The Lost Tibet: China’s Hidden Highlands

This journey begins at Chengdu. On the first day, we meet at 17:00.

Your Coordinator will add you to the WhatsApp group for your trip about 15 days before departure.
 It’s a great way to start getting to know your travel mates, receive more details about the first day’s meeting point, and ask any pre-departure questions you might have.

This journey ends at Chengdu. On the last day, you are free to leave at any time, so whether you need to book a flight, a train, or wish to continue the journey on your own, you can organize your return as you prefer.

Altitude Information

This journey takes us into the high mountain regions of western Sichuan on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, where several destinations sit at higher elevations. The itinerary has been carefully designed with gradual acclimatisation in mind, allowing the group to steadily gain altitude over several days rather than making sudden jumps.

Once in the mountains, we will be sleeping between 2,500m and 3,700m, including areas such as Siguniang National Park and the Tibetan town of Tagong. On some optional hikes, drives or viewpoints, we may briefly exceed 4,000 m, depending on the route taken and group preferences.

These elevations are high enough to feel adventurous and deliver spectacular mountain scenery, but are generally considered manageable for most healthy travellers when following normal altitude guidance.

For this itinerary, you can choose the type of luggage you prefer – we always recommend a backpack, but you can also travel with a duffel bag, a holdall, or (it breaks our heart to say it) a cabin trolley case or a checked suitcase, as long as it’s moderate in size. Our Travel Coordinator will suggest the ideal luggage before departure in the WhatsApp group!

Find out the entry requirements for China, and, if needed, apply for your visa through our partner Sherpa.

Before traveling, always remember to check the government website of your country of origin for updates on the entry requirements for China – you wouldn’t want to stay home due to a bureaucratic detail!

• UK residents: review the FCDO Travel Advice.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
• Other residents: refer to your government or local consulate's travel advice.

China operates on China Standard Time, which is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. It does not observe daylight saving time. If it is 12pm in the UK, it will be 8pm in China. Keep this in mind when planning your calls or travel arrangements.

China's currency is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY or RMB). The daily exchange rate can vary, but as a rough guide:

• 1 GBP is about 8.8 CNY
• 1 USD is around 7.3 CNY
• 1 EUR is approximately 7.9 CNY

To exchange currency, you can visit banks, currency exchange counters at airports, or authorized hotels. Always check for the current rates before exchanging money.

In China, the most common payment methods are mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay. You can also use credit and debit cards, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Cash is still widely accepted, but it's becoming less common in urban areas. 

It's a good idea to download Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go, as they are widely used for everything from shopping to street food. Make sure your card is enabled for international use if you plan to use it.

Tipping is not a common practice in China and is often not expected. In most restaurants, hotels, and taxis, you won't need to tip. However, in some high-end places or those catering to international tourists, tips might be appreciated. If you feel the service was exceptional and you want to tip, a small token of appreciation is fine, but it is not necessary. Remember, if you do decide to tip, it’s always best to hand it directly to the person to ensure they receive it.

Internet access in China can be a bit different than what you're used to. Many popular Western websites and apps are restricted. Wi-Fi is available in major cities, hotels, cafes, and airports, but connections can be slow and unreliable.

For more stable and unrestricted access, we suggest you buy a local SIM card or an e-SIM data plan. Providers like China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom offer various data packages. Just make sure your phone is unlocked before purchasing a local SIM.

In China, the official language is Mandarin Chinese. It's spoken by the majority of the population and is used in government and media. Here are some useful colloquial expressions you might hear or use:

• Hello: Nǐ hǎo (你好)
• Thank you: Xièxiè (谢谢)
• How much: Duōshǎo qián (多少钱)
• Yes: Shì (是)
• No: Bù shì (不是)

These phrases can be handy while traveling around the country.

In China, the power plugs and sockets mainly used are type A, C, and I. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. Since these plugs might differ from those used in Europe or the USA, we recommend you bring a universal adapter to ensure all your devices can be charged during your stay. This way, you will be prepared for any plug type you encounter.

China does not have a single main religion, but rather a mix of several belief systems. 
The most practiced include Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. It’s important to note that religious freedom is constitutionally protected, but the practice of religion is subject to government regulation. Important religious holidays include the Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which are widely celebrated across the country.

Traveling to China is an exciting adventure, and packing smartly can make your trip more enjoyable. 
Here's what you should pack in your backpack for China:

• Clothing:
  • Lightweight clothing for the summer
  • Warm layers for the winter
  • A rain jacket
  • Comfortable travel pants
• Shoes:
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sandals for warmer weather
  • Dress shoes if planning to dine out
• Accessories and Technology:
  • Power bank
  • Universal travel adapter
  • Camera or smartphone for photos
  • Travel guidebook or translation app
• Toiletries and Medication:
  • Basic toiletries like toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Sunscreen and insect repellent
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Common travel medication like pain relievers, motion sickness tablets, and stomach remedies

This list should have you covered for a great trip to China.

