Xizang Ali Mountain Tour 8 days and 7 nights

Lhasa - Yangzhuoyong Lake - Baiju Temple - Shigatse

After breakfast, we set off and crossed the 4900 meter high Gangbala Mountain. When we arrived at the pass, the jade like Yangzhuoyongcuo Lake appeared before us. Yanghu Lake is the highest freshwater lake in the world and is also known as the "Heavenly Holy Lake". Under the illumination of sunlight at different times, it will display an extremely rich and layered blue color, like a dream. We walked about tens of kilometers up close to Yanghu Lake, where we could fully enjoy its beauty. Next, we will arrive at the ancient city of Jiangzi, where we will overlook Zongshan Castle and head to the important town of Shigatse in Tibet. Afterwards, visit the largest temple in Tibet - Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Shigatse Lazi Langcuo Sagar 500 kilometers

Departing from Shigatse at 8am to Saga, the scenery along the way is picturesque, but the heavily desertified sandy areas on both sides of the road constantly threaten passing vehicles. The road conditions are difficult to navigate, with some sections being sandy roads. Sangsang Township in Angren County is an important accommodation point and a transportation hub on the Ali North Line, with many vehicles stopping here every day. The shops, hotels, and restaurants in the small town are relatively complete, making life convenient. After dining in Sangsang, continue on to Saga.

Saga Zhongba Paryang Tarqing

Main tourist attractions: the Himalayas, Payang Grassland, Mayomula Pass, Gongzhucuo

After breakfast, start from Saga and walk between the the Himalayas Mountains and the Gangdise Mountains. The south side of the road is the the Himalayas, and the north side is the Gangdise Mountains. The the Himalayas in the south are all over 7000 meters above sea level, which is the highest mountain range in the world, distributed between China and Nepal. It starts from Nanga – Parbat Peak in Kashmir in the west and ends at Nanjabawa Peak at the big bend of the Yarlung Zangbo River in the east, with a total length of 2400 kilometers. The Gangdise Mountains cross the southwest of Xizang and are parallel to the the Himalayas. Gangdise means "the master of the mountains" in Tibetan, and the Gangdise Mountains are connected to the Nyenchen Tanggula Mountains to the east, with a total length of 1100 kilometers. From Zhongba and Bayang to Talqing at the foot of the Divine Mountain.

Talqing Zhuanshan

Main attractions: Mount Kailash, 25 kilometers away

After breakfast, depart from Tarqing and head to Zadatulin. Group members who enjoy mountain trekking can leave the team and spend two days trekking. Shenshan Gangren Boqi means "treasure of the snow mountain" in Tibetan. At an altitude of 6656 meters, it is the main peak of the Gangdise Mountains, located in Menshi District, Pulan County. Tachin is the starting and ending point of the meridian turning. There are countless famous scenic spots and historical sites along the entire Zhuanjing Road, with a sacred site almost every 500 meters and related legends and stories circulating. Departing early in the morning, leaving Tachin and heading west, slowly climbing for about 2 kilometers. The mountain road passes through a small hill with a large Mani pile on it. Standing on the pile, you can look back at the vast morning scenery of the Baga Grassland and the Namunani Snow Peak behind you. After entering the Laqu Canyon, not far from the valley entrance is the "Two Leg Pagoda", which is a landmark building on the winding mountain path. The legs of the pagoda form a portal, which is said to be the "Gate of the Gangdise Divine Mountain". After walking about 9 kilometers, we arrived at the first temple on Zhuanshan Road - Qugu Temple. The Zhuanshan Road splits into two at the small bridge in front of Qugu Temple, running along the east and west banks of the Laqu River respectively, and the meeting point is Zhire Temple. The road on the west bank requires wading in some areas, while the road on the east side is better but slightly longer. After leaving Qugu Temple, the mountain road began to gradually rise, but the slope was not steep. Zhire Temple is located north of Gangrenbo Qifeng, where rivers such as Bailong River, Zhonglongqu, and Zhuomalaqu converge.

Zhuanshan - Tarqing 29 kilometers

After a simple breakfast, depart from Zhire Temple to the east, and the mountain road gradually rises. Within 8 kilometers of reaching Zhuomala Mountain Pass, the height will rise by nearly 800 meters on a four level plateau. After climbing up the first level terrace, following the left side of the saddle between the two broad and flat peaks, you will arrive at the foot of the second level terrace at an altitude of 5330 meters, which is called the "Heavenly Burial Platform". From the foot of the mountain to the top, the entire slope is filled with discarded clothes, cloth strips, and mani piles, making it a symbolic place of reincarnation. Continuing to climb up to the third plateau, the path runs through a one kilometer long rocky beach. It is said that this section of road, densely covered with strange shaped stones, is a place to test one's good, evil, and sin throughout their life. The fourth level plateau is the most difficult, and it takes 2-3 hours for most people to climb from the foot of the mountain to the mountain pass at an altitude of 5630 meters, with nearly half of the time spent climbing the fourth level plateau. Zhuomala Mountain Pass, also known as "Dumu Mountain Pass", has a large area of colorful prayer flags standing on the mountain pass, making the sound of hunting in the strong wind. There are many scenic spots near this mountain pass, and the mountain road winds southward through vast grasslands. There are huge stones embedded in the meadow, densely covered with small streams that make a rustling sound, and then the streams gradually converge into a relatively large river. Not far from Menqu, there is a "tent tea house" on the roadside. The yogurt at this restaurant tastes great, 7 yuan per bowl. It takes more than two hours to reach Zuchu Temple from the teahouse all the way down. Zuchu Temple, also known as the "Transformation Cave", is the third temple on Zhuanshan Road. The rock below the temple has the sacred site of "Immovable Ground Nails at the northeast corner of Gangdise". After leaving Zuchu Temple for more than an hour, one can see the vast Baga grassland through the distant canyon entrance. At the end of the canyon, the mountain road suddenly opens up, and there are several Mani piles along the roadside. The towering Mani stands at the end of the Baga grassland. The road ahead will continue westward on the grassland, and in about an hour, you will return to the final destination of the mountain - Tachin.

Tarqing Sagar 529 kilometers

Departing from Tarqing in the morning, heading towards Sagazhadun Temple, there is an ancient temple called Zhadun Temple located on the mountain pass in front of Lao Zhongba. The temple is small, but there are no shortage of pagodas, prayer flags, prayer halls, gates, and main halls. Red, white, green, blue, yellow, five colored wind horses emanate from the top of the pole and fly around against the background of blue sky and white clouds. Afterwards, heading towards Sangsang, the scenery along the way is picturesque, but the heavily desertified sandy areas on both sides of the road constantly threaten passing vehicles. The road conditions are difficult to navigate, with some sections being sandy roads. Sangsang Township in Angren County is an important accommodation point and a transportation hub on the Ali North Line, with many vehicles stopping here every day. The shops, hotels, and restaurants in the small town are relatively complete, making life convenient.

Sakha Shigatse

Return to Shigatse

Shigatse Tashilhunpo Monastery Lhasa

In the morning, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the six major monasteries of Huangjiao and the resting place of the Panchen Lama's soul. The Tashilhunpo Monastery was built in 1447 under the leadership of the first Dalai Lama, Gedhun Zhuba, and later became the residence of the successive Panchen Lama Erdeni in Tibet. In the afternoon, return to Lhasa along the the Yarlung Zangbo River valley, and enjoy the Tibetan desert scenery behind the the Yarlung Zangbo River grassland canyon on the way.