A Soul-Cleansing Journey into a Grand Paradise: A Self-Drive Tour of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in June–July 2018 (Part 1)

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Tibet – Lhasa – Potala Palace Square – Potala Palace

Tibet – Gongbo'gyamda – Basum Lake

Tibet – Nyingchi – Lulang

Tibet – Nyingchi – Niyang River Scenery

Tibet – Tingri – Mount Everest National Park – Mount Everest

Tibet – Tingri – Mount Everest National Park – Everest Base Camp

Tibet – Damxung – Namtso Lake

Qinghai – Menyuan – Rapeseed Flower Fields

Experience the Ultimate High-Altitude ‘Human and Vehicle Life’ – A Soul-Cleansing Journey into a Grand Paradise: A June–July 2018 Self-Drive Travel Guide for Western Sichuan & the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Part 1)

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a sacred and tranquil land where man and nature are in harmony. Stepping onto the plateau feels like moving from modernity to primitiveness, from civilization to mystery, from restlessness to peace. It is not only the Roof of the World, but also a holy land yearned for by countless people.

Although I have been to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau more than once, I have long dreamed of a self-drive tour there. In recent years, I made extensive preparations in terms of logistics, physical fitness and other aspects to turn this dream into reality. This year, after intense planning and preparation, I finally set off in early June, embarking on a self-drive journey across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau following the ‘Sichuan-in, Qinghai-out’ route. The trip concluded successfully on July 12, spanning 39 days and covering 12,900 kilometers.

Starting from Shantou in Guangdong Province, the route passed through ten provinces and regions: Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Hubei, Jiangxi, and Guangdong. Although it lasted only 39 days, we experienced all four seasons’ climate shifts, with temperatures ranging from near-freezing winter cold to a scorching 38°C. The total distance was 12,900 kilometers, averaging about 330 kilometers per day.

For nearly a month, we traveled and explored in the high-altitude regions of western Sichuan and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We crossed over 20 mountains above 4,000 meters, including eight peaks above 5,000 meters. The highest point and our longest stay was at Everest Base Camp, at 5,200 meters; the highest overnight accommodation was in Amdo County at 4,800 meters.

This trip not only fulfilled a dream, but also allowed me to personally experience the 30th parallel north and National Highway 318, a landscape corridor and a scroll of mountains and waters. We traversed vast grasslands, climbed majestic mountains, admired picturesque Tibetan villages, and savored the poetry of the distant horizon. Along the way, we gained so much—gasping at the danger, marveling at the beauty. It was a rare and invaluable life experience, etching wonderful memories into my life.

Tibet – Gongbo'gyamda – Roadside Scenery

Tibet – Gongbo'gyamda – Basum Lake

Tibet – Gongbo'gyamda – Roadside Scenery

Tibet – Lhasa – Night View of Potala Palace

Tibet – Damxung – Namtso Lake

Tibet – Tingri – Mount Everest National Park

Gansu – Qilian – Zhuoshan Scenic Area

Gansu – Zhangye – Rainbow-Danxia Scenic Area

The specific itinerary is as follows:

D1 June 4 (Mon) Shantou – Pingle (780 km)

Accommodation: Vienna Hotel (Pingle Bus Station Branch), No.1 Tongle Avenue, Pingle Town, Pingle County

D2 June 5 (Tue) Pingle – Zunyi (690 km)

Accommodation: Zunyi Mingcheng Fangzhou Hotel, Tianyu Building Materials Market, Waihuan Road, Honghuagang District, Zunyi

D3 June 6 (Wed) Zunyi – Luzhou (290 km)

Sights: Zunyi Conference Site, Luzhou Laojiao National Cellar Site

Accommodation: Luzhou Weiyi Hotel, No.36 Jiangyang West Road, Dashanping, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, next to Sichuan Police College

D4 June 7 (Thu) Luzhou – Kangding (450 km)

Sights: Kangding Ancient Town, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum

Accommodation: Kangding Sedge Dimi Hotel, No.1 Gongga Road, New Town, Kangding County, District 1-6, Alpesino Style Town (altitude 2,560 m)

D5 June 8 (Fri) Kangding – Mugecuo (Kangding) – Xinduqiao (Kangding) (25+95=120 km)

Sights: Kangding Love Song Scenic Area (Mugecuo Scenic Area), Zheduo Mountain Pass (4,298 m), distant view of Mount Gongga, Xinduqiao

Accommodation: Xinduqiao Meiyu Grand Hotel, Xinyi Village, Xinduqiao Town, Kangding (altitude 3,630 m)

D6 June 9 (Sat) Xinduqiao (Kangding) – Yajiang – Litang – Batang (65+135+170=370 km)

