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Tibet has always been a destination many people yearn for, with some even saying, "You must visit Tibet at least once in your lifetime." Months ago, we'd been planning a trip to Tibet. We began asking experienced friends and family for information on traveling there, and followed WeChat public accounts like "Xixingbang Travel" and "Tibet Traffic Police" to help us plan our itinerary and stay updated on road conditions. In mid-July, we learned that the Sichuan-Tibet Highway had been repaired and was open to traffic. We packed up our food, medicine, emergency supplies, and clothing, and set off on the 16th.
Day 1
We departed from Shunde around 10 AM. Traffic was light and the roads were clear, so we drove all the way to Sanjiang County, Guangxi, before stopping to stay overnight. Since we still had time, we explored the city. The county's central square is decorated in the Dong ethnic style, though it seemed simpler compared to the Dong villages in the countryside.
The full-day journey covered 610 kilometers, costing 350 yuan in fuel and 355 yuan in tolls. Day 2: Departing Sanjiang County early this morning, we journeyed north through Guizhou Province from south to north. This section of the highway is filled with tunnels, so the journey took longer than usual. We entered Sichuan Province around 3:00 PM. Continuing on, we stopped in Yibin for a rest stop. The full day's journey covered 840 kilometers, costing 580 yuan in fuel and 550 yuan in tolls.
Day 3
Today, we'll explore the surrounding area as planned. This morning, we'll visit the Wuliangye Distillery in Yibin City. As we all know, Chinese liquor often has a long history behind it. Wuliangye is a famous Chinese liquor, and its origins, cultural history, and other information are easily available online. Today we arrived at the Wuliangye Distillery. Our first impression was its vast size. Even the nearby airport is named "Wuliangye Airport," a testament to its immense influence! The factory grounds offer numerous roads, allowing visitors to drive slowly and explore. The roads were bustling with traffic, with trucks carrying raw materials and finished liquor traversing the area. The air was filled with the aroma of grain and liquor, a truly relaxing experience. There are many attractions here: the Wuliangye Liquor Culture Museum, the Endeavor Tower, Pengcheng Square, and the Screen Tower. You can even explore the earthen kilns and fermentation workshops. We took a leisurely stroll along several routes, taking photos at various sights. We also bought some souvenir bottles at the sales office before leaving the distillery and heading to our next stop. Around noon, we arrived at the Leshan Giant Buddha cruise ship terminal and took a boat tour of the Leshan Giant Buddha. I had visited this place over a year ago, but the scenic area was under maintenance at the time, so I wasn't able to see the full Buddha, which was a bit disappointing. Today, I finally got to see it again. As the cruise ship slowly sailed along the Minjiang River, the Giant Buddha became visible from afar, and visitors flocked to the boat's deck to gaze out. When the boat reached directly in front of the Buddha, the captain stopped, allowing the visitors to admire it more slowly. The Buddha, towering as high as the mountain, towered over the river and its passengers. Combined with the surging Minjiang River, the imposing presence was truly breathtaking. In this scene, I really want to sing "A Laugh in the Ocean"!
