- Why 317 + 318?
- Altitude changes during the trip
- What's different about this trip: 3 key points
- The Logic of Itinerary Route Design
- Days 1-3: Buffer zone between Chengdu and Seda
- D4-D6: The Core Section of Kham Culture
- Day 7: Officially Entering Tibet
- D8-D10: The visual climax of 318
- Days 11-13: The Cultural Core of Lhasa
- D14-D19: Depth Options for Hidden Areas
- Namtso vs. Yamdrok Lake vs. Manasarovar: The Ultimate Comparison Guide to Tibet's Three Sacred Lakes
- Cost structure and pricing logic
- The real situation you need to know
- Who is this trip suitable for?
This was not an ordinary trip to Tibet.
While most tour groups still use vague terms like "heaven on earth" and "soul-stirring" to package their itineraries, this 14- to 19-day exploration of Tibet takes a more honest approach: allowing you to truly understand why this plateau is worth spending half a month on.
Why 317 + 318?
National Highways 317 and 318 are not just two roads. They represent two completely different cultural and geographical routes into Tibet.
317 Northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway
Traversing the heart of the Kham Tibetan region lies the most intense belt of Tibetan Buddhism. Places like Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, Dege Printing House, and Dongga Monastery exist not for tourism, but as authentic testaments to the transmission of millennia-old Buddhist culture. You'll see thousands upon thousands of red monastic dwellings flooding the valleys, hear the intense sounds of debate in the debating halls, and experience a rhythm of time completely different from modern life.
318 Sichuan-Tibet Southern Route
It showcases the extreme geography of the Tibetan region. From Dongda Mountain at an altitude of over 5,000 meters to Ranwu Lake at 3,800 meters, from the icy world of Midui Glacier to the forest oxygen bar of Lulang Forest, this route allows you to experience all the landforms of the plateau in a short time. The breathtakingly steep Nujiang 72 Bends and the almost unrealistically tranquil scenery of Basongcuo Lake are effects that cannot be replicated by photo editing.
Combining the two routes gives you a complete framework for understanding Tibet: how faith takes root in this land and how geography shapes its cultural landscape.
Altitude changes during the trip
| Place | Altitude (meters) |
|---|---|
| Chengdu – Bipenggou – Ma'erkang | 2,700 |
| Ma'erkang – Tujiqinbo Guanyin Temple – Seda | 2,500-3,800 |
| Seda (Lamrim Buddhist Academy) – Ganzi | 3,000-4,000 |
| Ganzi – Tashi Chöling – Yulong Lhatso – Dege | 2,500-3,800 |
| Dege (Printing House) – Batang | 3,150-4,000 |
| Batang – Mangkang – Dongdashan – Zuogong | 4,000-5,000 |
| Zogang – Bangda – Nujiang 72 Bends – Ranwu | 4,200-4,600 |
| Ranwu Lake – Midui Glacier – Bomi | 3,500-4,600 |
| Bomi – Lulang Forest – Sejila Mountain – Nyingchi | 2,900-4,700 |
| Nyingchi – Basongcuo – Lhasa | 3,700 |
| Lhasa (Zhaqi Monastery, Sera Monastery) | 3,650 |
| Lhasa (Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple) | 3,650 |
| Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Karola Glacier – Shigatse | 3,650-4,500 |
| Shigatse – Gawula Mountain – Rongbuk Monastery – Everest Base Camp | 3,800-5,200 |
| Everest Base Camp – Gyatsola Pass – Shigatse | 3,800-5,250 |
| Shigatse (Tashilhunpo Monastery) – Lhasa | 3,650-3,800 |
| Lhasa – Namtso – Lhasa | 3,650-4,750 |
What's different about this trip: 3 key points
Key Point 1: The on-board doctor is not a gimmick.
Altitude sickness is a real physiological challenge. The inclusion of a doctor on board until day 11 is not to create a false sense of security, but because you will experience dramatic altitude changes from 2500 to 5000 meters during the first 11 days. The doctor's presence allows you to focus more on the experience itself, rather than constantly worrying about your physical condition.
