Laos-Tibet-Kyrgyzstan | 29D | 2025

D1 | Laos-Mohan - Jinghong | 180km/2.5h/500m

Enter China, our tour guide will meet you at the border(China Immigration Hall) and help you with the border crossing.​

​

D2 | Jinghong - Zhenyuan | 295km/4h/1100m

Drive to Zhenyuan County.

​

D3 | Zhenyuan - Dali | 253km/3h/1900m

Drive to Dali Ancient City.

​

D4 | Dali - Lijiang | 180km/3h/2400m

Drive to Lijiang.

Lijiang Ancient City is one of China's most famous historical and cultural cities, renowned for its unique Naxi culture, ancient streets, and stunning natural scenery.

​

D5 | Lijiang | 0km/0h/2400m

A rest day in Lijiang, you can explore the ancient city by yourself.

​

D6 | Lijiang-Shangri-La | 200km/4h/3300m

Drive to Shangri-La via Tiger Leaping Gorge (CNY45/PP).

Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest river gorges in the world, and it is also the narrowest part of the Yangtze River- The longest river in China.

Visit Shangri-La Ancient City in the evening.

​

D7 Shangri-La - Deqen | 160km/4h/3400m

Drive to Deqen, which is a small town located at the foot of the Meili Snow Mountain(6740m), if the weather is good, you can visit Feilai Temple which is the best viewing platform where you can enjoy the amazing sunset and sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain.

Visit the Big Bend of Jinsha River en route. (Jinsha River is the upper section of the Yangtze River)

​

D8 | Deqen - Mangkang | 210km/5h/3860m

Drive along the G214(Yunnan-Tibet Highway) to cross the boundary of Yunnan and Tibet, and you will be in Tibet officially today

 

D9 | Mangkang - Zogang | 160km/3.5h/3800m

Drive to Zogang County.

You will drive over three mountain passes in this 160km journey, they are Lawushan mountain pass (4338m), Juebashan (3911m) mountain pass and Dongdashan mountain pass(5130 meters), the last one is the highest pass on the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway.

 

D10 | Zogang - Ranwu | 290km/7h/3900m

Drive to Ranwu.

After driving over Yelashan Mountain Pass (4,658 meters), you'll encounter the famous 72 bends—a spectacular series of hairpins that wind down the mountainside into the Nujiang River Canyon.

You can visit Ranwu Lake upon arrival if time allows.

​

D11 | Ranwu - Nyingchi | 360km/7h/3100m

Drive to Nyingchi along the Purlung Tsangpo River, this area is boasted as Switzerland in Tibet for its spectacular natural scenery.

Make a photo stop at the 4000km milestone of Route G318.

 

D12 | Nyingchi - Lhasa | 400km/5h/3700m

Drive to Lhasa, Tibet's capital city and the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism.

​

D13 | Lhasa | 0km/0h/3700m

A day tour in Lhasa.

Options: Potala palace, Jokhang monastery, Barkhor Bazaar etc.

 

D14 | Lhasa-Nagarze-Shigatse | 370km/7h/3800m

Drive to Nagarze, passing by Yamdrok Lake. 

Yamdrok Lake is a breathtaking sight in Tibet. Its crystal-clear waters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, create a pristine habitat for diverse plants and wildlife, making it a natural paradise.

 

D15 | Shigatse-Tashizong | 294km/6.5h/5050m

Drive to Tashizong village, located next to the Mt. Everest Base Camp tourist center and bus terminal. 

Overnight stay in Tashizong village.

 

D16 | Tashizong-Sakya- Shigatse | 280km/5h/4000m

Drive back to Shigatse by taking a different route via Sakya.

You can stop in Sakya for lunch and visit the historic Sakya Monastery(CNY 50/PP).

Sakya Monastery, with its 900-year history, houses countless treasures and cultural relics—including exquisite murals, statues, and ancient scriptures. As the principal monastery of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism, it has earned the nickname "Dunhuang of the Snowy Region". (Dunhuang is a magnificent city of art and culture on the Old Silk Road, and we will visit this city on this trip).

 

D17 Shigatse - Shenzha | 340km/5.5h/4700m

Drive to Shenzha and reach the southern edge of the Qiangtang no man’s land, this route is less touristic.

You can make a detour to the lakeside of Gerentso Lake before arriving at Shenzha.

 

D18 Shenzha- Nagqu | 440km/6h/4500m

At Selintso Lake, you'll join the Great Northern Route (G317 national highway). The journey to Namqu takes you through a spectacular landscape dotted with countless lakes. While the long drive may be tiring, the stunning views along the way make every mile worthwhile.

Selintso is the largest lake in Tibet, you can drive to the lakeside if you are interested.

 

D19 Naqu-Tuotuohe | 410km/7h/4500m

Drive along the G109 Qinghai-Tibet Highway to Tuotuohe.

Drive over Tanggula Mountain Pass (5231 meters) and enter Qinghai province.

