317 Sichuan-Tibet Northern Route Ultimate Guide
🏔️ Departing from Lhasa · Four-Day In-Depth Guide to Sapushan Sacred Mountain|317 Sichuan-Tibet Northern Route Ultimate Romance
“When the hustle of 318 is replaced by the secrecy of 317, the blue ice of Sapushan and the red houses of Seda will redefine your imagination of Tibet.”
This guide combines the latest field data, covering route planning, altitude sickness response, and hidden activities, to unlock a 317 pilgrimage journey that rivals 318.
📅 Itinerary Overview|Four-Day Highlight Route
DAY1: Lhasa → Biqu County (600km/8h)
• Route: Lhasa → National Highway 109 → National Highway 317 → Biqu County (navigate to “Nujiangyuan Hotel, Biqu County”).
• Road conditions: Smooth highway in the first half, many mountain switchbacks on National Highway 317 in the second half, drive cautiously.
• Accommodation: Nujiangyuan Hotel, Biqu County (standard room 200-300 RMB, best conditions in the county, Sichuan restaurant downstairs).
• Altitude sickness response: Do not bathe upon arrival, first adapt to the altitude, prepare glucose oral solution.
• Hidden activity: In the evening, visit Biqu County Cultural Square to watch Tibetan dance performances and experience local life.
DAY2: Biqu County → Sapushan Sacred Mountain (70km/2h)
• Route: Biqu County → Provincial Road 303 → Sapushan Visitor Center (navigate to “Sapushan Sacred Mountain”).
• Ticket: 150 RMB/person (includes shuttle bus), may be free in winter or during promotions.
• Outer Lake activities:
• Must-visit spots: Snow mountain reflections, popular bridge, prayer flag array (golden light at sunrise is stunning).
• Food: Only Tibetan tents offer instant noodles (15 RMB) and beef noodles (30 RMB), self-heating rice recommended.
• Inner Lake hiking:
• Route: Outer Lake → Inner Lake (3km hike, altitude 4700m, no elevation gain).
• Tips: Wear non-slip shoes, bring oxygen tank, return by villagers’ off-road vehicle (50 RMB/person).
• Accommodation:
• Outer Lake homestay: Tibetan tent bed 100 RMB/night (no private bathroom, walk to dry toilet).
• Inner Lake tents: More rugged conditions but stunning starry sky, ideal for photographers.
• Hard-earned advice: To photograph Inner Lake sunrise, communicate with villagers in advance to reserve a room or stay in Baiga Township and depart early next day.
DAY3: Sapushan Sacred Mountain → Nagqu (340km/7h)
• Route: Sapushan → National Highway 317 → Nagqu City (navigate to “Nagqu Oxygen Supply Hotel”).
• Must-see spots:
• Skull Wall (ticket 80 RMB): For the brave, experience Tibetan views on life and death.
• Nagqu Grassland: Horse riding (50 RMB/hour), soft light before sunset, perfect for photos.
• Accommodation: Nagqu Oxygen Supply Hotel (standard room 180 RMB, oxygen room required to relieve altitude sickness).
• Food: Shuxiangyuan Sichuan Cuisine (50 RMB per person, recommend spicy blood stew to warm up).
• Hidden gem: Check in at the world’s highest KFC (Zhejiang Middle Road, Nagqu City).
DAY4: Nagqu → North Shore of Namtso Lake (420km/8h)
• Route: Nagqu → National Highway 109 → Namtso Sacred Elephant Gate (advance reservation required).
• Must-see spots:
• Three Holy Stones: Iconic spot by Namtso Lake, great for couple photos.
• Sacred Elephant Gate (ticket 80 RMB): Natural stone gate reflecting on the lake, like a fairyland.
• Return: Namtso → Lhasa (220km/4h), end of trip.
⚠️ Altitude Sickness Response|317’s “Invisible Test”
1. Physical signals:
• Two physically fit companions experienced headache, eye pain, and insomnia after 3 days in Tibet (317 altitude rises quickly, Sapushan Outer and Inner Lakes at 4700m, Nagqu at 4500m).
• Warning symptoms: Persistent headache, vomiting, difficulty breathing require immediate descent.
