Chamdo Travel Guide

Located about 480 km from Lhasa, Chamdo is the third largest city in Tibet adjacent to Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan, thus called "Door to Eastern Tibet”. Chamdo has a total population of 586,000, a quarter of whom are monks and covers an area of 108,600 km². Tibetan is the main inhabitant in Chamdo.
 

History

Chamdo was the capital of the former region of Kham with a long history. From 7th century to 9th century, the area was where the Dongnu Kingdom and Sum-pa Kingdom located. With the influence of Gelugpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the Living Buddha Reincarnation System was formed here in Ming Dynasty.
 

Attractions

Jampaling Monastery, the largest Gelugpa Sect monastery in Kham, is a 'must see' in the many Chamdo tourist attractions. Ranwu Lake is the most beautiful lake in Sichuan and Tibet line. Laigu Glacier is one of the three glaciers in world. Karub Ruins are the earliest Neolithic Age remains so far found in Tibet. Zezhol Monastery is one of the best-preserved Bon monasteries.

Chamdo has many festivals with different themes such as Tibetan New Year (the first day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar), Butter Lamp Festival in the first Tibetan month and the Saga Dawa Festival in the fourth Tibetan month.
 

Transportation

Chamdo Bamda Airport located in Bamda is the highest airport in the world and has the longest runway. The airport is 130 km from Chamdo and a taxi between costs CNY250 to CNY300. There are flights to/from Chengdu and Lhasa.

The bus station is in Chengguan Town of Chamdo County. There are buses running to Chengdu, Lhasa, Nakchu and Nyingchi. Etc. Inquiry: 0895-4822793.
Chamdo to Chengdu: 1200 km with three days and two nights. Bus leaves every Wednesday and Saturday. Price: CNY542
Chamdo to Lhasa: 1000 km with four days and three nights. Bus leaves every Saturday.
 

Weather and Climate

With a continental plateau climate characterized by low temperatures, Chamdo has two distinct seasons. The rainy season is from May to September and the dry season is from October to April. The temperature differs greatly between day and night and the annual average temperature is around 7.6�� (45.68°F).
 

Food and Restaurants

Local Tibetan food includes tsamba, buttered tea and dried beef and mutton. Visitors can go to the restaurants in the town to have meals.
 

Shopping

Famous local specialties and products: chang, rare herbs, Tibetan boots and knives, silver objects and decorations. Chaidui Wendangang Village is the best spot for shopping marvelous Buddha sculptures. Shopping malls and street shops also meet travelers’ need.
 

Entertainment

Chamdo is one of the most developed cities in Tibet with vast options of entertainment. In the evening, visitors can catch a live performance of the famous Repa dance in the Dingqen area.
 

Accommodation

Chamdo is rather prosperous in Tibet with many options of hotels meeting different needs from travelers.

Recommended Hotels in Chamdo
Kangsheng Hotel
Address: No.10 West Road, 5 minutes walk from bus station.
Phone: 0895 4823168

Chamdo Fandian
Address: No.22 West Road
Phone: 0895 4821026
 

Travel Tips

1. Do not drive or hurt vultures, or yaks and sheep wearing red, yellow or green cloth.
2. Walk clockwise around the religious shrines, stupas, Mani stones and prayer wheels.
3. Bring and use sunscreen as the sun is strong.
4. Plan your route to manage altitude sickness.
5. Tibet Travel Permit is required to visit Chamdo.
6. Ask for permission before taking photos of monastery and people.
7. Bring enough RMB as it is not so convenient to change foreign currencies.
8. Take some medicines for daily use according to health conditions, such as medicine for cold, diarrhea, sunburn and medicine against the oxygen deficit.