19Days Yunnan-Tibet Overland Tour from Kunming to Lhasa

Destination:Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangrila-Deqin-Zuogong-Ranwu-Lhasa
Tour Type:Private Tour

Highlights: The overland tour from Yunnan to Lhasa (starting from Kunming) is less difficult than driving from Yunnan to Lhasa, but the scenery along the way is also stunning beautiful. During this trip, You will visit the lovely Lijiang old city which is one of the four old cities in China, and the deepest gorges in the world - Tiger Leaping Gorges before arriving at Zhongdian, we still call it Shangri-la. In Zhongdian, visit the Songzanlin Temple which is like a smaller Patala. After arriving at Deqin, see the holy Mt. Meili. Cross the Tibetan border from Yanjing, then another 111km to Markham join the Sichuan Southern route to Lhasa.

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Day1 - Arrive in Kunming City.

ActivitiesKunming City

MealsNo meal

HotelsKunming

ou'll begin your journey to the diverse and captivating province of Yunnan from the capital city, Kunming. Upon arrival at the Kunming International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel.
You will take a leisurely stroll along the Green Lake, a charming area of teahouses and small boutiques selling handicrafts and beautiful local paintings. If time permits, you will have a Kunming city tour. Enjoy welcoming dinner of Yunnan Flavouring food with crossing Bridge Rice Noodle and Steam Pot Chicken/Qiguoji.
-- Kunming is the capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, a primarily agricultural province of 45 million. Kunming has a population of five million and is located in one of the world's most geographically, ethnically, biologically and linguistically diverse regions. Situated at 1,900 meters (6,233ft) above sea level and 25° north of the Equator it has a rather unique and pleasant climate for a Chinese city.

Day2 - Kunming - Dali

ActivitiesYiren Ancient Town,Dali Ancient Town, Dali Ancient City Wall, Foreigner Street, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery

MealsNo meal

HotelsDali

Drive from Kunming to Chuxiong City, visit Yiren Ancient Town and have lunch with Yi ethnic flavour.
 
Drive to Dali, visit Dali Ancient Town, Dali Ancient City Wall, Foreigner Street, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery.

Day3 - Dali-Lijiang

ActivitiesErhai Lake Cruise,Xizhou Ancient Town, Xizhou Morning Market,Zhoucheng Village and the Tie-dye Workshop, Lijiang Ancient Town

MealsNo meal

HotelsLijiang

Erhai Lake Cruise,Xizhou Ancient Town, Xizhou Morning Market,Zhoucheng Village and the Tie-dye Workshop, Lijiang Ancient Town
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery in Dali.

Day4 - Lijiang

ActivitiesBlack Dragon Pool, Dongba Culture Museum, Yuhu Village and Joseph Rock’s Exhibition,Lion Hill and Wangu Tower

MealsNo meal

HotelsLijiang

Black Dragon Pool, Dongba Culture Museum, Yuhu Village and Joseph Rock’s Exhibition,Lion Hill and Wangu Tower
Black Dragon Pool in Lijiang City.

Day5 - Lijiang-Shangrila

Activitiesthe First Bend of Yangtze River, Shigu Ancient Town, Stone Drum, Iron Chain Bridge, Tiger Leaping Gorge (the upper part)

MealsNo meal

HotelsShangrila

From Lijiang, you'll drive about 60KM to the First Bend on the Yangtze River with imposing gorge scenery, visit the Iron Chain Bridge,the Red Army's Long March Memorial Monument in the Shigu town. The town of Stone Drum got its name from a large, cylindrical, marble tablet shaped like a drum. The scenery is magnificent as the road running through the Lijiang valley which is filled with wheat fields and drying haystacks.
 
 
Optional Special Experience:the floating tour at First Bend of the Yangtze River
You will have an experience of the floating from the First Bend of the Yangtze River to Longpan Town, after one hour floating, meet the driver and trasfer to Tiger Leaping Gorge.
 
Visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area because you can find gold in the river. Afternoon, you'll head for Shangri La, the former Zhongdian which is welknown as the paradise destination for every tourist. Upon arrival in Shangri La, you will have entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks scattered in the valleys. Walk around Dukezong Ancient Town, an important town of the Ancient Tea-horse Trade Caravan from Yunnan to Tibet and India.
 
