Sichuan and Qinghai: Kham
to Yunnan's South-East
to Yunnan's South-West
to Yunnan's North-West
back to main New
Destinations page
Mekong in Qinghai
From Yushu roads lead to Nangchen and Zaduo, both of them on the
banks of the Mekong river. Near Nangchen, at the moderate Tibetan
altitude of about 3.600 metres above sea level, farming is still
possible, and barley is grown on the river banks. Further upstream Zaduo
is much higher, and in this area the Mekong flows through grassland.
Zaduo itself is a dusty boomtown, just out of town is an impressively
renovated monastery of the Nyingma sect. It is worth travelling here
just for the beautiful ride across mountain passes and remote
grasslands.
You may want to go yet further upstream, aiming for the river's source.
I can give you advice on travel beyond Zaduo, where the paved road ends.
And I can introduce you to useful local contacts. You will likely want
to have a local guide and Tibetan interpreter.
Kham
Kham, the southeastern part of Tibet spread out over the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan and Qinghai and the Tibet autonomous region, offers a more pure Tibet than can be found in the area around Lhasa these days. Unlike in Central Tibet, there is no big influx of Han Chinese, and there are very few tourists - western nor Chinese. A great itinerary would lead from Gyalthang (Tib) / Zhongdian (Ch) to Jyekundo / Yushu. Scenery is diverse and very beautiful, with deep and steep forested valley's and imposing rockpeaks; clear mountain streams and the big and powerful Yalong river; yellow fields of barley and grasslands with yaks and nomads. Monasteries mostly belong to the Kagyu and Sakya sects, yet another difference with Central Tibet where the Geluk (Yellow Hat) sect is predominant. Designing this itinerary, you will have to choose between the direct road from Litang to Garze or the detour via Kangding. Hotel demands of your clients will also influence other parts of your itinerary. I can help you with these questions.
Yushu - Xining
With the Yushu airport recently opened, you can now fly to Xining. But you may still prefer to travel overland. I can give you a description of the route across the high plateau, barren, endless and impressive. And I can give you information on where best to stay overnight. Plus some more on the town of Gonghe, where you may want to linger.
back to main New Destinations page