China Day 10 - Nyingchi to Lhasa via new Expressway G4218

There was only one agenda today. Get to Lhasa ASAP and explore the ancient Capital of Tibet. With the advise from our Tibet Guide Tenzin, he told us to skip all the detour stop along the way and just head for a beeline to Lhasa.

We trusted Tenzin so instead of the National Road of G318, we all hit the highway between Nyingchi – Lhasa which was the G4218 running just parallel with G318. 

G4218 Highway Rest Stop from Nyingchi to Lhasa 

The suggested photo stops of Xiuba Mellennium Castle Group, Huge Rock in Middle of Niyang River, Taizhao Ancient City and Mira Mountain Pass at 5013m was all skipped by taking the highway.

It was nice being able to cruise at a high speed after spending many days going through rough terrain in Tibet. The roads were lovely and the mountains scene was just as beautiful so the journey on the highway passed very quickly even though the journey today was nearly 400km

We all reached Lhasa nice and early and I immediately hit the streets of the ancient city to explore. The group split up doing their own thing with some cars going for a maintenance service while others took a rest or did some laundry. 

Bahkhor Street - Lhasa Tibet 

Bahkhor Street - Lhasa Tibet 

Bahkhor Street - Lhasa Tibet 

I was running. We only had two days in Lhasa and it was such a vibrant cultural city that I knew even a week would not be enough to fully understand this living historical city.

After so many days of just nature, Lhasa was a fresh hit of culture. Condense culture and historical legacy that made even the first few hours in Lhasa a little overwhelming to the sensory. 

Narrow streets with very old buildings mixed with locals living their lives within the little maze hidden from the mass throng of tourist made this city so much different compared to Lijiang of Dali.

Exploring the Residential Area behind Bahkhor Street - Lhasa 

Local Bread - Lhasa Tibet 

Lhasa was a living city so a little exploration beyond the main street of tourist survivor trinkets showed much of how alive this city was. 

That night we had one of our largest group dinners going out for some nice good hot pot. Interestingly we also ventured outside the old city for food and boxing the old ancient city of Lhasa was modern Lhasa with civilization clearly blossoming.

Modern Lhasa surrounding the Ancient City of Lhasa 

Great Food, Great People, Great Place - Tibet 

Traveled on: May 2024