foreword
It took nearly a week to organize this travel note, and it is a rare process to review the summary while reviewing it.
This long-distance travel travel note may be written very smoothly and plainly, and there will be some omissions, but I hope to present to you a real journey, just like life, there are always ups and downs, and you will not always be comfortable and comfortable. There are always bright moments, and there will never be dark moments.
The Sichuan-Tibet line that I had been thinking about for a long time was able to take place, and it also included a section of the Qinghai-Tibet line.
There are constant twists and turns along the way, with miscalculations, regrets, and various accidents and surprises. At the moment when the essence of the two lines was successfully completed, I was deeply satisfied.
If someone asks me: what can travel get? I want to say: Traveling all over the world is worth it.
Itinerary (18 days, more than 6230 kilometers)
Day1 Chengdu - Luding - Zheduo Mountain (4298M) - Yajiang (2640M) (self-driving mileage: more than 470 kilometers, duration: 9.5 hours)
The first day was a day of rushing, and with the two little friends who met in Chengdu the night before, it was very powerful to rush to Yajiang in one breath.
At noon, eat Tianquan Pepper Chicken at Luding Bridge.
My friend went to Luding Bridge. The Dadu River is green and wide. As usual, only the bridge deck is open, and the mountain on the west side of the bridge is partially closed.
It rained heavily when I left Chengdu in the morning, and there were many mountains in the afternoon, the clouds broke through the sunrise, and the snow had not completely melted. The friends from the coast were very pleasantly surprised. They climbed a small slope very vigorously. Although they couldn't breathe, but It can be regarded as a real feeling on the plateau of more than 4000 meters.
It was a good time to arrive at Yajiang. When we checked in at the hotel, we happened to see a small area of Sunshine Jinshan.
There is not much flat land in this city. Maybe many small counties in Shu and the mountain city of Chongqing are more or less similar.
Parking has to be circled from the first floor to the sixth floor to be considered a place. The passage is narrow and it is basically impossible to miss the car. What is interesting is that the exit is on the ninth floor, which is just below the turning point on the platform outside the hotel lobby.
The floor of the room and the parking lot are on the same floor, and they are connected. This is the first time I have encountered such a convenient design.
It is said that this is the hometown of matsutake, and time is tight, so I didn't have time to taste it.
The small town is along the Yalong River, the river meanders like a jade belt, and a serious Guozhuang dance can be seen in the city square in the central area, which is very joyful and full of atmosphere. Far away from the metropolis, the place is pure and natural. The starry sky that night was so beautiful that the stars were clearly visible with my mobile phone.
Day2 Yajiang - Tianlu Eighteen Bend Observation Deck - Scissors Curved Beam - Nima Gong Shenshan Observation Deck - Kazila Mountain - Litang (4014M) - Maoya Grassland - Sister Haizi Mountain Observation Deck - Batang (self-driving Mileage: more than 305 kilometers, duration: 6 hours)
The first scenic spot after breakfast is the Tianlu 18th Bend Observation Deck. In fact, after the entire route is completed, I will look back at the 18th Bend.
When I first set off, I saw such a road scene, and the first feeling was very good.
I didn't stop at Nimagong, but went to Xiong Zongka, and I feel that the viewing point is better.
When I approached Litang, I met wild deer for the first time in my life (before I met yaks, sheep, horses, donkeys, black pigs, etc.).
The deer stood in the middle of the road, indicating that the road was impassable. After forcing our car to stop, he stared at it for a long time, and everyone in the car was a little confused. After reacting, he was about to make a detour, but he angered the unscrupulous master, and as soon as he lowered his head, he used antlers to slash the left and right side car doors with long openings. I have no choice but to admit cowardice and leave.
Looking at Weibo at night, I found that many cars met him on the same road, but they couldn't please him. Finally, the police uncle was dispatched.
I ate Bashi’s yak hot pot for lunch in Litang, and I was still quite nervous. After all, I didn’t eat at such a high place, and I was afraid of feeling the high reaction in advance. Fortunately, the journey in the afternoon was thrilling and exciting, and the matter of Gao Fan was put aside.
After leaving Litang and entering the Maoya Grassland, there was a snowstorm and the temperature dropped sharply. The wind and snow affected the driving. Fortunately, the situation we were most worried about did not happen in the end. The snow was icy and slippery, and we passed through without any danger . What's interesting is that this period of sunny days and periods of wind and snow on the grassland came at intervals.
Although the weather is bad, this kind of scenery is also rare.
The small snowballs like pearls and jade falling down are completely different from the swirling goose feather snow.
The wind on the plateau is strong, and waves of dreamlike snow waves are set off on the road. The snow follows the rhythm of the wind, like elves dancing gracefully on the alpine grassland.
The snow-capped mountains around Sister Haizi present a mysterious beauty in this kind of weather.
When it was not too late in Batang, the sun was already shining. This is a city with a less touristy and commercial atmosphere. Its scale looks larger than that of Yajiang. The street lamps on the main streets are mostly decorated with rocs with wings spread. The night view is very beautiful. The Tibetan-style building walls have different themes of ethnic characteristics. painted.
What is more surprising is that there is also a fairly large-scale Zhongshan Square. The characteristic reliefs on the wall and the group sculptures in the square are very grand and have a certain narrative.
Yangke Road Pedestrian Street is also brightly lit. The arrangement of small bridges and flowing water in the street is accompanied by colorful lights. It looks like a water town, but it is different from Jiangnan.
Day3 Batang-Haitonggou-Mangkang-Lawu Mountain-Jueba Mountain-Dongda Mountain-Zuogong (3750M) (self-driving mileage: more than 260 kilometers, duration: 8.5-9 hours)
On the first day of entering Tibet, the most difficult pass was in Haitonggou. We set off a little late, around 8 o'clock. Fortunately, there were no waiting places along the way. There are long sea channels, long washboard roads, and deep pits everywhere. It only took us more than an hour to pass. up. Anyone who follows 318 knows that whether Haitonggou can survive and how long it takes depends on luck sometimes.
Generally speaking, the earlier you start, the better. Most self-driving cars will start around 7 o'clock to reduce the possibility of being slowed down by large vehicles, so more than 1 hour can pass, and 3 or 4 hours can also pass , depending on the specific situation.