 
 
-- Tiger Leaping Gorge is on the Jinsha River of the upper reaches of the Yangtze, located 105 kilometers south of Shangrila County. The gorge is 17 kilometers long with a drop of 213 meters. Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three sections: Upper, Middle and Lower Hutiao. At the narrowest spot the river is only 30 meters wide. The mouth of the gorge is 1,800 meters above sea level. The river is flanked by Yulong and Haba snow mountains, with a height difference of 3,900 meters. It is one of the deepest gorges in the world.

Day6 - Shangri-la - Deqin

ActivitiesBenzilan Town, Moon Bend of Yangtze River, Baimang Snow Mountain, 13 Pagodas, the sunset view of Meili Snow Mountain

MealsNo meal

HotelsDeqin

The trip kicks off from Zhongdian (3344m) - now optimistically renamed Shangri-La - home of the grand(iose?) Songzanlin monastery. This sprawling and, in historical terms, very key monastery was commissioned in 17c by DL5, and was the central monastery in the Gelukpa order’s south-eastern expansion. Since the retreat of the Tibetans from the Lijiang area in the 19c, Zhongdian (Tib. Gyalthang) has pretty much marked the south-eastern border of Kham Tibet in Yunnan. Up until a few yeas ago, it had the rough reputation of a classic frontier town - but now things have calmed down, and its markets and the old town make for a fruitful stroll.
 
 Leaving Zhongdian, after 2 hours trail reaches low-lying Benzilan (2240m), on the banks of the Yangtze, facing Sichuan on the opposite side. A Tibetan village, for centuries another important stop on the old trading route into Tibet. Makes for a good lunch stop/tea break. Between here and Deqin are a few monasteries, including Waterside monastery, Dongzhulin and Shusong nunnery (a much rarer animal indeed). The last two are both sub-monasteries of the huge Songzanlin in Zhongdian. The road climbs to heights of 4500m+, skirting the edge of the Baima Nature Reserve, before reaching Deqin (3480m) - the last stop before the TAR. It’s worth a walk around, and a fantastic hot pot to be had here. Or can by-pass the bright lights of Deqin and head 10 km further out to Feilai, the nearest viewing point from Deqin for the Meili snow mountain range. Once the site was marked by just a lot of prayer flag-covered ch?rtens and a little shop across the street; these days there are a few guesthouses and restaurants catering to those who want the possibility of waking up to a snow-covered mountain vista.
 
After 2 hours trail reaches Benzilan, on the banks of the Yangtze, facing Sichuan on the opposite side. A Tibetan village, for centuries another important stop on the old trading route into Tibet. Makes for a good lunch stop/tea break. Between here and Deqin are a few monasteries, including Waterside monastery, Dongzhulin monastery and Shusong nunnery (a much rarer animal indeed). The last two are both sub-monasteries of the huge Songzanlin in Zhongdian. The road climbs to heights of 4500m+, skirting the edge of the Baima Nature Reserve, before reaching Deqin (3480m), the last large town before the TAR. It’s worth a walk around, and a fantastic hot pot to be had here. Or can by-pass the bright lights of Deqin and head 10 km further out to Feilai, the nearest viewing point from Deqin for the Meili snow mountain range. Once the site was marked by just a lot of prayer flag-covered ch?rtens and a little shop across the street; these days there are a few guesthouses and restaurants catering to those who want the possibility of waking up to a snow-covered mountain vista. 

Day7 - Feilaisi - Yanjing

Activitiesthe sunrise view of Meili Snow Mountain, Mekong Grand Canyon, Mingyong Glacier,Yanjing Town

MealsNo meal

HotelsYanjing

Try to get up early in the morning, drive 10km to Feilai Monastery to view the magic sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain. Then drive another 1.5-hyour to Mingyong village, where you will walk on the trails for about 4km to the bottom of Mingyong Glaciers, walk another one hour or so, you will get to Tibetan Taizi Monastery-another good spot to view the magnificent Mingyong Glaciers. (You can choose to hire a horse to go up to the glacier on your own expense in order to save your energy.) After the tour, get back to Deqin County.
 
