Lhasa → Shenzhaxiang Tianmen, an ultimate one-day journey through paradise

🚗 One-day itinerary timeline (step-by-step guide) I booked a one-day tour, departing Lhasa before dawn. If you're lucky, you can see the sun shining on the mountain peaks 💡 Tips: Wear the warmest clothes. Speeding along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, the route offers magnificent views of the northern Tibetan grasslands. Although the grass is withered in winter, the snow-capped mountains are truly beautiful. The journey starts smoothly, but the last section is the famous "washboard road." Many say it's very bumpy online, but I thought it was okay. After more than six hours, we finally arrived at Shenzhaxiang Tianmen! The view suddenly opens up, with a huge stone elephant standing in the crystal-clear lake. 📸 Crazy photo time! Take the shuttle bus in the scenic area to the viewing platform, where you can get close-up photos of the stone elephant. There is also a climb to the Crescent Bay viewing platform, accessible by hiking up a steep dirt path next to Shenzhaxiang Tianmen. This is the most challenging but unmissable part of the trip! The altitude is high and the ascent steep, so take it slow. (Be careful in winter as there is snow.) When you stand on the mountaintop and see Namtso Lake forming a perfect crescent-shaped arc, reflecting the distant snow mountains, you will understand what "life is worth it" means. Check-in for 1.5 hours, then return to Lhasa, carrying full memories and photos, and start the journey back. On the way back, you can freely edit photos and post on social media! Arrive in Lhasa city around 8 p.m., ending a perfect and fulfilling day. Winter in Tibet is very beautiful, and many places offer free admission for winter travel 🎫