After crossing the Jinsha River Bridge and seeing the Jinsha River Bridge rush through the monument, you will know that you have reached the border between Sichuan and Tibet.
After passing here, the road we are traveling on is completely different from the previous Haitonggou.
Go to Mangkang to have a red fire pond to replenish energy and continue on the road.
Although it is about 160 kilometers away, it takes about 4 hours to drive, plus stopping to see the scenery, the actual far exceeds.
In the afternoon, climb four mountains: Zongla Mountain, Lawu Mountain, Jueba Mountain and Dongda Mountain, each with its own characteristics. Along the way, he walked with two rivers and one river, encountered Jinsha River, Lancang River, and Yuqu successively, and arrived at Zuogong all the way.
Climb a small slope at the pass of Zongla Mountain, and you can see the surrounding scenery.
The Laoshan Observation Deck is also worth stopping for a view.
Although Jueba Mountain is not high, it has a huge difference in height, which makes people admire the scenery formed by the difference while fearing heights.
Dongda Mountain is the first high mountain with an altitude of more than 5,000 on this trip. It is not convenient to park at the pass, and it cannot accommodate more cars.
After crossing the pass, they found and came into close contact with the natural glacier, and the group was very excited. It is really possible to walk up to the glacier, within reach. In line with the principle of not destroying nature, we stepped on the rocky beach nearby to take pictures. The small stones around are also colorful and beautiful.
On the first night in Tibet, I stayed at 3750M. I rented an oxygen generator in the room, and there was basically no strong reaction.
Day4 Zuogong - Bangda Town - Yela Mountain - Nujiang 72 Turns - Yela Mountain 99 Turns - Dora Mountain - Basu - Anjiula Mountain - Ranwu Lake (3850M) (self-driving mileage: about 300 kilometers, duration : 6-7 hours)
Exit Zuogong and continue along Yuqu. This morning, I began to accept the test of a total of 171 turns, the seamless connection of 72 turns on the Nujiang River + 99 turns on Yela Mountain.
The height difference of more than 1000 meters also makes us dizzy with the beautiful scenery created. The villages scattered in the valley, sporadically blooming a few peach trees, branches and vines, similar to the paradise mentioned in the book.
Arrive at Basu County for lunch at noon. After crossing Anjiula Mountain in the afternoon, we encountered intermittent snowstorms and went all the way down to Ranwu Lake without stopping.
There was a traffic jam in Myeongdong 2-3 kilometers away from the hotel for nearly an hour (Myeongdong is narrow, and two large cars can't get in the same way). There are glaciers and ice slabs extending inside and outside.
After 6 o'clock, check in and go to the viewing platform of the lower lake of Ranwu Lake. When you encounter a traffic jam before the end, you turn around and stop at two small platforms to take pictures, one of which can walk to the lake. The snow viewing effect is average, the view is not good, and the temperature is extremely low.
The location of the hotel is good, in the middle of the upper and lower lakes, and the decoration is also up to the four-star standard.
The boss gave a room with a snow mountain view on the first floor, equipped with a diffuse oxygen generator, electric blanket and floor heating, but the power supply will be insufficient.
The altitude is 100 meters higher than the previous night, the oxygen generator is very powerful, and there is basically no high reaction situation.
Day5 Ranwu Lake - Upper Lake of Ranwu Lake - Laigu Glacier - Observation Deck of Lower Lake of Ranwu Lake - Bomi - Tongmai - Lulang Town - Sejila Pass - Nyingchi (self-driving mileage: more than 420 kilometers, duration: 10-11 hours)
The small loopholes in the previous strategy were discovered only after combining the actual itinerary. It should be arranged to stay at Ranwu Lake for at least two nights. The consequence of the mistake is that the whole day's road is compressed into the afternoon, plus the night road, and the driving time from 7:30 to 21:30 lasts more than 10 hours. On the way to Bomi, there is also a one-hour traffic jam caused by construction. Really. People are tired and horses are exhausted.
Ranwu Lake is the most beautiful and clear in April and May.
Ranwu Lake to watch the sunrise on the lake, and watch the sunset on the lake. Going to and from the ancient glacier on the lake, it is recommended that the hotel depart around 7:30 to see the sunrise at a suitable time. There are many unofficial environmental platforms along the way, and they choose to stop by themselves. The scenery taken in each place is different, such as narrow and long lakes, continuous snow-capped mountains, and changing scenery with each step.
The road condition of this tens of kilometers is not good, and it takes at least 50 minutes to drive one way without traffic jams.
Laigu Glacier has begun to repair the gate of the scenic spot, and has not yet set up card fees.
There is a card more than one kilometer away from the glacier, and self-driving cars are not allowed to enter. The villagers provide a round-trip service on horseback, charging 100 cash, and settle the payment after returning to the gate.
One person can ride a horse, and the other person can follow along on foot, but you need to register your personal information on foot. Before the registration is completed, the horse rider must not go first, otherwise the walker will not be able to keep up.
The villagers turned into the mountain road at an inconspicuous corner next to the road, and walked to the glacier to watch the blue ice. The guide waited without urging, took pictures as much as he wanted, remembered the guide's number, and just shouted when returning. Worth the fare.
Turn back the same way and go to Xiahu Observation Deck, which is the official observation deck. The tourist channel outside the upstairs restaurant can walk to a large viewing platform with a good view.
All in all, it takes at least four hours.
If you have enough budget, you can live in the hotel of Tibet Ranwu International Self-driving RV Camping Camp on Ranwu Lake Observation Deck, which has an invincible lake view. Because there is a checkpoint before entering the viewing platform, it is easy to get stuck in traffic.
There are also many viewing spots in the lower lake. Specific gameplay: It is recommended to live in Ranwu Lake on the first day, first watch the sunset at the lake, ride or drive up the lake to watch the sunrise and watch the glacier on the second day, and then drive or ride down the lake for a whole day. Leave on the third day, arrange half a day to watch the scenery that may not be seen due to weather, and go to Bomi for dinner or accommodation at noon or afternoon. There are many glaciers along the way, Midui, Yalong, Langqiu, etc. (I have read some reviews saying that the paid attractions are not as good as the free attractions, which I fully agree with).
