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

Mangkam Songtsen Rumai Resort is located in Mangkam County, Qamdo City, Tibet Autonomous Region. The guest rooms are very large and comfortable, the public areas are also much larger, and most importantly, the surrounding environment is very good, facing the Lancang River. The price-performance ratio for a house price of around 1,000 is still acceptable. If I have the chance, I will still deliberately stay here. However, if the housing prices soar like a runaway horse in the future, I will definitely pass by it. After all, this is all there is to see here. In addition, the size of the public area is relative. If the hotel is fully occupied, the experience will be greatly reduced. After all, although it is priced at a 5-star hotel, the actual public area cannot be compared with that of a chain 5-star hotel. #ChinaTravel #Lancang River #Riverview #Tibet #Chamdo #Hotel #Cost-EffectiveHotel #HotelIntroduction #HotelRecommendation #HotelExperienceOfficer #HotelAccommodation

Zogang County, located in Chamdo City, Tibet Autonomous Region, is a tourist destination full of natural beauty and cultural charm. Here are some recommended tourist attractions and activities: Natural Landscapes: Meili Snow Mountain: Located on the border between Yunnan and Tibet, its northern slope is within Zogang County and is known for its magnificent snow-capped mountains and rich ecological resources. Dongda Mountain Pass: An important landmark on the Southern Sichuan-Tibet Highway, with an altitude of 5,130 meters, it offers different scenery in each season. Yela Mountain Pass: Attracts many tourists with its spectacular natural landscape. Meiyu Grassland: Vast and boundless, it is an excellent place to watch wild animals and experience grassland life. Cultural Landscapes: Zogang Monastery: The largest temple in Zogang County, Chamdo City, it has a unique Tibetan architectural style. Tianto Monastery: With a long history and magnificent architecture, the temple houses numerous Buddha statues. Dongba Residential Houses: Integrate various architectural styles of Han, Tibetan, and Naxi ethnic groups, with exquisite interior decoration. Tourist Activities: Hiking and Exploration: Go hiking and exploring in places like the Lancang River Grand Canyon and the Nu River Grand Canyon to appreciate the wonders of nature. Experience Tibetan Culture: Visit local temples and participate in traditional Tibetan activities such as horse racing, singing, and dancing performances. Enjoy Hot Springs: Zogang Hot Springs are known for their excellent water quality and fatigue-relieving effects. Before traveling, it is recommended to make sufficient preparations, including applying for a border defense permit (if you need to go to border areas), preparing warm clothes, sunscreen, and common medicines. Choose a suitable mode of transportation, such as an off-road vehicle, to cope with the complex terrain. I hope you have a pleasant journey in Zogang County!

#chinatravelitinerary – China’s Remote Tibetan Paradise (A hidden Tibetan county with snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and ancient temples! 🏔️ Perfect for adventurers, road-trippers, and nature lovers. 🚗✨) 🗓️ Day 1: Arrival & Exploring the Tibetan Highlands ✈️ Flight: Bangkok (BKK) → Chengdu (CTU) (~4 hrs) 🚗 **Drive to Mangkang (~8 hrs, part of the epic Sichuan-Tibet Highway! 🚗) 🏡 Stay in a Traditional Tibetan Lodge ⸻ 🏯 Afternoon: Visit a Hidden Tibetan Monastery Nestled in the Mountains 📸 Stop by a Scenic Viewpoint Overlooking the Deep Valleys 🍽️ Dinner: Tibetan Butter Tea & Handmade Noodles 🌙 Evening: Relax Under a Sky Full of Stars ✨ ⸻ 🗓️ Day 2: Sacred Lakes & Grassland Adventures 🏞️ Morning: Drive to a Stunning Turquoise Lake Surrounded by Snowy Peaks 🐂 Afternoon: Visit a Remote Nomadic Camp & Learn About Tibetan Life 🚗 Drive Back to Chengdu & Fly Home ✈️

Along the Lancang River, the ancient Tea-Horse Road, and the thousand-year-old salt fields. In the wind, I seemed to hear the call of 1,300 years. The thousand-year-old salt fields in Yanjing are the only salt fields in the world that have completely preserved the most original manual salt-drying method. They have a history of more than 1,300 years. Located beside National Highway 214, on the east and west sides of the Lancang River, they are the only surviving original artificial salt-drying landscape on the "Ancient Tea-Horse Road" and are known as "the work of the sun and the wind." Yanjing is called "Chakalo" in Tibetan. Historically, Yanjing was the main road from Tibet Tubo to Nanzhao in Yunnan, an important salt administration town in eastern Tibet, and the only way from the "Ancient Tea-Horse Road" to Tibet. According to legend, King Gesar and King Mugan of Naxi fought the "Battle of Qiangling" over the salt well. In the end, King Gesar defeated King Mugan of Naxi and occupied the salt well, and captured King Mugan's son Youla alive. In the late Tubo Dynasty, Youla became the Naxi minister, responsible for managing the salt wells. The main salt producing area is Naxi Township, where there are more than 320 households engaged in salt production and more than 3,000 salt fields.

