Live Your Best Lives
The long winter has passed, the peach blossoms are in bloom, and it's time for a date with spring. "I have no place to send my longing, so I'll wait for the spring breeze to rise. The mountains and rivers are nothing to me, the flowers bloom only for you."
Since ancient times, peach blossoms have been a favorite scene for great poets. Bai Juyi's "April's fragrance fades, the mountain temple's peach blossoms begin to bloom" captures his surprise at encountering such a magnificent spectacle. Wang Wei's "Fishing boats follow the water, enjoying the mountain spring; peach blossoms on both banks flank the ancient ferry" and "Spring arrives, the waters are covered with peach blossoms, I can't tell where the celestial spring is." The peach blossoms add an endless touch of embellishment to the spring scene, creating a fairyland-like scene.
The Linzhi area is known as the "Jiangnan of Tibet", which means "the throne of the sun" in Tibetan. The plateau river Yarlung Zangbo River flows through the Linzhi area. Every spring, the warm current from the Indian Ocean enters from here, bringing vitality to Linzhi. Different landscapes are hidden in the ravines, high mountains and dense forests.
As winter fades and spring arrives, a hundred flowers bloom. In March, the earth begins to revive, and even in Nyingchi, Tibet, at an altitude of over 2,500 meters, a world of pink blooms. Millions of wild peach trees dot the snowy mountains, creating a beautiful springtime paradise and heralding the beginning of the new year in Tibet.
Since the advent of the tale "Three Lives Three Worlds Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms," Nyingchi's peach blossoms have become increasingly well-known. Vast groves of pink peach trees and lush green barley fields dot the landscape of Tibetan villages. Snow-capped mountains in the distance are reflected in the lake. Looking down from above, wisps of mist drift by, creating a scene reminiscent of a fairyland.
The peach blossoms of Nyingchi are highland peaches, distinct from the more common southern peaches. Their scientific name is "Guanghetao," also known as "Tibetan peach" and commonly as "wild peach." They bloom wildly and abundantly on tall trees. These trees can reach a stupendous height and live for over a thousand years.
The peach blossoms in Nyingchi are primarily found along National Highway 318, in the Nyingchi, Bomi, and Niyang River scenic belts, as well as along the route from the airport to Bayi Town. From Lhasa to Nyingchi, and then on to Bomi, crossing Mila Mountain and Sejila Mountain, the desolate landscape becomes a world away as you pass Songduo. Shrubs transform into trees, and peach blossoms begin to appear. In villages, along fields, and along roadsides, peach trees sway like messengers of spring, welcoming visitors to Nyingchi to enjoy the blossoms.
Location: Bomi Taohua Valley is located on both sides of the Bodui Zangbu River, 15 kilometers northwest of Bomi County. There are many glaciers hidden in the valley.
Flowering Season: The Bomi Peach Blossom Valley blooms from early to late March, lasting about 20 days. However, due to annual climate variations, the blooming period can be earlier or later. In 2017, the blooming period was delayed by more than ten days due to a snowfall in early March.
As the first peach blossoms to bloom in Nyingchi, Bomi's peach blossoms are both early and abundant. Bomi's Peach Blossom Valley, home to 100,000 wild peach trees, has been certified by the Guinness Book of Records as China's largest peach blossom valley. These 200,000 wild peach trees, averaging 360 years old, roam freely in the valleys and pastoral landscapes along the banks of the Bodui Zangbu River, setting against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, rivers, and lakes. The best way to enjoy the Peach Blossom Valley, stretching for dozens of kilometers, is to stroll freely along the road, slowly admiring the towering peach trees lining the road and the unique scenery at every step.
Garan Lake is located at the entrance of Taohuagou and is named after Garan Village. The lake surface can well reflect the peach blossoms, villages and snow-capped mountains in the distance. It is one of the favorite shooting angles for major photography enthusiasts.
Tips:
If you walk towards Bomi Taohua Village, you can go all the way to Xumu Township and Yuren Township. There will be fewer people there, which is more suitable for taking photos. However, due to the narrow road, it is not suitable for large vehicles. You can go there by car.
Location: Nyingchi Taohua Village is located on National Highway G318, 10 kilometers southeast of Nyingchi City. Transportation is very convenient and can be reached by taxi from the city.
Flowering period: The peach blossoms in Nyingchi bloom from mid-March to early April, lasting about 25 days.
