"Mountain Circumambulation" Cycling: 160 Kilometers in Two Days
Traveler Profile: Liu Lei, 19, a film enthusiast
Cycling the "Golden Route": Near Meili Snow Mountain on the way to Deqen
Duration: 15 days
Last April, Liu Lei, a post-90s young man returning to Tibet, didn’t choose to travel with a group but instead went solo to Lijiang. He then set off on a solo cycling journey entirely following the route from the movie “Kora,” traveling through Benzilan, Shangri-La, Deqen, Feilai Temple, Yanjing, Markam, Bangda, Nyingchi, Mozhugongka, and finally arriving in Lhasa.
When recalling the most memorable part of the trip, Liu Lei said that on the fourth day of cycling, he reached Feilai Temple in Deqen. The sunlight was especially bright that day, and under its rays, the true face of Meili Snow Mountain’s main peak, Kawagarbo, was clearly reflected against the blue sky—it was extraordinarily beautiful. “It’s all about luck; not everyone who gets there gets to see such a stunning view of the snow-capped mountains.”
Despite the breathtaking scenery along the way, there were also many challenges. “Cycling requires excellent physical and mental endurance. I rode alone through areas with an average altitude of 3,500 meters and covered a 2,000-kilometer route, experiencing everything from uninhabited zones and night rides to cliffs and steep drops. Especially the 160-kilometer stretch from Yanjing to Markam was on terrible roads—the conditions were really bad, and it took me two whole days to get through that section.”
Hiking + Hitchhiking: Unforgettable People Along the Way
Traveler Profile: Huang Xiao’an, 27, a member of a hiking club
"Golden Route": From Chubu Monastery to Yangbajing
Duration: 10 days
In mid-last month, Huang Xiao’an took a train to Lhasa and designed a 220-kilometer route from Lhasa to Chubu Monastery, then from Chubu Monastery to Yangbajing, and back to Lhasa, traveling by a combination of hiking and hitchhiking.
Huang Xiao’an explained that hitchhiking in Tibet is actually quite common. All you have to do is stand by the roadside and thumb a ride, and before long, a car will stop to give you a lift. She even noted that girls have a higher success rate. After hitching three rides from Lhasa, she arrived at Chubu Monastery and then started a nearly 60-kilometer hike from Chubu Monastery to Yangbajing with three fellow travelers she met along the way.
The four of them walked through the picturesque Chubu River Valley, tough alpine meadows, the majestic Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, and vibrant rapeseed flowers, while also closely connecting with the mysterious Tibetan Buddhism and rich historical heritage. “Actually, what’s most unforgettable about this journey isn’t the scenery, but the Tibetan people living there. Their simplicity, hospitality, and kindness instantly helped me shake off my fatigue and rediscover my original innocence.”
Yunnan-Tibet Road Trip: Experiencing Four Seasons in One Day
Traveler Profile: Lu Xing, 39, a travel enthusiast
Driving the "Golden Route": Ranwu to Nyingchi Section
Duration: 12 days
“Entering Tibet via National Highway 214 and then joining National Highway 318, no other route into Tibet is as rich in experiences as the Yunnan-Tibet Highway.” Last May, Lu Xing, who was visiting Tibet for the third time, chose to drive in via the Yunnan-Tibet route. He explained that while the road conditions on the Yunnan-Tibet Highway are average, the scenery along the way more than makes up for it. Additionally, the weather changes dramatically, allowing you to experience all four seasons in one day—with snowstorms on the mountaintops and mild climates down in the valleys. “The journey is tough, but the scenery is spectacular. Travel photographers would definitely love this route.”
Lu Xing said that after driving out of Yunnan, you pass through Markam and Zogang to enter Tibet. These two sections can be described as vast wilderness, but the stretch from Ranwu all the way to Nyingchi is truly “breathtakingly beautiful,” which Lu Xing considers the most worthwhile “Golden Route” for in-depth exploration.
The beauty of the Ranwu to Nyingchi section lies in Ranwu’s reputation as the “Switzerland of Tibet.” Ranwu Lake is a famous highland glacial lake, surrounded by dense forests, glistening glaciers, and snow-capped mountains. From a distance, it looks like a girl in a white veil gracefully standing in a lush green forest, reminiscent of the alpine charm of Switzerland.
The section from Ranwu to Nyingchi is so beautiful because Ranwu boasts scenery hailed as the "Switzerland of Tibet." Ranwu Lake is a renowned highland glacial lake, surrounded by dense forests, glittering glaciers, and snow-capped mountains. From a distance, it looks like a girl in a white veil standing gracefully amidst emerald-green woods, closely resembling the alpine charm of Switzerland.