Code: BC-LH02
Graceful & Diversified Sichuan-Tibet
Tour Itinerary: 18 days tour of Chengdu - Markham - Zhuka - Rongxu - Zogong - Bangda - Wadayue - Paksho - Zhongsha - Ranwu - Zhongba - Pome - Tongmai - Dongjiu - Lulang - Bayi - Gongbujiangda - Songduo - Mozhugongka - Lhasa
Overview: The south part of Sichuan-Tibet highway starts in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, extending along in the east to the capital of Tibet - Lhasa. The following bicycle route starts in Markham, which is the first stop for arriving Tibet. You might visit BC-CD04 to check the detailed information of Sichuan part. As numerous mountains stands on the way, you need to surmount a mountain almost every one day, but the breathtaking scenery changes from snow- caped mountain to endless emerald grassland to mirror-like lake to majestic glacier; the surrounding vegetation changes from cold desert to arid steppe to deciduous scrub vegetation. The marvelous sight will comfort your weariness all the way along.
Markham is the first county you can have a lodge in the hostel and appreciate a warm meal after you enter in Tibet. It is located 1 kilometer away from the National Highway 318, you can stay in the local Weather Bureau rest house overnight to take a bath and prepare for the Tibet part bicycle tour. It costs ￥10.00/ bed.
On the second day, you are suggested to ride for 45 kilometers to arrive in Zhuka. This trail is full of dirt and dust. For the first 12 kilometers, you will get over the Lawu Mountain Pass; and the following 33 kilometers are the downhill path, the elevation will decline by 1700 meters. As the trail along the Lancang River is extremely steep, you need to proceed with particular caution and prudence and control your brake tightly. The Zhuka military depot can be a good place for accommodation.
On the third day, a tedious riding day is advised to end in Rongxu, which is about 50.5 kilometers away. The dirt and dust is flappy all the way. Get over Jueba mountain for about 24.5 kilometers and follow the downhill path for 13 kilometers to Dengba. Continue the uphill path road for 13 kilometers until Rongxu. The elevation will raise by 1900 meters totally. It is really a test for your strength and will, but the visit of the pass-by Lancang Valley will be worthwhile. The Lancang Valley is the typical mountain-valley physiognomy; the exotic site will offer a comfort to your weary body. You can stay in Rongxu military depot for overnight.
On the fourth day, continue to get over mountains and proceed for 56.5 kilometers to reach Zogong. Most of this path is still dirty and dusty road. Upgrade for 24.5 kilometers to cross Dongda Mountain, and downgrade for 32 kilometers to Zogong. Dongda Mountain is the highest pass in the whole route, where the altitude has reached 5100 meters, and the uphill path will be quite strenuous. The downhill road is gentle and you can have complete relax. Additional 10 kilometers bituminous macadam will lead you to Zogong. Stay overnight in the local hostel.
On the fifth day, proceed for 15 kilometers to Bangda. As the initial 63 kilometers are bituminous macadam, arrival at 3654 on the National Highway 318; for the following 42 kilometers are dusty road in poor condition with lots of uphill path. The excited thing is that there is fiber in Bangda and you can make a call there. Stay overnight in Bangda military depot.
On the sixth day, there is 75 kilometers from Bangda to Wadayue. Most of this part is still the dirty road. The former 13.5 kilometers is the up slope to get over Yela Mountain, also named as Nujiang Mountain; such a trail is relatively in good condition. However the following 43 kilometers down slope path to Nujiang Bridge is indeed tough, with more than 50 sharp turnings of 180 degrees. This trail is often called "Nujiang 72 turings" for its dangerous and zigzag path. It will turn extremely muddy after rain, thus please get prepared of yourself. Stay overnight in the road keeper's house.
On the seventh day, you are supposed to cover 20 kilometers to reach Paksho. This part of road seems good in the sunny day, but if unfortunately, you meet the rainy day, the path will get really terrible especially the latter 10 kilometers to Paksho. Lots of mud-rock flows will block your proceeding way, the most convenient and efficient way is to walk directly in the mud-rock flows, cross them and conquer them. Therefore, a pair of old sneakers is necessary for the rainy day. It is easy to find a hostel in Paksho and have a rest there.