After passing Ranwu Lake, drive along Palong Zangbo, the scenery is beautiful, and glaciers are common along the way, each with its own characteristics.
Pass Anjiula Mountain (the boundary mountain between the two rivers), walk along Palong Zangbo, pass Midui Glacier (fee scenic spot), Bomi County (a large-scale county town), Guxiang Lake, the Monument to the Heroes of the Sichuan-Tibet Line, Tongmaite Bridge (spectacular), Lulang Town (roads and scenic spots are very well constructed), Gongcuo Lake, and go to Sejila Pass to watch the sunset of Namjagbarwa Peak.
We arrived at Sejila Pass just after 7 o'clock that day. Rizhao Jinshan did not end until after 8 pm.
Here is a reminder: you must have complete equipment to watch the sunset. Dress warmly, be fully armed, bring a warmer, gloves (preferably the kind that can wear a sliding screen), hat, and scarf.
Don't take pictures on the viewing platform, it is far away from the mountain, and there are many people and the background is mixed. It is recommended to walk back for a short distance after parking, and take pictures on a small platform across the road, which has the best view. Some people also photographed Namjagbarwa in the Brahmaputra Grand Canyon, which is closer and has reflections on the water.
Open the night road to Linzhi (there are few street lights in the suburbs of Linzhi, many drunk people, and the urban night scene is good), the last section of the Linla Highway is in good condition, unlike the expressway, it is not fully closed, there are traffic lights, and there is no toll. Drive carefully.
Day6 Nyingchi-Mila Pass-Lhasa (self-driving mileage: more than 430 kilometers, duration: 5.5-6.5 hours)
When we arrived, the flowering period of Linzhi peach blossoms was over, but on the way across the mountains, we still saw peach blossoms in some high-altitude areas that had not completely withered. Of course, you can't take pictures of peach blossoms in full bloom, and the beauty of spring scenery all over the mountains. But what you see is a surprise, and you don't have to be too demanding.
After a half-day rest in the morning, I ate a meal of stone pot chicken in mushroom soup. By the way, I also bought some snacks made of highland barley (the store owner’s conscience price is cheaper than that of the supermarket).
On the way to Lhasa in the afternoon, take a detour to Mira Pass, 5018M, meet a foraging eagle, stay for 40-60 minutes.
Mr. and one of the friends also went to climb the snow slope.
The wrong choice is to continue along 318 without turning back. The speed limit is unreasonable, making people speechless, and it will not be able to merge into the Linla Highway for a long time, wasting a lot of time. It is recommended to go back the same way after coming down from the Mila Pass, and take the Linla Highway to save time.
Arriving in Lhasa, the Sichuan-Tibet line section of this trip is also over.
The route in the direction of Shigatse and the Ngari area is planned to go next time, and the border defense certificate needs to be prepared in advance.
Day7 Lhasa - Yamdrok Yongcuo - Barkhor Street - Jokhang Temple - Potala Palace (self-driving mileage: more than 350 kilometers, duration: 6 hours)
I chose a niche route to go to the Ritual Temple. It's a pity that the departure time was delayed to after 9:30, the time was limited, and the weather changed. I swam part of Yanghu Lake, returned around 1:30 pm, and arrived at the hotel at 3:30.
Lu Yu met three small deer walking in a row, groundhogs and cattle and sheep hurriedly crossing the road.
The color of Yanghu Lake changes under the sunshine and is extremely beautiful. There are some small platforms around the lake that can be driven directly to the lake.
By the lake, stepping on the shoals that have been honed into sand by the lake for thousands of years, listening to the sound of the lake patting the shore, watching the lake with endless changes in color and luster surrounded by snow-capped mountains, reflecting the blue sky and changing clouds, there is a kind of The peace and tranquility of independence.
Found a small wild slope, there is a dirt road to drive uphill (preferably four-wheel drive), the scenery is invincible, and there is no charge, and there are Han Chinese who open restaurants.
Back at the hotel, start at Barkhor Street and Jokhang Temple at 5:00, and arrive at the Potala Palace Square at around 7:00 after turning around (the side view of the water pavilion on the side of the square is very beautiful, with reflections of the Potala Palace). The sunshine was covered by clouds within half an hour, and the sunshine Jinshan could not be seen.
The night view of the Potala Palace is also good. It's all black until after 8 o'clock.
I took the time to visit the local supermarkets and felt that the prices in Lhasa were on the high side, but it was justifiable.
Bilingual signs in Tibetan and Chinese can be seen everywhere in the city, which is very interesting.
To complain about the traffic in Lhasa, the only way to get in and out of the city seems to be the Yingqin Bridge, which must be congested. The high-speed exit in the direction of Lhasa leaving the city to the airport is hard to describe. On the return journey, there is a detour for construction. If you don’t follow the car in front, you don’t know how to drive at all.
Day8 Lhasa - Damxung (4327M) (self-driving mileage: more than 170 kilometers, duration: 3 hours)
This day began to officially enter the Qinghai-Tibet line section.
After half a day of rest in the morning, I checked in the first Tibetan meal in the lunch ranking, had a proper meal, and then parted ways with my friends.
Arrived in Dangxiong in the afternoon, the roads in downtown Lhasa were difficult to navigate, the navigation was inaccurate, the road signs were blurred, fence construction was everywhere, and so on. After walking a section of the Beijing-Tibet Expressway that is on trial (there are very few cars, and the navigation display is extremely green), I got off the expressway, and the 109 National Highway runs parallel to the Beijing-Tibet Expressway and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway under construction.
Dangxiong stayed at 4327M for one night. The boss heard that we came from Lhasa, and said that he could try not to use the oxygen generator. If not, he would rent it again. As a result, I can really sleep peacefully without high reaction. The conditions of the hostel are simple, but bathrooms, radiators, electric blankets, etc. are still fully supplied.
There are many stray dogs around here, and I also met a fat pigeon looking for food on the road and was run over by a car. I would like to sincerely remind the traveling friends not to scatter food on the road to lure small animals to eat. After developing the habit, these animals are prone to more car accidents.
