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Sejila Pass: Most Popular Viewpoint of Namjagbarwa's Majesty
Perched at 4,728 meters above sea level along the famous G318 Sichuan-Tibet National Highway, Sejila Pass (also known as Sejila Mountain Pass or Sejila Scenic Area) serves as one of Tibet’s most dramatic mountain viewpoints. While the pass itself is relatively simple—essentially a wide observation platform adorned with colorful prayer flags—what makes it special is the breathtaking panorama it offers on clear days: a direct, frontal view of the legendary Mount Namjagbarwa (7,782 meters) rising majestically above the clouds and forests below.
How to Get to Sejila Pass
Sejila Pass is easily accessible by road. It’s approximately 50 kilometers (1-hour drive) from downtown Nyingchi and 180 kilometers (3.5-hour drive) heading east toward Bomi. Most visitors stop here when traveling between Nyingchi and the Bomi or Ranwu Lake area.
From Lhasa to Sejila Pass:
If you’re doing the overland journey from Lhasa to Nyingchi, you’ll reach the pass after descending eastward into the Nyingchi region, typically a 5-hour drive mostly along the Lhasa—Nyingchi Expressway, or longer if you want to take a more relaxed pace and visit attractions such as the renowned Basum-tso Lake.
☛ How to Get to & Around Nyingchi
☛ How to Get from Lhasa to Nyingchi
Transportation Option:
Private car are the most practical ways to visit, as there’s no public bus service directly to the pass.
Sejila Pass Viewing Platform
Useful Tips for Visiting Sejila Pass
● Altitude Preparation: At 4,728 meters, Sejila Pass is significantly higher than downtown Nyingchi town. Take your time when getting out of the vehicle. Walk slowly, breathe deeply, and don’t overexert yourself. If you’ve spent a few days acclimatizing in Lhasa or Nyingchi beforehand, you should be fine, but keep altitude sickness medication handy just in case.
● Weather and Best Season: The pass is often windy and cold, even in summer. Bring warm layers, a windproof jacket, hat, and gloves. Weather changes rapidly at high altitude so dress in layers. For the best chance of seeing Namjagbarwa clearly, visit between October and February when skies are generally clearer.
● Facilities: There’s a small visitor center and restrooms at the pass, plus vendors selling snacks, hot drinks, and souvenirs. Don’t expect extensive facilities. The entrance to the viewing platform is free of charge.
● Combine with Lulang: Sejila Pass and Lulang Forest are close neighbors on the G318. After crossing the pass, you’ll descend into the Lulang area within minutes, where you can visit the forest observation platforms for a different perspective on Namjagbarwa framed by alpine woodlands.
● Enjoy Your Journey Anyway: Remember, seeing Namjagbarwa clearly from Sejila Pass is largely a matter of luck and weather timing. But even on cloudy days, the journey through this high mountain pass offers a quintessential Tibet experience: prayer flags snapping in the wind, vast mountain vistas, and that thrilling sense of being on the roof of the world.
Nearby Attractions of Sejila Pass
Lulang Forest - Top Alpine Scenery of Tibet
Lulang Forest sits at elevations between 2,700 and 4,200 meters in Nyingchi, approximately 80 kilometers east of the city center. The name "Lulang" means "Dragon King Valley" in Tibetan, though some also call it "the place that makes you forget your homesickness." From the main viewing platform, you’ll see what the Chinese name describes as a "sea of forest"—an vast expanse of dense evergreen forest covering the valley slopes as far as the eye can see. The forest is composed mainly of spruce, pine, and fir trees. On misty days, clouds drift through the trees creating an ethereal atmosphere.
Lulang Town - Alpine Charm in Tibet's Little Switzerland
While the Lulang Forest viewing platform showcases Tibet’s dramatic natural scenery, nearby Lulang Town offers something different: the combination of the famous stone pot chicken, the photogenic lake with its white stupa, and the pastoral scenery of Zhaoxi'gang Village creates a distinctly Tibetan experience that doesn’t require physical exertion or extreme altitude tolerance. Developed in recent years to showcase Tibetan culture while providing comfortable accommodations for travelers, it’s worth more than just a quick meal stop.
Lulang Forest Viewing Platform
How to Plan a Nyingchi Tour
Nyingchi deserves more than just a quick stopover. To truly appreciate this region’s natural beauty and allow your body to adjust to the altitude, we recommend spending at least two full days here, with an extra day for acclimatization if you’re arriving directly from lower elevations.
