2026 Gonjo Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

Sichuan-Tibet middle route | The best scenery in Tibet is on G349 💫 After crossing the McDonald’s route (actually G318 🤭), continue from Gongjue to Luolong County in Chamdo ~ along the way, you’ll pass the fascinating Chaya ~ these three hidden gem counties connect the Mangkam Mountains, the Taniantaweng Mountains, and the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, plus the Jinsha River, a breathtaking natural boundary! ✨ 📍 Route highlights: ✔️ Gongjue – Chaya – Luolong, check in at three major geographic boundary points in one trip ✔️ One county, one mountain range, a live geography lesson ✔️ Every snap by the Jinsha River looks like a masterpiece, no need to worry about phone wallpapers ✔️ The entire G349 route is as scenic as G318, and best of all, few people know about it! 🚗 Self-driving tips: ① Altitude 3,500–4,500 meters. Prepare oxygen tanks and altitude sickness medicine in advance ② July to September is the best season, but watch out for falling rocks during the rainy season ③ Gas stations are far apart. Fill up whenever you see one to be safe ④ Few restaurants along the way, so bringing your own snacks is essential This route’s scenery will really move you to tears 😭 Snow-capped mountains, canyons, and grasslands take turns appearing, like a real-life Windows desktop! A hidden gem not yet crowded by tourists, so take advantage of the quiet and go now~

10 days, from Chengdu to Lhasa, with no tour buses waiting at intersections, no oxygen tank vendors chasing after you—just the unpaved road that makes you question your life choices and the endless snow-capped mountains and grasslands outside the window. Honestly, after driving this route, I felt a bit disoriented when I saw traffic lights back in Chengdu 🥹. 10-Day Itinerary Day 1: Chengdu → Mount Siguniang → Danba Start from Chengdu, and you’ll spot Mount Siguniang along the roadside. If you want to enter the scenic area, plan your time accordingly. Arrive in Danba by evening, settle in, and enjoy a Tibetan meal to acclimate to the altitude. Day 2: Danba → Zhonglu Tibetan Village → Moshi Park → Daofu In the morning, visit Zhonglu Tibetan Village, which is more authentic than Jiaju Village. In the afternoon, explore the alien-like landscapes of Moshi Park. Stay overnight in Daofu. Day 3: Daofu → Zazong Stone-slab Tibetan Village → Larima Grassland → Xinlong Spend the day driving through high-altitude flower fields. Stop by Zazong Tibetan Village to admire its stone-slab houses and 113 Buddhist stupas. Larima Grassland is vast, so feel free to drive around. Day 4: Xinlong → Yaqing Monastery → Baiyu Visit Yaqing Monastery, which is quieter than Seda Monastery. The scenery along the Jinsha River Gorge is stunning. Reach Baiyu by evening to check your vehicle’s condition, as the next day will be challenging. Day 5: Baiyu → McDonald’s Line → Gongjue The toughest day of the trip. Navigate cliffside roads, a 4,800-meter mountain pass, and over 100 kilometers of unpaved roads. If you’ve never driven on rough terrain, today will be a crash course. Stay overnight at Gongjue’s oxygen-supplied hotel to recover. Day 6: Gongjue → Chaya → Jitang → Luolong Drive through the eastern Tibetan gorge. The Danxia landforms in Chaya feature vibrant colors—red, orange, ochre, and yellow—perfect for photography without any filters. Day 7: Luolong → Three-Color Lakes → Xianggelila Glacier → Bianba Visit the Three-Color Lakes, where three differently colored lakes sit side by side. Enjoy distant views of Xianggelila Glacier and capture snow-capped mountains in the same frame. Day 8: Bianba → Sapuk God Mountain → Biru Admire the pyramid-shaped Sapuk Mountain reflected in the lake. Take a 2-kilometer hike along the lake to reach the glacier’s base—it’s worth it! Day 9: Biru → Maidika Wetlands → Jiali Explore the world’s highest-altitude wetlands. The road conditions are terrible, with potholes and swamps, but you’ll be rewarded with sightings of black-necked cranes. A full-on off-road experience! Day 10: Jiali → Mozhugongka → Lhasa On the final day, drive along the Lhasa River Valley to reach Lhasa by afternoon. Mission accomplished! ⚠️ Tips: · Vehicle: At least a 4WD SUV, but a rugged off-road vehicle is ideal. The unpaved McDonald’s Line is not suitable for sedans. It’s best to travel in a group; solo trips are risky. · Altitude: The elevation gain isn’t steep overall, but you’ll hit 4,800 meters on Day 5. Bring oxygen bottles, avoid bathing in the first two days, and don’t run or jump. · Gear: A windbreaker and sunscreen are essential. High-altitude weather changes faster than flipping a page. Bring enough water and road snacks, as supplies are limited along the way. · Respect local beliefs: At Yaqing Monastery and other temples, ask for permission before taking photos, and don’t snap pictures of monks without consent. 💬 Final Thoughts The 318 route is for most travelers, but the Sichuan-Tibet Middle Route is for those who think “the road is too smooth and boring.” The Sichuan-Tibet Middle Route makes no promises—road conditions are unpredictable, weather is unpredictable, but the scenery is always breathtaking.