Sights: Jianzi Wan Mountain Pass (4,659 m), Xiongzongka (4,281 m), Kazila Mountain Pass (4,718 m), Litang – the World’s High City (4,014 m), Western Sichuan Alpine Grasslands (Litang Grassland, Mao’ya Prairie, Cuopu Grassland), Haizi Mountain Pass (4,625 m), Two Sisters Lakes

Accommodation: Batang Junyue Hotel, No.121 Dujiaolong Village, Batang County (altitude 2,580 m)

D7 June 10 (Sun) Batang – Markam – Zogang (105+160=265 km)

Sights: Scenery of Three Rivers (Jinsha, Lancang, Nu), Zongbala Mountain Pass (4,150 m), Lawu Mountain Pass (4,376 m), Dongda Mountain Pass (5,130 m)

Accommodation: Zogang Yuexi Holiday Hotel, Wangda Town New District, Zogang County (altitude 3,816 m)

D8 June 11 (Mon) Zogang – Baxoi – Ranwu Lake (Baxoi) (200+100=300 km)

Sights: Bangda Grassland, Yela Mountain Pass (4,658 m), Nujiang 72 Turns (also known as 99 Bends), Nujiang Grand Canyon, Anjula Mountain Pass (4,475 m), Ranwu Lake

Accommodation: Baxoi Ranwu International Self-Drive RV Camp, Waba Village, Ranwu Town, Baxoi County (altitude 3,960 m)

D9 June 12 (Tue) Ranwu Lake (Baxoi) – Laygu Glacier (Baxoi) – Ranwu Lake (Baxoi) (35+35=70 km)

Sights: Laygu Glacier, Ranwu Lake

D10 June 13 (Wed) Ranwu Lake (Baxoi) – Midui Glacier (Bome) – Bome – 52K Forestry Station (Medog) – Bome (30+95+30+30=185 km)

Sights: Palung Zangbo River, Midui Glacier Scenic Area, Midui Village, Galongla Mountain (Galongla Tunnel)

Accommodation: Bome Huating Hotel, No.1 Deqing Road, Bome County (altitude 2,725 m)

Sichuan – Luzhou – Luzhou Laojiao National Cellar Site

Sichuan – Litang – Kazila Mountain Pass – Alpine Meadow

Sichuan – Batang – Roadside Scenery

Tibet – Baxoi – Nujiang 72 Turns

Tibet – Baxoi – Anjula Mountain Pass

Tibet – Baxoi – Palung Zangbo River

D11 June 14 (Thu) Bome – Lulang (Nyingchi) (190 km)

Sights: Bome Gangxiang Nature Reserve (Bome Gangxiang Lingzhi Spruce Forest), Tongmai Bridge, Lulang Flower Sea Pasture, Lulang Town

Accommodation: Lulang Pearl River International Hotel, South Area, Lulang International Town, Bayi District, Nyingchi (altitude 3,285 m)

D12 June 15 (Fri) Lulang (Nyingchi) – Nyingchi (80 km)

Sights: Lulang Forest Sea, Serkym La Mountain Pass (4,728 m), Bayi Town

Accommodation: Nyingchi Meilin International Hotel, Fangzhi New Street, Bayi Town, Nyingchi (altitude 2,930 m)

D13 June 16 (Sat) Nyingchi – Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon Scenic Area (Mainling) – Nyingchi (85+85=190 km)

Sights: Niyang River Scenery, Yani National Wetland Park, Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon Scenic Area, Namcha Barwa Peak Observation Deck

D14 June 17 (Sun) Nyingchi – Basum Lake (Gongbo'gyamda) (125 km)

Sights: Basum Lake Scenic Area, Jieba Village

Accommodation: Nyingchi Gongbo'gyamda Cangyang Guesthouse, No.4784 Jieba Village, Basum Lake, Gongbo'gyamda (inside Basum Lake scenic area) (altitude 3,722 m)

D15 June 18 (Mon) Basum Lake (Gongbo'gyamda) – Zhongliu Dizhu (Gongbo'gyamda) – Lhasa (110+260=370 km)

Sights: Zhongliu Dizhu, Mira Mountain Pass (5,013 m), Lhasa River, Potala Palace Yaowang Mountain Viewing Deck

Accommodation: Vienna Hotel (Lhasa Potala Palace Park Branch), No.25 Lingkhor North Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa (near Forestry Department) (altitude 3,650 m)

D16 June 19 (Tue) Lhasa (30 km)

Sights: Potala Palace, Norbulingka, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery

Vehicle maintenance: Lhasa Kangda Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd., No.3 Jinzhu West Road, Lhasa

D17 June 20 (Wed) Lhasa

Sights: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Potala Palace Square, Night View of Potala Palace Square

D18 June 21 (Thu) Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake (Nagarze) – Gyantse – Shigatse (80+200+90=370 km)