As the host venue for the Nyingchi Peach Blossom Tourism Festival, Gala Peach Blossom Village itself exemplifies its quintessential Peach Blossom beauty. While not as large as Bomi Peach Blossom Valley, the peach blossom countryside, surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the Niyang River Valley, is unique and beautiful. Within the scenic area, visitors can also experience activities such as Nyingchi arrow-sounding and traditional Guozhuang dance. The China-TravelNote photography group will also exclusively arrange for travel photographers to conduct peach blossom-themed portraits.
Tips:
The Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival is usually held in Gala Peach Blossom Village.
Location: At the entrance of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in Pai Town, Milin County, Nyingchi City. Suosong Village is the best location, with peach trees and farmland blending in. It is also one of the best places to view Mount Namjagbarwa.
Flowering period: The flowering period of the Grand Canyon is relatively late, generally from late March to mid-April, and lasts for about 20 days.
The Yarlung Zangbo River makes a 360-degree bend here, the world's largest and deepest canyon. The mountains embrace, protecting the people and the ecosystem. Wild peach blossoms on both sides of the river coexist harmoniously with humans, a close relationship unaffected by centuries of vicissitudes. And towering above the Yarlung Zangbo River, Mount Namjagbarwa, nestled in the clouds, resembles a warrior who, after years of battle, lays down his armor and rests in the gentle embrace of this idyllic paradise.
7. Suosong Village's highest point:
There's a camera spot at the top of Suosong Village that's especially popular with photographers, as you can capture peach blossoms, snow-capped mountains, and canyons without using an aerial camera. Drive up the mountain south of Suosong Village toward a blue house. In previous years, there was a 10 yuan per person entrance fee.
8. Suosong Village Riverside:
Next to the Suosong Village prayer wheel, there's a small path that leads directly to the Yarlung Zangbo River. The path is a bit bumpy and takes about 40 minutes to reach the riverside. There are many scenic views along the way. Because it's quite far, please choose one with good physical fitness. This location is not recommended.
9. Dalin Village:
Dalin Village is the last village on the south side of the Grand Canyon. However, the road leading from Suosong Village to Dalin Village is very narrow, and buses passing each other are usually at fixed positions. Therefore, before the road was widened, the scenic area buses had not yet arrived. There are not many peach blossoms in the area, but the view of Mount Namjagbarwa is indeed magnificent.
Location: Songzong Town is located about 40 kilometers southeast of Bomi County, with National Highway G318 passing through it. The peach blossoms here complement the unique shapes of the Armor Mountain and the Songdongba Re Mountain. Many tourists passing through here will stop here to admire them.
Flowering period: mid-March to early April
Location: As a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River, the Niyang River merges into the Yarlung Zangbo River near Nyingchi Airport. Its lower reaches form a wide valley, with the river channel dispersed into a braided shape. The water flows clear and slowly, and the peach blossom fields on both sides of the river add to its leisurely and comfortable beauty.
Flowering period: mid-March to early April
Location: Basongtso Lake is located in Gongbujiangda County, northeast of Nyingchi City, about a two-hour drive from the city. Nestled on an island in the center of the lake is a magical "peach-embracing-pine" (an ancient peach tree with a pine tree growing on top). During blooming season, the peach blossoms contrast beautifully with the lush green pine trees, creating a truly stunning sight. The most concentrated peach blossoms at Basongtso Lake are located in Laru Village.
Flowering period: from early April to the end of April. Sometimes when it snows, Basongcuo becomes a world of ice and snow, which is extremely beautiful.
Location: Guyu Township is located on Provincial Highway S201 between Ranwu Lake and Zayu County, 75 kilometers from Zayu County. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and deep river valleys, Guyu Township is surrounded by fences. Next to the green barley fields with random lines are swaying peach trees full of flowers, and the vitality of spring is spread in every corner.
Flowering period: mid-March to early April
Location: Located in Bujiu Township, Nyingchi City, 30 kilometers from the city center, the temple is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the Niyang River. Peach blossoms are planted throughout the temple and surrounding villages, creating a breathtaking spectacle when in bloom. The pink and white blossoms blend beautifully with the crimson temple grounds, creating a perfect backdrop for photography.
Flowering period: late March to mid-April
Starting from March, the peach blossoms in Nyingchi bloom in succession, and the most beautiful peach blossom season in Nyingchi also arrives every year. The best time to view the peach blossoms is from mid-March to the end of April.
During the flowering period, the "Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival" is held every year. Based on the time of previous years, it is speculated that the 2020 Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival will also start around the end of March (March 25th-March 29th) and last for one month.