Eastern Tibet never lacks scenery, but Gongjue is a hidden gem often overlooked. Few crowded tourists remain, preserving the simple and pure daily life of Tibet. Travel through canyons and rivers, with grasslands stretching to the horizon and yaks wandering the hills. Wooden Tibetan houses scatter across the mountains, presenting a vast, pristine plateau landscape. The most captivating are the artisans who stay here, carrying on the generations-old thangka and Tibetan incense crafts with dedication, connecting to the warmth of Eastern Tibet’s history. The wind blows over wildflowers on the grassland, the mountains and fields vast and peaceful. True Tibet is more than just popular attractions; Eastern Tibet’s Gongjue is worth the journey. 📍 Location: Gongjue County, Changdu City, Tibet 💡 Travel tips ▪ High altitude. Drive slowly and prepare sun protection and warm clothing ▪ County attractions are spread out, ideal for in-depth self-driving tours ▪ When photographing local artisans and residents, please communicate politely in advance

Just returned from a trip around Chamdo in mid-July. I originally came for the "secret eastern Tibet," but found the grasslands here glowing green in July. The herders in Bangda and Ziga are moving to summer pastures. If you're lucky, you might catch local horse races around Jiangda and Leiwuqi, which are much livelier than I expected 🌿 ⚠️ Travel tips July is actually the rainy season in Chamdo. The meteorological station just issued a blue alert for heavy rain. Afternoon thunderstorms, strong winds, and short bursts of heavy rain are common in the directions of Zuogong, Mangkang, and Basu. The Nujiang Gorge section of G318 is prone to falling rocks. Sisters driving themselves should closely monitor road condition updates from "Chamdo traffic police." Bangda Airport sits at 4,334 meters above sea level. Avoid running or jumping. Don’t wash your hair or take a shower for the first couple of days. Book a hotel with oxygen supply in advance on Trip.com. Oxygen tanks in the city cost about 20–30 yuan each. If you get a headache, taking ibuprofen is better than toughing it out. Bring fleece and a windbreaker. Daytime temperatures in the city reach 25–29°C, but at Ranwu and Laigu, nights drop to 6–9°C. The temperature difference can be discouraging. Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential. The high-altitude UV rays can change your skin in just half an hour 🌞 Regular attractions (Ranwu, Zizhu Monastery, Yanjing) don’t require a border pass. If you want to visit Chayu, get the permit in your registered residence ahead of time. For less popular spots like Zizhu Monastery and the Three-Color Lake, it’s best to rent an off-road vehicle. "Tibetan Easy Travel" offers official tour vehicles. Don’t risk cheap rides from unlicensed drivers. 🏔️ Recommended attractions I visited Qiangbalin Monastery the afternoon I arrived. It’s free and right on the edge of Chamdo town. The prayer path overlooks the confluence of the Zhaqu and Angqu rivers. The sunset light makes for amazing photos. Plan a full day for Ranwu Lake and Laigu Glacier. Laigu tickets cost about 100 yuan. Horseback riding to the glacier tongue is 100 yuan per person. The blue ice in July isn’t as pure as in winter, but wildflowers bloom by the lake, creating stunning reflections. Walking a section of the lakeside boardwalk