If someone asks which place in Tibet you most want to visit, chances are nine out of ten answers will be “Nyingchi.” Just how beautiful is this place known as the “Sun Throne” in Tibetan? The most straightforward and visual answer is that Tibet3~5Ahas25Class19scenic areas,4of which
are located in Nyingchi. The area boasts a mild and moist climate with rich water and grasslands, earning it the reputation of the “Jiangnan of Tibet.” There are countless beautiful sights in Nyingchi, and planning your route might even give you a bad case of “choice paralysis.” Below is1a route centered around Bayi Town, connecting several major attractions, hoping to serve as a reference for travelers who wish to go.
Route
: Bayi Town → Basongco Lake → Mila Pass → to Lhasa
Basongco Lake5~10Also called “Cuogao Lake,” Basongco means “green water” in Tibetan. It is a famous sacred lake and pilgrimage site of the Red Sect, featuring classic Tibetan-style scenery: snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests, waterfalls, and pastures perfectly combined, offering breathtaking views. There are dedicated hiking trails in the scenic area, where you can bring your own tent and camp along the way, or stay at lakeside guesthouses. Generally, you can complete a hiking tour of the entire Basongco Lake area in two days.120Admission:11~From4month,60RMB
;
from next2month,72RMB
.
This route is suitable for travelers going from Nyingchi to Lhasa. The main attraction is Basongco Lake. As for Mila Pass, it’s a necessary stop on the way to Lhasa and doesn’t have much to see in itself—the real beauty lies along the road from Mila Pass to Lhasa.
Route20: Bayi Town → Nyingchi Namlung Forest Sea → Tongmai → (Peach Blossom Valley) → Midui Glacier → Ranwu Lake → Nujiang
3rd Hairpin Turn
Nyingchi Namlung Forest Sea10Nyingchi Namlung Forest Sea is a forest growing amidst clouds and mist. With lush trees, neat and flourishing meadows, winding streams, snow-capped mountains, and thousands of wildflowers scattered throughout the woods, the entire forest sea looks like a paradise on earth. The Namlung Forest Sea has not been overly developed—only an observation deck has been built. If you’re lucky, you can see both Mount Namcha Barwa and Mount Gyala Peri from there. Since it’s not far from Bayi Town, you can also cross through the Namlung Forest Sea, reach the Yarlung Tsangpo River, cross the river, and then take a bus back directly to Bayi Town.
Namlung Forest Sea: Free; Observation Deck
RMB3From the end of4March to early April, this place becomes an ocean of peach blossoms, with pink and white flowers densely blooming along the roadsides. Against the backdrop of snow-capped distant mountains, the view is especially enchanting.
Midui Glacier
Midui Glacier is the lowest-altitude glacier in China and one of the six most beautiful glaciers in China selected by *Chinese National Geography*. Here you’ll find massive icefalls reaching seven to eight hundred meters high, presenting an extremely spectacular and majestic sight.
Ticket price:50yuan
Ranwu Lake
In Tibetan, Ranwu Lake means “a lake like goat’s milk.” The lake water is deep blue, surrounded by emerald green grasslands, lush forests, colorful rhododendron seas, and snow-capped mountain peaks that remain frozen year-round, adding a touch of sanctity to the area.
Ticket: Free
Nujiang72Old Road Bend
Nujiang Old Road Bend72The Nujiang Old Road Bend is the junction of the northern and southern Sichuan-Tibet routes, famous for its thrilling and winding road. After passing theLa Mountain Pass, there is an observation deck, which is the best spot for photography. Almost all the images of the winding mountain road you see online are taken from here.
Ticket: Free; observation deck10yuan
This is a classic long-route itinerary in Nyingchi, allowing you to experience the essence of Nyingchi’s scenery to the fullest, especially during3and4months when the peach blossoms are in full bloom—the scenery is simply breathtaking. If you’re traveling at other times, you can skip Peach Blossom Valley and head straight to Midui Glacier after arriving in Bomi County.
Route3: Bayi Town → Pai Town → Hike to Motuo
Motuo needs no introduction—it’s a trekking paradise in the hearts of countless travelers. The saying “hell below, heaven above” truly captures the harsh yet stunning reality of Motuo. Hiking from Pai Town to Motuo takes about4~5days:
D1 Pai Town--Songlin Pass--Duoxiongla--Lagu,13kilometers
D2 Lagu--Hanmi,25kilometers
D3 Chamdo--Bêmba,28kilometers
D4 Bêmba--Motuo,35kilometers
For a more detailed itinerary, you can check out the post below, with the link:
http://bbs.lvye.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1476392&extra=page%3D1%26filter%3Dtypeid%26typeid%3D6587
Route4: Nyingchi Town → Pailong → Hiking along the Yarlung Tsangpo River
The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is the deepest and longest canyon in the world, and it’s one of the most breathtaking sights you shouldn’t miss in Tibet. The best place to view the Yarlung Tsangpo is from the Zhachu Campsite, where you can gaze at the spectacular panoramic view of the Nujiang River’s horseshoe bend just a few hundred meters from the campsite on the nearby cliff. To the southwest of the campsite, you can also take in the majestic view of the Parlung Tsangpo River bend. Starting from Pailong, it generally takes about2~3days to hike to Zhachu Village, following this route:
D1 Pailong--Duochidong--Kangzhuo Stone Bridge--Yumai Village,30kilometers
D2 Yumai Village--Zhachu Village,10kilometers
The4routes shared above are all one-way itineraries. You can adjust the routes, add return plans, or even enter Sichuan from Tibet without backtracking, based on your personal preferences. When traveling in Tibet, no matter where you go, the best way is to drive or hire a private car. Don’t limit your vision to artificially designated “attractions”—the most beautiful scenery is always along the way.
Appendix: Nyingchi Region Travel Map