Route overview
The classic Chengdu–Lhasa highway across high passes, deep river valleys and Tibetan plateau towns. The route every self-driver in China dreams about.
Highlights
- Erlang & Zheduo mountain passes above 4,000 m
- Kangding, Xinduqiao and the Litang plateau grasslands
- Yela & Midui glaciers in Nyingchi
- Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
Suggested itinerary
- Day 1Chengdu → Kangding (via Ya’an)
- Day 2Kangding → Xinduqiao (Zheduo Pass 4,298 m)
- Day 3Xinduqiao → Litang (high plateau grasslands)
- Day 4Litang → Batang (Mao Ya & Haizi Shan passes)
- Day 5Batang → Mangkam (enter Tibet, river gorges)
- Day 6Mangkam → Basu (Nujiang canyon, 72 bends)
- Day 7Basu → Bomi (Ranwu Lake, glaciers)
- Day 8Bomi → Nyingchi (Lulang forest valley)
- Day 9Nyingchi → Lhasa (Mila Pass, 5,013 m)
Costs to expect
Budget around 600–1,000 CNY per day for two people including fuel, tolls, food and simple hotels. Fuel is available in all county towns; carry cash as card acceptance varies on plateau towns.
Driving tips
- Take your time above 3,500 m — altitude sickness is real; acclimatise in Kangding or Xinduqiao
- Check snow conditions at the passes in shoulder seasons (Apr–May, Oct)
- Tibet entry requires additional permits for foreign vehicles — we file these for you
- Fill up whenever you pass a county town; some stretches are 200+ km without fuel
