Encountering the Great Beauty of China, Feeling the Poetry and the Distance, One of the Series of Traveling the Motherland, Comprehensive (4) G318 Sichuan-Tibet Line Self-driving Travel Guide (Part 1)

National Highway 318 is a national highway in East China, Central China and Southwest China. It starts from People's Square in Huangpu District, Shanghai, and ends at the China-Nepal Friendship Bridge in Nyalam County, Shigatse City, Tibet. It is the longest national highway in China. Because National Highway 318 crosses the eastern, central and western parts of China, it covers plains, hills, basins, mountains, plateaus and other landscapes. Shocking, dangerous, stunning, beautiful, majestic, and majestic landscape, it was rated as "Chinese Landscape Avenue" by "Chinese National Geographic Magazine".

Tibet - Lhasa - Potala Palace Square - Potala Palace

Tibet-Lhasa-Potala Palace Square-Tibet Peaceful Liberation Monument

Tibet-Linzhi-Bayi District-Peach Garden in Gala Village

Tibet - Nyingchi - Milin - Suosong Village - Overlooking Namjagbarwa Peak

Tibet - Nyingchi - Lulang

Tibet-Bomi-Gangxiang Nature Reserve-Scenery along the way

The G318 Sichuan-Tibet Line is the most beautiful, exciting and thrilling section of the 318 National Highway, a landscape avenue for Chinese people. In history, it was the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. In modern times, it is the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. The Sichuan-Tibet Line is the abbreviation of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. This road starts from Chengdu, Sichuan, passes through Ya'an, Tianquan, Luding, Kangding, Yajiang, Litang, and Batang, enters Tibet's Mangkang, Zuogong, Basu, Bomi, Linzhi, Gongbujiangda, Mozhugongka to Lhasa, the whole It is 2149 kilometers long.

Schematic diagram of G318 Sichuan-Tibet line (download pictures from the Internet)

Tibet - Gongbu Jiangda - Basongcuo

Tibet - Bomi - Palong Zangbo River

Tibet - Nyingchi - Milin - Suosong Village - Brahmaputra Grand Canyon

The G318 Sichuan-Tibet line is famous for its steepness, complexity and uniqueness. There are endless mountains and endless rivers along the way. It is necessary to cross Zheduo Mountain (4298 meters above sea level), Gaoersi Mountain (4412 meters above sea level), Jianziwan Mountain (4659 meters above sea level), Kazila Mountain (4718 meters above sea level), Haizi Mountain (4685 meters above sea level), Zongbala Mountain (4370 meters above sea level), Lawu Mountain (4338 meters above sea level), Dongda Mountain (5130 meters above sea level), Yela Mountain (4658 meters above sea level), Anjula Mountain (4325 meters above sea level), Sejila Mountain (4720 meters above sea level) ), Mila Mountain (5,013 meters above sea level) and more than a dozen high mountain passes with an altitude of more than 4,000 meters; and many turbulent and rapid rivers such as the Dadu River, the Yalong River, the Jinsha River, the Lancang River, the Nu River, and the Yarlung Zangbo River. The scenery along the way is ever-changing and colorful. Walking in it, you can experience the wonderful feeling of "different skies across mountains, four seasons in a day". It is also recognized as the road with the most dangerous road conditions and the most difficult traffic in China. The Hengduan Mountains in the east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau it passes through is the most complex and unique alpine valley area in the world. in hell".

Schematic diagram of the altitude of the southern line of the G318 Sichuan-Tibet line (download pictures from the Internet)

Tibet-Basu-Nu River 72nd Turn

Tibet-Bomi-Bomi Taohuagou

Tibet - Gongbu Jiangda - Mainstay

Along the G318 Sichuan-Tibet line, there are snow-capped mountains, canyons, grasslands, forests, glaciers, lakes, rivers, etc., which include almost all types of landscapes, and become a sacred place for self-driving travel enthusiasts. Since the 1990s, more and more travel enthusiasts have begun to try to conduct their own inspections of this national highway in various ways. In recent years, the enthusiasm for choosing to enter Tibet by self-driving on the G318 Sichuan-Tibet line has been increasing. "I must drive 318 in this life, all the way west to Lhasa" has become the dream of self-driving travel enthusiasts. To be honest, there are not many roads in this world that are worthy of our hardships and trials, but when you are lucky enough to set foot on the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Line, you will meet countless figures rushing along the road. Some are pilgrims on foot, some are real men riding into Tibet, and more are self-driving tour enthusiasts driving various motor vehicles. Although this road is very long and dangerous, no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there are, it can't stop the persistent progress of travel enthusiasts.

