,700m): a magical lake that changes scenery depending on the viewing angle;
Taro Tso (4,566m): with rare red-tinged waters;
Zabuye Salt Lake (4,421m): the most stunning and mysterious high-altitude salt lake, the world's third-largest lithium reserve;
Besides, there are many small lakes around, nameless and obscure but equally enchanting. By evening, arrive at Coqên County (4,600m), and stay overnight in a Tibetan village.
Coqên – Zhari Namco – Ombulung Village
Sights: diverse natural scenery, Zhari Namco, Dangra Yumtso, wildlife paradise
Recommended accommodation: Anhui Renjia Inn
△ Zhari Namco
From a high vantage point, you can see its cape extending into the lake like a long curved blade. An aerial view of Zhari Namco resembles sharp knives plunging into the deep sapphire-blue water, breathtaking.
The beauty of Dangra Yumtso lies not in its size, but in its supremely blue, pure, and unadulterated color—the truest lake blue on a standard color chart.
Ombulung Village – Twin Lakes – Sister Village
Sights: Zhari Namco, Ombulung North Village, Twin Lakes, Siling Lake, Biluo Lake, Guogen Lake, Bangor Lake, wildlife
Recommended accommodation: Tianfu Hotel or similar
The terraced, hillside layout of Ombulung North Village, seen from afar, has been likened to the style of Santorini in Greece—though here it's more ancient and rustic.
Siling Lake means 'Devil Lake of Radiant Reflection' in Tibetan, and like Ngangla Ringco, it's a ghost lake. Despite its fearsome name, you'll see deep blue waters, herds of yaks and sheep, and a pastoral highland scene.
Bangor – Namtso
Sights: Yamtso, Namtso, Tashi Peninsula, wildlife paradise
Recommended accommodation: Sacred Lake Hotel or similar
△ Namtso Starlit Sky
Tashi Peninsula, also called Auspicious Love Island, is in Damxung County, Tibet. It's the largest peninsula in Namtso and a must-visit spot. The island features many tranquil caves filled with stalactites, forming a unique karst landscape.
Namtso – Yangbajing – Lhasa
Sights: Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, sunrise over Namtso, Yangbajing hot springs, Lagengla Sacred Mountain
Recommended accommodation: arrange on your own
△ Yangbajing Hot Springs
On the plateau, the world's highest natural hot springs. Around the hot spring pools, you can see the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains towering over 7,000m. Soaking in the hot spring while gazing at the snow-capped mountains in the distance is indescribably romantic and pleasant—a perfect Instagram-worthy scene.
'Journeying along the great northern route of Ali, it feels as if my soul departs, like a free wind, lifted from the ground, floating in the air. I think this is an experience I can brag about for a lifetime.' Although this route is niche, its scenery can fulfill your dream of a bold adventure.