2. Essential supplies:
• Medical oxygen tanks (15 RMB/can in Lhasa pharmacies, 30 RMB/can in Sapushan scenic area, recommend bringing 3-5 cans).
• Medications: Ibuprofen (pain relief), glucose oral solution (quick energy), Altitude sickness prevention pills.
3. Adaptation tips:
• Gradual altitude: Lhasa (3650m) → Nagqu (4500m) → Sapushan (4700m), stay one day at each stop to acclimate.
• Action rules: Walk slowly, speak less, bathe less, avoid strenuous exercise.
📸 Photography Guide|Sapushan’s “Light and Shadow Magic”
1. Golden hours:
• Sunrise: Outer Lake viewing platform, golden light on snow mountains lasts 30 minutes.
• Sunset: Inner Lake glacier, blue hour (30 minutes before sunset) with glacier’s blue glow.
2. Recommended spots:
• Outer Lake: Prayer flag array beside popular bridge, use telephoto lens to compress space, capture snow mountain and prayer flags together.
• Inner Lake: At glacier foot, low angle shooting of glacier tongue and lake junction, maximize texture.
3. Outfit suggestions:
• Bright-colored jackets (red/yellow/blue) or ethnic scarves stand out against vast landscapes.
• Windproof hat + sunglasses: Strong plateau winds, sunglasses prevent snow blindness.
🍜 Food Map|317’s “Tibetan Flavors on the Tongue”
1. Biqu County:
• Laishan Restaurant (below Nujiangyuan Hotel): Sichuan-style grilled fish (68 RMB/portion), crispy outside, tender inside.
• Tibetan noodles: Yak meat broth with pickled vegetables, 5 RMB/bowl.
2. Sapushan Sacred Mountain:
• Tibetan tents: Butter tea (10 RMB/pot) with tsampa, warms and wards off cold.
3. Nagqu City:
• Shaanxi oil-splashed noodles (next to Yuzhou Hotel): 15 RMB/bowl, large portion.
• Tibetan hotpot (Xueyu Restaurant): 98 RMB/small pot, yak meat + mushrooms, enough for two.
🚗 Transportation Field Test|317’s “Hardcore Challenge”
1. Self-driving advice:
• Vehicle: Rugged off-road vehicle (e.g., Prado), last 25km to Sapushan is gravel road, sedans easily scrape undercarriage.
• Snow chains: Essential in winter, Outer Lake of Sapushan icy and slippery.
2. Charter reference:
• From Lhasa: 4-day off-road vehicle charter about 3000-5000 RMB (includes fuel and driver fees).
3. Road condition warnings:
• Biqu County to Yangxiu Township: 70km, first 25km paved, last 45km gravel, prone to landslides in rainy season.
• Nagqu to Namtso: Frozen soil section on National Highway 109, bumpy, control speed.
💡 Ultimate Tips|317’s “Hidden Rules”
1. Border pass: Biqu County is a border area, obtain border pass in your registered residence or Lhasa before departure (write “Tibet Autonomous Region Biqu County”).
2. Signal: No signal inside Sapushan scenic area, download offline maps in advance, bring cash for tickets.
3. Environmental protection: Take all trash with you, Sapushan ecology is fragile, violators may be fined.
4. Cultural respect: Walk clockwise around the lake and when hanging prayer flags, do not point at Buddha statues, do not photograph sky burial sites.
“The romance of 317 lies in exchanging bumpy roads for a lifetime of shock, and thin air for a lifetime of clarity.”
👉 Practical Information Summary:
• 📍 Route: Lhasa → Biqu County → Sapushan Sacred Mountain → Nagqu → Namtso → Lhasa
• 🚗 Transportation: Rugged off-road vehicles best, chartering and sharing costs more economical
• 🏨 Accommodation: Nujiangyuan Hotel in Biqu County, Outer Lake homestay in Sapushan, Nagqu Oxygen Supply Hotel
• ⏰ Best time: May to October (mild climate, Sapushan blue ice November to April)
• 💰 Budget: About 2000-3000 RMB per person for 4 days (including transport, accommodation, tickets)