10 Days Yunnan-Tibet Highway Overland Tour from Lijiang to Lhasa

Day 1 Lijiang-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Shangri La

Sightseeing and Activities: Stone Drum, First Bend of the Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge
Accommodation: Shangri La
Meals: Lunch

Today you’ll be driven to the old town of Shigu (Stone Drum) which is famed for a drum-like stele made by white marble. It enjoys high strategic and traffic significance in China’s history that many troops struggled for. You will take a visit to the Iron Chain Bridge which the Red Army used to cross the river during the Long March in 1930s. Then head to the stunning First Bend of the Yangtze River. Here you can witness the three rivers (Yangtze River, Lancang River and Nu River) traversing through the valleys of Hengduan Ranges, and forming this breathtaking view.

The last place of Lijiang to visit is marvelous Tiger Leaping Gorge – one of the deepest gorge and one of the ten most classic trekking trails in the world. Legend says that it is named after a courageous tiger who jumped across the rushing river to escape from a hunter. Take a little challenging trek to stretch your legs as well as glut your eyes with most naturally picturesque and distinctive landscape.

Later, you’ll drive about 100km to Shangri La. You’ll enjoy the enchanting natural scenes on the way.

Day 2 Shangri-la-Yanjing

Sightseeing and Activities: Kawagebo mountain range, Mt. Meili, salt fields, catholic church, hot bath
Accommodation: Yanjing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Departing Shangri-la we travel along the north of Mekong River valley into Tibet. Along the way, we may be able to see the peaks of Kawagebo mountain range on a good day. Mt. Meili (6,740 m/22,113 ft), which straddles the border of Yunnan and Tibet, is the highest peak in the province. Once into Tibet. Our first stop will be in the town of Yanjing, which was once the main source of salt for half of the Kham Tibetan area, which ranged from northwestern Sichuan down into Yunnan. We will visit the salt fields and visit the only one catholic church in Tibet. Followed by a stop at the hot springs, where each of us could pick our own natural hot bath overlooking the Mekong. Certainly the best way to relax our body for the adventure ahead!

Day 3 Yanjing – Zuogong

Sightseeing and Activities: view along the road, 
Accommodation: Zuogong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We cross two high passes in this section of the drive, one at around 3,900 m(12,795 ft), the other at 5,008 m(16,430 ft). Driving past local Tibetan houses scattered round the feet of snow-capped peaks, the expressions on innocent Tibetan girls would make you realize that you are one of the first foreign visitors to this isolated region. 

Day 4 Zuogong – Ranwu

Sightseeing and Activities:Nu River
Accommodation: Ranwu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We will drive along the deep valleys of the Nu River(the Salween River), which is a long and tough journey, but our destination, the Ranwu Lake, a spectacularly crystal blue lake cupped by snow peaks.

Day 5 Ranwu – Bomi

Sightseeing and Activities: Poto-chu Valley at Tramog
Accommodation: Bomi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We will wander along the Poto-chu Valley at Tramog (2,743 m/8999 ft), located deep in the thickly forested gorge of Parlung Tsangpo with glacial waterfalls streaming from the mountainsides. We will go down several hundred meters in altitude as we reach the lowland jungle settlement of Tang-me where the Tsangpo and Parlung Tsangpo rivers meet.

Day 6 Bomi – Bayi

Sightseeing and Activities:NamJiabawa peak
Accommodation: Bayi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Waking up to the birds’ singing, you will have an unobstructed view of the majestic NamJiabawa peak. After a long 9 hours drive, we will arrive in Bayi, the largest Tibetan town we will have reached at this point. 

Day 7 Bayi – Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Lamaling monastery, Basong lake
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Lhasa City

Sightseeing and Activities:Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you will visit the highest palace in the world-Potala Palace which is the Dalai Lama’s winter palace. It locates on the red hill, a good viewing point in Lhasa.

In the afternoon, we go to the renowned Jokhang Temple which will provide you one of your first sights of devout Tibetans. In the temple you will see the glistening Sakyamuni statue which is considered as Tibetan Buddhism’s rarity.
 
After then, stroll around the bustling Barkhor Street.

Day 9 Lhasa City

Sightseeing and Activities: Lake of Yamdrok Yumtso, Sera monastery
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

About hundred kilometers, you will appreciate the holy Lake of Yamdrok Yumtso Lake. The sacred lake of Yamdrok Yutso is revered as a talisman, supporting the life-spirit of Tibet. It is said that should its waters dry, Tibet will no longer be habitable.
 
Back to Lhasa before 3:00 p.m to visit the Sera monastery where lively lama debating will be seen (except Sundays). This is very interesting. Many lamas sitting or standing in the yard debate a certain topic their teacher has given.

Day 10 Departure from Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Departure from Lhasa
Accommodation: 
Meals: Breakfast