Day9 Dangxiong - Nyainqentanglha Observation Deck - Nagenla Pass - Namtso Tashi Peninsula - Nagqu (4450M) (self-driving mileage: more than 200 kilometers, duration: 5 hours)
Living in Dangxiong is to save time playing Namtso. Start after a simple breakfast (15 yuan/person).
Namtso in this season has to play for 1-2 hours. You don’t need to book tickets in advance, just go to the entrance of the scenic spot to buy tickets, including sightseeing cars, a total of 145 yuan per person. If you go to the Holy Elephant Tianmen, you need to book three days in advance, and you must buy a ticket for the Tashi Peninsula when you buy the Holy Elephant Tianmen, and the Tashi Peninsula can be sold separately. The two scenic spots belong to the same scenic spot but are far apart.
Dangxiong Hotel is about 11 kilometers away from the ticket office of the scenic spot, and it takes nearly 20 minutes for the road to be repaired.
After purchasing the ticket, you can drive into the scenic spot to the tourist distribution center. During this period, you need to cross the 5190M Nagenla Pass to arrive.
The whole journey is nearly 30 kilometers, and it takes half an hour to 40 minutes. The speed is limited, and the road encounters wind and snow. Go to the distribution center and transfer to the scenic sightseeing bus with the ticket. It takes about 35 minutes to drive to the Tashi Peninsula at a speed of 60-70 kilometers per hour.
There is no clear scenic spot guide, no shuttle station, and waving to stop on the road. There are no signs for small attractions.
After getting off the bus, walk along the trail to the lake as soon as possible, and take photos at the big rocks. In mid-to-late April, the lake surface is frozen and has not thawed. The lake view is not good. There are small ponds full of red-billed gulls. Take pictures of the reflection of Nyainqentanglha Mountain, and do not take pictures on the frozen lake (at this time, the ice and snow on the shore begin to melt, and it looks very thick and the bottom may have melted, and it may be dangerous for people to go up).
There are a lot of Tibetans by the lake holding white yaks to take pictures, 30 yuan/person, there are also selling hada, stone jewelry, etc., they are very enthusiastic, so if there is no need to buy, try not to stay too long, or go to crowded places.
The couple stone is worth a shot.
After that, from the place where the car was dropped off, a short flight of stairs behind the house began to climb up, with a good viewing angle. Those with good physical strength can climb to the two small yellow temples at the highest point. Severe high anti-climbing.
The lake is 4.5 kilometers away. In fact, there is not much difference between the ice lake. You can leave after a few big stone check-in points and the viewing on the slope. It is not recommended to watch the so-called petroglyphs and caves, where Tibetans gather to avoid friction or being forced to buy things.
The viewing time is at noon, and it is best to arrive at the Tashi Peninsula before 11 o'clock to avoid encountering Lhasa tour groups.
The altitude of Namtso is above 4000, and the climate is changeable. You must bring windproof and warm clothes, waterproof and warm hiking shoes, sunscreen, sunscreen and windproof hat, sunglasses, gloves that can touch the screen, hot water, convenient food and garbage bags, etc.
After returning to the original road in the afternoon, go to Nagqu along National Highway 109 from Damxiong. The road condition is good, and the speed limit is amazing.
Stayed in Nagqu that night, the altitude was more than 200 meters higher than the previous night. The accommodation conditions of the hotel are good, and it is also decorated according to four stars. There are air conditioners and diffuse oxygen generators. I don’t know if the altitude is too high or the oxygen generator is not powerful. Sleeping late in general.
Day10 Naqu - Anduo County - Tanggula Pass (5231M) - Tuotuo Riverside (4533M) (self-driving mileage: more than 410 kilometers, duration: more than 8 hours)
Basically rushing all day, the whole journey did not go down 4000 meters, and the temperature did not go above 0 degrees.
During the day, I passed by Anduo County for lunch, Yunnan rice noodles, the price, taste and portion are all right.
After crossing the Tanggula Mountain Pass, it was snowy again, and I had a relationship with the wind and snow for several days in a row. It was too cold to see the faces of tourists taking photos.
After crossing the Tanggula Pass, we officially left the border of Tibet soon.
That night, I stayed along the Tuotuo River, which was also the night at the highest altitude. I rented an oxygen generator (100 yuan), and the effect was great, with occasional discomfort.
The number of oxygen generators is limited, first come, first served. It is estimated that the later wave of occupants will have a difficult sleep at night.
The only uncomfortable thing is that the tap water has a strong smell of kerosene, which is undrinkable and unsuitable for washing. So each room has bottled purified water.
The hotel owner has floor heating throughout the house, including public areas. There is a very large greenhouse in the hotel. The altitude of more than 4,000 meters is often barren. In a place with thin oxygen and high cold, it is really surprising that such life can bloom.
It snowed that night and the temperature dropped to minus 11 degrees. When I went to buy milk at the canteen outside, the boss said that the stove needs to be fired all year round to keep warm.
Day11 Tuotuo Riverside - Yangtze River Environmental Protection Monument, First Outpost - Wudaoliang Protection Station - Hoh Xil Tibetan Antelope Observation Deck - Hoh Xil Snow Mountain Observation Deck - Freezing Spring - Kunlun Mountains National Geological Park - Yuzhufeng Glacier Viewpoint - Golmud (self-driving mileage: more than 410 kilometers, duration: 8-9 hours)
On a busy day, the road conditions were particularly poor. It snowed heavily the night before, the vehicle was covered with snow and icy, and because I didn't prepare snow chains before departure, I was actually very nervous. Later, I decided to leave later. Sure enough, when we set off, the snow on the road was basically covered by large vehicles, and only a small part remained. The road surface was slippery but not icy.
Check in a lot
We passed the Hoh Xil Reserve and passed several viewing platforms. We didn’t see the Tibetan antelope, but we saw a lot of wild donkeys.
The following three are actually in one place, the Kunlun Pass. Obviously the geopark is not in business, so I took a few punch-in photos.
The whole day's journey is difficult to drive. The G109 permafrost road has a lot of subsidence. It is either driven at an incline of 30 to 40 degrees, or one after another like driving on the top of a wave, or keeps taking the S line to avoid various shell craters. The weather is bad, and there are many snowy days on the road.
