Tibet Transport (2)

There are 5 highways stretching into Tibet: Sichuan-Tibet Highway, Qinghai-Tibet Highway, Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, Yunnan-Tibet Highway, and China-Nepal Highway.

Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu- Lhasa)

Brief Introduction

The 2,413-kilometer-long Sichuan-Tibet Highway starts from Chengdu of Sichuan on the east and ends at Lhasa of Tibet on the west. The road passes Ya'an, Garze, Chamdo. Sichuan-Tibet highway traverses 14 high mountains which average 4,000-5000 meters (Erlang Mtn,Zheduo Mtn and Hengduan Mtn), spans dozens of famous rivers (Daduhe River, Jinshajiang River, Lantsang River, Nujiang River), crosses primeval forest and numerous dangerous sections. It has fine views along the line, with unique customs. You can enjoy the magnificent and changeable scenery ranging from warm spring to cold and snowing winter, which makes you intoxicated. This climate will be changing ibefore your eyes, just like being in the paradise, and you may think "days in heaven, but years on the earth". There is no public transportation on this route and this route is closed to backpackers.

A car trip may cost you 8—10 days.

Highway Route

In Tibet, the highway traverses Jinshajiang River Bridge—Gyamda——Chamdo——Bangdag——Baxoi——Bome——Nyingchi——Gongbo Gyamda——Maizhokungka——Lhasa.
Southern Route: 2,1 59 kilometers
Lhasa<—68km—>Maizhokungka<—206km—>Gongbo Gyamda<—127km—>Bayi<—19km—>Nyingchi<—127km—>Tongmai<—89km—>Bome <—129km—>Ra'og<—90km—>Baxoi<—94km—>Bamda<—107km—> Zogang<—158km—> Markam<—71km—>ZuBalong<—36km—>Batang<—165km—>Litang<—143km—>Yajiang<—74km—>Xinduqiao
Xinduqiao<—75km—>Kangding<—49km—>Luding<—168km—>Ya'an<—139km—>Chengdu
Northern Route: 2,412 kilometers
Lhasa<—87km—>Yangbajain<—75km—>Damxung<—164km—>Nagqu<—136km—> Baqên<—225km—>Denqen<—248km—>Chamdo<—228km—>Gyamda<—85km—>
Jinshajiang River Bridge<—24km—>Dege<—112km—>Manegange<—95km—> Garze<—97km—>Luhuo<—72km—>Damfu<—68km—>Baimai<—77km—>Tanpa<—55km—>Xiaojam
Xiaojam<—43km—>Dawei<—148km—>Wolong<—83km—>Dujiangyan<—54km—>Chengdu

Qinghai-Tibet Highway (Xining-Ge'ermu-Lhasa)

Being one of the highest highways in the world, Qinghai-Tibet highway starts from Xining, Qinghai Province. The highway crosses four mountains, namely Kunlun Mountain (4,700 meters), Fenghuo Mountain (4,800 meters), Tangula Mountain ( 5,150 meters at the mountain pass), and Nyainqentanglha Mountain. It spans three rivers, Tongtian River, Tuotuo River and Chuma'er River, averaging 4,500 meters. The Tibetan part of the highway is 544 km, and traverses the Changtang Plain in the north, and converges with the Sichuan-Tibet Highway in Lhasa.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway is 1,160-km (720 miles) long, and is the main state secondary road, with the roadbed being 10-meter wide, and an incline of less than 7%. The speed limit of drive is 60 km per hour.