[2024 Motuo Attraction] Travel Guide for Guoguotang Big Turn (Updated Dec)
Rivers
Straits/Fjords
Address:
Within Motuo County, Nyingchi City
Opening times:
Open year round, 24/7Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
0.5 hour
A journey through the four seasons in one day - a trip to Motuo.
I planned this trip in March, but only now remembered to write about it.
Starting from Bomi County at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, we took the winding mountain road to reach Gawalong Monastery at an altitude of 3,700 meters (it was cloudy when we arrived).
After passing through the Galongla Tunnel, the sky suddenly cleared up.
You will see snow-capped mountains and glaciers, and gradually descend along the Zhamo Highway.
Several different vegetation zones come into view.
We passed through several waterfalls along the way.
By the time we reached the Yarlung Zangbo River, we were already in the tropics.
There may be traffic jams (take the opportunity to take off your clothes).
We passed by a village where we could buy some local specialties.
Local specialties include bananas and big lemons (scientific name: citron), and dried big lemons are very good.
Motuo County is not big, and the climate is humid and comfortable.
To go to the Guogotang Big Bend, you need to buy a ticket and take a sightseeing bus.
On the return trip, you can sit at the back of the sightseeing bus, which gives you a feeling of traveling through a primeval forest.
Olivia_123
Hidden Lotus Sanctuary Motuo, an impromptu journey to the secret realm of Tibet
🌟Travel Plan🌟
Embark on a journey to Tibet, and Motuo is an unmissable secret realm! It is recommended to arrange 5-7 days to deeply experience the dual shock of nature and culture. Starting from Lhasa, feel the plateau scenery along the way and reach "the last county in China accessible by road".
🎒Travel Essentials🎒
- Waterproof hiking shoes👟: Motuo is rainy, a good pair of shoes is crucial.
- Warm clothing🧥: The temperature difference on the plateau is large, warm clothing is essential.
- Sunscreen🧴& Sunglasses🕶️: Strong ultraviolet rays, sunscreen is a must.
- Emergency medicines💊: Altitude sickness medicine, band-aids, etc.
🚗About Transportation🚗
From Bomi to Motuo, you need to cross the Galongla Snow Mountain. The road conditions are complex, so it is recommended to charter a car or join a local tour group for safety first. The scenery along the way is stunning, remember to ask the driver to stop at several spots for photos!
🛡️Safe Travel🛡️
- Respect local customs, do not touch religious items casually.
- Be wary of altitude sickness, move slowly, and drink plenty of water.
- Pay attention to landslides during the rainy season, and follow the arrangements of the guide or driver.
🏞️Must-Visit Attractions🏞️
- Guoguo Tang Grand Bend🌊: The magnificent turn of the Yarlung Zangbo River, breathtaking.
- Motuo Hiking Trail👣: Traverse the primeval forest, challenge yourself, and encounter stunning waterfalls.
- Menba Village🏡: Experience unique ethnic customs and taste authentic Menba cuisine.
📸Photo Spots📸
- Galongla Snow Mountain Pass🏔️: Leave your footprints at the top of the snow mountain.
- Primeval Forest Light and Shadow🌳: Capture the interplay of natural light and shadow, every frame is a masterpiece.
🍜Local Delicacies🍜
- Stone Pot Chicken🍲: Cooked in pots made from local stones, the chicken soup is incredibly delicious.
- Tsampa Yogurt🥛: A traditional Menba delicacy, sweet and sour, a perfect palate cleanser.
💡Tips💡
- Book accommodation in advance, it's hard to find a room during peak season.
- Keep your phone charged, signal is intermittent.
- Respect nature, take your trash with you, and protect this pure land.
Come to my homepage to unlock more beautiful secrets and travel tips of Motuo, Tibet!👇
EmilyDonovan95
Is Motuo, recommended by Hu Ge, really worth visiting?
It was once the only county in China that required a ticket for entry, and it is also the last county in China to have roads built to it—Tibet's Motuo🏞️
How to get to Motuo?
🚗Self-driving: The current route to Motuo is the Zhamo Highway, but the road is not open to traffic after 8 p.m., and Motuo implements a system where you can only leave on odd-numbered days and enter on even-numbered days.
🚌Bus: Currently, there is only one bus route from Nyingchi to Motuo, which you can take from Bayi Town in Nyingchi (departs at 8 a.m.)
⚠️Attention:
✔️You need a border pass to enter Motuo, as well as an ID card, otherwise you cannot enter
⏰Best time to travel: April to May and September to November each year
About Motuo
Motuo, which means 'flower' in Tibetan, is a county under the jurisdiction of Nyingchi City in the Tibet Autonomous Region, and it is the only county in China that hangs on the southern slope of the Himalayas. For a time, there was a fee to enter, but since March 16, 2023, Motuo has announced the cancellation of the entrance fee.
