Yunnan-Tibet Highway Self-Drive: Lijiang to Lhasa

A classic road trip from Lijiang to Lhasa via Shangri-La, Meili, Yanjing, and Nyingchi.

Starting from the Naxi ancient city of Lijiang, this route enters Tibet through the Diqing Tibetan area and the Lancang River Canyon, before joining the Southern Sichuan-Tibet Highway to pass through Ranwu, Bomi, and Nyingchi. The gradual ascent makes it easier to acclimate than flying directly to Lhasa. The drive from Markam to Baxoi is the most demanding, crossing three high-altitude passes. This is a long journey, so keep your schedule flexible. Foreign travelers must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit. Best suited for experienced high-altitude drivers.

Landslides are common from June to August, and mountain passes can freeze after November.

Day by day

Day 1 · Lijiang to Shangri-La via Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Tiger Leaping Gorge） → Shangri-La（Dukezong Ancient Town）

Drive about 180 km from Lijiang to Shangri-La, taking around 5 hours including a stop at Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Stay: Dukezong Ancient Town

Day 2 · Songzanlin Monastery to Feilai Temple

Shangri-La（Ganden Sumtseling (Songzanlin) Monastery） → Dêqên（Jinsha River Great Bend (Moon Bay)、Baima Snow Mountain Pass）

Drive about 180 km from Shangri-La to Feilai Temple, taking 4 to 5 hours.

Stay: Feilai Temple

Day 3 · Meili Sunrise & Mingyong Glacier

Dêqên（Meili Snow Mountain & Feilai Temple Viewpoint、Mingyong Glacier）

Drive 1.5 hours from Feilai Temple to Mingyong. The round-trip visit takes about 6 hours.

Staying two nights increases your chances of witnessing the golden sunrise over the snow peaks.

Stay: Feilai Temple

Day 4 · Lancang River Yanjing to Markam

Markam（Yanjing Ancient Salt Fields、Yanjing Catholic Church、Hongla Mountain）

Drive 3 hours from Feilai Temple to Yanjing, then cross Hongla Mountain to Markam (about 5 hours in total).

Confirm your permits and current checkpoint requirements before entering Tibet.

Stay: Markam County Town

Day 5 · Cross Dongda Mountain to Baxoi

Markam（Lawu Pass、Dongda La Pass） → Rawok Lake & Midui Glacier（Nujiang 72 Bends (Mt. Yela)）

Drive over 370 km from Markam to Baxoi, crossing three high mountain passes (6+ hours).

The Dongda Mountain Pass exceeds 5,000 meters; keep your stops brief.

Stay: Baxoi County

Day 6 · Baxoi to Ranwu Lake

Rawok Lake & Midui Glacier（Anjiula Pass、Ranwu (Rawu) Lake、Rawu Town）

Drive about 90 km from Baxoi to Ranwu via the Anjula Pass, taking around 2 hours.

Stay: Ranwu Town

Day 7 · Laigu Glacier Day Trip

Rawok Lake & Midui Glacier（Laigu Glacier、Renlongba Glacier）

Drive 1.5 hours from Ranwu to Laigu Village. Round-trip on the same day, using local shuttle transfers.

Stay: Ranwu Town

Day 8 · Midui Glacier to Bomi

Rawok Lake & Midui Glacier（Midui Glacier） → Bomê Town（Gang Spruce Forest）

Drive 1.5 hours from Ranwu to Midui Glacier, then another 2 hours to Bomi.

Stay: Zhamu Town County Seat

Day 9 · Guxiang Lake & Sergyla Mountain to Nyingchi

Bomê Town（Guxiang Lake） → Nyingchi (Bayi Town)（Bayi Town (Nyingchi City)）

Drive about 230 km from Bomi to Bayi via Lulang, taking 4 to 5 hours for the day.

Stay: Bayi Town

Day 10 · Basum Co Lakeside Day Trip

Nyingchi (Bayi Town)（Basum Tso (Draksum-tso)）

Drive 2 hours from Bayi to Basum Co. Round-trip on the same day, exploring the lakeside trails on foot.

Stay: Bayi Town

Day 11 · Nyingchi-Lhasa Expressway to Lhasa

Nyingchi (Bayi Town)（Mila Pass） → Lhasa（Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street）

Drive about 400 km from Bayi to Lhasa via the high-speed expressway, taking around 5 hours.

Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple

Day 12 · Potala Palace & Departure

Lhasa（Potala Palace、Potala Palace Square）

Take a 10-minute taxi from Barkhor Street to the Potala Palace, then drive 1 hour to Gonggar Airport in the afternoon.

Real-name reservations for the Potala Palace must be made online in advance.