When you mention Tibet, what is the first thought that comes into your mind? Mysterious? Dangerous? Holy? Unknown?
For me, Tibet is a place with deep memories and nostalgia. I recall a journey 7 years ago that was full of unknowns, dangers and surprises. I embarked on a journey from Lhasa across the Ngari region alone. On the way to Nepal, we experienced heavy snowfall, vehicles skidding on the edge of cliffs, and sleeping in the wilderness at temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius. We also met travelers with interesting souls, and we met by chance but stayed with us. Now I think back to where I got the courage to embark on this journey. Maybe at some point in my life I need to push myself. I worry too much and cannot move forward. On the road, I regain my original intention. Seven years later, when a friend proposed a self-driving trip to Tibet, my heart still surged with longing to return to Lhasa.
Before departure, I was thinking about how I would feel when I returned to Tibet. But seven days later, when I was sitting in a bar in Lhasa drinking alone, I recalled certain people and certain things, and my heart felt calm and indifferent. No regrets, just drink this cup for your bravery and growth.
Through these casually recorded images and words, I share with you every bit of this journey. Maybe we have had similar feelings and screams.
D1
Chengdu - Yingxiu - Siguniang Mountain Shuangqiaogou - Danba? -----Departure
Chengdu was chosen as the base for the journey, 5.1 The "congestion" during this period left a deep impression on friends in Shanghai. On the shaky, stop-and-go road, we passed through Dujiangyan, Yingxiu, Wolong Canyon, Balangshan Tunnel, Siguniang Mountain, Shuangqiaogou, and Xiaojin County. After an hour's drive, we finally arrived at our first stop, Damba.
Only after visiting Danba in person did I realize that the reputation of the most beautiful countryside in China is well-deserved. Driving along the winding mountain road, I was intoxicated with oxygen, dizzy with the green grass, and the bells of the cattle not far away hit my ears, like a dream.
This kind of beauty is not created beauty, but original beauty. Only original beauty has the power to move people's hearts.
D2
Danba Zangzhai-Bamei-Tagong-Xinduqiao Town-Yajiang-----Girl
We will enter one after another We are in a high-altitude area. Because of our previous experience, we all prepared medicines to deal with high altitude sickness in advance. We started from Danba Zangzhai, passed through Yala Snow Mountain and Moshi Park, and arrived at Tagong Grassland.
Tagong Grassland is a good place to take pictures and eat beef skewers. The beautiful Tibetan woman "Beef Skewers Xishi" not only sells beef skewers but also chats. We listened to her talk while eating beef skewers: " How much does a yak cost? She made money buying a house in Chengdu a few years ago, and now she wants to find a boyfriend in Chengdu." Interested men can go.
After replenishing protein, we continued westward and arrived at Xinduqiao at about 2 or 3 pm that day. Being obsessed with snow-capped mountains, we decided to go to Black Rock City to see Gongga Snow Mountain from a distance, but our persistence was blocked by the forest. Fire prevention requirements were broken, and the original route was impassable. In order to prevent overly enthusiastic pilgrims from crossing the defense line, local Tibetans took turns guarding us. When we arrived, we happened to meet a little Tibetan girl, about 12 or 3 years old, with an innocent look on her face. , we tried our best to chat, sing, and tell stories with her. She smiled sweetly every time, but never let her go.
In the end, the little girl was so frustrated by us that she asked her mother to point us to another route. This route was rugged and we groped all the way, and it took us more than an hour to get there. Mountain top.
Unfortunately, due to the strong wind on the top of the mountain and the low temperature, we groped in the wind and snow for about half an hour after getting off the car and were unable to witness the most beautiful moment of Gongga Snow Mountain.
I never thought that the magnificence of Yajiang River at night would make up for this regret.
D3
Yajiang-Litang-Batang-----Dingzhen
Everyone was a little tired in the morning, so they waited until 10 o'clock to get there. Starting from Yajiang, we slowly walked along the meadow. I was impressed by the broad sight lines that I would never find in the city. I was also surprised that the scenery between the meadows can be connected to each other, which is especially suitable for chatting, being in a daze, or missing.
After a winding journey, we arrived at Litang, Ding Zhen’s hometown. After arriving, we made an appointment to see Ding Zhen, but he was not in the county that day, so we had to give up and choose to go to Cangyang Gyatso Memorial Hall. tour. Litang is indeed as vast as the promotional video, as vast as a bronze mirror, with lush trees and unmelted snow dotted among it. It deserves to be "a patchwork of scenery."
After admiring the beautiful scenery of Litang, we continued along the Wuliang River Valley Going up, we passed through Damaoya Grassland, Sister Lake, and finally arrived at Batang. In the evening, at my instigation, all of us in the car chose a sauna and massage. Although the journey was beautiful, the physical fatigue was also worthy of soothing.
D4
Batang-Copugou Scenic Area-Mangkang-Rumei-----Poetry
Today is the day with the most time in the entire journey , we decided to swim slowly. The beauty of Batang is that the mountains, rivers, lakes and seas are combined into a poem. The poems are constantly changing with the change of light, making people forget reality and enter the poem.
In today’s itinerary, the Cuopugou Scenic Area has just been developed and we are not allowed to drive by ourselves. We can only take the scenic bus. The tour guides we met along the way are all local aborigines and enthusiastically guide us to Cuopu Valley. It happened to be snowing slightly when we visited the temple. There was no beer or fried chicken on the mountain, so just having instant noodles and eating hot spring eggs was one of the fun things in life.