Last night, just after checking into the hotel, we received news that the Tongmai-Linzhi section of National Highway 318 had been closed again due to a landslide. We were devastated! This morning, we met many strangers at a restaurant discussing the situation with fellow travelers. After comparing the estimated duration of the closure with the extra time it would take to take alternative routes, we decided to proceed as planned. Baidu Navigation, on several major mobile navigation apps, surprisingly indicated that the road ahead was clear, which further bolstered our confidence (though some navigation updates later proved unreliable). With a glimmer of hope, we continued onward. However, upon reaching Midui Glacier, various sources confirmed the road was blocked, so we ventured into the Midui Glacier Scenic Area. From the tourist information center, we took a sightseeing bus into the scenic area and hiked about 2 kilometers to the glacier's observation deck, offering a panoramic view of the glacier's structure: cirques, glacier tongues, streams formed by meltwater, lakes formed by snow and ice, and the spruce forests high up in the mountain that support the glacier. Hiking at nearly 4,000 meters, with constant climbing, we were all breathless and exhausted. However, no one felt any serious discomfort during the hike, demonstrating our acclimatization to the plateau. After the tour, we left the scenic area and continued westward, where the scenery was a new one. The road flattened, with tall pine trees lining both sides. Beneath the towering mountains in the distance, barley fields, flower beds, meadows, sheep, and farmhouses formed a scene reminiscent of a European farm. Soon, we arrived in Bomi County, where we stayed overnight while waiting for the road to open. The full-day journey covered 220 kilometers, with a 260-yuan entrance fee. Day 8 With the road ahead blocked and the detour too long, we had no choice but to wait in Bomi. Strolling the streets that morning, we ran into a few tourists from Foshan, also waiting for traffic ahead. We exchanged contact information so we could chat along the way. We researched nearby attractions and decided to visit the Guxiang Lake Scenic Area. Guxiang Lake is not far from the county seat, making it a quick destination. A tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River widens and flows slowly in this area, creating a scenic wetland park-like setting alongside the surrounding mountains and flatlands, creating a breathtaking scenery that contrasts sharply with the rapids we encountered along the way. Two leisure resorts have been developed here, seemingly part of a recent tourism-based poverty alleviation initiative. However, whether due to the COVID-19 pandemic or management issues, this tranquil and beautiful resort is surprisingly deserted! Plus, we were stuck on the trail and short on time, so we weren't particularly happy and didn't get to fully appreciate the scenery.
In the afternoon, we returned to the hotel, borrowed tableware from the shop, and went to the market to buy fresh matsutake mushrooms and meat. The delicious food naturally made us feel relaxed!
Full day: 50 kilometers. Day 9: After another morning stroll through the streets and some local specialties, we stayed at the hotel awaiting traffic updates. A little after 2:00 PM, we received news that armed police had repaired a temporary road next to the landslide site, unblocking the road and allowing one-way traffic. Everyone was overjoyed and immediately packed up and set off. Due to the large number of stranded vehicles, traffic was inevitably congested. Passing two recent landslide sites, the sight of the devastating road damage was truly terrifying! Numerous armed police, traffic police, and local police officers were directing traffic around the repaired sections, ensuring quick passage through the dangerous area. The landslide site, flanked by a cliff on one side and a raging river on the other, looked to be 20 to 30 meters deep and presented a formidable threat. Repair workers and large machinery were working tirelessly, risking their lives. As we crested the small hill on the temporary road, a large rock blocked our path. Several armed police officers signaled us to stop, and they worked together to manually remove the rock, allowing us to pass. I couldn't help but open the car window, thanking them profusely and standing in awe of them!
After passing the checkpoint, the road was clear and we soon arrived at Lulang Town. Here we saw the European-style Lulang Meadows. Further on, we passed through the fairy-like Lulang Forest Sea. We drove slowly, admiring the scenery, then spiraled down the road to rest in Nyingchi City.
The full-day trip, along Highway 220, cost 185 yuan for fuel.
Early in the morning, the sky was overcast and drizzling. We anticipated poor visibility at the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, so we abandoned our plans. We departed from Nyingchi and headed straight for Lhasa via the Lin-La Expressway. Half an hour after our departure, the sky cleared, and the surroundings suddenly became ablaze with color. Under a blue sky and white clouds, we sometimes saw hillsides covered in green trees, only to be replaced by brown boulders in the blink of an eye. Or, beneath a red earthen hillside, a vast expanse of golden rapeseed fields suddenly gave way to endless meadows... The scenery was truly endless and breathtaking!
