Southeast Tibet

Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, Namcha Barwa, Nyingchi's peach blossoms and Ranwu Lake, the most humid and scenic region of Tibet.

Southeast Tibet centers on Nyingchi and includes its counties plus the Ranwu area of Basu in southern Chamdo, and is known as the "Jiangnan of Tibet." Warm, moist air from the Indian Ocean enters along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, creating a landscape where forests, glaciers and snow mountains coexist: the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon and Namcha Barwa, "China's most beautiful snow mountain"; Lulang Forest Sea and Zhaxigang Village; Basum Tso, Sejila Mountain, the peach blossom valley at Bomi and Galang Lake; Yigong Lake and the perilous Tongmai section; and Midui Glacier and Ranwu Lake. A common itinerary is Lhasa – Basum Tso – Nyingchi – Lulang – Grand Canyon – Bomi – Ranwu and back, or onward along G318 out of Tibet, 5–7 days. The Lhasa–Nyingchi Railway is open, and Nyingchi Mainling Airport has direct flights to many cities. The elevation here is relatively low (about 3,000 m), making it a good first stop when entering Tibet; in the rainy season mudslides are frequent, so keep a close eye on road conditions. Lulang stone-pot chicken, Tibetan pork and matsutake mushrooms are local specialties in Nyingchi; the clothing and festivals of the local Gongbo Tibetans are also distinctive, and during the spring Peach Blossom Festival each year many folk activities are held, which pair well with a flower-viewing trip.

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Itineraries