Cities for every pace.

Lhasa is both a high-altitude regional capital and a living centre of Tibetan Buddhism. The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka form a UNESCO-listed ensemble, while monasteries, museums, neighbourhood tea houses and contemporary civic life extend far beyond the postcard skyline. Build in acclimatisation time, use official reservation channels and approach worshippers and residential streets with restraint.

Ili is a broad Tianshan river-valley region rather than one compact destination. Kazakh pastoral landscapes, multi-ethnic urban quarters, grasslands, spruce forests, border trade and historic settlements are separated by long mountain roads. Choose one geographic cluster at a time and treat working pastures and neighbourhoods as lived places, not open-air sets.

Nujiang Prefecture follows one of China's deepest river gorges between the Gaoligong and Biluo mountains. Lisu, Nu, Dulong, Tibetan and other communities, suspension bridges, churches, terraces and forests share a landscape of extreme relief and fragile roads. Distances are slow, villages are private communities, and weather must control the itinerary.

Guoluo lies in the Sanjiangyuan highlands around the upper Yellow River, Animaqing range and extensive Tibetan pastoral landscapes. Ecological protection and sacred geography take priority over sightseeing. Settlements are far apart, services are limited and several formerly promoted areas now have strict or closed access.