La Wu Mountain The first mountain in Tibet, the winter snow scene at the junction of three provinces La Wu Mountain is located in Changdu, Tibet Autonomous Region, with an altitude of 4,338 meters at the 3rd pass. The self-driving camp of La Wu Mountain in Mangkang is located in Mangkang County, Changdu, Tibet, at the junction of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet. You can stay at the camp, have a meal, and enjoy the snow scene. Holiday cabins, tent camps, and Tibetan restaurants are available. You can stay in a cabin for a night to rest and enjoy the snow scene. Snow scene: Recommended after October Transportation: Self-driving or chartered car Tickets: Free Geography: Located at the pass, be careful of altitude sickness

Quzika Shengquan Hotel is a Tibetan hot spring paradise! 📌 First, the location is unbeatable! It's located in Quzika Township, Mangkam County, Tibet, surrounded by countless attractions, such as Lagong Temple, the Thousand-Year Salt Fields, and Meili Snow Mountain. Each one is a great place to relax! 🏞️ Especially Meili Snow Mountain, which looks like a painting from afar! 🏨 When you walk into the hotel, you can feel the warmth and comfort. The rooms are well-equipped, clean, and tidy, and every room has a view of the beautiful scenery outside, which really puts you in a good mood! 🛌 🛁 Especially the hot springs, which make you feel like you're in a fairyland. They're warm and comfortable, and your fatigue disappears instantly! 🍽️ The hotel's dining is also great! There are BBQ and hot pot on the first floor, with all kinds of fresh and delicious ingredients! The second floor has Western food and a variety of Yunnan snacks, which are also delicious! 🏠 The hotel's service is also very thoughtful! 💪 Whether it's the front desk or room service, every staff member is super enthusiastic and attentive, making you feel at home! 👏 🌃 To your surprise, the hotel also has a huge terrace! Sitting there at night, looking at the stars and listening to the wind in the distance, is really enjoyable!

🍁 In Tibetan, "Basu" means "a village at the foot of a warrior mountain." It is under the jurisdiction of Changdu City. Basu County is at an altitude of 3,280 meters, and the G318 National Highway runs through the city. Basu County has rich tourism resources, including Ranwu Lake, Duola Mountain, and Bangda Grassland. 🍁 The Dongda Mountain Pass, at an altitude of 5,130 meters, is the highest pass on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (G318). It is both a paradise on earth and a forbidden zone for life. Dongda Mountain is covered with snow all year round, and you can see snow all over the mountain on the way to the pass. 🍁 You can only truly appreciate the charm of western Sichuan when you stand on the snow-capped mountains!

🍁The Mangkam Ancient Salt Fields are the only place in the world that still uses the original method of sun-drying salt. With a history of over 1,300 years, the Naxi Township has dozens of natural salt wells, hundreds of salt workers, and over 3,000 salt fields. The salt fields stretch for miles along the east and west banks of the Lancang River, forming a beautiful layered landscape. 🍁The salt fields are a stunning sight along National Highway 214. Not only are they a great place to take photos, but they are also a hidden gem. The salt fields are a testament to the wonders of nature and the wisdom of humanity. The ancient salt fields lie quietly between the mountains and rivers of Mangkam. When the sun shines on them, the colorful salt fields glisten like magic, as if nature has spilled its palette. 🍁You can also see many villagers selling salt nearby, and there are free Tibetan villagers who will explain the salt fields to you. You can also see villagers working hard. The Mangkam Ancient Salt Fields are a miracle that has stood the test of time!

🍁La Wu Mountain is located in Changdu, Tibet Autonomous Region, and is a must-see on National Highway 318 to Lhasa. The pass of La Wu Mountain is 4,338 meters above sea level. 🍁La Wu Mountain is a relatively gentle pass on National Highway 318 in Mangkang, Tibet. Due to the gentle terrain of La Wu Mountain, tourists entering Tibet can easily pass by. In fact, the altitude of La Wu Mountain is higher than that of the steep Jueba Mountain. 🍁The mountain is mainly grass slopes, and the top of the mountain is very open and gentle. You can stop at the pass to enjoy the scenery. There are many prayer flags on the mountain, which are colorful and give people a mysterious and sacred feeling.

