2025 Kangma Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Hey everyone! Shigatse-Shannan-Lhasa 8-day tour is all you need to explore! Tibetan yak hot pot, the stunning sunrise at Mount Everest, and the unique "Three Countries in One View" at Nathu La are waiting for you! All-inclusive pricing, hassle-free departure—don’t miss out! -- Click for surprises and discover more exciting content ↓ -- 🎉 Itinerary: Explore the breathtaking scenery of Tibet 🏔️ This tour is packed with activities, allowing you to fully experience the majestic and mysterious beauty of Tibet within a limited time! Day 1️⃣: Chongba Yongcuo -> Duoqingcuo -> Qumeixingu Anti-British Monument On the first day, visit the serene beauty of Chongba Yongcuo, then head to Duoqingcuo to admire the shimmering lake surface. Finally, explore the Qumeixingu Anti-British Monument to trace historical footprints. Day 2️⃣: Nathu La Rhododendron Scenic Area On the second day, immerse yourself in the vibrant rhododendron blooms at Nathu La Rhododendron Scenic Area. Enjoy nature’s gift and experience the unique perspective of "Three Countries in One View" at Nathu La. Day 3️⃣: Qilin Gorge Scenic Area On the third day, discover the unique landforms of Qilin Gorge Scenic Area and marvel at nature’s craftsmanship. Day 4️⃣: Gawu La -> Mount Everest Base Camp On the fourth day, head to Gawu La, enjoying the magnificent mountain views along the way. Then arrive at Mount Everest Base Camp to prepare for the awe-inspiring sunrise and sunset at Mount Everest. Day 5️⃣: Sakya Monastery -> Shigatse Museum On the fifth day, visit the historic Sakya Monastery to experience the profound heritage of Tibetan Buddhism. Then head to Shigatse Museum to learn about the culture and history of this land. Day 6️⃣: Karola Glacier -> Yamdrok Lake On the sixth day, explore the grandeur of Karola Glacier and then visit Yamdrok Lake to witness the heavenly beauty of this earthly paradise. Day 7️⃣: Yaowang Mountain Viewing Platform -> Potala Palace -> Yunzang Cultural Experience Space -> Jokhang Temple Square On the seventh day, ascend Yaowang Mountain Viewing Platform for a panoramic view of Lhasa city. Then visit Potala Palace to admire the architectural gem of Tibetan culture. In the afternoon, explore Yunzang Cultural Experience Space to delve deeper into Tibetan culture, and finally stroll through Jokhang Temple Square to feel the power of faith. Day 8️⃣: Lhasa Airport Transfer On the last day of the trip, we’ll arrange airport transfer services to ensure your safety and comfort. End this unforgettable journey to Tibet with cherished memories! 🌟 -- **Tips**: 📸 Photo Spots: Don’t miss Shigatse’s Tashilhunpo Monastery and Shannan’s Yamdrok Lake for amazing light and shadow experiences! 🍲 Food Exploration: Be sure to try Tibetan yak hot pot—it’s incredibly delicious! Also, pair butter tea with tsampa for an authentic taste. 🛫 Airport Transportation: Lhasa Airport offers convenient airport buses to the city. Don’t forget to plan your trip in advance. 🎁 Souvenir Prices: Compare prices at different shops when buying souvenirs. Yadong River fish jerky makes a great gift. -- Your dream journey is about to begin—click the product card below to start your adventure!

