Highways for Getting into Tibet

Visitors could get into Tibet through several highways.

Sichuan-Tibet Highway

The State Highway No.318 which stretches 2159 kilometers.

Southern Route: Chengdu – Ya'an – Luding – Kangding – Yajiang – Litang – Batang – Markam – Zogang – Bamda – Baxoi – Bomi – Nyingchi – Gongbo'gyamda – Maizhokunggar – Lhasa

Northern Route: Chengdu – Kangding – Dawu – Garze – Dege – Jomda – Toba – Qiamdo – Bamda – Baxio – Bomi – Nyingchi – Gongbo'gyamda – Maizhokunggar – Lhasa

Beginning at Chengdu, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway extends to the south and north at Xinduqiao via Ya'an and Kangding and joins together again at Bamda after entering Tibet. This highway has a high elevation and winds its way around mountains. It is always blocked up owing to the landslide during the rainy season.

Yunnan-Tibet Highway

The State Highway No. 214 which stretches 2317 kilometers. Kunming – Xiaguan – Dali – Lijiang – Zhongdian – Deqen – Yanjing – Makam – Baxio – Nyingchi – Lhasa

The Yunnan-Tibet Highway was built along Tea-Horse Ancient Road frequented by the businessmen and tourists in ancient tomes. But the shuttle buses pass through Deqen in the Deqen Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, tourists to Lhasa have to ask a lift by passing-by trucks here.

Xinjiang-Tibet Highway

The State Highway No. 318/219 which stretches 2743 kilometers. Yecheng – Pusa – Kuda Daban – Mazar Daban – Doima – Rutog – Shiquanhe – Parga – Zhongba – Saga – Lhaze – Xigaze – Lhasa

Get into Tibet from Xinjiang, the highway leads its counterparts in its elevation. Most sections pass through depopulated areas. In summer, a few trucks go from Yecheng, Xinjiang, to Shiquanhe, the capital of Ngari Prefecture. But it is hard to find a truck from Shiquenhe to Lhasa.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway

The State Highway No. 109 which stretches 1947 kilometers. Xining – Daotanghe – Heimahe – Caka – Xiangride – Momhon – Golmud – Budongquan – Wudaoliang – Tanggulashan – Yanshiping – Tanggula Mountain Pass – Amdo – Nagqu – Damxung – Yangbajain – Lhasa

The Qinghai-Tibet Highway is the best way to Tibet. It is with asphalt surface and is good for vehicles to run since it goes up and down slowly.