A focused journey into the high, sacred country of Mount Genyen — combining the world's high city of Litang, the wild pilgrim landscapes of the Genyen Southern Route, Tibetan grasslands and monasteries, and a sunset over Mount Gongga.
Two nights each in Xinduqiao and Litang give you time to acclimatize and explore properly. This route holds altitude above 4,000m for two full days and crosses a 4,770m pass — best suited to travelers who are genuinely comfortable at sustained elevation.
Perfect for
- Travelers who want the wild Genyen pilgrim country without Yading's crowds — in a tighter five-day window
- Those seeking raw, authentic Kham Tibetan culture: Litang, ancient monasteries, nomadic grasslands
- Photography enthusiasts drawn to plateau light, snow peaks, and open landscapes
- Travelers comfortable with sustained high altitude (3,400–4,770m)
- Anyone who prefers a focused, unhurried itinerary to an ambitious multi-destination rush
| Day | Route | Overnight | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Chengdu → Tianquan → Kangding → Honghaizi Lake → Gedilam → Xinduqiao | Xinduqiao | ~410–430 km |
| Day 2 | Xinduqiao → Sky Road Eighteen Bends → Litang → Letong Ancient Town & Ke'er Monastery | Litang | ~200–210 km |
| Day 3 | Litang → Tiejiangshan Pass → Eye of Genyen → The Lone Tree → Zeba Hidden Valley → Litang | Litang | ~160–180 km |
| Day 4 | Litang → Xinduqiao → Mount Gongga Sunset Viewpoint | Xinduqiao | ~210 km |
| Day 5 | Xinduqiao → Tagong Grassland → Muya Monastery → Gunong Village → Chengdu | — | ~390–410 km |
We leave Chengdu in the morning and climb west on the expressway, off the Sichuan Basin and up to Kangding (2,560m), the historic gateway to the Kham Tibetan region, with a stop at the Tianquan service area along the way.
Beyond Kangding, the road turns onto the high Kangba route past Honghaizi Lake and the viewpoint of Gedilam — the "Sky City" — set on open highland around 4,200m, with sweeping plateau and snow-peak views in all directions.
Toward evening we descend to Xinduqiao, a Tibetan town famous for its golden light falling across rolling pastures, farmhouses, and poplar groves — one of the most photogenic places in Western Sichuan.
A relaxed morning start for a shorter, scenic driving day along the G318. We climb the Sky Road Eighteen Bends, a dramatic sequence of switchbacks with open plateau views from around 3,990m, then cross rolling grasslands and high passes to Litang (4,014m) — one of the highest towns on earth.
In the afternoon we explore the Letong Ancient Town, the old Tibetan quarter of whitewashed houses and prayer flags, and visit the Changqingchun Ke'er Monastery (Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling) — Litang's great 16th-century monastery and one of the most important in Kham. We stay two nights here.
Today reaches into the wild, sacred landscape of the Genyen Southern Route, in the shadow of Mount Genyen (6,204m) — one of the holiest mountains in Tibetan Buddhism, sometimes called "the last Shangri-La."
We cross the Tiejiangshan Pass (4,770m — the highest point of the trip) into open grassland and pilgrim country. The centerpiece is the Eye of Genyen, a near-perfectly round spring set into the meadow like an eye gazing up at the sky. Nearby stands the solitary Lone Tree on the wide-open plain, and the quiet, hidden Zeba Valley, where Tibetan homes and grazing yaks sit beneath the peaks. We return to Litang in the evening.
After breakfast, we drive back east on the G318 toward Xinduqiao, recrossing the high passes in the changing light. The familiar road reveals new angles and moods in the afternoon sun.
In the late afternoon, we head to a Mount Gongga sunset viewpoint. At 7,556m, Gongga is the "King of Sichuan Mountains," and on a clear evening its summit catches the last light in a deep alpenglow. Your guide will choose the best accessible viewpoint for the day's weather and your energy.
After breakfast, we drive north to the Tagong Grassland, where herds of yaks graze beneath the sacred Yala Snow Mountain. White stupas, prayer flags, and traditional Tibetan homes create one of the most iconic cultural landscapes in Western Sichuan.
We visit Muya Monastery and continue to Gunong Village — a quiet Tibetan settlement facing Yala Snow Mountain, a final peaceful plateau scene before the road drops back to Chengdu. We arrive in the evening, completing our journey through the high plateau.
A focused Genyen experience
A compact route built around Litang and the wild pilgrim country of Mount Genyen, rather than racing across the whole plateau. Two full days at altitude, unhurried.
Time to acclimatize properly
Two nights each in Xinduqiao and Litang mean less repacking and more time to adjust to altitude and explore — a critical difference on a high-altitude itinerary.
Private travel makes the remote reachable
There is no convenient public transport into the Genyen Southern Route. A private vehicle makes these grassland roads accessible and lets the trip respond to weather and conditions.
Clothing
- Down jacket (essential even in summer)
- Windproof / shell jacket
- Warm base and mid-layers
- Hiking shoes with good grip
- Hat, gloves, and sunglasses
Daily Essentials
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Insulated water bottle
- Portable charger / power bank
- Camera and drone equipment
- Motion sickness medication
For the Genyen Day
- Supplemental oxygen (recommended)
- Light snacks and energy bars
- Small day pack
- Rain jacket or compact rain gear
- Headlamp (for Gongga sunset walk)
Documents & Practicalities
- Passport or required ID
- Cash (card machines scarce in remote areas)
- Altitude medication (consult your doctor)
- Travel insurance documents
Ready to explore Genyen?
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