This is my first post-COVID travel restriction trip. I've been wanting to pay a visit to the magnificent Namcha Barwa peak(7,782 m or 25,531 ft) in Tibet. According to the National Geographic magazine published in China, it's China's most beautiful mountain peak. Plus, it's reportedly super hard to see, per the saying "9 out of 10 people won't be able to see it" due to the constant moisture coming in from the Indian Ocean. I waited through the relaxation of COVID restrictions, got through the World Cup, waited to get COVID in December (fortunately just a mild case), waited to see how the weather was going to be like during the Chinese New Year holiday, and boom, 2 days before I left, I booked the Sichuan Airlines ticket to Tibet. I chose Sichuan because 1)word on the street is their pilots are better equipped to handle Tibet routes (or all super-high plateau routes) 2) I haven't been on Sichuan since 2019 and wanted to see how they're doing now.
Part I:
3U8695 - Chengdu (CTU) - Lhasa (LXA)
Dep: 14:41 CST
Arr: 17:12 CST
Aircraft type: A319
I was flying Economy today, but still gained access to Sichuan's lounge at CTU as their platinum member.
Lunch is served! Sichuan style!
This is typical Sichuan, chili sauce! When FAs serve meals onboard, they actually ask around to see if anyone wanted it on their rice or noodles.
Drink offerings and snack counter
I love how they're keeping the stuff in this cabin at 34 degrees Celsius. You know how we Chinese people love hot water
Boarding:
New Year style decor!
Blanket and water
Once we departed, the mountain view starts!
This is western Sichuan
That tip in the middle is Mt. Mount Gongga (7,556 m or 24,790 ft)
Clouds started to pour in
Cheers, mountains
Chinese New Year themed snack box
Lots of clouds, not a great day to view mountain ranges. But you guys see the giant glacier now there?
Landed in Lhasa, dust storm?
Definitely dust storm!
Highway to Lhasa and the Shangri-La Hotel in Lhasa (the highest Shangri-La in the world)
On my way to the magnificent Namcha Barwa peak
The landscape in the area is truly amazing! A sand dune amid snow mountain peaks?
We passed by a town that looks like... Switzerland?
This is it! I got what I came for! Hello, Namcha Barwa at sunset!
The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon. According to Wikipedia, it's formed by a horse-shoe bend in the river where it leaves the Tibetan Plateau and flows around Namcha Barwa, is the deepest, and possibly longest canyon in the world.
Also paid a visit to a local glacier, or more like a frozen lake with floating icebergs?
Back to Lhasa,
The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and street views
Part II:
3U8634 - Lhasa (LXA) - Chongqing (CKG)
Dep: 12:25 CST
Arr: 15:05 CST
Aircraft type: A319
Lhasa Airport
Entrance to the lounge at LXA
Lounge interior
Boarding Starts
I can see a lot more mountains today!
Lunch is served.
With this outside my window
Last but not least, I wish everyone who's seen this post good luck!
