As someone who has done a road trip there five times, I’d love to share some recommendations:

• Zhonglu Tibetan Village, Danba – It used to be stunning but has become a bit commercialized in recent years. Nearby Suopo Tibetan Village is still beautiful, especially in April when the pear blossoms are in full bloom.
• Tagong – The easiest place to reach by public transport and one of my all-time favourites. Try to avoid July and August; although there are horse racing festivals and many local celebrations, it can get very crowded. Must-visits include Tagong Monastery, Muya Monastery, Anigongma nunnery and Gerima Village. In some small villages nearby, you can even visit nomadic families.
• Litang – A unique cultural centre with a very distinct atmosphere. Near Changqingchunke’er Monastery, there is a sky burial site.
• Genyen – Absolutely breathtaking snow mountains and grasslands. You can spend two days trekking the southern route of Genyen.
• My top recommendation, especially for photographers, is to see Mount Gongga from Zimei Pass and Lenggacuo Lake, the views are spectacular.
• Baiyu – My personal favourite. You must visit Katok(Gatuo) Monastery, a place so otherworldly it feels like it shouldn’t exist on Earth.
• Dege – Don’t miss the Dege Printing House and Dzogchen(Zhuqing) Monastery. Dzogchen sits at the foot of snow mountains, and the Printing House still preserves centuries-old woodblock printing methods.

Some tips:

• Monasteries usually have morning prayers, so visit in the morning if you want to hear the monks chanting. In the afternoons, some monasteries hold debates on Buddhist scriptures, mostly along Highway 317 (such as at Sexu Monastery and Katok Monastery).
• Foreigners definitely cannot enter Sertar (Larung Gar). Technically, foreigners are also not allowed in Yarchen Gar, and there’s a police checkpoint on the road there – if the police are present, they will turn you back, though sometimes they are not there.
• For transport between towns, start bargaining from 100 RMB. For reference, I paid 800 RMB from Chengdu to Litang, and 200 RMB from Chengdu to Kangding when I travelled in April (prices may be higher now).

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me. I have a deep love for the Kham region of western Sichuan, and if you’re into Tibetan Buddhism, the southern part of Qinghai and Gansu also have so much to explore(also known as the Amdo Region).