🌈 In the distant land of Tibet, there is a place that captivates the soul - Namtso. Here, you will find not only magnificent lakes and snow-capped mountains but also a mesmerizing colorful sky, like the most enchanting painting of nature. 🌄 As the first light of dawn breaks, the north shore of Namtso is bathed in golden sunlight, and the shimmering lake surface resembles a dazzling pearl. The sky gradually reveals its captivating colors, transitioning from deep blue to light purple, and then to vibrant orange-red, as if nature's palette is being freely expressed here. 🌅 Standing by the lakeside on the north shore, you can feel an indescribable tranquility and beauty. The lake and the sky reflect each other, as if the entire world is painted in dreamlike colors. At this moment, close your eyes, take a deep breath of fresh air, and let your soul find complete relaxation in this pure land. 🌌 The night at Namtso offers a unique charm. As night falls, the sky is adorned with countless stars, and the Milky Way stretches across the horizon, seemingly within reach. Under this serene night sky, you can feel the vastness and mystery of the universe, as if you are in a dreamlike fairy tale world. 📸 Capture every touching moment with your camera! Whether it's the golden lakeside at dawn or the dazzling starry sky at night, these are beautiful memories worth cherishing. Let this colorful sky become the most unforgettable scenery of your journey. 🚗 Embark on a journey to the north shore of Namtso! Experience the magical charm of nature and seek your own colorful sky. Here, you can find inner peace and strength, making your journey a spiritual cleansing and growth.

Who knows! I actually found a place in Tibet that's even more beautiful than Daocheng Yading! Tibet has always been a sacred place in my heart, and I finally had the chance to explore it. I chose to drive there, and after crossing mountains and rivers, I finally arrived at Red La Mountain in Mangkang. The scenery here is absolutely stunning, with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and cattle and sheep. Everything is as beautiful as a painting. I rented a motorcycle at the foot of the mountain and drove up along the mountain road. Along the way, I saw all kinds of strange-shaped peaks and green grasslands. I felt like I was in a fairy tale world. What impressed me the most were the prayer flags and sutra streamers at the Red La Mountain Pass. These colorful flags and cloth strips fluttered in the wind, as if they were telling the history and culture of this land. Here, I felt the magic and magnificence of nature. Standing on the top of the mountain, overlooking the mountains, I felt my insignificance and the greatness of nature. I'm really glad that I was able to come here and feel this shock and touch. If you are also full of yearning for the beautiful scenery of Tibet, then you must come to Red La Mountain in Mangkang. The scenery here will definitely amaze you and purify and sublimate your soul.

Mangkang, located in eastern Tibet, is one of the cultural, economic and transportation centers of the Tibetan area. Not only does it have majestic snow-capped mountains and magnificent canyons, but there are also many unique attractions waiting for you to explore. Below are the must-visit attractions in Mangkang County, allowing you to collect many memories and emotions during your trip. 1. Lancang River Canyon A major landscape on the southern Sichuan-Tibet line, the canyon has towering peaks on both sides that reach into the clouds, leaving visitors in awe. Here, you can appreciate the canyon's ruggedness and magnificence, and feel the magic of nature. 2. Jueba Mountain Scenic Area The mountains here are undulating and shrouded in mist, like a fairyland. Standing on the mountaintop, you can overlook the entire Mangkang and feel the magical charm of nature. 3. Ancient Salt Field of Yanzheng The world's only remaining hand-made salt field, it has a history of hundreds of years of salt-making tradition. The salt field is stacked with salt buildings of various shapes, allowing visitors to feel the weight of history and the charm of culture. 4. Dongda Mountain Observation Deck Dongda Mountain is a peak on the southern Sichuan-Tibet line, with an altitude of 5,130 meters. Here, you can overlook the entire Mangkang and appreciate the magnificent scenery of snow-capped mountains, canyons, and rivers. You can also look out at the Naxi Snow Mountain and the magnificent canyon scenery. 5. Mangkang Millennium Ancient Temple Mangkang Millennium Ancient Temple is one of the oldest temples in the Tibetan area, with a long history and rich cultural heritage. Here, you can feel the mysterious atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism and appreciate the unique charm of Tibetan culture. 6. Qumalaila Mountain Tunnel The Qumalaila Mountain Tunnel is an important project on the southern Sichuan-Tibet line, and a highlight of Mangkang's transportation construction. Passing through the tunnel, you can appreciate the magic of the tunnel and the modernization of Mangkang. 7. Gama Valley Gama Valley is a beautiful canyon in Mangkang, where mountains and water are intertwined, and the scenery is charming. Here, you can appreciate the beauty of the canyon and the magnificence of the waterfall, and feel the magical charm of nature. 8. Rumei Ancient Town Rumei Ancient Town is a historical and cultural town in Mangkang, where many ancient buildings and traditional handicrafts are preserved. Here, you can feel the unique charm of Tibetan culture and appreciate the local customs and traditions. 9. Jinsha River Big Bend The Jinsha River Big Bend is a major natural landscape in Mangkang, where the Jinsha River suddenly narrows and forms a huge bend, which is very spectacular. Here, you can appreciate the beautiful scenery and natural wonders of the Jinsha River. The must-visit attractions in Mangkang County cover natural scenery, historical culture, and folk customs, allowing you to collect many memories and emotions during your trip. These attractions are also important symbols and manifestations of Mangkang's development, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of Mangkang's modernization and traditional culture. When you travel to Mangkang, be sure to include these attractions in your itinerary to make your trip more colorful.