☛ Top Recommended Nyingchi Tours
☛ How to Plan & Visiting Nyingchi Advice
Our classic two-day journey is designed for first-time visitors to experience the region's main highlights. For your first day, venture to Sejila Pass (4,728 meters), where on clear days you’ll witness one of Tibet’s most magnificent sights: Mount Namjagbarwa (7,782 meters) rising dramatically above the clouds. This notoriously shy peak reveals itself only to the fortunate, making clear views truly special. Continue to the Lulang area, often called the “Swiss Alps of Tibet,” where you’ll explore the enchanting Lulang Forest with its dense primeval woodlands and carpets of wildflowers. Visit the picturesque Lulang Town for a taste of local life, then head to the alpine meadows of Zhaxi Gang Village, where Tibetan wooden houses dot the landscape and yaks graze peacefully against a stunning mountain backdrop.
☛ 5 Days Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival Tour
☛ 8 Days Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival Tour
On your second day, discover the mystical Kadinggou Valley, where a spectacular waterfall cascades 200 meters through a narrow gorge. Then journey to Basum-tso Lake, a sacred turquoise jewel nestled at 3,480 meters. Walk across the footbridge to the island in the lake’s center, home to the centuries-old Tsozong Monastery, and take a boat on the lake to take in views of snow-capped peaks reflected in crystal-clear waters surrounded by forests.
☛ 6 Days Best Nyingchi Lhasa Highlights Tour
☛ 6 Days Tibet "Switzerland Views" Tour (Lhasa - Nyingchi)
For travelers who wish to explore deeper into the eastern Himalayas, Nyingchi serves as the perfect starting point for more adventurous expeditions. We highly recommend extending your trip to include sights like the stunning Midui Glacier, one of China's most beautiful and accessible glaciers, and the spectacular Ranwu Lake and the massive Laigu Glacier Group that feeds it. These destinations offer unforgettable views of untouched mountain wilderness and are ideal for photographers and nature enthusiasts.
☛ 8 Days Tibet Dream Tour with Breathtaking Glaciers
After exploring Nyingchi, most travelers continue westward to Lhasa to experience the spiritual heart of Tibet, including the iconic Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. The scenic overland route between Nyingchi and Lhasa offers breathtaking views and can be broken up with stops at historic sites along the way. Nyingchi can also be incorporated into grander Tibet itineraries that include the ultimate adventures: witnessing Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC) up close, visiting the stunning high-altitude lakes of Namtso and Yamdrok, or completing the sacred trekking circuit around Mount Kailash.
☛ 7 Days Nyingchi Lhasa Tour Plus Heavenly Namtso Lake
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At Tibet Discovery, we can seamlessly connect your Nyingchi experience with a comprehensive Tibet tour, handling all itineraries, permits, and transportation so you can focus on the once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Contact us to customize your journey now!
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Must-Visit Attractions in Nyingchi
Discover Tibet with a Journey Tailored to You
International travelers are required to join an organized tour with a licensed travel agency to visit Tibet, which means independent travel isn’t permitted. But rather than viewing this as a limitation, we at Tibet Discovery see it as an opportunity to craft something extraordinary for you. Our decades of experience operating in Tibet allow us to transform what could be a simple route into a carefully curated journey. Just contact us to plan your adventure!
When you travel with us, you’ll benefit from:
◾ An expert local guide who brings Tibet’s history, culture, and hidden stories to life.
◾ A comfortable private vehicle suited to Tibet’s unique road conditions.
◾ An experienced driver who knows every curve of the route and can spot wildlife or photo opportunities you might otherwise miss
◾ Flexible pacing that lets you linger at viewpoints or explore unexpected discoveries along the way
Travel with Tibet Discovery
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Escorted by a skilled private drivers and companied by a professional local tour guide to organize all the activities, all you have to do is to enjoy your fantastic Tibet journey. Time can never be wasted waiting for a group, hopping on and off buses or negotiating unfamiliar destinations.
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Prefer to tailor a trip that totally suits your requirements and interests? Our 20+ professional, helpful and friendly travel experts are ready to help! Tell us your needs, and one of our experts will get to you with trip details within 0.5~23.5 hrs. You can also call us at 86-28-85227275 / 86-28-85223672.
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