In the afternoon, we left the highway and passed through the inspection and quarantine station before entering the city of Lhasa. It was still early, so we studied the map and found that Yamdrok Lake wasn't far away, so we headed straight for the scenic area. A little over 30 kilometers from the scenic area, we found a tourist information center. We purchased our tickets there and then drove along National Highway 349. After crossing the 5,000-meter-high Gangbala Pass, we could see Yamdrok Lake from afar. One of the three sacred lakes of the Tibetan plateau, it resembles a sapphire set atop a 4,400-meter-high mountain ridge. Continuing on to the lakeside, we were greeted by its turquoise waters, a harmonious and mystical spectacle against the backdrop of distant snow-capped mountains, nearby meadows, and the rapeseed flowers lining its shores. We strolled around the lakeside viewing platform, but climbing and descending at an altitude of nearly 5,000 meters was no easy feat. We soon became breathless and pale! We slowed down, resting every few steps, our eyes eagerly gazing at the magnificent scenery. Then, we returned the same way and headed straight into Lhasa to rest. After dinner, we hiked several kilometers through the city to the Potala Palace Square to admire the night view of the Potala Palace. Illuminated by the lights, the Potala Palace looked like a fallen temple, suspended in mid-air, ablaze with golden splendor and a dazzling array of colorful clouds. Many tourists paused to admire and take photos at this photo-op. Here you can easily chat with other travelers and share travel experiences and itinerary plans.
The full-day journey covered 600 kilometers, and the fuel cost was 365 yuan.
Day 11
Since we had booked our tickets to the Potala Palace a day in advance, we were able to enter early in the morning. I'm sure everyone is already very familiar with the Potala Palace's architecture and restoration history. Even when you see it up close and personally, you'll still be amazed by its grandeur and uniqueness. This massive palace, built into the mountain, is over 400 meters wide, 300 meters deep, and nine stories high. Its complex, layered exterior exudes a majestic aura. The vibrant, harmonious colors of red, white, and yellow create a soothing visual experience. The winding staircase leading to the main hall reveals a new style at every turn. Inside the walkway guardrail, hay is interspersed between the bricks and stone, and I believe the walls of the main building also have a similar structure. Later, I discovered that this is white grass, soaked in a medicinal solution, which helps to lighten the walls and improve ventilation. From the walkway, you can see the panoramic view of Lhasa, a breathtaking sight. In the distance, the alpine meadows are inlaid with the words "Long Live the Motherland." Walking up to the palace gate and entering, one is greeted by countless halls and rooms, large and small, stacked one upon the other. Thangkas and murals are everywhere, along with golden statues of Buddhas, Arhats, and Bodhisattvas. The golden sacred objects on the roofs of each hall shimmer brilliantly in the sunlight. Inside the highest hall, the golden stupa gifted to the Potala Palace by Emperor Qianlong is enshrined in the center. The guide explained that it weighs over three tons. After admiring it for a while, we followed the crowd of tourists down the floors, exiting from the back hill and slowly circling the palace. We saw many monks making devout pilgrimages around the Potala Palace, prostrating themselves every few steps and chanting Buddhist scriptures. Many tourists offered them small change. After leaving the Potala Palace, we returned to the square, continuing to admire this magnificent masterpiece from afar. Then, while strolling through the city, we stumbled upon a small restaurant labeled "Cantonese Cuisine." We immediately went in, hearing the friendly Cantonese dialect and savoring the rich flavors of home! In the afternoon, we visited the Jokhang Temple, a major Tibetan monastery built by Songtsen Gampo, a powerful figure in Tibet during the Tang Dynasty. Locals believe that the Jokhang Temple, situated at the heart of Tibetan Buddhism in China and the center of global Buddhism, holds it in high regard. The temple is magnificently constructed, with its main hall facing east and west, housing the Buddha Shakyamuni in its center. Surrounding the main hall are smaller halls housing various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Butter lamps burn throughout the temple, emitting a unique fragrance distinct from the choking incense and candle smoke of temples along the southeast coast. We paid our respects to the Buddha in the main hall and then visited various smaller halls to pay our respects to the Buddhas. We then ascended to the second-floor terrace to admire the main structure before departing. Our group enjoyed a guided tour today, which provided valuable insights into Tibetan Buddhism, precious structures like the Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace, and folklore. It was a truly rewarding experience.
Leaving the Jokhang Temple, you'll find Barkhor Street, where shops primarily sell Tibetan handicrafts and local specialties. We strolled around for a while before returning to the hotel to rest.