The Tibet Salt Well Scenic Area is located in Mangkang County, Changdu City, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is a mysterious salt field landscape. Here, you can enjoy the unique salt well culture and beautiful natural scenery. Here are some travel tips to help you better visit this scenic area: 1. Best time to travel: Spring and autumn are the best times to visit the Tibet Salt Well Scenic Area. The climate is pleasant and the scenery is beautiful, which is very suitable for travel. 2. Transportation: To get to the Salt Well Scenic Area from Lhasa, you can choose to take a long-distance bus or train. At Lhasa Bus Station or Lhasa Railway Station, you can buy long-distance bus tickets or train tickets to Changdu or Mangkang. After arriving in Changdu or Mangkang, you still need to take a local bus to the Salt Well Scenic Area. 3. Accommodation: There are some Tibetan family inns near the Salt Well Scenic Area, which provide simple accommodation services. In addition, you can also choose to stay in Changdu City or Mangkang County, where there are more accommodation options. 4. Tourist attractions: The most famous attraction in the Salt Well Scenic Area is the Millennium Salt Field. There are a series of ancient salt wells here, forming a unique salt field landscape. In addition, you can also visit the nearby Tibetan villages to learn about the local lifestyle and customs. 5. Precautions: • Tibet is at a high altitude, please make sure your physical condition is suitable for plateau travel. • Respect local ethnic customs and do not take pictures of Tibetan villagers at will during the tour. • The climate in the plateau area is changeable, please bring warm clothes and rain gear with you. • Comply with the regulations of the scenic area, protect the ecological environment, and do not litter at will

Yanjing Millennium Ancient Salt Field 🌅 is a must-visit on the Yunnan-Tibet route to Tibet. This ancient salt field, with a history of 1,300 years, is the only place in China that still maintains the most original manual salt drying method. The salt fields are built on the mountain, and they are staggered and orderly, just like the eyeshadow palette of nature. Experience: Witness the whole process of salt farmers taking brine from the Lancang River, drying and concentrating, and then crystallizing into salt. Best time: It is recommended to go around 4 pm, when the light is soft and suitable for taking pictures. Food recommendation 🍽️: Try the butter tea made with local white salt and experience the unique flavor. Accommodation options 🏨: Hotels near Quzika Township or Naxi Ethnic Township in Yanjing Town, such as Mangkang Kawagebo Hotel, Tea Horse Ancient Road Hotel, etc., are convenient for going to the ancient salt field. Traffic guide 🚗 Self-driving: Drive along National Highway 214, with beautiful scenery along the way. Public transportation: Take a bus from Shangri-La or Deqin to Mangkang, and then transfer to Yanjing. Tips 💡 Tickets: 90 yuan/person, free in the off-season. Shooting suggestion: Bring a drone, overlook the salt field from the air, and the view is shocking.

