The Friendship Highway from Lhasa to Kathmandu
The Friendship Highway from Lhasa to Kathmandu is the main travellers’ route through Tibet. It is not really a highway, two lanes, go all the way through valleys and mountains. It involves the two major urban centers of Tsang area Shigatse and Gyantse, and other Tsang’s important attractions. Most travellers make their way by renting landcruisers to the boarder with several excellent detours along the Highway.
The new road Lhasa to Shigatse
If you want to go to Shigatse from Lhasa (about 347km) by road, there are two routes. Most passengers take the ‘high way’ heading west, the road goes all the way along the Nyang Chu River, the road system is quite good.
The old road Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse
Some people choose the original road, going south, take the mountain road, go all the way up to climb up the top of the Gangba-La pass, stop at Yamdroktso Lake, which is one of three holy lakes in Tibet, and take in the views from Samding Monastery before heading to Gyantse. In Gyantse, visit the famous Gyantse Kumbum Stupa and several adventurous excusions around the town, A 90 minute drive from Gyantse to Shigatse, en route you can visit Shalu Monastery and see interesting Tibetan art.
Shigatse
Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet, is the capital of Tsang Area. You will visit the impressive Monastery Tashilhunpo, and the spectacular tombs of the Panchen Lamas. Before heading to Lhatse from Shigatse, you can detour off the friendship Hwy to check out the stunning Sakya Monastery, stay there overnight and investigate the Northern Ruins or stay in nearby town Lhatse.
Closer to the boarder, the most popular scenery spot in Tibet is the Everest Region. Many people drive staight to Rongphu Monastery from Shegar, take a short hike to Everest Base Camp, Leave the next day. And some others take a 3-day trekking from Old Tingri, enjoy both adventure and extraordinary views of Everest and other Mountain peaks.
After Everest, head to Zhangmu and Nepal, by passing the Old Tingri where you can have a good views of Cho Oyu, and a small town Nyalam, which is always the first stop for the groups from Nepal.
Is hiring a landcruiser with a driver considered a “tour”? This is what I had planned on doing (with a group of four), but I am very confused as to if this counts as a tour guide? With all the necessary permits, is this still an acceptable way to travel in Tibet?
Hi, Moira. If you ask this question to a travel agent, the answer is no - the Chinese authority will not issue the necessary permit this way…sometimes people booked 1-2 days of tours of Lhasa, the purpose was to get the permit, then they hire a landcruiser to Mount Everest…many times it works…