A full-day city activity, including tickets and other activities, costs 1,000 yuan. Day 12: We woke up early in the morning, packed our bags, and walked across a nearby pedestrian bridge to gaze at the Potala Palace in the morning light. Then, reluctantly, we left Lhasa. We drove north on National Highway 109 for about four hours, arriving in Dangxiong County and turning onto the Namtso Lake Scenic Area. We purchased tickets at the visitor center, had a quick lunch, and headed toward the scenic area's center. As we were admiring the scenery, we arrived at a viewing platform when a little girl, adorably rosy-faced, emerged from a nearby nomadic hut, a cheerful smile on her face. Her eyes flickered, almost as if she could talk. We pressed snacks into her mouth while snapping photos. This little incident added a touch of joy to our trip and a memorable memory. Continuing on, we crossed the Nagan La Pass at approximately 5,200 meters and came into view of Namtso Lake. It's one of Tibet's three sacred plateau lakes and is vast, said to be roughly the size of Shenzhen. The lake's edge is about a kilometer from the parking lot. The lake water is incredibly clear.
The water is exceptionally translucent in the sunlight, beautifully contrasting with the distant snow-capped mountains and blue sky and white clouds. Tibetans brought white yaks to the lakeside and let visitors ride them and take photos. Their resounding Tibetan songs added a touch of liveliness to the beautiful scenery. After visiting Namtso, it was still early, so we continued our journey. Since the conditions for our trip to Mount Everest and Ngari were not yet ripe, visiting Namtso meant that we had completed the main tourist attractions of our trip to Tibet. It was inevitable that we felt a little reluctant to leave Namtso. We planned to return to Sichuan via the northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway, so we left Dangxiong County and continued north along National Highway 109, a route that typically covered more than 4,000 meters. Occasionally, we'd encounter trains chugging along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, a scene from a classic movie that left everyone awestruck. After a little over three hours, we arrived in Nagqu, at an altitude of 4,650 meters, and checked into our hotel. It was our first time staying at such an altitude, and the oxygen supply in the room wasn't very good. So, we experienced some headaches and shortness of breath at night. The full day's journey covered 350 kilometers, and the fuel cost was 470 yuan. (The following appears to be unrelated text fragments and should likely be omitted.) Day 13: I didn't get much rest last night due to altitude sickness, and I finally looked forward to the arrival of daybreak. Nagqu City is the intersection of National Highway 109 on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway and National Highway 317 on the Sichuan-Tibet North Highway. We chose National Highway 317, heading east. The route continued through 4-5 km of plateau terrain, dominated by alpine meadows and Tibetan architecture. The road at the border between Nagqu and Sog County was heavily potholed and under maintenance, making the journey time-consuming and demanding. Passing through Bachen and Dingchen counties, we arrived in Leiwuqi County nearing dark, where we rested. The full day's journey covered 530 kilometers, costing 440 yuan in fuel. Day 14: Departing Leiwuqi, we continued eastward. After climbing numerous 4-5 km mountain passes and negotiating countless sharp turns, we crossed the Jinsha River Bridge around 4 PM and returned to Sichuan. After another three-hour drive, we arrived in Ganzi City in the evening. The full day's journey totaled 600 kilometers.
