Northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway (G317) Northern Kham Culture

Follow Highway G317 through Seda and Garzê to Dege to see the Parkhang Printing House and Xinluhai Lake, returning via Daofu and Danba.

This is the Sichuan section of the Northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway. The main highlights are the monasteries and residences of the Gyalrong and Khampa regions, with two days in Dege to visit the Printing House and Dzongsar Monastery. After reaching Dege, the route turns back instead of entering Tibet, returning via Luhuo and Daofu to see the Bengke-style residences and Danba Tibetan villages. The altitude is high and accommodation conditions vary, making it suitable for those who have already done the Small Loop and want to focus on cultural experiences.

High risk of snow and ice from November to April; watch out for landslides during the rainy season.

Day by day

Day 1 · Wenma Expressway to Zhuokeji

Barkam（Zhuokeji Chieftain's Official Residence、Xisuo Village）

Drive from Chengdu through Dujiangyan and Wenchuan along the Wenma Expressway to Barkam (approx. 340 km, 4.5 hours of driving).

There are many large trucks on the Wenchuan to Lixian section at noon; try to pass through in the morning.

Stay: Zhuokeji · Xisuo

Day 2 · Cross Mountains to Seda County

Barkam（Songgang Sky Street (Kepan)、Zhibo Watchtowers） → Sêrtar（Jinma Grassland）

Drive from Barkam through Guanyinqiao and Wengda to Seda County (approx. 280 km, 6 hours of driving).

The county seat is at an altitude of about 3,900 meters; choose accommodation with oxygen supply.

Stay: Seda County Town

Day 3 · Larung Gar to Garzê

Sêrtar（Larung Gar Mandala (Tanchen)、Red Houses Viewpoint） → Garze (Ganzi) County（Kasa Lake）

Enter the valley for about half a day of sightseeing in the morning, and drive through Luhuo to Garzê in the afternoon (approx. 160 km, 3.5 hours of driving).

Reservations must be made via the official mini-program; specific opening status is subject to local announcements.

Stay: Garze County Town

Day 4 · Xinluhai Lake & Chola Mountain to Dege

Garze (Ganzi) County（Beri Monastery） → Dege（Manigango、Xinluhai Lake (Yilhun Lhatso)、Chola Mountain (Pass & Tunnel)）

Drive from Garzê through Manigange and the Chola Mountain Tunnel to Dege (approx. 200 km, 4 hours of driving).

There are subsided road sections before and after the tunnel, so slow down; there may be construction controls in the Dege section.

Stay: Dege County Seat (Gengqing Town)

Day 5 · Parkhang Printing House & Dzongsar Monastery

Dege（Derge Parkhang Printing House、Gonchen Monastery、Dzongsar Monastery & Maisu Valley）

Visit the Printing House on foot in the morning, and drive to and from Dzongsar Monastery in the afternoon (approx. 160 km round trip, 2 hours each way).

Photography is prohibited in some areas of the Printing House; photographing printing blocks requires an additional fee.

Stay: Dege County Seat (Gengqing Town)

Day 6 · Dzogchen Monastery to Manigange

Dege（Dzogchen Monastery）

Drive north from Dege to Dzogchen Monastery, then return to Manigange (approx. 150 km, 4 hours of driving on mountain roads).

Stay: Manigango Town

Day 7 · Garzê & Luhuo to Daofu

Garze (Ganzi) County（Garze Monastery） → Daofu（Lingque Monastery (Nyatso Gompa)、Daofu Tibetan Dwellings (Bengke Houses)）

Drive from Manigange along Highway G317 through Garzê and Luhuo to Daofu (approx. 270 km, 5.5 hours of driving).

Stay: Bengke Vernacular House Homestay

Day 8 · Huiyuan Temple to Jiaju Tibetan Village

Xinduqiao & Tagong（Huiyuan Monastery） → Danba（Jiaju Tibetan Village、Suopo Ancient Towers）

Drive from Daofu through Huiyuan Temple in Bamei to Danba (approx. 150 km, 3 hours of driving).

Stay: Jiaju Tibetan Village

Day 9 · Xiaojin over Balang Mountain to Chengdu

Mount Siguniang（Maobiliang Viewpoint） → Chengdu

Drive from Danba through Xiaojin and Mount Siguniang, crossing Balang Mountain back to Chengdu (approx. 340 km, 6.5 hours of driving).