at upper Ranwu is enough; no need to force yourself to finish it. Zizhu Monastery is in Dingqing at 4,800 meters. It’s a Bon religion temple hanging on a cliff. Admission is free, but the roads are winding. Take motion sickness medicine if needed. The Butuo Sister Lakes in Dingqing host a local horse race in July, offering a lively tent city atmosphere. If you’re driving G318, stop at the Nujiang 72 Bends viewing platform. Watch the sunset over the Jinsha River in Yanjing in the evening. You can also visit the ancient salt fields nearby 🌄 🏨 Accommodation tips In Chamdo city, I stayed near Chama Square. Hotels like Ruiting Holiday, City Convenience (Chama Square branch), and Borui Mandan all have ratings above 4.2. Oxygen rooms cost just over 300 yuan per night. Compare prices on Trip.com with and without breakfast before booking. The location is close to Qiangbalin Monastery and the Lancang River. It’s also convenient to stroll to Chama Square for a late-night snack. In Ranwu town, book a lakeside guesthouse. July availability is decent, but prices rise on weekends. After enjoying stone pot chicken, you can relax in your room with a lake view—worth it. On the G318 route through Basu and Zuogong, Maya oxygen hotel and Shangkewyou (Zuogong Zhuran New District branch) offer oxygen and humidifiers, perfect for resting during long drives. The GreenTree Inn in Zuogong has a deluxe king room with an oxygen machine and massage chair for under 500 yuan, offering great value. If you’re visiting Zizhu Monastery in Dingqing, stay in the county town rather than at the mountain base. The lower altitude makes sleeping much easier. Nujiangyuan Hotel has reliable hot water, which is rare in northern Tibet. 🍜 Food recommendations Tibetan hot pot is a must. The copper pot is filled with yak meat, beef tongue, and Tibetan pork, plus some seasonal vegetables. Two people can eat their fill for just over 200 yuan. There are many restaurants around Chama Square; any one you pick won’t disappoint. Mangkang Yanjing’s Jiajia noodles are an intangible cultural heritage. Small bowls come one after another, and the owner keeps refilling. After finishing, they count bowls with stones. You can get full for just over 20 yuan. The meat sauce is made from Tibetan pork bones and is very flavorful. Don’t buy dried yak meat at tourist spots. In Dingqing county town, behind the Lao Sichuan supermarket, there’s a local stall selling hind leg meat for 80 yuan per jin. Dip it in chili powder to taste the creamy flavor. Butter tea and tsampa are standard breakfast items. The savory taste might take getting used to, but they really help with altitude sickness. In Leiwuqi town, try the butter tea with a little saffron at Amala Tibetan restaurant. It costs 10 yuan per set with barley cakes and is worth trying. Summer-only treats include ginseng fruit yogurt. If you see it, don’t miss out. It’s sweet and sour, richer than mainland yogurt. Around Gongjue, Awang’s whole roasted lamb must be booked in advance. The stone-cooked "Aduoji" is even wilder—lamb tripe stuffed with lamb meat and slow-cooked with hot stones, an old herding area recipe 🥢 Chamdo isn’t a place for rushing through just to check off sights. Slow down, wait for the cheers at a grassland horse race, or watch the sunset by Ranwu Lake. These moments will stay with you longer than you expect.

