15-Day Sichuan-Tibet Group Tour with Daocheng Yading & Shigatse
Overview
The route starts in Chengdu, continues through Kangding, Daocheng Yading, Qamdo, Nyingchi, and finishes in Lhasa. Built around the G318 through western Sichuan, with Daocheng Yading as another main focus, this itinerary is best suited to travelers who prefer a shared departure, a sociable group and a fixed sightseeing sequence. A shared departure timetable keeps the intercity sequence fixed for the group.
Your Route Map
Tour Highlights
- Cross western Sichuan from Chengdu through Kangding, Xinduqiao, Litang and Daocheng on the G318 route.
- Choose a suitable walking route in Daocheng Yading according to fitness, altitude and current trail access.
- Continue through eastern Tibet for Ranwu Lake, Midui Glacier, Lulang forest scenery and Nyingchi.
- Visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street after reaching Lhasa and acclimatizing.
- Travel to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier, then return to Lhasa after Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Route / main plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Chengdu |
| 2 | Chengdu to Kangding via Mugecuo |
| 3 | Kangding to Yajiang via Zheduo Pass and Xinduqiao |
| 4 | Yajiang to Shangri-La Town via Litang and Daocheng |
| 5 | Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve |
| 6 | Daocheng to Batang via Litang |
| 7 | Batang to Zuogong via Markam and Dongda Mountain |
| 8 | Zuogong to Ranwu via the Nujiang 72 Bends |
| 9 | Ranwu Lake and Midui Glacier to Bomi |
| 10 | Bomi to Nyingchi via Lulang and Sejila Pass |
| 11 | Nyingchi to Lhasa via Basumtso Lake |
| 12 | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street |
| 13 | Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier |
| 14 | Tashilhunpo Monastery and Return to Lhasa |
| 15 | Depart Lhasa |
Tour at a Glance
| Travel style | small-group tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15 days |
| Route | Chengdu to Kangding to Daocheng Yading to Qamdo to Nyingchi to Lhasa to Shigatse |
| Activity level | Moderate to demanding |
| Best for | travelers who prefer a shared departure, a sociable group and a fixed sightseeing sequence |
| When to go | Late spring to early autumn |
Good to Know Before You Go
Pace and Physical Demands
Moderate to demanding. Altitude, long road sections and hotel changes matter more here than fast-paced city sightseeing. Use the daily plan to understand the walking required around the G318 through western Sichuan and the travel time between overnight stops.
Season and Reservations
Late spring to autumn is the usual operating window. Permit timing, altitude, mountain weather and road controls can affect the daily order. For the 15-Day Sichuan Tibet Overland Group Tour, confirm current access and any timed entry for Daocheng Yading after choosing the dates.
- Allow enough time for the Tibet Travel Permit and avoid a tightly timed international connection at the end of the route.
- Discuss altitude and relevant health concerns with a qualified medical professional before joining the high-elevation sections.
Related Destinations and China Travel Guides
- Chengdu
- Kangding
- Qamdo
- Nyingchi
- Lhasa
- Best Time to Visit China
- How to Pay in China
- How Many Days Do You Need in China?
Customize This China Tour
Use Plan My Trip to send your dates, group size and preferred pace, including any special request around the G318 through western Sichuan. The core group route and departure timing stay fixed, while room requests and pre- or post-tour extensions can be discussed. We will verify availability and return with a trip-specific plan and price.
Daily Itinerary
Make your own way to the Chengdu hotel and use the remaining time to rest. consider the group meeting point, travel documents and high-altitude guidance before the overland route begins.
Travel about 300 kilometers from Chengdu toward Kangding, crossing the Erlang Mountain section and visiting Mugecuo Scenic Area. Use the scenic bus and suitable walking sections around the highland lakes and forest, then stay overnight in Kangding at about 2,560 meters.
Continue across Zheduo Mountain Pass, where weather can affect the viewpoint, and descend toward the pastoral scenery around Xinduqiao. Travel onward to Yajiang for the overnight stop after a substantial G318 road day.
Drive through the high passes toward Litang and visit Letong Ancient Town, then continue past the Haizi Mountain and Tuer Mountain landscapes toward Daocheng. Finish in Shangri-La Town near the Daocheng Yading reserve.
Enter Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve and choose the walking plan according to fitness and altitude. The shorter route centers on Chonggu Temple and nearby viewpoints; the more demanding option toward Luorong Cattle Farm, Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake depends on current access and a firm turnaround time.
Leave Daocheng and pass the seasonal Sangdui Red Grassland area before returning through Litang. Continue across Maoya Grassland toward Batang. This is a long plateau transfer, so regular breaks and gradual altitude management remain part of the plan.
Cross the Jinsha River into Tibet and continue through Markam toward Dongda Mountain and Zuogong. The road climbs above 5,000 meters at its highest point, so the group should keep stops measured and watch for signs of altitude illness.
Travel across Bangda Grassland and Yela Mountain before descending the Nujiang 72 Bends toward Basu. Continue to Ranwu for the overnight stay. Road controls and mountain weather can make this approximately 290-kilometer stage slower than the distance suggests.
Visit Ranwu Lake, with reflections dependent on wind and cloud, then continue to the accessible Midui Glacier viewing area. Travel onward to Bomi after the glacier visit, allowing time for the approach road and walking section.
Leave Bomi for Guxiang Lake and the forested Lulang area, then cross Sejila Pass toward Nyingchi. Views of Namcha Barwa depend entirely on cloud and visibility. Check in at the Nyingchi hotel after the mountain drive.
Travel from Nyingchi to Basumtso Lake for a scenic stop, then continue west to Lhasa. Keep enough time for the long road stage and hotel check-in at 3,650 meters. The evening should remain quiet after arrival.
Visit the Potala Palace at the assigned ticket time, then continue to Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street. Security checks, stairs and altitude make the day more demanding than the short city distance suggests, so keep the walking pace measured.
Leave Lhasa for Yamdrok Lake, cross the high road toward Karola Glacier and continue to Gyantse for Pelkor Chode Monastery if included in the day's confirmed plan. Finish in Shigatse after a long high-altitude drive.
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, allowing time for its main halls and courtyards, then return to Lhasa by road. Keep the evening free after the journey and prepare for departure.
Check out and transfer to Lhasa Airport or railway station according to the confirmed schedule. Allow a generous buffer for the long airport road, security procedures, luggage and any document checks.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- The guide and driver services shown for the route beginning in Chengdu
- Accommodation for the 14 overnight stops shown in the itinerary
- Admission or activity arrangements for the G318 through western Sichuan, plus Daocheng Yading, when listed for the departure
- Transport needed to travel from Chengdu through to Lhasa
Your booking confirmation lists the final hotels, transport, guide service and admissions for the chosen departure.
Not Included
- Travel to the starting point in Chengdu and onward travel after Lhasa, unless specifically added
- Visa fees, travel insurance and personal medical expenses
- Optional tickets or activities near Daocheng Yading that are not confirmed for the date
- Room upgrades, gratuities and other personal purchases