The mysterious land of Tibet on the snowy plateau has been rich in natural resources and profound cultural heritage since ancient times. On this vast land, there is a place called Mangkang, which is famous for its unique natural landscape and traditional salt-making techniques. The history of the ancient salt wells in Mangkang can be traced back to more than 1,300 years ago. The salt-making process is to guide the salt spring water into the salt pond through a simple channel built by hand; then, under the strong plateau sunlight, the water gradually evaporates, leaving a crystal rich in minerals; finally, after manual collection, cleaning and drying, a piece of white jade-like salt brick is born. The salt well is the only place in China that maintains the most primitive manual salt drying method. 📍Scenic spot address: Located in Naxi Ethnic Township, Mangkang County, 107 kilometers from the county seat, on both sides of the Lancang River on National Highway 214, 🚗Scenic spot traffic: Self-driving, pay attention to safety 👍️Must-visit attractions: Visit the ancient salt field 🎟️Ticket related: Free 💗Other tips: Self-driving from Mangkang County to National Highway 214, 105 kilometers to reach. After browsing, remember to buy some red salt, bathing is great for the skin. There are salt stalls temporarily set up by the scenic area Tibetans on the roadside, selling their own salt and local specialties. Food: You can try Jiajia noodles.

I didn’t expect that the first stop in Tibet would be Mangkam. After looking for accommodation for a long time, I finally found a hotel that my parents praised highly. 🛏We booked a standard room Two 1.35-meter mattresses with moderate hardness Disposable items are complete, even face towels and bath towels are available! There is also a table lamp at the bedside, which is really thoughtful. ⭕Equipped with a humidifier in the room Tibet is really too dry. Guangdong people said it was about to burst Fortunately, the hotel has a humidifier, which keeps my nose and lips from being so dry overnight. 🛀Separation of dry and wet areas There are really few hotels that can achieve regional separation. Every space has its own function haha. And it’s a smart toilet, so cool! 🧏‍♀️Smart voice assistant TV, curtains, air conditioning and lighting Can directly call Xiaodu switch I didn't expect to have this kind of on-demand experience in Tibet! ✔️The most important thing is hygiene This hotel opened not long ago The facilities are new and the hygiene is very clean My parents said they felt safe living here. The journey along the Sichuan-Tibet Line 318 is really exhausting, so it is very important to have a good rest at night. This hotel in Mangkang is really unexpectedly good! 🏨Hotel Name: Mangkang Langting Holiday Hotel 📍Hotel location: No. 19, Jiangxi Group, Zhuka Village, Rumei Town, Mangkang

| Experience the Tibetan culture of the millennium ferry on the Lancang River. I stayed at the Songzan Rumei Mountain Residence Hotel during my trip to Yunnan-Tibet The hotel is located in the town of Kangba, in Rumei County, right beside the surging Lancang River It is said to be beside a ferry with a thousand years of history The hotel is not large, but all the guest rooms face the Lancang River and a field of farmland, offering superb views. The hotel architecture is also very characteristic of the Tibetan style, and before checking into the rooms, they even asked for our shoe size to prepare comfortable cloth shoes for us The thoughtful butler of Songzan Hotel organized a light off-road self-driving + outdoor hiking + picnic at Maiba Ranch (another post to come) After returning in the afternoon, it was time for riverside afternoon tea and barbecue dinner... indescribably delightful

There are mountains, rivers, and bridges, but not many tourists. Along the way, there are lush forests, clear streams, quiet and unique scenery. Villages, small bridges, bamboo groves, wild ducks, and people fishing can be seen everywhere. There are also some well-preserved old houses, which add a lot of interest to this hiking route! The route is not long, flat without steps, easy and not tiring, suitable for all ages! Jingxi Li has a forest camp where you can eat, barbecue, and wade in the water. This is an original ecological village, not a tourist area, so please take care of the environment and do not litter. Navigation: China Petroleum Yanjingxi Gas Station (about 6 kilometers round trip) near Datong Shuikou Middle School Navigation: Datong Shuikou Middle School (after parking, walk to the left to the stream and follow the stream for a walk and play) !: Qionglu Road to Huojing Town is under construction, with one-way traffic allowed. It is recommended to take Daohuo Road to Huojing Town.