After visiting Cuopu Monastery, we "crossed" the Jinsha River and officially entered the Tibetan area. We continued walking to Mangkang, the first county town after entering Tibet. Before we went there, we were taught the local specialty "Jiajia Noodles". Although it is local ingredients and local craftsmanship, because we are used to eating sweets, it is not It was very adaptable. The four of us didn't eat much. In addition, after entering Tibetan areas, Tibetans prefer to interact with locals. Maybe it is due to some cultural differences. Later, I never met Tibetans as enthusiastic as Sichuan. There are no Tibetan girls who want to listen to my singing.
D5
Rumei-Zogong-Bangda-Basu----Escape
After a good night's rest, everyone is in high spirits , we set off from Congrumei early in the morning, crossed the Lancang River, and climbed over the highest mountain pass on the Sichuan-Tibet line - Dongda Mountain.
I met a yak on the road in the morning, so I simply chose beef hotpot at noon and bought it with Meituan. However, the boss forgot to verify it and was chased by him on a motorcycle. Fortunately, he was not far away, otherwise he would have skipped the order.
Then pass through the Bangda Grassland, cross the Yala Mountains, and see the famous "72 Nujiang Turns" on the Sichuan-Tibet Line. This continuous mountain road turns, and there are often oncoming large vehicles approaching. The driver's pleasure lies in A constant rush of adrenaline, the fun of being in the passenger seat is having a great view but not having to react quickly.
After visiting the Nujiang Grand Canyon, we arrived in Basu County. We must recommend the local matsutake hot pot. Although it is no longer the season for eating matsutake, the soup base is clear and fragrant. At this moment, the soul is in the food. Get some relief.
If you pass by, remember to taste it. After the meal, four of us walked into the square and danced around the fire with the local Tibetans. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take pictures of the bright bonfire. There was fire and dancing. All it takes is a big glass of wine to get you drunk on the grass.
D6
Basu -Ranwu-----Accident 1
After the 6th day of the trip went smoothly, some accidents began to occur.
Starting from Basu, we drove for about 2.5 hours and when we were approaching Ranwu Lake, the water tank of the car burst. Fortunately, there was an auto repair shop nearby, but the parts needed to be shipped from Lhasa, so we had to change the itinerary and stay there. Ranwu.
Staying in the auto repair shop was too boring, so we decided to pack the Tibetan car and go to the Ranwu Lake and Renlongba Glacier. The Renlongba Glacier is more than 4,000 meters above sea level. The three of us were big men in the wind and snow. It took about an hour of hiking to reach the glacier. Fortunately, the three of us had no serious symptoms of high fever in such an environment. We were all laughing when we saw each other in the wind and snow. Soon we will not remember what we said at that time. What, but I will definitely remember the coldness not far away and the warmth beside me, as well as the sky changing from pale white to finally being swallowed up by gray.
But we couldn’t laugh anymore when we returned to the repair shop. When we returned to the repair shop, we learned that the car transporting parts had an accident and we had to wait an extra day. In addition, another friend had a severe high fever and the trip was canceled. It’s extremely disruptive, but the journey is like life, and you will inevitably encounter unexpected events. Sometimes you have to adapt to circumstances, and sometimes you have to be content with the situation.
D7
Ranwu-Bomi-----Accident 2
After many communications with the owner of the auto repair shop, he finally agreed to lend us the car We drove to Bomi for fun. After the car was repaired the next day, he drove our car to exchange it. We could save some time on the journey. After arriving in Bomi, because it was at a low altitude, my friend who had high fever was in much better health. We were ready to After eating the famous local sauerkraut chicken in the evening, we unanimously ordered mild spicy when ordering. After the dish was served, we found that it was too spicy. The reason is that their spiciness levels are slightly spicy, mildly spicy, and medium spicy. Here , cultural differences are reflected in "slightly spicy" and "slightly spicy".
After dinner, the three of them chose to catch up on their sleep, while I walked around and explored alone. The small town of Bomi has a beautiful scenery, and you can see the snow-capped mountains on both sides from a distance. Wandering along is also pleasant.
D8
Bomi-Tongmai-Lulang-Ningchi-Lhasa-----Homeward Journey
When I got up in the morning, I waited for the notification that the car had been repaired. I was relieved, and after lunch, the car was delivered, and then I set off immediately, having to cover two days of journey in one day. First go to Tongmai, pass the Tongmai Bridge, pass through the dense forest of Lulang, and cross the Sejila Mountain with an altitude of more than 4,700 meters. This mountain is also the best viewing place for Namjagbarwa Peak.
After crossing the Sejila Mountain, you will go downhill all the way. This section of the mountain road has many turns. Finally, you will reach Linzhi County in the lower reaches of the Niyang River, and then enter the Linla Highway, a 400km highway, which is much faster than Kaili. The mountain road is much easier, and the scenery along the way is also very good. You can try driving this road again next time, it is easy and you can see the beautiful scenery. After nine hours of running, we finally arrived in Lhasa. Although it was almost 11 o'clock in the evening, after accompanying my friend to the hospital for dental treatment, I sent my friend back to the hotel.
But there was always some unfulfilled wish in my heart, so I went to the Potala Palace late at night to leave my footprints.
I went to the hotel alone and had a cup of Baileys. After I finished my obsession with having a drink in Lhasa, I went back to the hotel to relax and sleep.
During this journey, although the body is tired, the heart is pure, relaxed and satisfied.
Looking back on the many interesting people and things I met along the way, I also recalled myself and my original intention back then.
When I was young, I wished I could go further and see more scenery. And the more scenery we see now, the more we need to remind ourselves not to neglect greater pursuits for the sake of immediate benefits and enjoyment.
Next stop, start again.