 
 
 If you are lucky enough to have a good weather, you could see the golden snow-covered Kawagebo peak (6,740m, the Peak of Mt. Meili. Then you travel along the north of Mekong River valley into Tibet. Once into Tibet, your 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.
 
 
 
You will visit to the salt fields, followed by a stop at the hot springs, where each of us could pick your own natural hot bath overlooking the Mekong. Certainly the best way to relax your body for the adventure ahead!
Mingyong Glacier in Meili Snow Mountain,Yunnan.

Day8 - Yanjing-Mangkang-Zuogong

ActivitiesNujiang-Salween River,Yelashan Mountain(业拉山）at 4828M,Anjiula（安久拉山） Mountain (4468M),Ranwu Lake

MealsNo meal

Hotels

After lunch, you cross two high passes in this section of the drive, one at around 3,900 m(12,795 ft), the other is Dongdashan Mountain Pass 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.
 
 
 
From Yanjing:
 
Honglashan Mountain Nature Reserve
 
Honglashan Mountain（红拉山） Pass (4220M);
 
Mangkang County
 
Lawushan Mountain（拉乌山） Pass (4293M)
 
Cross Lancang-Mekong River from Zhuka Bridge,
 
Juebashan Mountain（觉巴山） Pass (3900M)
 
Dongdalashan(东达山） Mountain Pass (5008M)
 

Day9 - Zuogong –Ranwu

ActivitiesNujiang-Salween River,Yelashan Mountain(业拉山）at 4828M,Anjiula（安久拉山） Mountain (4468M),Ranwu Lake

MealsNo meal

HotelsRanwu

You will drive along the deep valleys of the Nu River (the Salween River), which is a long and tough journey, but your destination, the Ranwu Lake, is another Shangri-la, stay in the tent beside the Lake.
 
Drive 35KM to the old Zuogong, then drive along the Yuqu River to Kuatiantuo Bridge, continue the driving along Yuqu River to Bangda Grassland and Yelashan Mountain(业拉山）at 4828M. Cross the Nujiang-Salween River,you will visit the Hengduan Mountain Ranges and arriv eat Basu County. After lunch, continue the driving to Yuqu River and arrive in Anjiula（安久拉山） Mountain (4468M), arrive at Ranwu Lake in the late afternoon.

Day10 - Ranwu-Bomi

ActivitiesRanwo Lake,Gan Tso Lake, the Poto-chu Valley, Parlung Tsangpo Gorge

MealsNo meal

HotelsBomi

A rare morning which involves no driving! You have two options available: for those interested in a half day hike, your photographer/guide would take you onto a scenic half day hike; while those who'd rather opt for a half day of retreat would find this place ideal for relaxing, writing your travel notes and washing off the dust accumulated in the journey so far.
 
A drive of 129km would take us about 5 hours to Bomi, stay in the guesthouse.You 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.You will go down several hundred meters in altitude as you reach the lowland jungle settlement of Tang-me where the Tsangpo and Parlung Tsangpo rivers meet. Stay in a guesthouse in Bomi.

Day11 - Bomi-Bayi

ActivitiesSerkhyem La Pass, Mount Gyala Pelri and Mount Namchak Barwa, Bayi Town

MealsNo meal

HotelsBayi

Drive across Serkhyem La Pass (4,515 m/14813 ft), the last major pass before reaching Lhasa, you will have spectacular views of Mount Gyala Pelri (7,150 m/23458 ft) and Mount Namchak Barwa (7,756 m/25446 ft). On the way to Nyingchi, you pass through Bayi, originally a military base, which has now become the capital of Nyingchi District.
 
North of Bayi, Bajie village lies on the edge of a primary dense forest with sacred cypress trees which are more than two thousand and five hundred years old. Around May, you would be able to see three to five-meter rhododendrons in full bloom. Stay in a 3 star hotel in Bayi.

Day12 - Bayi-Basongtso-GongbuJiangda

ActivitiesBasongtso Lake,Tsozogongba Monastery,Niyang River

MealsNo meal

HotelsGongbuJiangda

Visit Basongtso and Tsozogongba Monasteries. Stay in the hotel beside Basongtso lake.