Passing through the Kunlun Mountains National Geological Park to Golmud Road, the scenery is very good, the Kunlun Mountains are continuous and majestic.
With the clear Kunlun River, it is no wonder that there is a Kunlun Mountain mineral water factory at an altitude of 4115M.
The public security inspection at Nanshankou, which is more than 30 kilometers away from Golmud, caused two-way congestion, and it was difficult for small cars to pass. There was no effective dredging and guidance. Looking back, I am still scared.
After walking this section, I can no longer arouse any interest in walking the Qinghai-Tibet line again in the future.
Finally, a steaming bowl of yak bone soup comforted the hard work of the journey.
Day12 Golmud-Dongtai Jiner Lake-G215 Yadan Landform-Xiaochaidan Lake-Delingha (self-driving mileage: more than 610 kilometers, duration: 8.5-9 hours)
Today's theme is road, cloud and lake.
Before, I only encountered wind blowing snow roads, but today I encountered wind blowing sand roads. The latter is actually more dangerous than the former. The fine sand is more likely to cause the vehicle to skid. When the vehicle is traveling at high speed on this kind of road, it is very dangerous not to brake or turn sharply.
G215's large Yadan, I personally feel very alien.
Many road sections on G315 are very cool because of the slope, which attracts many tourists to take pictures. I have roughly summarized a few places for your reference and to mark for yourself.
In the direction of Golmud to Delingha, the mileage 781 stone is on the uphill slope; the mileage stone 767 is going downhill to take pictures, with big ups and downs; there is a large continuous hillside Yadan landform near 757.
There is a difference of about 2 kilometers between the navigation position of Jinel Lake in Dongtai and the actual viewing point that can be accessed. At that time, we saw many buses parked in an open space and realized that it was a parking lot. Tickets are not charged, but it takes more than half an hour to walk to the lake after parking. The open place is very windy and the temperature is low.
I still recommend everyone to watch it, but don't expect too much. The water in this salt lake evaporates quickly, and it is unknown when it will disappear.
It may be that the aerial photography was not used, and the amazing effect of others was not captured.
Dachaidan Yardang Devil City is just a little further from Dongtai Jinel Lake, and there is an intersection on this road that turns to Wusute Water Yardang Geopark. If you want to produce films in these places, they have strong requirements on light and shadow. It is recommended to go in the morning or evening, and the effect at noon is relatively poor.
G315 turns into the section of Dexiao Expressway. The small Qaidam Lake and Kunlun Mountains are very beautiful along the way. If you want to take pictures, you need to go in the opposite direction, or there is a tourist public toilet on the side of the road. You can park your car and cross the road to the opposite viewing platform.
I saw this when I was near Delingha, and I still haven't figured out what it is that is shining and hanging in the air.
In the evening, I also found a yak bone soup. The taste and quantity were not as good as Golmud, and the price was slightly higher.
Day13 Delingha-Qinghai Lake Bird Island-Xining (self-driving mileage: more than 550 kilometers, duration: 9-10 hours)
Bird Island is not open, but there are still groups of birds that have not migrated. One kilometer away from the gate of Bird Island Scenic Area, I met a group of cute little ones. They fed and took pictures before leaving.
Due to the bad weather, the scenery of Qinghai Lake was beautiful, but it was impossible to make a good film.
The entire scenic area is undergoing upgrades such as roads and other facilities, and many villages are also being repaired. Now there are more toilets on the roadside, which are cleaner than before.
Part of the Beijing-Tibet Expressway is open to traffic, and the road conditions are good. The traffic in Xining City is poor, and the roads are narrow and congested.
This time-honored restaurant is a must-eat whenever you come to Xining. It tastes good and the price is reasonable. If you arrive late, you will have to wait for a table or the food will be served slowly.
Day14 Xining (self-driving mileage: none, tour duration: 0.5 days)
On a tidy day, go shopping and eat in the city.
The city is full of flowers, I don't know if the girls here are also picturesque, as beautiful as peaches and plums.
Day15 Xining-Lanzhou (self-driving mileage: more than 220 kilometers, duration: more than 3 hours)
I set aside half a day for the local scenic spots in Lanzhou. After parking at the hotel, I found a hello bicycle to ride all the way.
The Yellow River during the day is not as bright as the night, but it also has a unique flavor.
To visit Baitashan Park, you can cross the Zhongshan Bridge and climb the mountain on foot. However, there are indeed many steps, and those who save energy can choose to take the Yellow River Cableway. The cableway ticket office is adjacent to the tall Lanzhou Beef Noodles.
Dinner is still settled at the snack on Zhangye Road Pedestrian Street, which is very comfortable. There is no such thing as thunder.
Day16 Lanzhou-Linxia-Labrang Monastery-Sangke Grassland-Cooperation (self-driving mileage: about 295 kilometers, duration: 6.5-7 hours)
Traveling in the heavy rain, passing through Linxia, the biggest miscalculation was to walk through the road in Bafang Thirteenth Lane. The road surface is actually not narrow, but the congestion caused by traffic chaos could not be solved at all, and it took a long time.
In the afternoon, we went straight to Labrang Monastery. We passed the fork in Dalzong Lake on the road, but we didn’t go up.
When we arrived at Labrang Monastery, it was not until 2 o'clock. The temple is located in Xiahe. The streets here are unique and unified in style. The economic effect brought by the influence of the temple can be well reflected here.
Turning the black light at the ticket office, there were only a few small vendors selling goods, and I was just about to go directly to the entrance and exit, when I met a local person who told me that the ticket office would go to work at 2 o'clock. After turning around, there were indeed people selling tickets, and they were all lamas. After buying the tickets, several individual tourists waited for the guide and tour guide in the lobby, and they set off for the temple after about 15 minutes to 20 minutes.
The temple is like a small city, and the guides are the guides on the periphery. The visits to the specific halls are led and explained by the lamas.
The temple has been passed down for hundreds of years, and many Buddhist scriptures and statues have been damaged, but their status has not been shaken.
