5 Days in Chamdo

Land at Bangda Airport, about 4,334 m, and drive about 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; an easy first day helps with the altitude.

1. chamdo qiangbaling monastery
2. chamdo lancang confluence

The Karuo site, 12 km southeast, holds the remains of a village from some 4,000 years ago, found in 1977. Round the day off at the city museum and keep evenings quiet at this elevation.

1. chamdo karuo site
2. chamdo museum

Head north on the G214 for about 100 km to Riwoqe, where the Chajie Hall of Riwoqe Monastery, first built in 1276, draws pilgrims and visitors alike. It is a full-day drive on a mountain road; return to Chamdo for the night.

1. chamdo riwoqe monastery

Cross the Bangda grassland at about 4,300 m to join the G318, climb to the Yela pass at 4,658 m and look down the famous 72 turns dropping more than 1,000 m to the Nu River valley. Overnight in Baxoi county town at about 3,260 m.

1. chamdo bangda grassland
2. chamdo yela pass
3. chamdo nujiang 72 turns

Early light gives the calmest reflections at Ranwu Lake, about 3,800 m above sea level. Then the honest part of the plan — a roughly 350 km return drive over the pass, 7 to 8 hours. Slow, steady driving and frequent stops.

1. chamdo ranwu lake
2. chamdo nujiang 72 turns