Sights: Zongjiao Lukang Park (Longwangtan Park), Yarlung Tsangpo River, Kampa La Pass (5,030 m), Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Manla Reservoir Viewing Deck

Accommodation: Vienna International Hotel (Shigatse Tashilhunpo Jilin South Road Branch), Lekang Shiye, Jilin South Road, Samzhubze District, Shigatse (altitude 3,836 m)

D19 June 22 (Fri) Shigatse – Tingri (240 km)

Sights: Tashilhunpo Monastery, Gyatso La Pass (also called Tingri Boundary, altitude 5,220 m, the pass for Mount Everest National Nature Reserve)

Accommodation: Tingri Junhao Hotel, 200 m from Baiba CNPC station towards Everest, Tingri County (altitude 4,400 m)

D20 June 23 (Sat) Tingri – Everest Base Camp (Tingri) – Tingri (110+110=220 km)

Sights: Mount Everest National Park, Uzz La Pass Viewing Deck (5,210 m, offers distant views of four 8,000-meter peaks including Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu), Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp (5,200 m), Mount Everest Observation Deck, Mount Everest Elevation Survey Monument, Rongbuk Glacier

Tibet – Nyingchi – Lulang – Lulang Forest Sea

Tibet – Gongbo'gyamda – Basum Lake

Tibet – Lhasa – Potala Palace

Tibet – Lhasa – Jokhang Temple

Tibet – Nagarze – Yamdrok Lake

Tibet – Shigatse – Tashilhunpo Monastery

Tibet – Tingri – Mount Everest National Park – Everest Base Camp – Elevation Monument

Tibet – Tingri – Mount Everest National Park – Winding Mountain Road

D21 June 24 (Sun) Tingri – Damxung (580 km)

Sights: Yangbajain Geothermal Field

Accommodation: Damxung Shenghu Tourist Hotel, No.186 Hedong Road, Damxung County (altitude 4,200 m)

D22 June 25 (Mon) Damxung – Namtso Lake (Damxung) – Nagqu – Amdo (65+170+145=380 km)

Sights: Nagenla Pass (5,190 m), Namtso Lake – Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain National Scenic Area, Nagqu Alpine Grassland (Qiangtang Grassland)

Accommodation: Amdo Nagqu Tianci Business Hotel, diagonally opposite Sanjiangyuan Hotel, National Highway 109, Amdo County (altitude 4,800 m)

D23 June 26 (Tue) Amdo – Golmud (690 km)

Sights: Huofeng Mountain Pass (5,010 m), Tanggula Pass (5,231 m), Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve (Hoh Xil Antelope Viewing Deck, Hoh Xil Snow Mountain Viewing Deck), Tuotuo River, Kunlun Pass (4,780 m), distant view of Yuzhu Peak

Accommodation: Golmud Xinglong Building Hotel, No.46 Bayi East Road, Golmud (altitude 2,850 m)

D24 June 27 (Wed) Golmud

Sights: Rest, stroll around town

D25 June 28 (Thu) Golmud – Xiaochaidan (Delingha) – Usutai Water Yardang Geopark (Golmud) – Dachaidan (Delingha) (160+165+215=540 km)

Sights: Qaidam Basin (Qarhan Salt Lake National Mine Park, Salt Lake Museum, Salt Lake Potash Corporation, Qarhan Salt Lake, Long Salt Bridge, Usutai Water Yardang Geopark)

Accommodation: Dachaidan Wanhe Xinyue Hotel, intersection of Chuangxin Street and Tuanjie Road, Dachaidan Town (altitude 3,176 m)

D26 June 29 (Fri) Dachaidan (Delingha) – Delingha (240 km)

Sights: Lovers’ Lakes (Keluk Lake freshwater lake and Toson Lake saltwater lake)

Accommodation: Delingha Oriental Hyatt Hotel, intersection of Kunlun Road and Tianjun West Road, Delingha (altitude 2,980 m)

D27 June 30 (Sat) Delingha – Chaka Salt Lake (Ulan) – Heimahe (Gonghe) (200+90=290 km)

Sights: Chaka Salt Lake Tourist Scenic Area, Qinghai Lake

Accommodation: Qinghai Lake Holiday Hotel, Heimahe Township, Gonghe County, by Qinghai Lake (altitude 2,880 m)

D28 July 1 (Sun) Heimahe (Gonghe) – Around Qinghai Lake – Heimahe (Gonghe) – Xining (360+210=570 km)

Sights: Qinghai Lake circumambulation, Sand Island, Jinyintan Grassland, Atomic City Scenic Area

Accommodation: Vienna Hotel (Xining Delingha Road Branch), Zonghe Building, No.56 Delingha Road, Chengdong District, Xining (altitude 2,250 m)