Layer upon layer, orderly and picturesque, The thousand-year-old salt field is the most beautiful scenery by the banks of the Lancang River. - The thousand-year-old salt field is located on both sides of the Lancang River in Naxi Nationality Township, Mangkang County, Changdu City. The salt field has a long history, with more than a thousand years of history, and there are currently more than 3,000 salt pans. The 1300-year-old salt field is also known as the living Tea Horse Road. - The only place in the world that completely maintains the most primitive manual salt sun-drying method. The salt sun-drying technique has been listed in the national intangible cultural heritage protection, known as 'the work of the sun and wind' in Tibetan 'Chakarlo'. - The salt field is located by the Lancang River. Villagers take brine from natural brine wells on both banks with wooden barrels, pour it into the salt fields, and let the sun evaporate the water to produce coarse salt, which is then dried and processed into edible salt. The salt fields use local red clay as a base. When harvesting salt, the upper layer of white salt (snowflake salt) is used for consumption. The lower layer mixed with some red clay is purplish-red, known as peach blossom salt, which has a high yield and is used for health baths and feeding livestock. - |Mangkang Salt Wells| 📍Coordinates: Salt Well Town, Naxi Nationality Township, Mangkang County, Changdu Area 🎫Ticket: Free FREE - ⏰Best photography time: The blue hour before sunrise or after sunset is very photogenic. I personally recommend going one to two hours before sunset, as the canyon sunset is relatively early. Moreover, you can meet people working in the salt fields in the afternoon, and there won't be anyone early in the morning. - 💃Dressing tips: 1️⃣It is recommended to wear sports shoes or non-slip shoes, as the slope down to the salt field from the highway is steep and slippery, and quite difficult to walk. 2️⃣For photography, you can choose bright colors to form a stark contrast with the salt fields. 3️⃣Finally, it is advised to take photos civilly and not leave any trash behind.

Hello, I am your Xiao Kong~ The Sichuan-Tibet Highway 318 has attracted many explorers and travelers to conquer it. It not only has magnificent natural scenery and rich history and culture, but also unforgettable accommodation experience. However, behind this beauty, there are also some potential problems in accommodation. Friends who are still struggling with accommodation, please take a look! Xiao Kong stayed up late to compile this accommodation guide, be sure to save it~ Hotel recommendations: Kangding Yuhongwan Hotel Location: Kangding Configuration: WIFI 24H hot water standard room private bathroom Daocheng Times Yading Hotel Location: Daocheng Yading Configuration: WIFI 24H hot water standard room private bathroom Mangkang Kangyuan Holiday Hotel Location: Mangkang Configuration: WIFI 24H hot water standard room private bathroom Ximi Oxygen Hotel Location: Basu Configuration: WIFI 24H hot water standard room private bathroom Bomi Renqing Inn/Bomi Tuyou Manor Hotel Location: Bomi Configuration: WIFI 24H hot water standard room private bathroom Linzhi Minshan Hotel Location: Linzhi Configuration: WIFI 24H hot water standard room private bathroom Holiday Inn Express Lhasa Potala Palace Location: Lhasa Configuration: WIFI 24H hot water standard room private bathroom Accommodation Tips √ In order to have a smooth stay, friends must book a room online in advance, especially during the peak season √ Before traveling, check whether you have brought your ID card, passport and other documents with you in case you need them when you stay at the hotel √ For those who are new to the plateau, please take care to rest, avoid strenuous exercise, and try to choose a place with aerobic breathing. √ The climate along the Sichuan-Tibet line is changeable, especially at night when the temperature is low, so it is better to bring some warm clothes. Travel Tips Plan your trip properly, leave yourself some rest time, prepare sunscreen, warm clothes, driving supplies and common medicines, and maintain driving safety Respect local customs, understand Tibetan culture, and get along well with local people

The thousand-year-old salt wells in Mangkang, Tibet, are like a palette overturned by God. Mangkang belongs to Chamdo, Tibet, and is the first county town one encounters when entering Tibet, with an altitude of over 3800 meters, smaller than Batang county town. The restaurants here mostly serve Sichuan cuisine, but there are also Tibetan and Yunnan's Lijiang-Dali restaurants. 🥭An area with a long history of salt production. The ancient salt wells and fields here still maintain the most primitive method of sun-drying salt by hand. The ancient salt wells and fields in Mangkang are distributed along the banks of the Lancang River, and they still retain the ancient method of salt production, with a history of 1300 years. It is also the place in Tibet where the original method of hand-drying salt is completely preserved. 📍Mangkang Thousand-Year Salt Wells 🚗Driving navigation: Jiada Village 🎫Ticket: None Special Cuisine🍜 🧡: Salt Well Jiajia Noodles: Jiajia noodles are a traditional snack of the Salt Well town, which became popular after being featured on CCTV's 'A Bite of China'. 🧡: Salt Well Grape Wine: A specialty of Mangkang, Tibet Autonomous Region, and a Chinese national geographical indication product. 🎈Some tips for visiting 💎There is a large temperature difference between morning and evening in Western Sichuan, so be sure to bring a coat. 💎The UV rays are very strong during the day, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun!