The most surprising thing is that the main hall where the ghee flower exhibits are placed here can be photographed at will, which is completely different from the Kumbum Monastery outside Xining City (full glass sealed enclosure, no photography is allowed). Very high. The works are colorful and vivid.
The production conditions of ghee flower works are very strict. Due to the characteristics of ghee, the temperature of the fingers of the creator should not be too high, and ice water is often used to keep the fingertips cold. and.
It takes at least 2-3 hours to visit Labrang Monastery, please pay attention to leave enough time.
After the end, we passed the Sangke grassland without staying too much. On the one hand, it was due to the weather, and on the other hand, it was also a grassland on the plateau. In many landscapes, Sangke is relatively flat, and I personally think it is not as beautiful as Ruoergai. Some landscapes look more similar, and some aesthetic fatigue. However, passing by a large open space, it is said that it is a rapeseed flower field of 10,000 mu, which may be very spectacular in season, but at least it is still bare for now.
Stay overnight in Hezuo City. There are also universities in the city, after all, it can be regarded as the capital of Gannan region.
The hotel is a four-star hotel, and the interior furnishings are very thoughtful.
The small restaurant for dinner is very impressive. The boss also gave a private room with curtains. The dinner portion is enough to go out leaning on the wall after eating.
After dinner, in the small square opposite the hotel, I watched the super moon on the 14th day of the lunar calendar for the first time on the plateau.
Day17 Cooperation - Milarepa Buddhist Pavilion - Guomang Wetland - Gahai - Luqu County - Zoige Grassland - Chuanzhu Temple - Songpan (self-driving mileage: more than 400 kilometers, duration: 5.5 hours)
The Buddhist Pavilion is only a few kilometers away from Hezuo City, very close, and it is also a large area of temples in the local area. The Milarepa Buddhist Pavilion is just one of the more prominent buildings. It is amazing to build such a majestic Buddhist pavilion with limited human and financial resources in ancient times, but it is a pity that the old pavilion was not destroyed by war, but by ignorance. This is now being rebuilt.
The entire scenic spot does not need tickets for the time being, and the parking lot is free. There is only a fee for entering the Buddhist Pavilion.
After leaving the Buddha Pavilion, passing by the Guomang Wetland, some people will stop at the viewing platform.
We left more time for the ancient city of Songpan. This is an ancient city with a long history and strategic significance, but there seems to be some problems in attracting traffic and retaining customers, and the business planning in the ancient city is also relatively fragmented.
In ancient times, the city was solid, with seven gates, but there are only two complete gates in existence, and a small part of the city wall remains. The walls are tall and thick.
There is also a talented girl Xue Tao who is old with Songzhou.
The shape of Gusong Bridge is quite similar to the South Bridge in Dujiangyan. It's just that there are no treasures of poetry and calligraphy.
This is also a city where many ethnic groups live in harmony.
This is the most nationalized and localized Xinhua Bookstore I have seen so far.
Songzhou night scene, the night is low, the city has stood solemnly and silently for many years, protecting the safety and joy of the people in the city regardless of the weather.
Day18 Songpan-Pingwu-Jiangyou-Chengdu (self-driving mileage: about 430 kilometers, duration: about 9.5 hours)
The most difficult part of the whole process was never thought to be here. Originally, I wanted to bypass a section of National Highway 213, but I didn’t expect that the Songpan-Pingwu section of the Pingsong highway took us almost 5 hours to complete. Most of the roads on the side of the river were washed away. There are countless unilateral traffic, various wading sections, shell craters, and rockfall sections, and there are basically no places suitable for stopping and resting. At least within 1.5-2 hours of the journey, there is no mobile phone signal at all, and there is a feeling of despair as the driving progresses, and the beautiful scenery along the way cannot dilute this feeling.
Occasionally, the places where photos can be taken are traveling in places with very good road conditions.
I finally returned to Chengdu before the peak of get off work.
This trip comes to an end.
Attraction tickets
1. Luding Bridge (ticket 20 yuan/person, recommended tour time 0.5 hours): The building at the west bridgehead was closed in the middle of last year. This time it is still not open, but the ticket price remains the same. I won’t go into details. If you want to feel the momentum of the Dadu River, it’s best to go during the wet season, that is, after June. There are wooden planks on the chain bridge, but they will shake when there is wind. Try not to stop and pose when walking on the bridge. Taking pictures, one is unsafe, and the other affects tourists traveling in both directions.
2. Zheduo Mountain Pass (free of charge, 0.5 hours is recommended for the tour): the first stop on the westbound road is above 4000 meters, and it is also worth a visit to check in. Climb a small slope from the side of the White Tower. The scenery is very good, and it can also help you adapt to the plateau.
3. Observation Deck at Eighteenth Bend of Tianlu (free of charge, recommended tour time 5-10 minutes): Parking is very convenient, mainly for taking pictures of roads.
4. Xiong Zongka Observation Deck (free of charge, recommended tour time 5-10 minutes): The view is not bad, you can also check the weather.
5. Kazila Mountain Observation Deck (free, recommended tour time 5-10 minutes): the altitude is relatively high.
6. Maoya Grassland (free, tour duration is variable): I always walk all the way and find a place to stop and watch for a while if I feel that the scenery is good. The grassland is too big, and the climate is also changeable. We repeated a period of wind and snow and a period of sunny days several times, and we also saw some very different scenery and weather phenomena.
7. Haizishan Observation Deck (free of charge, 5-30 minutes is recommended): When we encountered heavy snow, we only stayed for less than ten minutes, because we couldn't see anything else at all, it was all foggy, and the wooden plank road The viewing platform is slippery and cannot be climbed. If the weather is fine, you should be able to visit for a longer time.
8. Sister Haizishan Observation Deck (free of charge, recommended tour time 15-30 minutes): Even in heavy snow, we stayed here for more than half an hour and climbed the observation deck in the snow. . The dreamlike scenery changes from time to time and is worth watching.
9. Zongla Mountain, Lawu Mountain, Jueba Mountain, and Dongda Mountain Pass (free of charge, tour duration is up to you): The four mountains have their own characteristics, try not to miss them.