(Due to different climates each year, the flowering period may be delayed or advanced, so this time is for reference only)
Our activities are arranged according to the order of flowering season in each region, and we rationally arrange the viewing itineraries and batches, preserving all the classic flower viewing spots so that you can see the spring colors of Tibet through peach blossoms.
What's the best way to experience spring? By being close to it, of course!
Deep in the Grand Canyon, we will hike along the Nanga Bawa Snow Mountain
Before my eyes is a tall and sturdy century-old peach tree with colorful fallen petals. At my nose is the spring breeze with the scent of peach blossoms, fragrant and rich.
Lush green barley fields, Tibetan villages, snow-capped mountains and rivers are the most beautiful backgrounds.
It’s so fun to walk and play!
Guozhuang Dance, meaning "circle dance" in Tibetan, is one of the three major Tibetan folk dances. In Nyingchi, if you have the opportunity to catch a local festival, be sure to visit a Tibetan family home. They will welcome you with barley wine and butter tea. After a satisfying meal and wine, they will even lead you in singing and dancing with their local folk dance, the Guozhuang Dance.
As night falls, a bonfire is lit in the center of the Tibetan-style guesthouses and inns throughout the Grand Canyon, and everyone gathers in a circle to sing and dance the Guozhuang dance. At that moment, traveling to a place becomes integrating into the life of that place.
Japanese people love to bring their families and have picnics under the trees with food when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. We also prepared such an experience with Tibetan specialties.
The group members sat happily under the tree, enjoying the snow-capped mountains, the river, the peach blossoms, the houses, the cattle and sheep, and the pastoral scenery.
Take a photo with towering snow-capped mountains and vibrant peach blossoms in the local Tibetan costume. Nyingchi's traditional clothing is made of gongbu Tibetan cloth and cashmere, costing over 10,000 yuan. Local Tibetans typically wear them during festivals. During the Peach Blossom Festival, we also offer a special opportunity to experience taking photos in Tibetan costume.
You can wear it and take photos, leaving your image in the most beautiful scenery~
Food (Sichuan cuisine + Tibetan cuisine + Tibetan pork + stone pot chicken)
The cuisine in Nyingchi is primarily Sichuan and Tibetan. Due to the large number of tourists, the Sichuan cuisine in Nyingchi is less spicy, making it more suitable for most palates. A special recommendation is the Stone Pot Chicken, a dish cooked in a mica stone pot unique to Medog, which is exceptionally heat-retaining. It is slow-cooked with ingredients such as ginseng, matsutake mushrooms, angelica, and native chicken. The flavor is unique, with the broth having a subtle medicinal aroma and the chicken being tender and springy. It is a popular dish among tourists.
In addition, the Tibetan fragrant pork, a specialty of Nyingchi, is also not to be missed. The local Tibetan fragrant pigs are raised in the mountains and forests and often eat wild medicinal herbs such as cordyceps, matsutake mushrooms, and bracken. The meat is delicious, plump and nutritious.
◆Accommodation (B&B + Hotel)
Driven by years of tourism development, accommodation in Nyingchi has seen a comprehensive improvement, with a wide range of high-end, mid-range, and low-end options to meet the needs of all types of tourists. These include large-scale, high-end hotels and unique family-run guesthouses run by local Tibetans. Five-star hotels such as the Hilton Manor Hotel, the Poly Yatu Hotel, and the Evergrande Hotel have already established a presence in the area.
Nyingchi is located in the southeast of Tibet. It has one airport, Milin Airport, but no train station. However, there are shuttle buses to and from major cities in Tibet and Chengdu. The following are recommended ways to reach Nyingchi:
Airplane
The most time-saving and convenient transportation option is direct flights to Nyingchi from Chengdu, Chongqing, Lhasa, Xi'an, Kunming, and Guangzhou. Other cities offer connecting flights from these airports. Some flights are not available daily; please check online for details. Due to the complex conditions at Nyingchi Airport, flights are rare, and almost all of them are early morning flights. Please plan your trip accordingly. Alternatively, fly directly to Lhasa and then take a bus from there. With the opening of the expressway, this only takes about six hours.
Train
Since there is no train station in Nyingchi, you can only take a train to Lhasa and then take a shuttle bus or charter bus to Nyingchi. The shuttle bus takes about 6 hours.
Self-driving
Those with more time can also choose to drive to Nyingchi. From Chengdu, take National Highway G318. From Lijiang or Dali, take National Highway G214 and then connect to National Highway G318. Due to the long distance and complex plateau conditions, this trip is suitable for those with both self-driving experience and plateau experience. It generally takes at least seven days.