🌟 This self-drive tour of Tibet ends in the high-altitude southern region of Tibet. Finally, I can share my thoughts on self-driving in Tibet in winter. This route follows the border. On some days, you need to show your border pass four times. A border pass and ID card are essential, so be sure to carry them with you. 🌟 This route takes you around some of the most beautiful snow-capped mountains. In my opinion, the most beautiful is Kula Kangri, with its snow-capped mountains and lakes. You need to make an effort to see the beautiful scenery. The most stunning is the frozen Puma Yumco Lake, and the most beautiful lakes are the uninhabited Chongba Yumco Lake and Zongcuo Lake. 🌟 In terms of accommodation, the conditions in Tibet have improved a lot compared to four or five years ago. Even the two worst places on this trip, Luozha County and Gangba County, have underfloor heating. Hotels above 4,000 m with oxygen generators are much better. In Lhasa, I recommend the Pingcuo Kangtsang Oxygen-Rich Hotel. Self-drive travelers love this hotel, and the conditions are great. 🌟 Prices in Lhasa are not cheaper than in Shanghai, and busy restaurants are not necessarily good. It's all down to luck. However, there are plenty of chain milk tea, coffee, and restaurants, which is a big improvement. 🌟 10-Day Tibet Tour Itinerary Day 1: Fly from Shanghai to Lhasa via Chengdu. The altitude is a little high at 3,600 m. Check in to the Pingcuo Kangtsang Oxygen-Rich Hotel in Lhasa. The view from this self-drive hotel is also highly recommended. Day 2: Visit the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The Potala Palace is built on a mountain and is magnificent. The main building consists of the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace is the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas and the center of political and religious power. The Red Palace is a place for religious activities and the tombs of the Dalai Lamas. The palace houses countless Buddha statues, scriptures, and precious cultural relics. After visiting the Potala Palace, go straight to Yaowang Mountain and bring a 50 yuan note. Yaowang Mountain is opposite the Red Mountain, where the Potala Palace is located. It is a great place to take photos of the Potala Palace and is the location of the image on the back of the 50 yuan note. Day 3: Lhasa—Yamdrok Lake—Puma Yumco Lake—Luozha County, altitude 3,800 m. Check in to the Luozha Longba Manor Hotel. Yamdrok Lake is 4,441 m above sea level and is one of the most famous lakes in Tibet. Puma Yumco Lake is between 5,000 m and 5,100 m above sea level and is the largest freshwater lake in southern Tibet. Luozha County is located on the southern slope of the Himalayas, with an average altitude of 3,870 m. Day 4: Luozha County—Cuoyu Village—Baimalin Lake Hike—Kangma County, altitude 4,300 m. Check in to the Kangma Yuhuang Oxygen-Rich Hotel, which is close to the county and has convenient transportation. Cuoyu Village is a small Tibetan village at an altitude of 4,160 m and is an important stop near the starting point of the Baimalin Lake hike. The hike from Cuoyu Village is about 12 km, with an altitude of about 4,500 m. You need to cross meadows, climb hills, and traverse cliffs. Day 5: Kangma County—Chongba Yumco Lake—Duoqingcuo Lake—Zhuomulari—Dui Na San Cuo Lake—Qudeng Nima—Gangba County, altitude 4,600 m. Check in to the Gangba Plateau Oxygen-Rich Hotel. This route passes through many beautiful lakes and snow-capped mountains in Tibet. The scenery along the way is picturesque, and the self-drive tour is amazing. Day 6: Gangba County—Zongcuo Lake—Xilin Viewing Platform—Mount Everest Guandi Temple—Gyirong Town, altitude 2,900 m. Check in to the Gyirong Oxygen-Rich Hotel. At Mount Everest Guandi Temple, you can see the peaks of the Mount Everest Scenic Area and experience the shock of the top of the world. Gyirong Town is an important port between Tibet and Nepal. There are many Nepalese people and shops in the town, and you can experience the unique border style. Day 7: Gyirong Town—Peiku Lake—Mount Everest Castle—Shigatse, altitude 3,900 m. Check in to the Shigatse Hilton Hotel. Peiku Lake is the largest inland lake in the Mount Everest Reserve. The lake is clear and blue, surrounded by mountains on three sides, and the terrain is open. There are wild horses, Tibetan wild donkeys, Tibetan antelopes, and other wild animals on the shore of the lake. Mount Everest Castle is a military fortress built by the Qing army more than 200 years ago. The castle is a great place to see Mount Everest, and you can see the Himalayas from the castle. Day 8: Shigatse Tashilhunpo Monastery—Lhasa, check in to the Pingcuo Kangtsang Hotel. Tashilhunpo Monastery is located in the Sangzhuzi District of Shigatse City and is one of the four major monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery houses the world's tallest indoor bronze statue of Jampa Buddha. Visiting hours are from 9 am to 6 pm. Day 9: Lhasa Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple. Jokhang Temple is located in the center of the old city of Lhasa. It was built more than 1,300 years ago by King Songtsen Gampo to house the statue of Sakyamuni brought from Chang'an in the Tang Dynasty. This temple is not only a holy place of Tibetan Buddhism but also a treasure of Tibetan culture. Ramoche Temple is located about 500 m north of Barkhor Street in Lhasa. It was built in the mid-7th century and houses an 8-year-old statue of Sakyamuni, which is extremely sacred and precious. Day 10: Fly from Lhasa to Shanghai. Finally, the 10-day trip is over, and I can go home and have a good sleep on the plains.

