Reverse tourism is really amazing, and this place is seriously underrated

An experienced outdoor traveler who has been to Tibet many times tells you that visiting Everest and squeezing into the base camp for a check-in is a beginner's play. Hidden in Tibet is an epic hiking route sealed by time—the Everest East Slope Circuit. Every frame here is a stunning blockbuster; this is where the true soul of the "Third Pole" lies.
🚶‍♂ Classic 8-10 day trekking itinerary (both light and heavy packing are possible)
DAY 1: Lhasa (3650m) → Shigatse (3800m) → Dingri County (4300m) Acclimate to the altitude and prepare supplies. Experience the culture of southern Tibet.
DAY 2: Dingri → Qudang Township (3700m) → Youpa Village (3750m) Trekking start point → Xiaowu Cuo Camp (4650m) Official start, ascending along the valley, first sight of snow-capped mountains.
DAY 3: Xiaowu Cuo Camp → Xiaowu La Pass → Zhuoxiang Orchid Valley Camp
Cross Xiaowu La Pass, the view suddenly opens up, Makalu Peak (8463m) makes a stunning appearance. Descend to the starting point of Gamagou—Zhuoxiang (Orchid Valley), lush vegetation and babbling streams, like a paradise on earth.
DAY 4: Zhuoxiang Camp → Xianong Pasture → Tangxiang Viewing Platform Camp, ascend along Gamagou, passing through forests and pastures. Arrive at Tangxiang Viewing Platform, a super unbeatable viewpoint for Everest East Slope, Lhotse Peak (8516m), and Cho Oyu (7804m).
DAY 5: Tangxiang Camp → Badang Camp → Ega Camp
Descend to Badang, then climb up to Ega. Accompanied all the way by the Cho Oyu glacier and massive mountain bodies, feel the pressure and grandeur of nature.
DAY 6: Ega Camp → Baidang Camp → Everest East Slope Base Camp, round trip → Ega/Baidang
Lightly pack and head to Everest East Slope Base Camp (EBC), gaze up close at the east face of Everest (8848m) and the east face of Lhotse, glaciers within reach, and the huge ice towers are spectacular.
DAY 7: Ega Camp → Tangxiang/Cuoxuerinma direction
Say goodbye to the core area of the east slope and start the return journey. You can choose to return to Tangxiang by the original route or head towards Cuoxuerinma (more beautiful but slightly harder).
DAY 8: Tangxiang Camp → Cuoxuerinma Camp
Here are several high mountain lakes ("Five Lakes" or more), the best spots to photograph reflections of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and others.
DAY 9: Cuoxuerinma Camp → Langmala Pass (5340m) → Lunzhu Lin Camp / Trekking endpoint → Qudang Township
Cross the highest point of the entire route—Langmala Pass (5340m), look back at the magnificent snow mountain range.
DAY 10: Qudang Township → Shigatse/Dingri → Lhasa
Return journey, savor the stunning memories along the way.
🏕 Accommodation
Pingcuo Kangsang Qudang Oxygen-rich Hotel
Located in Deji Village of Qudang Township, excellent location and good facilities.
🍜 Dining
Qudang Township/Dingri/Shigatse/Lhasa: Sichuan restaurants, Tibetan restaurants available, hotel’s hot pot is recommended.