The climate in Nyingchi in spring is warm and pleasant, with daytime temperatures of 15-20 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures of around 0-5 degrees Celsius. The probability of precipitation is low, with sunny and cloudy days being the main weather, and a small chance of rain and snow. Therefore, clothing should take into account both daytime sun protection and nighttime warmth. It is also necessary to pay attention to windproof, sun-proof and dryness-resistant clothing. The following are recommended clothing recommendations:
Head: woolen hat or baseball cap + sunglasses + headscarf
Upper body: warm coat + thin down jacket, or three-piece jacket + thin down jacket
Lower body: warm pants or jeans + autumn trousers or linen pants,
Feet: Warm socks or wool socks + hiking shoes or other warm flat shoes;
It is also recommended to bring skin care products such as sunscreen, lipstick, moisturizer, etc.; drink more water, eat more fruits, and exercise moderately during the trip.
I think altitude sickness is definitely one of the biggest concerns that keeps people away from Tibet, especially given the decades of misinformation that has circulated, portraying altitude sickness as a potentially deadly plague. These are all rumors, so let me explain the correct understanding of altitude sickness.
When people who normally live on the plains reach altitudes above 3,000 meters, the lack of oxygen and low pressure triggers a series of chain reactions in the body, resulting in various symptoms known as altitude sickness. Generally, it takes healthy people 1-3 days to overcome altitude sickness. After 3 days, the body gradually adapts to the plateau environment and the discomfort subsides. The length of this adaptation period varies from person to person, but those with prior plateau experience will have a shorter adaptation period.
Our main travel destination is Nyingchi, the lowest point in Tibet, with an average altitude of around 3,000 meters. The altitude of our accommodation increases daily, following the human body's adaptation rules. The travel pace is relatively relaxed, so don't worry too much.
Common symptoms of altitude sickness include dizziness, headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing. Most people experiencing altitude sickness for the first time experience varying degrees of altitude sickness, with approximately 15% experiencing severe symptoms (based on the percentage of people experiencing altitude sickness while leading tours to Tibet). Severe cases require drinking plenty of water and, if necessary, oxygen to alleviate the symptoms (China-TravelNote provides medical oxygen throughout all Tibet itineraries). In severe cases, seek medical attention promptly.
Measures to prevent and alleviate altitude sickness
Just as isatis root prevents colds, rhodiola rosea can also effectively prevent altitude sickness. However, to be effective, rhodiola rosea must be taken in advance. Starting to brew rhodiola root cubes, powder, or capsules 7-10 days before heading to the plateau can preemptively activate the body's oxygen-carrying capacity and prepare for the hypoxic environment of the plateau.
●Try not to stay up late and stop your daily exercise one week before departure to help your body adjust to its optimal state and shorten the time it takes to switch to plateau mode;
After arriving at the plateau, such as after landing in Lhasa, it is recommended that you get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, exercise lightly, eat small meals frequently, and eat until you are only 50% full each time;
●A good, optimistic and positive attitude is also a necessary preparation to prevent altitude sickness. The more you worry about gains and losses, the more likely you are to induce or even aggravate altitude sickness. However, if you are carefree and let altitude sickness take its course, the probability of suffering from altitude sickness will be lower.
People with any of the following conditions should not travel to areas above 3,000 meters in altitude:
First, various organic heart diseases, significant arrhythmias or resting heart rate greater than 100 beats/minute, hypertension stage II or above, various blood diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases;
Second, chronic respiratory diseases, moderate or above obstructive lung diseases, such as bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysema, active pulmonary tuberculosis, and pneumoconiosis;
Third, uncontrolled diabetes, epilepsy, and schizophrenia;
Fourth, those suffering from severe colds or upper respiratory tract infections with a body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius or below 38 degrees Celsius but with obvious systemic and respiratory symptoms;
Fifth, those who have been diagnosed with high-altitude pulmonary edema, high-altitude cerebral edema, high-altitude hypertension with significantly increased blood pressure, high-altitude heart disease, and high-altitude polycythemia;
Sixth, high-risk pregnant women.
"Who is grazing, grazing the fragrance of spring flowers, peach blossoms blooming into waves of love, pink memories flowing with the Niyang River, whose singing is loud under the snow-capped mountains, colorful flowers, telling the love of spring, who can imagine the thoughts of peach blossoms, romantic snow-capped mountains, reflecting your smile, your beauty, is unparalleled in the world."
With a heart full of joy, I wait for the spring breeze to blow. When the peach blossoms bloom, I will wait for you in Linzhi.
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