I gave up on Altay because this place is just too amazing!!

In-depth Nyingchi Self-Driving Travel Guide I. Classic Itinerary Planning Day 1: Arrive in Nyingchi and begin your snow-covered landscape journey - Route: Nyingchi Airport - North Bank of Yarlung Tsangpo River - Buddha's Palm Sand Dunes - Suosong Village - Highlights: The 10 minutes before landing in Nyingchi offer the best opportunity to view Mount Namcha Barwa up close. Choose left-side seats when flying to Nyingchi and right-side seats for return flights for optimal views. Driving from Nyingchi Airport to Suosong Village along the north bank of Yarlung Tsangpo River reveals stunning natural scenery. The Buddha's Palm Sand Dunes feature a unique desert-river coexistence landscape worth stopping for. Suosong Village is ideal for viewing Mount Namcha Barwa - wait for sunset when golden light bathes the snow peaks. - Accommodation & Dining: Stay at Pünzhol Khangsar and enjoy local Tibetan cuisine for dinner. Day 2: Cross both river banks and discover Nyang River's charm - Route: Suosong Village - South Bank of Yarlung Tsangpo River - Nyang River Scenic Area - Qujue Lakhang - Jieba Village at Basum Lake - Highlights: After leaving Suosong Village, head to the more developed south bank with numerous viewpoints and villages offering Sichuan and Tibetan cuisine. The Nyang River presents clear waters framed by green mountains and grasslands. Qujue Lakhang offers profound cultural experiences of Tibetan Buddhism. Arrive at Jieba Village by evening to enjoy Basum Lake's scenery. - Dining Recommendation: Try the local specialty stone pot chicken in Jieba Village - rich broth with tender meat. Day 3: Explore Sinduo and immerse in natural beauty - Route: Jieba Village - Sinduo - Songtsam Linka - Highlights: The road to Sinduo has some rough sections, but slow driving ensures safe passage. Watch for grazing yaks adding wilderness charm. Upon arrival, begin hiking through a fairy-tale landscape of snow mountains, lakes, meadows, streams and forests. Return to Songtsam Linka for overnight stay. Day 4: Visit Basum Lake's Heart Island and return to Nyingchi city - Route: Basum Lake Heart Island - Nyingchi City - Highlights: The picturesque Heart Island features historic Tsodzong Monastery with unique architecture. Enjoy peaceful island walks before returning to Nyingchi city to stay at Jinji Hotel and explore urban areas. Day 5: Journey concludes - Route: Nyingchi City - Nyingchi Airport for return flight, ending your wonderful Nyingchi trip. II. Travel Tips 1. Flight views: About 20 minutes after departure from Chengdu, you can glimpse Mount Gongga from afar. 2. Self-driving: Renting a car is recommended. Scenic drives take about 3 times longer than navigation estimates for photo stops. Except for Sinduo sections, roads are paved with lush vegetation and minimal altitude sickness concerns. 3. Best travel time: Avoid winter and peak seasons (March-April peach blossom festival and July-August summer vacation) for quieter experiences with optimal views of snow mountains, lakes and meadows - perfect for family trips. 4. River bank selection: Drive north bank to Suosong Village and return via south bank for better views. North bank has better scenery but fewer dining options (bring snacks). South bank has complete facilities. Buddha's Palm Sand Dunes are on north bank (south bank has viewpoints). Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon has low visibility of Namcha Barwa in rainy season and prohibits self-driving. 5. Dining options: Between Suosong Village and Jieba Village, lunch is available in Bahe Town or at the Snow Mountain Coffee Camp along Bahe-Cuogao road, enjoying afternoon tea with mountain views. III. Other Recommended Attractions 1. Lulang Town: Called "Eastern Switzerland" with vast meadows, dense forests, tranquil lakes and distinctive Tibetan houses. Try Lulang stone pot chicken and enjoy pastoral life. 2. Midui Glacier: One of China's six most beautiful glaciers, blending glaciers, forests, lakes and villages. Hike to experience its grandeur up close. IV. Additional Local Cuisine 1. Butter tea: Traditional Tibetan drink that combats altitude sickness, available in local teahouses. 2. Tsampa: Staple Tibetan food made from roasted barley flour mixed with butter tea. 3. Roasted Tibetan pork: Local specialty with crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat.