Introducing Bātáng
Lying 32km from the Tibetan border and 5½ bumpy hours down a dirt track from Lǐtáng, low-lying Bātáng is the closest town to Tibet that is open to foreigners. An easy-going and friendly place with lots of streetside barbecue grills and outdoor seating, the town itself is quite modern but the surrounding suburbs of ochre Tibetan houses are lovely. Bātáng is much lower than surrounding areas; when it’s still the end of winter in Lǐtáng it’s already spring in Bātáng.
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Many travellers try to sneak into Tibet from Bātáng, so, unsurprisingly, the local PSB is a little suspicious of foreigners.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Camping Equipment - Sichuan/Tibet Highway
by Yitao 01 August 2011
My sister is running a factory in Chengdu for production of tents, sleep bags etc. I can give a cheaper price for you. However, recently…
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RE: Cycling from Chengdu to Tibet
by egjeg 15 July 2010
I think it would take a bit more than a month. Additionally, it is not easy for a foreigner, if you are not Chinese, to travel independently…
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Garze - Deqen - Shangri La - Lijiang
by trotl 16 June 2010
Been living in China for three years now, but I have never went to Shangri La. In august I Want to go to Tibetan area in Sichuan and Yunnan.…
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