This 10-day small-group overland journey follows the legendary G318 National Highway from Chengdu to Lhasa, crossing core alpine landscapes including snow-capped peaks, primitive glaciers, crystal plateau lakes, ancient Tibetan villages and sacred lamaseries. Zero forced shopping links, professional Chinese-English bilingual tour guides, multi-grade hotel options and full set of plateau travel supporting supplies deliver a slow-paced, immersive Xizang travel experience ideal for landscape photographers, Tibetan culture enthusiasts and first-time plateau travelers.

The world-famous G318 Sichuan-Xizang Route gathers the most diverse highland scenery in China, ranging from forest valleys and alpine grasslands to towering glaciers and turquoise sacred lakes. This scientifically scheduled 10-day itinerary features gradual altitude elevation to effectively relieve altitude sickness, combining iconic landmark attractions, less crowded hidden viewpoints and in-depth Tibetan village homestay experiences without exhausting long-distance driving every day.

We set off from Chengdu, passing through Kangding, Xinduqiao, Litang, Batang, Zuogong, Ranwu Lake, Midui Glacier, Bomi and Nyingchi before arriving in Lhasa. The trip wraps up with full-day city sightseeing covering Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. Our exclusive plateau driver, bilingual guide and complete complimentary travel kits remove all complicated self-planning work, letting you fully immerse yourself in stunning plateau vistas and authentic local Tibetan life.

Quick Facts Table

Item	Details
Duration	10 Full Days & 9 Nights
Departure & Drop-off	Group assembly in downtown Chengdu on Day 1; Drop-off service to Lhasa Gonggar Airport / train station on Day 10; All transfers by licensed plateau SUV / commercial vehicle
Group Scale	Mini small shared group, maximum 10 guests per group; Zero mandatory shopping, zero hidden charges
Service Language	Professional bilingual tour guide (Chinese + English), detailed English itinerary provided
Core Sightseeing Themes	G318 snow mountain ranges, primitive marine glaciers, turquoise plateau lakes, ancient Tibetan towns, sacred Buddhist monasteries, nomadic grassland culture, authentic Tibetan village homestay
Trip Difficulty	Moderate; Gradual altitude ascent design lowers altitude sickness risk; Visitors with severe cardiovascular, pulmonary illness or high blood pressure are not advised to join