Not long after setting off, we entered the plateau snow climate area. Snowflakes fell in droves, covering the earth with a white carpet. The mountains in the distance are covered in white snow, like giants wearing white cloaks. The trees on both sides of the road are also covered with ice and snow, like a fairy tale world wrapped in silver. As the car moved forward, the scenery gradually changed. The snow gradually stopped, the sky began to clear, and the sun shone through the clouds, warm and bright. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the surrounding scenery gradually transitioned from the world of ice and snow to the green of early spring. The grass on the hillside sprouted tender green bud tips, as if covering the earth with a green carpet. The trees also began to sprout new buds, showing their vitality. #自车游 #四川tourism

Hongla Mountain is located within the territory of Mangkang County, Chamdo City, Tibet, with an altitude of about 4448 meters. It is the first high mountain that National Highway 214 crosses after entering Tibet. The Hongla Mountain Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey Nature Reserve is a national nature reserve, primarily aimed at protecting the endangered primate—the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, which is a primate species as precious as the giant panda.

☘️ La'uo Mountain, meaning the great mountain beneath the gods and Buddhas, is reached after traveling 13 kilometers past the Mangkang County town on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, where the pass sits at an altitude of 4376 meters. The terrain here is gentle. 🌿 There is no snow, no trees, just withered yellow grassland. As far as the eye can see, the view is vast, with a winding road snaking down the mountain. The distant Mangkang County town appears faintly, offering an unobstructed view of the beautiful scenery. 💰 Ticket Price: Free ⏳ Visiting Time: 15-30 minutes 📍 Detailed Address: Within the territory of Mangkang County, Chamdo City, Tibet

The ancient salt fields of Mangkang Yanjing have a history of 1300 years. Located on both the east and west banks of the Lancang River in Naxi Nationality Township, Yanjing Town, Mangkang County, Tibet Autonomous Region, it is the only place in China that still preserves the most original manual salt sun-drying method. The salt fields of Yanjing not only retain a unique salt-making technique in the world, but what's more magical is that the salt produced from the same brine source, using the same equipment and the same processing skills, turns out to be red and white in color. The salt on the east bank of the Lancang River is white, known as 'white salt', while the salt on the west bank is light red, known as 'red salt', also called 'peach blossom salt'. Scenic spot introduction (Image 1), the sign is erected on the mountain road on the east bank of the Lancang River The 'white salt' on the east bank of the Lancang River (Image 2) The 'red salt' on the west bank of the Lancang River (Image 3) A close-up view of the 'red salt' drying process (Image 4) The rows of sheds are the salt fields, and the fortress-like structures in the distance are the brine wells (Image 5) The stalactite-like salt crystals hanging everywhere on the top of the sheds (Image 6) The red and white salt bought at Yanjing, the locals say to soak feet with red salt and eat white salt, but we used both for foot baths (Image 7) Yanjing's special delicacy 'Jiajia noodles', the highest record of this restaurant is 103 bowls, our highest record is only 12 bowls (Image 8) PS: 1. When we went there, the gate of the scenic area next to National Highway 214 (free of charge) was not open. A little further on, you can drive through another road. Visitors can only go to the west bank, and the road conditions after crossing the river were very bad at that time, and parking was extremely difficult. After parking, local residents would come to charge a fee (10 yuan), and we didn't care whether it was official or not, considering it as poverty alleviation. 2. There will be children following you selling salt, 10 yuan a bag, we also considered it as poverty alleviation and bought one bag of each white and red. 3. There is the only Catholic church in Tibet near Yanjing, worth a visit if you have time.

