雅鲁藏布大峡谷

Why this place

The Yarlung Tsangpo (the upper Brahmaputra) cuts the deepest canyon in the world around Namcha Barwa, a peak of 7,782 metres — the gorge reaches over 5,000 metres deep, deeper than the Grand Canyon. It is in southeastern Tibet, where the plateau turns green and forested, and it is still barely accessible.

What to see

• The canyon mouth and the Namcha Barwa peak, seen from the viewpoints at Pai
• The Nyingchi forest country, which surrounds the canyon
• The Suosong village and the Tibetan villages along the gorge's edge
• The peach blossom at Nyingchi in late March, in the valley below the gorge

What to eat

• Tibetan food with forest products: morels, pine mushrooms and wild greens
• Nyingchi's peaches and apples, and the local highland barley

How to plan

Two or three days from Nyingchi, which has its own airport.

Best time

March–April for peach blossom; June–September for green forest; the region is at lower altitude and easier than Lhasa

Practical tips

• The canyon's inner reaches are restricted — check current access rules, and take the official viewpoints as a minimum