Tibet, the poetry and distant place I always longed for when I was young When we drove along the G219 border, with Namunani and Mount Kailash on the grasslands unfolding before our eyes, we truly understood the profound meaning of "Without Ali, there is no Tibet". The shock in front of me is hard to be captured by a camera. I would like to recall this journey with you. 📍Pumoyongcuo: As the highest freshwater lake above sea level, it lies there quietly, echoing the Kulagangri Peak opposite. 📍Kulagangri-Bai Malincuo: As you hike through it, the majestic sight of Kulagangri is so close at hand that it makes you feel awe-inspiring. 📍 Chongbayongcuo: A secret place on G219, the lake is as charming as Tiffany blue and the snow-capped mountains are within reach. 📍Lovely words: Leaving Chongba Yongcuo and on the way to Yadong, Duoqingcuo presents a golden dream at sunset. 📍Zhomulari: Passing by the observation deck, the barley and Zhuomulari Peak form a cartoon-like picture. 📍Everest Base Camp: How can you miss the world's highest peak? Fortunately, I witnessed the golden mountain of Mount Everest in the sunshine. 📍Mount Everest Castle: Starting from the base camp, the silhouettes of the ancient castle and Mount Everest and Cho Oyu at sunset are mysterious and magnificent. 📍Lappu Village-Pekucuo: Next to Peikucuo, the Shishapangma Peak and the Gangpengqing Snow Mountain complement each other, and the tranquility of Lapu Village is intoxicating. 📍Mapang Yongcuo-Kailash-Namnani Peak: The holy lake and the sacred mountain, the purity of white and blue, the beauty of Lake Manasarovar is unforgettable. [Recommended route for a seven-day self-driving tour in Tibet] ❶Lhasa - Yanghu Lake - Pumoyongcuo - Lhoza ❷Loza-Kulagangri-Loza ❸Lhoza-Chongba Yongcuo-Duoqingcuo-Yadong ❹Yadong-Zhomulari-Dingjie ❺ Dingjie-Sunset at Everest Base Camp ❻Everest Base Camp-Everest Castle-Shigatse ❼Shigatse-Back to Lhasa Tips🏷️: The temperature difference between morning and evening in Tibet is huge, so remember to bring a windbreaker, fleece jacket or thick down jacket. G219 is close to the border, so please make sure you have a border pass before departure. Be alert to altitude sickness. It is recommended to acclimate for a day or two after arriving in Lhasa before setting off again. Accommodation and food need to be prepared in advance, as options are limited on the road.

On the Tibetan Plateau, when the first ray of holy sunlight fell on the snow-capped peaks, I discovered that there was a beautiful and magical freshwater lake, Chongba Yongcuo, in the arms of the Gasang Kangla Snow Mountain. When other travel destinations are already crowded, this place is more like an undiscovered niche secret place, sparkling and breathtaking like "angel's tears". Chongba Yongcuo is located in Samada Township in the southern part of Kangma County, bordering Bhutan. Behind it is the huge Himalayas. The ice and snow melted and gathered to form a lake. It is the source lake of the upper reaches of Nianchu River, a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River. Chongba Yongcuo covers an area of ​​11 square kilometers. Although it is the smallest among the six Yongcuo lakes, it still has the beautiful characteristics of Yongcuo. When the sky is clear and blue, the snow all around is reflected in the lake. When the lake surface is wrinkled by the wind, the picture in the lake is also disturbed, and layers of ripples roll. At this moment, listening carefully to the lingering whispers of the lake, any praise seems pale at this moment.