40-day self-driving tour on the Ancient Tea Horse Road After entering Tibet from G318, we chose to cross three well-known passes in one day: Lawu Pass at an altitude of 4,376 meters; Jueba Pass at an altitude of 3,911 meters and Dongda Pass at an altitude of 5,130 meters. The starting point is Mangkam County and the end point is Zuogong County. Friends may ask: Is it possible to cross three passes in succession just after entering Tibet? Below, please see the five things Cai Cai Juan Er summarized based on our travel experience. After reading this, you will be able to judge whether your trip can be completed within one day. ❶ "Three Mountains" total mileage 157 kilometers Mangkam County is the first stop of G318 entering Tibet. After visiting here, you can choose to set off in the morning and reach Zuogong County within one day. As mentioned earlier, the total distance from Mangkam to Zuogong is only 157 kilometers. Taking into account the time for visiting three passes and the waiting time for some sections to be opened to one-way traffic due to maintenance, the total time for self-driving is only about three and a half hours. It is possible to arrive within one day and there is no need to rush. ❷If I am not used to the plateau yet and don’t want to cross three passes in one day, is that okay? There are alternatives to the above itinerary of crossing three passes in one day. That is, depart from Mangkang County and arrive at Rumei Town for accommodation. Rumei belongs to Mangkam, 50 kilometers away from the county seat by car. It can be reached by crossing a pass in Lawu Mountain. The altitude of Rumei Town is relatively low, only about 2,500 meters, which is suitable for people coming to Tibet to rest and adjust. Therefore, there are many cost-effective hotels and homestays. After a good rest, the next day the friends only needed to cross the Jueba Mountain and Dongda Mountain Pass and reach Zuogong County in two and a half hours. ❸Detailed explanation of Lawu Mountain Pass (Figure 2–4) Lawu Mountain Pass is a pass that everyone will cross shortly after driving out of Mangkam County. The mountain at this pass is gentle and the road conditions are good, so it is almost not difficult to cross it by car. At the Lawu Mountain Pass, there is an eight-character doorplate with the inscription "Quietness leads to far-reaching, beautiful Mangkang". Why "tranquility"? Because Mangkang Mountain in the county is also known as Ningjing Mountain. Mangkang Mountain is one of the Hengduan Mountains, running parallel to the Henian Thaweng Mountain Range and other mountain ranges. There is no specific parking lot at the Lawu Mountain Pass, so parking is not very convenient. Friends can just stop briefly near the stone tablet or sign with the altitude and check in. ❹Detailed explanation of Jueba Mountain Pass (Figures 1, 5–8) Before reaching the Jueba Mountain Pass, you will drive along the deep canyon of the Lancang River for a while. After getting away from the Lancang River, there is a section of road that is under construction for a tunnel, so the road condition is poor, there are many trucks, and there is a lot of dust. Sometimes it is only allowed in one direction. Jueba Mountain is less than 4,000 meters above sea level. The mountain vegetation is lush. There is an observation deck at the pass, and parking is convenient. Standing on the stage, on the left is a colorful painting of lush forests and colorful mountains. On the right side, there are deep canyons and towering snow-capped mountains, which make visitors feel more realistic about entering Tibet. ❺Detailed explanation of Dongda Mountain Pass (Figures 9–11) Dongda Mountain Pass is the first pass on G318 that is over 5,000 meters high and also the highest pass on G318. There is currently no tunnel here to replace the winding mountain road, so all tourists passing through G318 Dongda Mountain will pass through the pass. Dongda Mountain has a large parking lot, and it is very convenient to take photos in front of the altitude sign. But compared with the ever-changing beauty along the way, the pass is covered with snow for a long time and the view is not wide, but in terms of natural scenery, it is relatively ordinary. There are also road construction along the Dongda Mountain, and sometimes traffic is allowed in one direction, but the overall road conditions are good and driving is not too difficult. After passing Dongda Mountain, we are getting closer and closer to Zuogong County. To enter Zuogong County, one has to pass through several tall and majestic mountain gates (Figure 12). We will explain in detail the world behind the gates next time. ▶️The above content is summarized based on personal travel experience. Please forgive me if there are any omissions. ▶️Due to timeliness, some scenes may change, please refer to the current situation. ▶️The address location information is provided by the website. Please leave a message if you need more detailed information. ▶️All the scenic spots that Cai Cai Juan Er and Mr. Dog have traveled to can be reached by car. 🔸🔹🔸 If you like self-driving tours and don’t want to take the usual route, please listen to Cai Cai Juan’er’s story.

The ancient salt pans of Yanjing are the only place in Tibet today that still maintains the original hand-made salt drying. Located by the Lancang River and next to National Highway 214, it enjoys the reputation of "Thousand-Year Scroll of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road in Mangkang Salt Well" and is the first stop of the 21st century tourist route "Ancient Tea-Horse Road" into Tibet.

2023.09.22 The last leg of the Yunnan-Tibet trip today arrived at the Jueba Mountain Pass at 15:30. At first glance, Jueba Mountain does not seem to be steep, and its altitude is not as high as the neighboring passes, and it is not even more than 4,000 meters. It is just too desolate, but when drivers see the winding mountain road that keeps turning, they still gasp. The mountains here are not high, but they are very undulating. The pass is 3,940 meters above sea level. The Lancang River cuts deeply into the river, and the river banks are thousands of feet high, looking desolate and hard.