D29 July 2 (Mon) Xining (20 km)

Sights: Mojia Street, Dongguan Mosque, rest

Vehicle maintenance: Qinghai Saiya Huasen Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd., No.22 Kunlun East Road, Xining

D30 July 3 (Tue) Xining – Yellow River Qing Bridge (Guide) – Kanbula National Forest Park (Jainca) – Xining (85+30+110=225 km)

Sights: Yellow River Qing Bridge, Kanbula National Forest Park

Tibet – Damxung – Namtso Lake

Tibet – Damxung – Roadside Scenery

Tibet – Nagqu – Nagqu Alpine Grassland

Qinghai – Yushu – Hoh Xil – Roadside Scenery

Qinghai – Yushu – Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve

Qinghai – Golmud – Usutai Water Yardang Geopark

D31 July 4 (Wed) Xining – Qingshizui Town (Menyuan) – Qilian (140+160=300 km)

Sights: Dabanshan Viewing Deck, Hundred-Mile Rapeseed Flower Scenic Area (Yuanshan Flower Viewing Terrace), Qilian Mountain Grassland (Summer Tara Grassland)

Accommodation: Qilian Niuxinshan Farmstay, Binggou Village Road Entrance, Dongsuo Road, Babao Town, Qilian County (altitude 2,810 m)

D32 July 5 (Thu) Qilian (50 km)

Sights: Binggou Forest Sea, Zhuoshan Scenic Area, Niuxin Mountain

D33 July 6 (Fri) Qilian – Biandukou Tourist Area (Minle) – Zhangye Danxia National Geopark (Linze) (110+140=250 km)

Sights: Biandukou Tourist Area, Zhangye Danxia National Geopark (Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Scenic Area)

Accommodation: Linze Danxia Zhenbutong Hotel, Liyuan New Village Villa Cluster Center, north entrance of Danxia Scenic Area, Linze County

D34 July 7 (Sat) Linze – Zhangye Great Buddha Temple (Zhangye) – Leitai Park (Wuwei) – Lanzhou (40+240+275=555 km)

Sights: Zhangye Great Buddha Temple, Leitai Park

Accommodation: Vienna International Hotel (Lanzhou Wanda Plaza Branch), No.329 Tianshui North Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou

D35 July 8 (Sun) Lanzhou (20 km)

Sights: Gansu Provincial Museum, Mother Yellow River Statue, Lanzhou Waterwheel Garden, Yellow River Iron Bridge (Zhongshan Bridge), Dazhong Lane, Zhangye Pedestrian Street

D36 July 9 (Mon) Lanzhou – Maiji Mountain (Tianshui) (370 km)

Sights: Maiji Mountain Scenic Area (Maiji Mountain Grottoes)

Accommodation: Tianshui Maiji Mountain Heshun Manor, Sigou Village, Maiji District, Tianshui (inside Maiji Mountain Grottoes Scenic Area)

D37 July 10 (Tue) Tianshui – Xiangyang (790 km)

Accommodation: Vienna Hotel (Xiangyang Diamond Avenue Branch), No.88 Jiaotong Road, Xiangzhou District, Xiangyang (opposite Times Street)

D38 July 11 (Wed) Xiangyang – Ji’an (810 km)

Accommodation: Vienna Hotel (Ji’an Railway Station Branch), No.3 Wen Tianxiang Avenue, Qingyuan District, Ji’an

D39 July 12 (Thu) Ji’an – Shantou (640 km)

Qinghai – Menyuan – Hundred-Mile Rapeseed Flower Scenic Area

Qinghai – Qilian – Zhuoshan Scenic Area

Gansu – Minle – Roadside Scenery

Gansu – Zhangye – Rainbow Danxia Scenic Area

Gansu – Lanzhou – First Bridge over the Yellow River

Gansu – Lanzhou – Gansu Provincial Museum

Appendix: List of "World Cultural Heritage Sites in China", "China National Geography – Most Beautiful Places in China", and "China's Historical and Cultural Cities" visited during the trip

I. World Heritage Sites in China

1. Potala Palace (Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka)

2. Hoh Xil

II. China National Geography – Most Beautiful Places in China

1. One of China's Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains: Namcha Barwa Peak

2. No.2 of China's Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains: Mount Gongga

3. No.3 of China's Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains: Mount Everest

4. One of China's Top 5 Most Beautiful Lakes: Qinghai Lake

5. No.3 of China's Top 5 Most Beautiful Lakes: Namtso Lake

6. No.6 of China's Top 7 Most Beautiful Danxia Landforms: Zhangye Danxia

7. One of China's Top 10 Most Beautiful Gorges: Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon

8. One of China's Top 6 Most Beautiful Glaciers: Rongbuk Glacier