40-Day Self-Drive on the Ancient Tea Horse Road Distant snow-capped mountains stir with the wind, their outlines shifting vaguely. The cold, biting wind keeps pounding on my body, taking away my warmth. At the same time, the wind also lashes the lake in front of me, turning it an incredible shade of blue. The world is filled with mystery, mysterious and romantic. Ahead of us, the snow-capped mountains are the peaks of the northern slope of the Himalayas; the lake is the glacial lake Chongba Yong Lake at the foot of the mountains, and this is the world that Cai Cai Juan Er will take our friends to wander through. ❶ What is Chongba Yong Lake? Chongba Yong Lake is a glacial lake situated above 4500 meters in altitude, located in the southern part of Kangma County, Shigatse City, Tibet. The lake is surrounded by two peaks of the Himalayas, one 6000 and the other 7000 meters high. On the other side of the mountain lies the Kingdom of Bhutan. The lake may not be large, but it is crowned with the name 'Yong Lake'. In Tibetan areas, lakes with 'Yong' in their names all possess a sacred quality, extraordinary beauty, and can evoke endless emotions and imaginations. Chongba Yong Lake is among them. ❷ How to reach Chongba Yong Lake? Secret places are often far away and hard to reach, but Chongba Yong Lake is an exception. There is a well-paved asphalt road all the way to the foot of the snow mountain for visitors, with good road conditions, and all types of vehicles can drive there directly to the lakeside of Chongba Yong Lake. However, due to the overall altitude of Kangma County being 4300 meters, and the area near Chongba Yong Lake even higher than 4500 meters, coupled with the climate factors of autumn and winter, there are few visitors, making it a true hidden gem. ❸ How to enjoy Chongba Yong Lake? Friends who visit Chongba Yong Lake on a clear day in autumn and winter will find the lake water presenting an unreal, dreamy blue color, a blue that should only exist in heaven and is rarely seen on earth. We can stroll along the lake, set up a tripod to shoot time-lapse works, expressing the lake's fantastical colors through the lens and engraving them in our minds. Or we can wait for a sunset, quietly anticipating the momentary brilliance of the sunlight on the golden mountain. Chongba Yong Lake, worth staying for, worth waiting for. 📌 Practical Tips for Self-Driving 📱 Navigation: Set 'Chongba Yong Lake' as your destination. 🛣️ Road Conditions: The G219 to the Chongba Yong Lake branch road is in good condition. 🅿️ Parking: There is a free parking area near Chongba Yong Lake. 🎫 Tickets: Just register with your ID card and border pass, and enjoy free access. ⏳ Time Required: It is recommended to allocate half a day to explore Chongba Yong Lake. ▶️ The above content is based on personal travel experience, please forgive any omissions. ▶️ Subject to the effect of time, some scenes may have changed, current conditions prevail. ▶️ Address location information is provided by the website, please leave a message for more detailed information. ▶️ Cai Cai Juan Er and Mr. Dog have traveled to all the attractions accessible by sedan. 🔸🔹🔸 If you like self-driving tours and don't follow the beaten path, please listen to Cai Cai Juan Er's detailed account.

This is Chongba Yongcuo in Kangma County, Shigatse, southern Tibet 🌊 🌊 The blue lake water is the closest color to the sky I have ever seen. The waves gently caress the gravel shoreline, and also gently pass through the impatient heart The lake is embraced by the 6102m Kangshuo Mountain peak. It is said that there is a pasture with lush grass and water on the other side of the mountain🌳 · In Tibetan areas, "Yongcuo" refers to a jade-like lake. You may know the names of Yamdrok Lake, Manasarovar Lake and Phumoyu Lake. But you must not know [Chongba Yongcuo] It is no worse than the "famous lakes" with a lot of people. · On the only way from Lhoza to Yadong, the starting point of the Ali South Line Don't miss it! The scenery is stunning ➕ basically unknown ➕ free 🙈 😭Mom, it’s true, I’m crying! · 🧭Navigation [Chongba Yongcuo Scenic Area] 🎫Just went there in September, now it's free! Open to the public this year ❗️You need a Shigatse border pass, which can be obtained at your place of residence before traveling for free. It is not recommended to go to Lhasa to apply for it ⏰Visiting time: 1-3h. Sit on the way to the lake and watch the golden mountain and golden clouds in the sun. It’s really beautiful! 🚗Road conditions: Very good, you can drive to the lake ⚠️Tips: Because Kangshuo Bashan and Zhuomulaji block the plateau airflow on the lake side, the wind is always a bit strong and the temperature is low, so you should pay attention to wind and warmth.