Discover Linzhi as direct flight route opens

The highly anticipated direct flight between Shenzhen and Linzhi  (Nyingchi), a city in Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, was launched Wednesday to cater to passengers’ growing travel demands. With the opening of the new flight route, the travel time between the two cities is reduced to four hours.

A highland view in Linzhi in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Photos by Lin Songtao except otherwise stated

Flight CZ5843 departs from Shenzhen at 6:55 a.m. every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Return flight CZ5844 departs from Linzhi at 11:50 a.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The route will remain operational until the end of September.

Linzhi, known as the “Pearl of the Snowland” for being the lowest elevation area on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is a perfect place to visit thanks to its year-round mild weather. Here are some recommended scenic spots and a festival that you should not miss.

Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, Namcha Barwa Mountain

As the world’s deepest and longest river canyon, the Yarlung Zangpo Grand Canyon is known as “the last secret place in the world.”

A view of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon. 

Lush trees, cliffs, waterfalls and even glaciers are scattered around the canyon area, providing excellent habitats for a variety of species, enriching the biological diversity.

At the canyon area, you can also see Namcha Barwa Mountain. As the highest mountain in Linzhi at a height of 7782 meters — though not as high as Mount Qomolangma — it has the reputation as “the father of Tibetan mountains.” It was also chosen as the most beautiful snow mountain in China by the Chinese National Geography maganzine.

The peak of the Namcha Barwa Mountain shrouded in clouds.

Nicknamed “shy girl mountain,” its peak is covered with snow year round and shrouded in thick clouds and fog. So locals have a saying that you’ll gain luck if you can see the mountain’s peak.

Basomtso Lake

As a national forest park nicknamed “little Switzerland,” the Basomtso Lake refers to more than just a lake. With scenery varying seasonally, it includes snow mountains, forests, pastures, historical sites, as well as various rare plants.

A Buddhist tower on an island at the heart of the Basomtso Lake.

You can ride a traditional raft to an island in the heart of the lake and visit Tibetan temples, or hike around the lake to stroll in Tibetan villages.

The island at the heart of the Basomtso Lake.

Lulang Forest

Linzhi is home to 70 percent of the forest area in Tibet, and the Lulang Forest is a typical scenic spot that reflects this fact.

A scene at the Lulang “Forest Sea.” File photo

Wandering this natural oxygen bar on grasslands, you can not only indulge in wild flowers fields, encounter cows and horses, but also meet villagers living in this "heaven on earth."

Kading Valley 

“Kading” means fairyland in Tibetan. Here at the Kading Valley, you’ll be amazed by a 200-meter-high waterfall. What makes it different from other waterfalls is the presence of a naturally-formed Buddha statue in the waterfall.

A waterfall in Kading Valley.

Walking around the valley, you will observe on rocks cracks in the shapes of the goddess Avalokitesvara (Guanyin), a holy turtle, a ghee lamp and Buddha Tibetan scriptures.

A crack in the shape of a ghee lamp is seen on a mountain.

Peach Blossom Festival 

Linzhi is renowned for peach blossom-themed tourism. If you don’t have enough time to tour the area this summer, prepare yourself for the annual Linzhi Peach Blossom Festival next spring.

Peach blossoms against the backdrop of snow mountains in Linzhi. File photo

Normally, Gala Village is the main venue of the festival. To break away from the crowds, you can also explore deeper into the Daze Valley.