My 5-day Nyingchi Tour: A Spring Encounter with Peach Blossoms and Glaciers

A long time ago, I was attracted by a picture of peach blossoms in Nyingchi, and since then, going to Nyingchi to see peach blossoms has been on my 50 wishes list. Last year, I finally embarked on the long-awaited trip to Tibet and participated in Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival 5-day tour operated by Tibet Horizon. This trip not only fulfilled my peach blossom dream but also allowed me to see the rare blue glacier. It's still an unforgettable experience that lingers in my memory.

Day 1: Lhasa to Nyingchi

On the first day of arriving in Lhasa, I felt the unique charm of the plateau. On the way from Lhasa to Nyingchi, we drove along the Niyang River. Outside the window were the snow-capped mountains and lush forests. The scenery was breathtaking. On the way, we visited the Lama Ling Temple. The golden roof of the temple shone brightly under the sun. At night, I stayed in a hotel in the Nyingchi and rested early to recharge for the next journey. I didn't have any symptoms of altitude sickness. If you are worried about altitude sickness, you can make Nyingchi your first stop in Tibet and let your body adapt before going to Lhasa and other places.

Day 2: Gala Peach Blossom Village

The next day, we went to Gala Peach Blossom Village. The peach trees in Nyingchi are very tall, some are more than ten meters high. They are all wild and don't need to be planted artificially, different from those small peach trees that are carefully selected and cultivated by humans. The branches are thick and messy, and the huge and gorgeous flowers hang on the branches, looking rather wild. If you get close to taking a close-up shot, you often get a picture of the complicated branches. Only when you look from a distance, you will feel that you are in a sea of flowers.

A pavilion stands amidst blooming pink blossoms.

These are not the delicate peach blossoms that grow in the gentle and mild regions of southern China. These are the peach blossoms of Tibet, growing on mountains several thousand meters high. They endure the bitter cold of winter year after year, absorb meager nutrients, and take hundreds of years to grow. To bloom for one and a half months a year, they have already endured half a year of winter.

Coincidentally, rapeseed flowers are in full bloom this season, laying a golden carpet under the tall peach trees. Climbing up the high platform and looking far into the distance, a vertical scroll of peach blossoms dotted in the mountains and fields slowly unfolds. Although the peach trees are not densely grown, they like the finishing touch of a painting. With these bright and vivid colors of yellow, green, white, and pink, the still-barren spring in the Tibetan area is transformed into a vibrant picture of life.

People stroll along a path surrounded by blooming peach blossom trees and a field of rapeseed flowers.

We bid farewell to the peach blossoms and drove up the mountain to the highest pass of this Nyingchi trip, the Sejila Pass. The wind and clouds in high-altitude areas often change in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, the clouds and mist dispersed, and I saw Namjagbarwa in the distance. Namjagbarwa, a famous snow-capped peak that's rarely seen, is known as the most beautiful snow mountain. I don’t know what kind of good luck made the weather suddenly clear when I arrived at the viewing platform where I could see her. Although it only lasted for less than ten minutes, I finally got to catch a glimpse of its beauty.

Afterward, we arrived at Lulang town, which is more than 3,000 meters above sea level. There is a large lake here. Although the water is not blue, the mirror-like water surface can fully reflect the coniferous forest and snow-capped mountains in the distance. On the water, carefree wild waterbirds are playing and hunting. It’s wonderful that, in the morning, I was still embraced by the spring with blooming peach blossoms, but now I was surrounded by endless pine branches covered with snow.

Lulang town

In the evening, the hospitable Gongbu Tibetan family invited us to make sweet tea and pancakes together. We also experienced traditional archery activities. Amidst the laughter and joy, I tasted the delicious Tibetan dinner and felt the simplicity and warmth of the Tibetan people.

Day 3: Bomi Peach Blossom Valley

On the third day, we walked along the Lulang Forest Sea and came to Bomi Peach Blossom Valley. The peach blossoms here are more spectacular than those in Gala Peach Blossom Village. The peach blossoms stretching for 30 kilometers are ancient, solemn, calm, and tenacious in both form and interior. Continuing to walk deeper into the Peach Blossom Valley, we climbed up an uninhabited hillside and discovered a very wide view -- it is a completely different feeling to see the panoramic view of the peach blossom and snow mountain from a high place.

Bomi Peach Blossom Valley

After leaving Bomi Peach Blossom Valley, we visited Gangyun Spruce Forest. The trees here are tall and straight, some are as high as 70 or 80 meters, with a chest circumference of 4 to 5 meters, and most of them are over 300 years old. The forest is entangled with vines, and some of the forests have arrow bamboo growing under them. This kind of plant can only be seen in southeastern Tibet. Affected by the southwest monsoon of the Indian Ocean, the climate in the reserve is mild and humid. Walking on the soft moss ground, the air here feels sweet. The most attractive place is Grass Lake -- the grassland, lake, forest, and snow-capped mountains are distinct. By the lake, several reddish-brown horses were eating grass with their heads down, and some young people set up tents and listened to music, played cards, and chatted by the lake.

Gangyun Spruce Forest

In the evening, we arrived at Ranwu Lake. The calm lake surface was like a huge mirror, reflecting the surrounding snow-capped mountains and forests. It was so beautiful. I sat quietly by the lake, admiring this peaceful beauty, as if time had stopped.

Ranwu Lake

Day 4: Laigu Glacier

On the fourth day, we set out early to Laigu Glacier. It is about 1.5 kilometers from the entrance to Laigu Glacier. Herdsmen are waiting for tourists at the gate with the horses. Cars cannot enter, but you can walk or ride horses (100 yuan for a round trip). This is the first time I ride a horse in my life. The herdsmen held the reins of the horse for me, but the road to the glacier is very bumpy and there are many big rocks on the road. I held the saddle tightly and I was really nervous. When I arrived at the glacier, I was shocked. It felt like the whole world was covered by glaciers. The sun shone on the frozen lake, and the blue ice was crystal clear. It was like entering a fairy tale dream and everyone admired the uncanny workmanship of nature.

Sculpted by nature, its surface is a mesmerizing blend of deep blues and shimmering whites.

The blue ice cave emitted a charming glow under the sunlight as if it were the entrance to another world. Feeling the coolness, I walked into the ice cave carefully and took many pictures. In the afternoon, we returned to Lulang Town and admired the beauty of Ranwu Lake again on the way. At different times and lights, Ranwu Lake presented different colors and styles, and every time I appreciated it, I got a new feeling.

The sun shines brightly, casting radiant light over the towering glacier.

Day 5: Basumtso Lake

The fifth day was also the last day of the trip. On the way back to Lhasa, we visited Basumtso. Basumtso means "green water" in Tibetan. This name is really appropriate as the water is as green as emerald. The sun was shining brightly when we arrived at the entrance of the scenic area, but it turned cloudy in less than half an hour. After the drizzle, it cleared up again. The weather in the plateau valley is unpredictable, and the temperature also changes a lot. We hiked along the lake, enjoying the surrounding beauty and feeling the tranquility and beauty of nature.

Basumtso Lake

This Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival trip not only allowed me to admire the magnificent natural scenery but also let me experience the traditional Tibetan culture deeply. On this magical land, I felt the power of nature and the beauty of life. Although the journey was short, those beautiful sceneries and warm memories will always remain in my mind. I'm looking forward to my next encounter with Tibet to explore more wonderful things.