Chamdo, the gateway to eastern Tibet, is where the Jinsha River, Lancang River, and Nu River flow side by side. G317 and G318 intersect here, unfolding history and landscapes together. 📌 Four highlights of Chamdo ⭐ Red starting point: The Chamdo campaign began here in 1950. Gangtuo Village by the Jinsha River is known as the first village liberated in Tibet. Tibet’s first five-star red flag was raised here. ⭐ Ancient hub: The three ancient tea horse roads of Sichuan-Tibet, Yunnan-Tibet, and Qinghai-Tibet meet here. It was once the commercial and transportation heart of the Kham region. ⭐ Origin of civilization: The Karuo site provides evidence of the origin of civilization and is one of the important birthplaces of the Tibetan people's original culture. ⭐ Intangible heritage: Thangka painting, stringed instrument making, elegant Tibetan incense… each is a living tradition. [West ring route | Zizhu sacred land · ancient road, new breeze] Bangda Airport → Karuo → Leiwuqi → Dingqing → Bianba → Luolong → Bangda Airport Stops along the way: 1️⃣ Karuo district: Lancang River source, Tea Horse Square, Tianjin Square, Qiangbalin Monastery (the largest Gelugpa monastery in eastern Tibet) 2️⃣ Leiwuqi county: Yiri Gorge, Kham flower city, Chajema Hall (famous for its black, white, and red three-section exterior walls), Changmaoling National Nature Reserve (home to Tibet’s largest population of sika deer) 3️⃣ Dingqing county: Tianqiong Zizhu scenic area (a Bon sacred site at 4,800 m elevation), Butuo Lake, Buja Snow Mountain (the highest peak in eastern Tibet, about 7,328 m) 4️⃣ Bianba county: Three-color Lake, Xianggelila Glacier (a spectacular blue ice cave), thousand-year-old sea buckthorn forest (trees over 1,700 years old) 5️⃣ Luolong county: Shoduo ancient town, Badui wetland natural scenic area, Beishui Fairy Mountain, Jiayu Grand Canyon [Flame of inheritance route: “Red Chamdo · dawn of the snow land”] Bangda Airport → Karuo → Jiangda → Gongjue → Chaya → Bangda Airport Stops along the way: 1️⃣ Karuo district: Revolutionary history museum (a new stage play “Love fills the three rivers” will be added in 2026), Gama Tibetan art valley (origin of the Gama Gachi painting school), Karuo site (a complete Neolithic village ruin) 2️⃣ Jiangda county: Gangtuo 18th Army ferry red site (plans to create more than 10 red-themed courses in 2026), 18th Army barracks ruins, Xueba Valley, Jirong Gorge, Xiawu Village 3️⃣ Gongjue county: Tangxia Monastery, Xiangpi Township stone coffin tomb, Dalü Palace, Awang Township, Latuo wetland 4️⃣ Chaya county: Chaya county martyrs’ cemetery, Chaya intangible heritage cooperative, Jitang hot spring town (natural hot springs 2,000 m underground), Xiangdui ancient town 💡 Travel tips 1️⃣ Transportation: Direct flights to Bangda Airport from Chengdu, Chongqing, and Lhasa. Recommended to book private car, carpool, or self-drive for internal travel 2️⃣ Accommodation: Book in advance during peak season (May–October) 3️⃣ Altitude sickness: Chamdo’s lowest elevation is 2,500 m, average 3,500 m. Prepare glucose and oxygen tanks 4️⃣ Culture: No photography inside temples. Respect local customs 5️⃣ Gear: Large temperature difference between day and night. Bring windproof jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hiking shoes The beauty of Chamdo lies in 5,000 years of civilization, in the canyons where three rivers flow side by side, and in the horse hoofprints along the tea horse road. The first stop entering Tibet starts perfectly here.

The most profound solace of a journey lies not in the bustling daytime rush toward mountains and rivers, but in sitting quietly late at night, glimpsing the starry expanse through a telescope. On ordinary days, when we look up at the night sky, we see only a shallow ink-like darkness dotted with sparse starlight. Limited by the naked eye, we miss the tenderness and brilliance hidden deep within the cosmos, just as we remain trapped in daily trivialities and constant emotional drain, unable to truly unwind. It is only by traveling far from familiar chaos and calibrating our lens in the silent, pristine night that we can truly step into the heart of the night sky. As the lens slowly comes into focus, distant stars shed their blurred halos, crystallizing into pure sparks of light. Deep space is no longer a monotonous void, but an infinite, multi-layered vastness where every beam of starlight has crossed vast expanses of space and time to land gently in our eyes. As the evening breeze brushes past, washing away the fatigue and restlessness of a day on the road, the telescope acts as a pair of tender eyes, piercing through the narrowness of the mundane world to reveal the boundless universe beyond. Staring into this serene, radiant night through the glass, the trivial troubles we have dwelled on for so long, our lingering obsessions, and our baseless anxieties all shrink into insignificance against the grandeur of the cosmos. This midnight encounter with the stars is the most tender healing a journey can offer. It allows us to lay down our physical and mental burdens, clear our minds of distracting thoughts, and make peace with ourselves beneath the vast celestial canopy. Carrying this peace and clarity, we can gracefully continue our journey through the passage of time and the landscapes that lie ahead.