The vehicle was equipped with cylinder-type oxygen tanks, and each person also received a personal oxygen cylinder. These provisions demonstrate one thing: this team understands the true conditions of high-altitude travel, rather than glossing over it with phrases like "you'll adapt."
Key Point 2: The Significance of Semi-Self-Help
Lunch and dinner are at your own expense, which may sound like a cost-saving approach, but the actual logic is to make the trip more flexible.
Dining options in Tibet are limited, but each region has its own unique characteristics. The Tibetan food in Ma'erkang, the vegetarian cuisine in Seda, and the stone pot chicken in Linzhi (included in the itinerary) – if these experiences were included in a group meal plan, you would likely be eating a compromised version to accommodate the large group. The self-catering option allows you to discuss with your guide and make choices based on the day's conditions and your own appetite. This flexibility is especially important for long trips of 14 to 19 days.
Key Point 3: The Necessity of Small Group Size
The minimum group size (10 people to form a group, 20 people to form a full group) is not arbitrary. Many scenic spots in Tibet have limited capacity. The viewing platform of Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Seda, the tour route of the Potala Palace, and the accommodation conditions at Everest Base Camp are not suitable for large groups. Small groups mean more flexible time arrangements, less waiting, and more leisurely stops at each scenic spot.
At the same time, a group size of 20 people ensures cost control. Too small a group would cause the cost per person to skyrocket, while too large a group would sacrifice the quality of the experience. This balance point has been calculated.
The Logic of Itinerary Route Design
Days 1-3: Buffer zone between Chengdu and Seda
Chengdu is at an altitude of 500 meters, Seda is at 3800 meters, and the ascent is gradual, passing through Ma'erkang (2700 meters). The second day's visit to Bipenggou is not just about sightseeing, but also a buffer zone for your body to acclimatize. With its beautiful lakes and mountains in all four seasons, and its forested environment known as "Little Switzerland," this starting point is designed to be relaxed, giving your body time to adjust.
D4-D6: The Core Section of Kham Culture
The three days at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, Dongga Monastery, and Dege Printing House marked the peak of spiritual intensity during the entire trip. The layers of red monks' quarters, the quiet debating grounds, and the still-operating art of hand-printing sutras—these were not museum exhibits, but living cultural scenes.
The Dege Printing House is definitely worth a visit. As the most important scripture printing center in Tibet, it continues the traditional hand-carved woodblock printing method, preserving and printing hundreds of thousands of Buddhist scriptures, literary and historical documents. You will see artisans focusing on every step of the process; that sense of time, completely opposite to modern rapid reproduction, is the best way to understand the depth of Tibetan culture.
Day 7: Officially Entering Tibet
The moment you cross the Jinsha River Bridge, you enter Tibet from Sichuan. This is not just a change of administrative division; the subsequent rise in altitude will make you clearly feel the presence of the plateau.
The significance of Mount La'u and Mount Dongda lies in allowing you to experience the true difficulty of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. The mountain roads wind and twist, with towering peaks and deep valleys intersecting. Mount Dongda, exceeding 5000 meters in altitude, is perpetually covered in snow. This route isn't designed to create a sense of challenge, but rather to showcase the true face of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. You need to understand that entering Tibet is itself a form of conquest.
D8-D10: The visual climax of 318
The vastness of the Bangda Grassland, the thrill of the Nujiang River's 72 bends, the tranquility of Ranwu Lake, the magnificence of the Midui Glacier, the forests of Lulang Forest, and the view of Namjagbarwa Peak from the Sejila Pass – these three days represent the most classic visual sequence along National Highway 318.
The Nujiang 72 Bends is more than just a popular tourist attraction. This winding mountain road, at an altitude of 4,600 meters, is widely recognized as the "most dangerous road" on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Viewed from above, the road resembles a ribbon spiraling through the mountains; behind this engineering marvel lies decades of road construction and the dedication of countless people. Only qualified high-altitude drivers are suitable for driving this route, which is why this itinerary places special emphasis on having a professional driver.