10. Dongda Mountain Glacier (free of charge, 30 minutes or more is recommended for the tour): This place is not long after crossing the pass, an unnamed scenic spot that should not be missed. It mainly depends on how far you go, the glacier is very long, but because the altitude is very high, it is still very exhausting to walk upstream to the glacier, and it takes a long time.
11. Yela Mountain Observation Deck (free of charge, it is recommended to visit for about 10 minutes): mainly for viewing snow scenery. There is a strange rock on the snow slope that is more interesting, like a door opening.
12. Observation Deck at 72 Turns of the Nujiang River (free of charge, 10-20 minutes is recommended): You can find a good angle to watch the 72+99 turns of the mountain road that you are going to take next.
13. Laigu Glacier (Tickets are temporarily free, horseback riding is 100 yuan/person, and the recommended tour time is 0.5-1 hour): the main viewing area is near the blue ice. It looks more like a pure ice lake, white and flawless.
14. Ranwu Lake (free of charge, 1-2 days is recommended): Both the upper and lower lakes are beautiful, and each has its own advantages when it is sunny or rainy.
15. Palong Zangbo River (free of charge, the duration of the tour can be determined): the beautiful scenery is on the road.
16. Lulang Town (fees unknown): This place is only a way. Although it was recommended by someone, for us, the new European-style town is not very attractive. It's just that the roads and facilities in the town are very good in all aspects. Turnips and greens have their own favorites, which may be the dishes of some travelers. The altitude here is lower, and it is also close to Nyingchi. It is more casual, and there is also the famous Lulang Stone Pot Chicken.
17. Sejila Mountain Pass (free of charge, recommended tour time of more than 1 hour): Watching the sunset of Namjagbarwa Peak requires luck, the weather is very important, and sufficient preparation and patience are required for shooting. From the beginning to the end for at least an hour, the clouds and light have been changing.
18. Mira Pass (free of charge, recommended tour time is 10-15 minutes): the second mountain with a height of more than 5,000. If you have the courage to climb the snow slope, then at least 0.5-1 hour. It was too windy to speak.
19. Yamdrok Yongcuo (free of charge, 0.5 days is recommended): I went to a place where I didn’t want to go, and I couldn’t see enough. No matter how difficult the road or how tired the heart is, it can be healed by it.
20. Rituo Temple (unknown): It is said that it is a somewhat independent temple. I did not go there because of the weather change, and I will save it for the next time.
21. Karola Glacier, Gyantse Zongshan Ancient Castle (unknown): The two places that have not been visited are also reserved for the next time. One is part of the glacier that was permanently damaged for filming, and the other
It is said that the old castle was the place where "Red River Valley" was filmed.
22. Barkhor Street (free, 1 hour to 0.5 days is recommended): This street surrounds the Jokhang Temple, with a prominent Tibetan style, and there are many shops. Shops for buying souvenirs and taking Tibetan photos are indispensable for locals Teahouses and so on abound, enough to take a slow stroll.
23. Jokhang Temple (entrance ticket 85 yuan/person, tour duration is optional): I didn’t go in, if you are interested in Tibetan religion or have research, you can go and see it. Many believers just circle around the temple.
24. Potala Palace (Ticket prices vary every day. Currently, it is limited to visit by appointment. If you join a local group, the tour time is said to be more than 2 hours): Part of the palace is open, no photos are allowed, follow the tour guide throughout the journey.
There is a large-scale performance by Princess Wencheng on the outskirts of the city. Tickets need to be booked in advance. The ticket price ranges from more than 300 to thousands. It starts after 8 o'clock. It is said that the performance is of good quality.
25. Nagenla Mountain Pass (free of charge, it is recommended to visit within 5 minutes): Check-in place, after all, it is the second highest mountain pass on this trip.
26. Namtso Tashi Peninsula (ticket 145 yuan/person, recommended tour time 2-4 hours): It is a mistake to go before May. There is a single scenic spot, and you can't see the beautiful lake. It takes more time to get to this place than to visit it.
27. Tanggula Pass (free of charge, it is recommended to visit within 5 minutes): the highest point of this trip.
28. Tuotuo River along the Yangtze River Environmental Protection Monument, First Post, First Bridge, Wudaoliang Protection Station, Hoh Xil Tibetan Antelope Viewing Platform, etc. (free of charge, just stay for a few minutes and check in)
29. Kunlun Mountain Pass (Kunlun Mountain National Geological Park) (unknown, recommended tour time 5-10 minutes) that is, the mountain pass is a bit of a monument, you can punch in and take pictures, the park is not open.
30. Jinel Lake in Dongtai (free, 1.5-2 hours recommended tour time): It takes at least half an hour to walk from the parking place to the lake.
31. G215 Yadan landform (free, tour duration is optional), if there is a parking belt along the way, you can stop to take pictures and view the scenery.
32. Xiaochaidan Lake (free of charge, 10-20 minutes is recommended for the tour): The beautiful scenery beside the Dexiao Expressway is worth staying, and the viewing platform is also well built.
33. Bird Island in Qinghai Lake (free of charge before entering the park, 0.5-1 hour tour time is recommended): Bird Island is closed, and there are many birds inhabiting within one or two kilometers in front of the gate, and you can watch and feed them.
34. Lanzhou Yellow River Mother Statue, Waterwheel Expo Park, Zhongshan Bridge, Baitashan Park, etc. (free, browse along the Yellow River, 0.5 days recommended): Climbing in Baitashan Park is hard, and you can take the cableway to save energy (charged).
35. Labrang Monastery (ticket 40 yuan/person, recommended tour time 2.5-4 hours): The guide and the lamas in the temple are responsible for a part of the explanation.
36. Milarepa Buddhist Pavilion (free of charge, 0.5 hours is recommended for the tour): there is a fee to enter the Buddhist Pavilion.
37. Songzhou Ancient City (free of charge, 0.5-1 day tour duration is recommended): The ancient city is very large, with history and allusions everywhere, you can stroll around slowly, and you can also taste the local yak pot.