🔥Must-visit attractions
Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon
The world's largest canyon, with dense rivers and lakes, marshes, snow-capped mountains, and glaciers, offers many magnificent and strange sights. Every year from March to April, the banks of the canyon are filled with dense wild peach forests, and from above, you can see the endless torrent of the river and the peach blossoms🌸, which is incredibly beautiful.
Guguotang Big Bend
This is a landmark of the Yarlung Zangbo River, and because it looks like a lollipop from above, it has this cute name. From the viewing platform, you can see the banana groves and the Yarlung Zangbo River, with very picturesque scenery.
Galongla Snow Mountain
Known as the 'sacred mountain,' its majestic peaks and snow-covered summit are breathtaking.🏔 There is also a Galongla Heavenly Pond on the snow mountain, like a pearl set at an altitude of 4700 meters, very clear. The Galong Temple near the Galongla Tunnel is also worth a visit.
Namjagbarwa Peak
With its steep peak shape, sharp mountain tips, and huge, sharp triangular peak body soaring into the clouds, it is awe-inspiring.
Mirage Viewing Platform
Here you can witness the sunrise over the Yarlung Zangbo River🌅, view the sea of clouds in Motuo, enjoy the mist over the Yarlung Zangbo River, and take in the panoramic view of Motuo County.
Gelin Village
Motuo's popular village, a must-visit! It's like spring all year round here, as if it's a 'Shangri-La' hidden deep in the canyon. Not only is it the best angle to view Namjagbarwa Peak, but it also has China's tallest Bhutan pine, a must-visit spot.
When you arrive in Motuo, you can't help but exclaim: 'There are such beautiful places in this world!'😍
LEVI MAXWELL
Is Motuo, recommended by Hu Ge, really worth visiting?
It was once the only county in China that required a ticket for entry, and it was also the last county in China to be accessible by road. With snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and ancient villages, every scene is breathtaking. It is Tibet's Motuo~
~
How to get to Motuo?
🚗Self-driving: Currently, the Zhamo Highway is the route to enter Motuo, but the road is closed to traffic after 8 p.m., and Motuo implements a single-exit, double-entry policy, for example, exit only on the 1st, and entry only on the 2nd.
🚌Bus: There is currently only one bus from Nyingchi to Motuo, which can be taken from Bayi Town in Nyingchi (departs at 8 a.m.)
⚠Attention: ✔A border pass is required for Motuo, as well as an ID card, otherwise entry is not allowed
⏰Best time to travel: April to May and September to November each year
~
About Motuo
Motuo, which means 'flower' in Tibetan, is a county under the jurisdiction of Nyingchi City in the Tibet Autonomous Region and is the only county in China that hangs on the southern slope of the Himalayas. For a time, there was a fee to enter, but as of March 16, 2023, Motuo has announced the cancellation of the entrance fee.
~
🔥Must-visit attractions
Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon
The world's largest canyon, with dense rivers and lakes, marshes, snow-capped mountains, and glaciers, offers many magnificent and strange sights. Every year from March to April, the canyon is filled with dense wild peach forests, and from above, one can see the endless torrent of the river and the peach blossoms 🌸, which are incredibly beautiful.
Guxiangtang Great Bend
This is a signature spot of the Yarlung Zangbo River, and because it looks like a lollipop from above, it has this cute name. From the viewing platform, you can see the banana forests and the Yarlung Zangbo River, with very picturesque scenery.
Galongla Snow Mountain
Known as the 'sacred mountain,' its magnificent peaks and snow-covered summits are breathtaking. 🏔 There is also a Galongla Heavenly Pond on the snow mountain, like a pearl set at an altitude of 4700 meters, very clear. The Galong Temple near the Galongla Tunnel is also worth a visit.
Namjagbarwa Peak
With its steep peak shape, sharp mountain tips, and huge, pointed triangular peak body soaring into the clouds, it is awe-inspiring.
Mirage Viewing Platform
Here you can witness the sunrise 🌅 over the Yarlung Zangbo River, view the cloud sea of Motuo, admire the clouds and mist of the Yarlung Zangbo River, and take in the panoramic view of Motuo county.
Gelin Village
Motuo's popular village, a must-visit, where it is spring all year round, like a 'Shangri-La' hidden deep in the canyon. Not only is it the best angle to view Namjagbarwa Peak, but it also has the tallest Bhutan pine in China, a must-visit spot.
When you arrive in Motuo, you can't help but exclaim: 'There is such a beautiful place in this world!'
emmelineraeburn97
I have finally arrived at the place I've dreamt of for so long! This is Motuo!