Day 15
Leaving Ganzi City, we headed towards Seda and arrived at Seda Buddhist College around noon. At the college gate, we learned that the area was closed to the public and that both cars and pedestrians were prohibited from entering, which inevitably made us feel a little depressed. After walking around for a while, we met a local who said he could take us on foot up the nearby mountain to view the Buddhist college from afar, so we followed the "guide" and set off. The road wasn't very far, but climbing a small hill at an altitude of over 4,000 meters was a very strenuous task. Fortunately, we had been active in the plateau for a few days and had adapted to it, so except for a few members who needed the "guide" to help them walk, the others could still cope. After walking for about 40 minutes, we could see the scenery inside the Buddhist college from a distance. A little further ahead, we saw other tourists walking, so we followed them onto the campus road. Along the roadside stood small red wooden houses, where the faculty and students lived. Men, women, and children, all dressed in monastic robes, entered and exited the houses. We walked along the school road to a bus stop, which led to the center of the campus. A staircase led to the top of the hill. We climbed a short distance and finally had a panoramic view of the Buddhist College. Under the blue sky, towering green hills rose to the horizon. From the foot of the hill to the mid-mountain, countless red wooden houses, large and small, were densely packed together. The visual impact was truly breathtaking. Looking down at the bus stop square, pedestrians came and went, all teachers and students in Tibetan red robes. The scene was both fresh and mysterious, a sense of distance between us and the scene, yet we felt tangibly present within it. It was a strange feeling. Since the institute was not yet fully open, we did not seek any advice or explore further, nor did we venture further up the mountain to the sky burial platform. After a brief stay, we left Serthar Buddhist Institute and continued our journey back to Ma'erkang County for our overnight stay. The full-day journey covered 350 kilometers, costing 340 yuan for fuel and 200 yuan for other expenses. Days 16 and 17: From Ma'erkang to Shunde, Guangdong, we passed through Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guangxi provinces without stopping much along the way. Following a leisurely pace, we returned home on the evening of August 1st, concluding a difficult, thrilling, yet deeply enjoyable journey. The two-day journey covered 2,050 kilometers, costing 1,000 yuan in fuel and 1,100 yuan in tolls. Postscript: The above is a diary entry from my Sichuan-Tibet trip. Looking at the entire journey, traveling along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway reveals the scenery along the way—every step, every angle a breathtaking painting. Planned scenic spots allow visitors to get closer to the heart of the action, so it's worth exploring them. The driving and lifestyle experiences also reflect the value of the trip. National Highways 317 and 318 are quite treacherous, with numerous winding and narrow roads. Sharp bends often appear every few dozen or even a hundred meters, and the route weaves through cliffs, riverbanks, and towering mountain peaks. For example, overtaking the vehicle ahead often requires several opportunities, especially for large trucks. Fortunately, many truck drivers are highly skilled. They drive ahead, and when they spot an opportunity between curves, they reach out the window to signal the vehicle behind them to speed up, allowing them to overtake. However, on this treacherous, oxygen-deprived plateau highway, one frequently encounters brave motorcyclists, cyclists, hikers with gear, and even a few pilgrims prostrating themselves along the way. Their perseverance is truly moving! They form a striking contrast with the natural environment and road conditions of the Western Regions, creating a unique landscape and a natural embellishment.
Under normal circumstances, it takes about five days to get to Lhasa from near Chengdu. If there is a sudden road interruption or road maintenance, you can only wait where you are. Therefore, the daily resting place must be planned well, because on this stretch of road, only the food and accommodation conditions in the county will be relatively better. You must also consider staying in a county with a lower altitude to ensure the quality of rest. It often takes 2 to 3 hours to drive between the two counties.
Although we have been to other plateau places before, we still experienced varying degrees of altitude sickness during this trip. Explain that altitude sickness will vary depending on personal physical condition, psychological preparation, weather conditions and other factors. Through this experience, I have this understanding: First of all, people who go to the plateau for the first time should not be afraid psychologically, nor should they take it lightly. Before entering the 3500-meter area, it is best not to eat too much to avoid increasing the load on the digestive system. When reaching above 3,500 meters, avoid large movements (such as jumping, running, etc.), and do not blow cold wind. If you feel a little uncomfortable, you should inhale oxygen in small amounts and at intervals to slow down the oxygen depletion of your organs. When symptoms such as headache and vomiting occur, you should take the corresponding medicine in time to relieve the pain. When the physical condition is more stable, the interval between oxygen inhalation should be lengthened until it stops.
After entering the plateau, in a calm state, it is usually more intense in 1 to 2 hours, but as long as the control is properly adjusted, it will begin to ease in 6 to 8 hours. It is best not to take oxygen all the time, otherwise it will take a long time to adapt.
The trip to Sichuan and Tibet is a journey to experience the scenery and life, a journey of driving challenge and fun. Although it has been over for some time, we still have endless memories of the joy and hardships! Looking forward to a more exciting trip next time!
The above text and pictures are original, please do not steal, otherwise you may be involved in legal liability! ! !
A group of beautiful scenery
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