Catering and accommodation
Day1
Breakfast: take care of yourself
Lunch: Tianquan Pepper Chicken (Luding)
Dinner: Chuanchuan (Yajiang)
Accommodation: Vienna (Yajiang)
Day2
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: The No. 1 local yak pot (Litang)
Dinner: take care of yourself
Accommodation: Holiday Inn (Batang)
Day 3
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: Red Fire Pond (Mangkang)
Dinner: take care of yourself
Accommodation: Thank Inn Chain Hotel (Zuogong)
Day 4
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: Old Village Chief Canteen (Basu)
Dinner: take care of yourself
Accommodation: Yudu Hotel (Ranwu Lake)
Day5
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: take care of yourself
Dinner: take care of yourself
Accommodation: Starway (Linzhi)
Day 6
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: Yanbang Junwang Mansion (Linzhi)
Dinner: take care of yourself
Accommodation: Holiday Hotel (Lhasa)
Day7
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: self-care
Dinner: Liangpi King (Lhasa)
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton (Lhasa)
Day 8
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: Shambhala Tibetan meal (Lhasa)
Dinner: take care of yourself
Accommodation: Holy Lake Tourist Hotel (Dangxiong)
Day 9
Breakfast: at the hotel's own expense
Lunch: self-care
Dinner: take care of yourself
Accommodation: Sanyi Boutique Hotel (Naqu)
Day 10
Breakfast: take care of yourself
Lunch: Noodle House (Anduo)
Dinner: take care of yourself
Accommodation: Changjiangyuan Hotel (Tuotuo Riverside)
Day 11
Breakfast: take care of yourself
Lunch: self-care
Dinner: Yak Big Bone Soup (Golmud)
Accommodation: Hanting (Golmud)
Day 12
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: self-care
Dinner: He Bin Yak Bone Soup (Delingha)
Accommodation: Hanting (Delingha)
Day 13
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: self-care
Dinner: Time-honored Ma Xiangqing’s specialty barbecue restaurant (Xining)
Accommodation: Fairfield (Xining)
Day 14
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: self-care
Dinner: Time-honored Ma Xiangqing’s specialty barbecue restaurant (Xining)
Accommodation: Fairfield (Xining)
Day 15
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: self-care
Dinner: Looking Back Again (Lanzhou)
Accommodation: Ibis (Lanzhou)
Day 16
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: take care of yourself
Dinner: Delicious and fragrant stir-fry (cooperation)
Accommodation: Northang Intercontinental (cooperation)
Day 17
Breakfast: Hotel buffet
Lunch: self-care
Dinner: Noodle House (Songpan)
Accommodation: Sun River International Hotel (Songpan)
Day 18
Breakfast: take care of yourself
Lunch: self-care
home
other considerations
1. Emphasize the necessary equipment first:
(1) Warm, windproof clothes, sunscreen and windproof hat + sunscreen + sunscreen mask - multiple sunscreen and windproof sand, to cope with the changing climate. Traveling on the plateau, the temperature can often be felt back and forth from below 0 degrees to more than 20 degrees.
(2) Sunglasses-necessary for driving, sun-shading and preventing snow blindness.
(3) Touchscreen Gloves - both warmth and flexibility, must-haves for outdoor filming.
(4) Outdoor shoes - preferably waterproof and warm, with good enough soles and good grip for some climbing.
(5) Thermos cups, tableware, and convenience food—necessary items. When there are always inconveniences to eat on the road, and there are accidents such as traffic jams, prepare hot water in the car every day to be prepared.
(6) Charging treasure--the mobile phone consumes super fast power in low temperature environment, so replenish it in time.
(7) SLR/mirror single-lens/tripod/selfie stick/aerial camera--necessary for high photography requirements.
(8) Flashlight--used in extreme environments, the power supply in some areas is unstable, such as Ranwu Lake, there will be a power outage in the middle of the night.
(9) Medicine pack + warm baby - keep warm, daily cold, anti-inflammatory, gastrointestinal conditioning, alcohol, band-aid and other daily medicines.
(10) Garbage bags--whether you are driving by yourself or traveling with a group, please pack up your garbage and throw it in a suitable place, so as not to pollute the environment.
(11) Small night lights - many hotels do not have night lights installed, and friends who have more requirements for sleeping lights are recommended to bring a portable small night light. After all, ensuring sleep is a prerequisite for a pleasant journey.
(12) Candies, ballpoint pens, small toys--you may meet some local children along the way begging for pens and paper, small snacks, etc. It is recommended to prepare some. I still can't forget the eyes of the little girl by the Ranwu Lake.
2. If you encounter any animal group on the road, please remember to avoid or even stop and wait for them to pass, and do not honk to disturb them.
3. Generally speaking, many hotels on the Sichuan-Tibet line are relatively in good condition. If the hotel does not have an elevator, it is recommended to book a room on the first floor (it is convenient to place luggage). In places with an altitude of more than 3500, it is best to have an oxygen generator or a diffuse oxygen generator to deal with high reactions.
4. Regarding parking: It is best to check the parking lot when booking a hotel. There are basically no parking lots in hotels in Lanzhou City. The parking lot of Ibis is a narrow road, which requires excellent driving skills, and there is no place at night.
5. Download offline maps in advance to avoid navigation in areas without signal. In addition, it is recommended to arrange some low-altitude places for rest in the middle of long-distance travel. Try to arrange the itinerary every day to start around 8 am and arrive at the accommodation around 5 pm, so that the time is controllable and there is room for accidents. In addition, it is not recommended to take this route during the rainy season, and travel safety comes first.
6. If you want to play this route, go early. Why do you want to complete the 318 that you must drive in this life as early as possible? Because 318 has been changing, after tunnels were built in many places, it has since become the old road. This 318 is not the other 318, let alone the original scenery on the road. On the first day, Gaoersi Mountain did not go up to the pass. On this day, the scissors curved beam passed through a tunnel. The development of infrastructure has shortened the distance and time, but also lost a lot of scenery.
Friends who think this route is too long can intercept part of the road to play.
Total cost
Since the two friends of this trip only took the Sichuan-Tibet part, the following expenses are calculated based on the actual situation and based on two people.
Tickets: 470 RMB
Board and lodging: 832.5+4454.79 RMB
Fuel fee: 3390 RMB
High-speed fee: 445.33 RMB
Parking fee: 32 RMB
Others: 112.2 RMB
Total cost: 9736.82 RMB