Daily Itinerary Table

Time	Itinerary Details
Day 1: Chengdu Global Guest Assembly	Free arrival day, self-check-in to designated hotel in central Chengdu. Free leisure time to explore local Sichuan snacks, Jinli Ancient Street and Chunxi Road. No group activities arranged, rest sufficiently to prepare for plateau travel ahead. Overnight: Chengdu hotel, no meals included.
Day 2: Chengdu → Kangding → Xinduqiao → Yajiang	Early morning group departure from Chengdu, cross Erlang Mountain Tunnel to Kangding Ancient City, stroll local Tibetan bazaar. Continue to Xinduqiao, hailed as “Photographer’s Paradise”, overlook endless alpine meadows backed by snow peaks. Slow driving schedule for initial altitude adaptation. Overnight: Kangding / Xinduqiao hotel, breakfast included.
Day 3: Yajiang → Tianlu 18 Bends → Litang → Maoya Grassland	Traverse famous Tianlu 18 Bends, cross multiple high mountain passes over 4000m. Arrive at Litang, the “City Above the Sky”; visit Litang Ancient Town, Maoya Grassland and Sister Lakes. Multiple roadside stops for landscape photography. Overnight: Litang boutique hotel, breakfast included.
Day 4: Litang → Haizi Mountain Pass → Batang	Cross Haizi Mountain Pass at 4696m, view the twin Haizi Lakes surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Drive along Jinsha River valley, wander primitive forest and alpine wetland landscapes. Free time to explore Batang ancient streets after check-in. Overnight: Batang hotel, breakfast included.
Day 5: Batang → Jinsha River Bridge → Zuogong	Cross Jinsha River to officially enter Xizang territory. Drive through steep river canyons and lofty mountain ridges, stop at quiet traditional Tibetan villages alongside G318 to observe nomadic farming life. Arrive at Zuogong for rest. Overnight: Zuogong hotel, breakfast included.
Day 6: Zuogong → Ranwu Lake	Cross a string of high-altitude mountain passes, admire boundless wild grasslands and distant snow peaks. Reach Ranwu Lake, a world-famous turquoise alpine lake encircled by glaciers and snow mountains. Capture lake sunset at exclusive viewing platform. Overnight: Ranwu lakeside hotel, breakfast included.
Day 7: Ranwu → Midui Glacier → Bomi	Morning trip to Midui Glacier, walk to glacier tongue to witness towering ice cascades and crystal glacial landforms. Proceed to Bomi, known as “Xizang Jiangnan”, blanketed in primeval forests and clear mountain streams. Mild altitude for a comfortable rest overnight. Overnight: Bomi hotel, breakfast included.
Day 8: Bomi → Nyingchi → Basongcuo	Drive through lush forest valleys, seasonal peach blossom gorges and mountain waterfalls. Full-day sightseeing at Basongcuo, a green sacred lake nested in virgin forest; walk lakeside trails and visit island temples. Return to Nyingchi town for accommodation. Overnight: Nyingchi boutique hotel, breakfast included.
Day 9: Nyingchi → Lhasa → Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple	Scenic drive along Niyang River valley towards Lhasa. Full guided cultural tour in Lhasa: in-depth visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, guide narrates Xizang religious history and local folk customs. Free time to browse handicraft alleys after sightseeing. Overnight: Downtown Lhasa hotel, breakfast included.
Day 10: Lhasa Free Time & Airport/Train Station Drop-off	Hotel breakfast, free time for last-minute souvenir shopping and casual city strolls. Scheduled transfer service to Lhasa Gonggar Airport / Lhasa Train Station; the 10-day tour formally ends upon drop-off. No accommodation provided for departure day.

✅ Inclusions

• 9 nights twin-share hotel accommodation (match selected tier: local comfort Tibetan inn / premium plateau boutique hotel)
• Daily breakfast at all hotels throughout the full itinerary
• Full-time licensed bilingual Chinese & English plateau travel guide with real-time altitude sickness support
• Exclusive professional plateau driver + dedicated licensed plateau SUV / tourist vehicle for all scheduled ground transfers
• All itinerary-listed overland transportation fees, fuel and highway tolls fully covered
• Entrance tickets for all core scenic spots: Ranwu Lake, Midui Glacier, Basongcuo, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Litang Ancient Town
• Authentic Tibetan family village homestay experience & complimentary local Xizang specialty meal
• Free plateau travel care kit: portable oxygen canisters, altitude sickness relief medicine, sun protection supplies
• Group travel accident insurance covering the entire 10-day travel period
• Complete pre-trip plateau adaptation briefing, round-the-clock guide assistance during travel
• Zero compulsory shopping stores, no hidden surcharges or mandatory consumption throughout the whole journey

❌ Exclusions

• Inter-city flights / train tickets to Chengdu for assembly; airport/train station drop-off only arranged on Day 10, departure transport fares self-borne
• All lunch and dinner meals except daily hotel breakfast; local Tibetan hot pot, barbecue and other featured dishes at personal expense
• Single room supplement fee for guests unable to share twin rooms with another traveler
• Scenic spot internal shuttle bus, cable car, audio guide rental and optional scenic insurance fees
• Personal shopping costs: souvenirs, handmade Tibetan crafts, local plateau specialty products
• Voluntary tips for tour guide and driver (completely optional, no mandatory tipping rule)
• Hotel mini-bar consumption, laundry service and other private hotel extra charges
• Extra expenses triggered by road closure, natural disaster, force majeure, weather delays or temporary traffic control
• Optional plateau experience activities: horse riding, local Tibetan folk performances, private hiking guides
• Minor surcharges for taller children: hotel bed supplements, scenic entrance tickets and shuttle bus fees
• Extra oxygen bottles, additional altitude sickness medicine and personal travel supplies purchased en route
• All private personal expenses not clearly stated in the Inclusions section

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