Day13 - Gong

ActivitiesGongbuJiangda County,Taizhao Ancient Town, Niyang River, Milashan Mountain Pass, Lhasa City

MealsNo meal

HotelsGong

Drive from Gongbu Jiangda County to Lhasa City, visit Taizhao Ancient Town(太昭古城) and Bangjietang Grassland(邦杰唐草原). Drive along the Niyang River (the tributary of Yalung Zangpo River) to the Milashan (米拉山) Mountain Pass at 5013M. Arrive in Riduo Town which is famous for the largest hot spring resort in Tibet. Arrive in Lhasa City in the afternoon and be free to explore Lhasa City by your own.
 
--Lhasa, the capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, has a history of more than 1,300 years. It is the political, economic, cultural and transportation center of the region. With a population of 400,000, Lhasa covers an area of 30,000 square km, in which the downtown covers 544 square km and holds a population of 140,000. Tibetan ethnic group makes up 87 percent of the total population; the rest consists of Han, Hui and other ethnic groups.

Day14 - Lhasa

ActivitiesJokhang Temple, Barkor Street, the Potala Palace

MealsNo meal

HotelsLhasa

On this second day morning you will take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple. This temple is the most revered shrine in all of Tibet and is constantly bustling with devout worshippers. You will also be given the opportunity to shop in Barkor, the crowded central market of Lhasa. In the afternoon you will visit is Sera Monastery, a fifteenth century sprawl of golden roofs and whitewashed walls. This well preserved monastery is located just a few miles North of Lhasa and is home to several hundred monks. Its famous debating activities are happening 3-4pm quite regularly every day, so remind your guide not to miss it.
 
At last a trip to Tibet would not be complete without experiencing the vital Potala Palace. This palace is Lhasa's cardinal landmark and is a wonder of Eastern architecture. Your first site of this massive structure will be a magical moment remembered for years to come. It has been a palace since the fifth or sixth century and was once home to the Dalai Lama.

Day15 - Lhasa - Shigatse

ActivitiesYamdroktso Lake; Palkhor Monastery

MealsNo meal

HotelsShigatse

Yamdroktso Lake; Palkhor Monastery
Yamdrok Tso Lake in Langkazi County,Tibet

Day16 - Shigatse - Shegar - Rongphu Monastery

ActivitiesTashilumpo Monastery,Rongbu Monastery, Mt.Everest

MealsNo meal

HotelsRongphu

Drive westwards the Friendship way to Tingri. On the way you will pass the checking point with your TTB permit, travel permit and passport, and purchase the entrance of Everest Base Camp. 
There is about 90km bumpy road from Tingri to Rongpuk, road is under construction. From Tingri to E.B.C with the very rough road, pass the wild grassland, cross the rapids river and high mountains. If it is in clear whether, you can have a glimpse of 4 mountains which is 8000m high or more, such as: Mt. Lhotse(8516m),Mt. Everes(8848m), Mt. Qowowuyag(8201m),Mt Mayalu(8463m).

Day17 - Evrest Base Camp-Shegar -Shigatse

ActivitiesMt.Everest Base Camp,

MealsNo meal

HotelsShigatse

Early in the moring to see the sunrise from Rongphu then to view Mt. Everest. It is fabulous and splendid.After walking arrive the place get on the local bus then use half of an hour arrive at Everest Base camp ( Or you also can trekking to Base Camp around 1.5-2 hours one way. It's interesting and much more warm, but hard to breath). Hiking up to the top of the photo point to take pictures of the splendid- Mt. Everest. Then late in the afternoon around 13:00 go down from E.B.C back to Tingri by friend-ship highway back to Shigaste.

Day18 - Departure from Shigatse

ActivitiesDeparture.

MealsNo meal

Hotels

We spend about 4 hours to drive back to Lhasa from Shigatse, on the way, we will visit the largest Monastery in west Tibet, the Tashilunpo monastery, as the last but famous historic sites for your Tibet tour. Tashilunpo monastery is one of the the six great Gelukpa institutions and was founded in 1447 by a disciple of Tsongkapa, Genden drup who was first dalai lama. Jamkhang Chenmo, containing the world's largest gilded copper image(26m high) of future god Jampa.
 
Drive along the Friend-ship Highway to the Gonggar Airport and take the lfight for returning.