On the eighth day, leave for Zhongsha, 60 kilometers away. It is still the dusty and dirty road and mainly composed of uphill path. Stay overnight in the road keeper's house.
On the ninth day, another 34.5 kilometers dusty road extends to Raog (Ranwu), a paradise place with mirror-like lake, jade-green pines and snow-capped mountains in the distance. The first 7.5 kilometers gentle upgrading roads lead you to the Mt. Anjiula Pass, and the following 27 kilometers downgrading will lead you to fantastic Raog soon. You just need to ride for another 1 kilometer to reach Raog lake from the Ran-Cha highway to appreciate the dream-like scenery there. Stay overnight in the Raog military depot.
On the tenth day, bid fare well to Raog and continue to ride for Zhongba, which is 53 kilometers away. Proceed along the tempered declivous path, and have a brief visit of Anmucuo and Palong Tsangpu River. As most of this path, you will go through the forestry area and linger in the mist and clouds between mountains. Zhongba military depot stands on the way and you can lodge there.
On the eleventh day, proceed to the relevantly big town Pome for 76 kilometers. The dirt road stretches for 36 kilometers until Songzong; and the following 40 kilometers is the bituminous macadam as gentle down slope. Plenty of Glaciers will catch your eyes on the way. You might stay in Hongxin Rest House there.
On the twelfth day, an arduous cycling day leads you to Tongmai covering about 90 kilometers. 40 kilometers declivous path guides you to Guxiang bituminous macadam and the following 50 kilometers path will not cost you lots of strength and energy. However, it comes to atrocious when you close to Tongmai. Find a hostel in Tongmai County and stay overnight.
On the thirteenth day, you are suggested to go cross Dongjiu for the first 37 kilometers and continue to Luland Town for 37 kilometers more. When you reach Pailong, 17 kilometers from Tongmai, you will see the wreckage of Yigonghe River flood collapse, and the present path is new- repaired. The slope is still barrier and bold and you can see the trace after flood. The trail from Tongmai to Pailong is in well condition. Then continue for 37 kilometers after the forest ecological system Orientation and the pass-by sight just looks like tropical rain forest. Stay overnight in the Lulang town.
On the fourteenth day, it will be a fatigued but rewarding day for 72.5 kilometers and arrive in Bayi; you will get over Sejila Mountain for 23.5 kilometers. The National Highway 110 gently upgrades and you need to push you bicycle to surmount Sejila Mountain. The latter 30 kilometers path to Nyingtri is steep and in poor condition. There are approximately 19 kilometers from Nyingtri to Bayi, and as it is the even bituminous macadam. The Niyangqu and poplars dotted in emerald green constitutes picturesque scenery. The Huge Cypress Park is situated near Bayi roadside. You can find a hostel to have a rest and take a shower easily in Bayi Town.
On the fifteenth day, you will enjoy the ease to ride on the bituminous macadam. The blue mountains and green waters will feast you eyes all along the way and you will cover 127 kilometers arrival in Gongbujiangda without awareness. Stay overnight in the County Rest House.
On the sixteenth day, continue to ride on the bituminous macadam for 96 kilometers to Songduo and mainly composed of uphill path. Songduo is the only small town with room and board between Gongbu pass and Mila Pass. Lodge in the local hostel.
On the seventeenth day, you are supposed to ride from Songduo to Mozhugongka for 110 kilometers. The first 20 kilometers is the tempered uphill bituminous macadam, but you need to push your bicycle to the second highest pass, Mila Pass (5030m), along Sichuan – Tibet Highway. Then continue for 27 kilometers to Riduo on the bituminous macadam and head for Mozhugongka for another 56 kilometers. Lodge in the local hostel.
On the eighteenth day, head for the destination of this Sichuan-Tibet bicycle journey – Lhasa. The last period is approximately 68 kilometers bituminous macadam. You will see the lofty Potala Palace, as you enter in the Lhasa Forestry checkpoint in distance. The challenging tour ends here and you might feel as comfortable as home at that moment.