China is vast, so the weather can vary significantly across regions:

• North (Beijing, Harbin): Cold winters with snow, hot summers. Best time to visit is spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October).
• South (Guangzhou, Shenzhen): Mild winters, hot and humid summers. Best time to visit is from October to December.
• East (Shanghai, Hangzhou): Cold and damp winters, hot and humid summers. Best time to visit is spring and autumn.
• West (Tibet, Xinjiang): Harsh winters, cool summers in high-altitude areas. Best time to visit is from May to October.

Overall, the best time to explore China is usually in spring and autumn due to more moderate temperatures and less rain.

Return international flights are not included on our trips because we want to give you full autonomy and flexibility. You can choose your preferred airline, fly from the airport that works best for you, and decide how many stopovers you want to make along the way.

As flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: you could arrive at your destination a few days early or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!

An "Available" departure means that the trip isn’t confirmed yet and we’re waiting for a few more travellers to sign up… which could be you!

If you book the trip please wait for it to be confirmed before booking your international flights.

The question of all questions! Here’s some more information: 

• The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all travellers on the trip and managed by your Travel Coordinator;
   
• It is used to streamline payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do. This guarantees flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group;
   
• It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure;
   
• You’ll find the Money Pot amount on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the Money Pot’. To find this look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money Pot? Click here’ and you’ll find the details.
• The amount varies depending on the destination chosen;
   
• It is usually used for group expenses that all travellers decide to take part in, but sometimes if you opt out of an activity it might make more sense for it to come out of the Money Pot. In these cases the Coordinator will return the amount for this activity back to you at the end of the trip;
   
• It is estimated based on the experience of other groups but can vary depending on what activities your group is keen for. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip;
   
• If not all of the Money Pot is spent, the difference will be returned to all travellers at the end of the trip;
   
• The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the Money Pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator;
   
• If you pay in advance for part of the Money Pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded if the trip is cancelled;
   
• Activities paid through the Money Pot: they are carried out by third-party local suppliers and their conditions apply; WeRoad does not intervene in their management nor assumes any responsibility. For details on the money pot, see the General Terms and Conditions

We offer several payment methods to fit every need:

1. Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Klarna (you’ll pay for the trip in three equal amounts);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account.

Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation up to 31 days before departure, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.

If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option. 

How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at hello@weroad.com or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.

For our trips we usually use locally owned accommodation instead of big hotel chains. It’s our favourite way to really experience the local culture and, whenever we can, support the local economy. Typically, you’ll stay in hotels, apartments, guesthouses and hostels with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.

The list of accommodation for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!

Yes! We might not know the flights for everyone else in the group, but there are ways to find out which flights your fellow WeRoaders will be taking. 

1. All travellers can share their flight details after booking on their My WeRoad account so that other travellers on the same trip can see these details anonymously. 

2. Alternatively you can join our Facebook group: Solo Travellers | WeRoad Community – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963298767843213 ) Look for a post about the trip you’re interested in or ask the group admin for help in getting in touch with your future travel companions!

3. If the Coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you’re keen for, you can easily find their Facebook post on the website. Click 'Ask the Coordinator' and follow the link here. 

Generally, our groups have an average of 11 people. Everyone on our trips speaks English, and travellers join us from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Our trips are open to travelers between 25 and 49 years old. The indicated age is meant to give you an idea of the type of group, but it's not a strict limit: it's possible to participate even with a few years more or less, as long as you can keep up with the pace and energy of the group you're traveling with.

Each group will be joined and led by one of our experienced Travel Coordinators, who’s there to ensure everything runs smoothly and the group feels well-supported. 

If you’d like to know more about our typical WeRoad groups do reach out to us on WhatsApp on +44 7716573700. 

Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking. 
You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. 

Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!

For some trips, in the itinerary section, you’ll find the number of nights and the location (not the hotel) where you’ll be spending the night(s). The location shown is the one we usually go for on most trips, but in some cases, you might stay in a nearby town. This will depend on logistics or availability of accommodation. 

The list of accommodation for your trip (and therefore also the exact locations) will be shared by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful information for your adventure!

The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller who will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary like transport, timings, accommodation, restaurant bookings and meeting points, so that you can enjoy the trip without this hassle. They’re there to support the group, ensure everything runs smoothly and will no doubt make the trip a lot of fun along the way too! 

The Coordinator will set up a WhatsApp group approximately 2 weeks before departure. This will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking. Their details will be on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your My WeRoad account, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.

Yes, on all our trips you will share a room with other WeRoaders in your group. By default this will be people of the same gender, unless you tick ‘I'm OK with a mixed gender room’ when you book. The bathroom will either be private or shared only with other travellers on the trip. The rooms might be twins, triples, quadruples or multi-share (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.

You will never share with people from outside of the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodation like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.

On some of our trips we can offer a private room for an additional cost. Just tick the ‘Private Room’ option at checkout to get this added. For some of our trips if you book as two travellers together you can add this private room free of charge. Look out for this option at checkout. 

Please note that if you do book a private room with a friend/partner this could be either a double or a twin room so please email hello@weroad.com if you have a preference on this. 

When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you.

But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. You can also come along to one of our many events that we run in different cities worldwide. Check out and sign up to our events by downloading the WeMeet app here.