10 Days in Chamdo
Ten days makes the full loop — Riwoqe, the Yela pass and 72 turns, Ranwu with Laigu, then the G214 south to Markam's thousand-year salt pans and back over the 5,130-metre Dongda pass.
Quick Answer
Is 10 days enough for Chamdo?
10 days lets you go beyond Chamdo's core into neighborhoods, food markets, and one or two day trips at a relaxed pace.
Source: NihaoVisit Chamdo guide
10-day Chamdo itinerary at a glance
Use our full Chamdo travel guide as the base and adapt it to 10 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.
Arrival & Monastery Hill
Land at Bangda Airport, about 4,334 m, and drive 2 hours down to the city at about 3,200 m. Rest, then visit Jampa Ling, founded in 1437, halls usually open 8:00-17:00. Go easy on day one — the altitude is real.
- chamdo qiangbaling monastery
- chamdo lancang confluence
Karuo Site & City Museum
The Karuo site, 12 km southeast, holds a village from some 4,000 years ago, found in 1977; the city museum fills in the story. Another gentle day for acclimatization.
- chamdo karuo site
- chamdo museum
Riwoqe Day Trip on the G214
About 100 km north on the G214, the Chajie Hall of Riwoqe Monastery, first raised in 1276, is among the region's largest prayer halls. Return to Chamdo to sleep at a steady 3,200 m.
- chamdo riwoqe monastery
G318 South — Yela Pass & the 72 Turns
Over the Bangda grassland at about 4,300 m, up the Yela pass at 4,658 m and down the 72 turns — more than 1,000 m of drop to the Nu River. Overnight in Baxoi county town at about 3,260 m.
- chamdo bangda grassland
- chamdo yela pass
- chamdo nujiang 72 turns
Ranwu Lake & Laigu Glacier
Morning mirror views at Ranwu Lake, about 3,800 m, then the rough 30-odd km track to the Laigu viewpoint at about 4,000 m, facing six glacier tongues. Night in Ranwu town — high, so move slowly.
- chamdo ranwu lake
- chamdo laigu glacier
East Again, Then South on the G214
An early second look at the lake, then the long re-crossing — about 330 km via Baxoi and Bangda to Markam county town at about 3,870 m, where the G318 and G214 meet. A full 8-hour road day.
- chamdo ranwu lake
- chamdo bangda grassland
Yanjing Salt Pans on the Mekong
About 100 km south of Markam, the Yanjing salt pans have been worked for over a thousand years on cliffs above the Mekong, the valley floor here at about 2,300 m. The small Catholic church nearby dates to 1865. Sleep low in Yanjing.
- chamdo yanjing salt pans
- chamdo yanjing catholic church
Dongda Pass at 5,130 m
Back north to Markam, then west on the G318 over the Dongda pass, about 5,130 m — the highest point of this loop. The road drops to Zuogong county town at about 3,800 m for the night. Take the pass slowly; no heavy climbing on foot.
- chamdo dongda pass
Zuogong to Chamdo via Bangda
A steady drive day — about 260 km east past Bangda and back up the G214 to Chamdo, arriving by late afternoon. Keep water handy and watch how you feel after yesterday's high pass.
- chamdo bangda grassland
Riverside Morning & Departure
A last riverside loop at Chama Square and the old-town lanes, then 2 hours up to Bangda Airport for the flight. Flights leave from one of the world's highest airports, so keep the morning calm.
- chamdo chama square
- chamdo bangda airport
Budget for 10 days in Chamdo
| Tier | Per day | 10 days total |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | USD $50–$80 | USD $500–$800 |
| Mid-range | USD $100–$200 | USD $1,000–$2,000 |
| Luxury | USD $300+ | USD $3,000+ |
Useful tools
Book your Chamdo trip
We may earn a commission when you book through these links. This does not affect our editorial recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the daily budget for Chamdo?
Do I need a visa to visit Chamdo?
How do I get from the airport to the center of Chamdo?
Can I use 10 days for both Chamdo and a side trip?
Is Chamdo safe for tourists?
See also: Chamdo travel guide, China visa 2026, China trip cost.