Midui Glacier is one of the lowest-altitude and closest glaciers in the world. You can choose to ride a horse (at your own expense) to avoid the fatigue of a long hike and reach the foot of the glacier directly. Standing before millennia-old ice and snow, the awe is beyond words.
Days 11-13: The Cultural Core of Lhasa
Basum Tso, at an altitude of 3,700 meters, is the last natural scenic spot before entering Lhasa. The Cuozong Gongba Monastery in the lake blends seamlessly with the surrounding mountains and waters. This design provides a gentle transition before entering Lhasa, a city at an altitude of 3,650 meters.
Three days in Lhasa is not enough.
Zhaqi Temple is the most popular temple for the God of Wealth in Lhasa, where locals come to pray for blessings every day. The debating sessions at Sera Monastery are a unique practice in Tibetan Buddhism, where monks explore Buddhist ideas through questions and gestures, creating a lively and insightful atmosphere.
A full day is needed to visit the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. The Potala Palace is divided into the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace was the living and political center of the Dalai Lamas, while the Red Palace primarily served a religious function, housing precious Buddha statues, thangkas, and the stupas of the Dalai Lamas. Every detail tells a story of Tibetan history and faith.
Built in the 7th century, the Jokhang Temple houses a life-size statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist statues in Tibetan Buddhism. The saying "The Jokhang Temple came first, then Lhasa" is not an exaggeration, but a historical fact.
Barkhor Street, encircling the Jokhang Temple, is Lhasa's most bustling area. Shops sell Thangkas, handicrafts, jewelry, and clothing, while devout pilgrims circumambulate the temple. It blends religious and everyday life, serving as a microcosm of Lhasa's unique culture.
D14-D19: Depth Options for Hidden Areas
If you choose the 14-day itinerary, we will take you to the airport or train station today. If you choose the 19-day itinerary, the next five days will take you to the Tsang region, which offers a different level of Tibetan experience.
Yamdrok Lake is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet. Its crystal-clear waters reflect the snow-capped mountains and blue sky, earning it the nickname "the emerald of the sky." Karola Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in the high-altitude region, with ice sheets cascading from the mountaintops and shimmering in the sunlight.
Everest Base Camp is the pinnacle of both the physical and psychological heights of the entire journey. At an altitude of 5,200 meters, you'll spend the night in a tent, watching the sunrise and sunset over Everest. When the setting sun bathes Mount Everest in golden light, the summit is painted in a magnificent spectacle that defies description. The night sky, with its starry backdrop and snow-capped peaks, offers a pure experience that can only be enjoyed at the top of the world.
Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery, was built in 1899 and is an important temple of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Standing inside the monastery and gazing at Mount Everest, the solemnity and sanctity it evokes will make you rethink the relationship between humanity and nature.
Tashilhunpo Monastery, the religious center of Tsang (present-day Tibet), was founded in 1447 and served as the residence of the Panchen Lamas. It houses a 26-meter-tall gilded bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha, one of the world's largest indoor gilded Buddha statues. The stupas containing the remains of the successive Panchen Lamas house treasures of gold and silver, as well as thangkas, showcasing the artistic achievements and religious depth of Tibetan Buddhism.
Namtso Lake, one of the three holy lakes of Tibet, sits at an altitude of 4,718 meters and is one of the highest saltwater lakes in the world. Its waters are crystal clear and azure, with the majestic Nyainqêntanglha Mountains rising in the distance. Tibetan people circumambulate the lake in prayer, their devotion demonstrating the profound power of Tibetan faith.
Cost structure and pricing logic
Want to travel? Itinerary details and PDF available.
This content is already included in our brochure: Want to add a highland sun and faith journey to your itinerary? Message us now "I want a Lhasa trip," and we'll immediately check availability and provide a quote for you.
What's included in the price: Luxury air-conditioned tour bus (including road tolls, fuel, and vehicle entry fees), four-star hotel accommodation throughout the trip (mainly clean and accommodating foreign guests in remote areas), hotel breakfast (except in special remote areas), excellent driver service throughout the trip, excellent Chinese-speaking tour guide, travel agency liability insurance and personal accident insurance, on-board doctor (up to day 11), one bottle of mineral water per person per day, personal oxygen cylinder, and one stone pot chicken meal.