You can visit the monument of the source of the Yangtze River upon arrival. (Tuotuohe River is the source of the Yangtze River.)

 

D20 Tuotuohe-Golmud | 416km/7h/2900m

Continue driving along the G109 national road to Golmud.

Drive over Fenghuo mountain pass (5010m).

Make a stop at Hoh Xil Tibetan Antelope Observation Deck.

Drive over Kunlun Mountain Pass (4767m).

 

D21 Golmud-Dunhuang | 532km/6h/1150m

Drive along the G3011 Highway to Dunhuang, enter Gansu Province.

Visit the Qarhan Salt Lake in the morning. It is China's largest salt lake and the world's second-largest inland salt lake, earning its nickname "King of Asian Salt Lakes." The name "Qarhan" comes from Mongolian, meaning "salt marsh" or "world of salt." Located in the lowest and most central part of the Qaidam Basin, this vast lake contains China's largest deposits of soluble potassium and magnesium salts. You can also visit the famous "Wanzhang Salt Bridge" in this area. This remarkable 32-kilometer road stretches across the lake, supported entirely by the thick salt crust below.

Dunhuang stands as a crucial stop along the ancient Silk Road, renowned for its rich cultural heritage. Its crown jewel is the Mogao Caves—a complex of Buddhist cave temples dating back to the 4th century AD. These caves house thousands of exquisite murals and sculptures, widely regarded as masterpieces of Chinese art. Beyond their artistic value, the caves played a vital role in bringing Buddhism to China and showcase the diverse cultural influences of the Silk Road. The Mogao Caves continue to draw tourists and scholars today, serving as a living window into China's remarkable history and cultural heritage.

 

D22 Dunhuang | 0km/0h/1150m

A day tour in Dunhuang.

Visit the Mogao Caves(CNY 238/PP) in the morning. These caves house one of the world's greatest repositories of Buddhist art and manuscripts. After falling into disuse following the Yuan dynasty's collapse, they remained largely forgotten until the early 20th century, when foreign explorers rediscovered them.

Visit Echo Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake(CNY110/PP) in the afternoon for its spectacular sunset views. This site makes it clear why Dunhuang earned its nickname "Town of Sand." While climbing to the top of the dunes requires some effort, the breathtaking view of rolling desert sands and green poplar trees below makes it worthwhile.

 

D23 | Dunhuang-Hami | 410km/5h/750m

When exiting Gansu province and entering Xinjiang, expect to spend 30-60 minutes at the provincial border checkpoint, with the duration varying based on group size.

Upon arrival, you can visit the Hami Kings Mausoleum(Optional, CNY30/PP), which houses the tombs of nine generations of Hami kings. Beyond this historic site, you can explore the local markets and vibrant night food streets.

 

D24 | Hami-Turpan | 410km/5h/-154m

Drive to Turpan, a beautiful oasis nicknamed "Death Valley of China" and "the flaming land." It is the second-lowest depression in the world and China's hottest region. While the extreme heat might seem unbearable, Turpan's underground irrigation channels and fertile soil transform this area into a thriving oasis in the desert.

On the way to Turpan, take a detour to visit the Tuyugou Valley Scenic Area. This site features the Thousand Buddha Caves, Tuyugou Canyon, traditional dwellings, and Mazha Village—the oldest village in Xinjiang with a 2,600-year history. (CNY 30 /PP)

Other Optional Attractions in Turpan(You can choose one of the sites to visit due to the time constraint):

Karez - an ancient underground irrigation system that channels water to sustain the basin.

Aiding Lake - at 154.3 meters below sea level, it is the second lowest point in the world.

Jiaohe Ancient Ruins - also known as Uarkhoto, stands as one of the world's largest and best-preserved ancient city ruins.

 

D25 | Turpan-Korla-Luntai | 530km/7h/1000m

A long drive along the expressway, with the majestic snow-capped Tianshan Mountains rising to your right and the vast Gobi Desert stretching to your left.

 

D26 | Luntai - Akesu | 402km/6h/1100m

You can take a detour to visit the Kizil Caves for a break from highway driving.

 

D27 | Akesu-Kashgar | 460km/7h/1200m

Drive to Kashgar, one of the largest cities in Central Asia.

As a vital cultural and economic hub along the Silk Road, Kashgar captivates visitors with its rich history and diverse population of Uyghurs, Han Chinese, Tajiks, etc. The city's main attractions include the magnificent Id Kah Mosque, the winding streets of the Old Town, and the vibrant Sunday Bazaar, where visitors can experience local culture, taste traditional cuisine, and discover unique handicrafts.

 

D28 | Kashgar | 0km/0h/1300m

Take a rest in Kashgar. You can also get your vehicle serviced at a local workshop if needed.

 

D29 | Kashgar-Kyrygyzstan | 220km/4h/4000m

Due to strict security controls in Xinjiang, you are suggested to depart Kashgar for the border by 8:30 am to ensure you can complete both Chinese exit and Kyrgyz entry procedures before the borders close.