By chance, I came to Motuo. Motuo is the last county in China to be connected by a highway, with an altitude difference of over 7000 meters, and is extremely rich in natural resources. It is often said that 'There is only one Motuo in the world, and Motuo has the whole world'.
To get to Motuo, one must travel through the Motuo Highway. Near the Galongla Tunnel on the road, it is still covered with snow and ice, a vast expanse of white. But once you cross over the Galongla Mountain, a lush greenery awaits, a completely different new world. The vegetation is rich, the rivers are rushing, and it feels more like being in the mountains of the south. I even saw banana trees on the road, which I found quite magical.
I originally thought that the county town of Motuo would be quite old-fashioned, but the reality is completely different. The county is full of shops, brightly lit, bustling and lively, no different from any other city. Whether it's accommodation or dining, you can be satisfied.
The surprises that Motuo brought me did not stop there. Here, I saw the great bend of the Yarlung Zangbo River from my childhood textbooks—the Guoguotang Great Bend. When the textbook images entered reality, I deeply understood the saying 'Reading thousands of books is like traveling thousands of miles'.
I was in a hurry and did not take many photos. Except for the last one of the Guoguotang Great Bend, the rest of the photos were taken near the tourist center. It's okay, Motuo, we'll meet again next time!
SKYLER OSBORNE
Two-day tour guide for Motuo, Tibet
Lotus Secret Realm - Motuo
Thanks to Zhang Qiling from 'Tomb Notes', we have added Motuo as a tourist destination in this trip.
Base: Bomi
Bomi is the starting point, with a double-entry and single-exit, entering Motuo on July 4 and leaving on July 5.
Passing through the Galong Tunnel and entering the territory of Motuo, Motuo is the last county town with a highway, and many people make this trip specifically to experience the Motuo highway. The winding and tortuous old highway, many sections of which have been washed away.
For the washed-away sections, it would be very difficult for a sedan to pass, and there are two sections of bad roads where the chassis of city off-road vehicles will be scraped. In addition, Motuo is rainy, with clouds and fog, so please do not drive too fast.
Main checkpoints on the road: waterfall, Buddha's handprint, car washing section (you can see banana trees all over the mountains on the road, and there are also small bananas with the special flavor of Motuo for sale on the roadside).
After arriving in Motuo, you can go around this small county town, which can be finished quickly.
Accommodation: Hotels in Motuo are relatively more expensive than in Bomi, we chose a hotel that costs 300 per night, the room facilities are okay.
Catering: Stone pot chicken and Menba hand-grabbed rice.
Main attractions after entering Motuo: Gogotang Big Bend - Yarlung Zangbo River Big Bend, Green Village, Renqin Temple.
Motuo is very close to the border line, and a border defense certificate is required, which can be obtained in Bomi.
⚠️: There are many locusts in Motuo, please be careful ⚠️
DANIELLE JENSEN
Explore the secret realm of Motuo
😽【Recommended Attractions】Guoguotang Big Bend, Renqinbeng Temple, Motuo Museum, Skirt Lake, Tiger Mouth Waterfall, Budachebo, Duoxiongla Mountain, etc.
😽
1、Guoguotang Big Bend
Guoguotang Big Bend is a huge bend formed by the Yarlung Zangbo River
2、Renqinbeng Temple
This temple is quite famous in all of Tibet
3、Skirt Lake: 15 kilometers away from the county town, on the west side of the lower reaches of Xigong Temple River, is a natural lake formed on the waist of Skirt Mountain, in the shape of a crescent
4、Hiking in Green Village: There is a hiking route near Green Village, which will pass through the leech forest along the way
5、Tiger Mouth Waterfall: The name "Tiger Mouth" comes from this plank road cut into the cliff halfway up the mountain, which is very dangerous 😽Best Time
April-May and September-November are the best tourist seasons in Motuo. From December to March, the road is closed due to heavy snow. From June to August, it is the protection season, with a sharp increase in precipitation, a higher chance of landslides and mudslides, and more locusts. These two periods are not the best time
😽Self-driving: Now Motuo has cancelled the rule that non-four-wheel drive cars are not allowed to enter. You can get there along the Zamo Highway, with even numbers in and odd numbers out, but the road conditions are not very good. It's a test of driving skills, and those without plateau driving experience can't make it.
Bus: At present, there is a bus from Nyingchi to Motuo, which needs to be taken from Bayi Town, the capital of Nyingchi, at a cost of 182 yuan/person, and the departure time is 8:00 in the morning.
😽Hiking: The Motuo hiking route is one of the top ten hiking routes in China. Now the difficulty of hiking is much simpler than before when there was no road, but it is not suitable for everyone, and the daunting leech area is still there. Those without outdoor experience can ignore this (hiking requires a leader and local reporting).