The following are not included: round-trip airfare from the departure city to Chengdu, entrance fees to all attractions and sightseeing bus fees, lunch and dinner, and driver and guide tips (30 RMB per day according to international etiquette).
The logic behind this pricing structure is to include all necessary safety and comfort costs, while retaining flexibility to allow you to control your dining and attraction choices. Entrance fees are not included because everyone has different interests in attractions; some may want to spend more time in certain places, while others may choose to skip certain attractions. This design makes the entire trip more personalized.
The real situation you need to know
Accommodation
- The entire trip will be arranged in four-star hotels, with two people per room and two single beds. However, it's important to understand that the "four-star" hotels along the 317 and 318 highways are not equivalent to the four-star standards in urban areas. Accommodation in remote areas will primarily be clean and of a standard suitable for foreign guests; this is the reality.
- Everest Base Camp offers tent accommodations at an altitude of 5,200 meters, and conditions are limited. However, this is part of the experience; no one goes to Everest Base Camp to stay in a five-star hotel.
- If you require a single room, you will need to pay a supplement; you can ask your advisor for the specific amount.
The reality of altitude sickness
The presence of a doctor, oxygen cylinders, and oxygen tanks in the vehicle illustrates one thing: altitude sickness is real and needs to be taken seriously.
At altitudes above 3000 meters, some people may experience mild reactions. Above 4000 meters, the reactions will be more pronounced. Above 5000 meters, most people will experience varying degrees of discomfort. The altitude changes on this trip from 2500 to 5200 meters; you need to give your body time to adapt.
The itinerary has been designed with a gradual increase in altitude, but everyone's physical condition is different. If you have cardiovascular disease or respiratory problems, you need to consult a doctor before departure.
Weather and Seasons
Mid-May to mid-June and early October to late October are relatively off-seasons with lower prices and more stable weather. Late June to late September is the peak season with higher prices, but the chances of rain increase during this period, and some roads may be closed due to weather.
The best time to visit Everest Base Camp is from April to June and September to October, when the weather is clearer and you have a better chance of seeing the sunrise and sunset. July and August are the rainy season, with more clouds and fog and lower visibility. Namtso Lake freezes over in winter, offering a completely different landscape. If you choose to visit in winter, be prepared.
Policies and Changes
Due to the unique local policies in Tibet and Seda, appropriate alternative itineraries will be arranged should changes occur. This is not an attempt to shirk responsibility, but rather a statement of the reality. Control policies in Tibet are subject to adjustment based on political and religious factors, which travel agencies have no control over.
If unforeseen circumstances (weather, road conditions, political factors) cause itinerary changes, the participants will be responsible for any additional costs. This may sound unfriendly, but it's the norm for travel in Tibet. Road closures necessitate detours, and the extra fuel and toll fees are real costs, not the travel agency's attempt to make more money.
Who is this trip suitable for?
This is not an easy trip. It requires 14 to 19 days of time, physical challenges at altitudes of 2,500 to 5,200 meters, semi-self-service meals, and accommodation in remote areas—all of which require mental preparation.
But if what you want is not the label of "having been to Tibet", but a true understanding of why this high plateau is special, why Tibetan Buddhism took root here, and how the plateau geography shaped the cultural landscape, this trip will give you a complete framework.
You will witness the breathtaking red expanse of Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Seda, experience the thrill of the 72 bends of the Nujiang River, watch the sunrise and sunset from Everest Base Camp, feel the weight of a thousand years of history at the Potala Palace, and watch Tibetans devoutly circumambulate Namtso Lake. These experiences cannot be conveyed by online photos; you need to personally experience them at that altitude, in that temperature, and with that air density.
This is a journey that requires physical stamina, time, budget, and an open mind to the unknown. If you're prepared, the 317 and 318 highways will give you a unique understanding of Tibet.