Tibet-Lhasa-Potala Palace Square-Potala Palace Night View

Tibet - Gongbu Jiangda - Basongcuo - Scenery along the way

Tibet - Nyingchi - Lulang

Tibet-Basu-Ranwu Lake Wetland Nature Reserve

Let's go, you must drive 318 in this life, all the way west to Lhasa!

First stop: Chengdu - Ya'an - Tianquan - Luding - Kangding (350 kilometers)

Chengdu, the starting point of the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Line, is the capital of Sichuan Province, a national historical and cultural city, with many places of interest. The prosperous city and comfortable life are known as the "Land of Abundance".

Sichuan-Chengdu-Tianfu Square

Sichuan - Chengdu - Kuanzhai Alley

Sichuan-Chengdu-Food-Sichuan Hot Pot

Sichuan-Chengdu-Jinsha Site Museum

Departing from Chengdu, the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Line started a self-driving tour of more than 2,000 kilometers. All the way to the west via Ya'an, Tianquan, Luding, and Kangding. Along the way, there are Erlang Mountain Tunnel Observation Deck, the majestic Luding Dadu River, etc. If you are interested, you can take a stroll. Walking 50 kilometers from Luding to Moxi Town, you can go to Hailuogou Scenic Area, which is a good place to watch snow mountains and glaciers.

Sichuan-Tianquan-Erlangshan Tunnel

Sichuan - Luding - Dadu River

Sichuan-Luding-Hailuogou Scenic Area-Snow Scenery

Sichuan-Luding-Hailuogou Scenic Area-Gongga Mountain-Rizhao Jinshan

Kangding is the capital of Ganzi Prefecture. The place described in "Kangding Love Song" has both strong Tibetan culture and Han customs from the inland. Here you can feel the blending of Han and Tibetan cultures. The tourism boom in these years has promoted the urban construction here, and the living and eating are very convenient. There are also scenic spots such as Mugecuo (Kangding Love Song Scenic Area), the largest alpine lake in northwest Sichuan, which are worth visiting. In addition, Kangding County is only 2,395 meters above sea level. As a gradual transition from plains to plateaus, it is the first choice for accommodation on the way.

Sichuan-Kangding-Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum

Sichuan-Kangding-Mugecuo (Kangding Love Song Scenic Area)

tips

1. Chengdu is a famous tourist city. There are many scenic spots in and outside the city. It is worth staying for some time to wander around and experience the slow life of Chengdu people.

2. Hailuogou is located in Moxi Town, Luding County, at the foot of Gongga Snow Mountain. It has a magnificent glacier waterfall that is unparalleled in the world. If you want to turn into the Hailuogou Scenic Spot for sightseeing, you usually need to arrange more than one day.

3. Now the highway from Chengdu to Kangding has been opened, which is much more convenient. Although it is fast to take the high speed, the cultural landscape along the way is not as good as National Highway 318.

Sichuan-Luding-Hailuogou Scenic Area-Big Glacier Waterfall

Sichuan-Luding-Hailuogou Scenic Spot-Hot Spring

Sichuan-Luding-Hailuogou Scenic Area-Gongga Mountain

Sichuan-Luding-Hailuogou Scenic Area-Gongga Mountain-Rizhao Jinshan

The second stop: Kangding - Xinduqiao (80 kilometers)

After leaving Kangding, we drove not far along the Sichuan-Tibet line, drove the car uphill, and arrived at the pass of Zheduo Mountain at an altitude of 4,298 meters. This is the first high mountain pass with an altitude of more than 4,000 meters to be crossed on the G318 Sichuan-Tibet line. It is known as the "geographical dividing line" and is the entrance to the plateau. Since the Erlang Mountain Tunnel was completed, Zheduo Mountain has become the first challenging mountain on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. After the 318 National Highway passes through the pass here, it goes all the way down and enters Xindu Bridge.

Sichuan-Kangding-Zheduo Mountain Pass

Xindu Bridge (3459 meters above sea level), the legendary "photographer's paradise", but we have been here more than once, and we really didn't find any particularly beautiful scenery, maybe it's because of the passage of time or the wrong season.

But in any case, Xinduqiao is still a place worth your while. Because this small town has developed into a post station connecting and communicating in the southeast and northwest directions, and there are indeed many places around that are worth visiting.

Sichuan - Kangding - Xindu Bridge

Take Provincial Highway 215 from Xindu Bridge to the north towards Daofu, and you will arrive at Tagong Township within 30 kilometers. You can visit Tagong Grassland, Tagong Temple, and overlook Yala Snow Mountain from the Yala Snow Mountain Observation Deck. Along the way, the grasslands, snow-capped mountains, temples, and villages are very beautiful. If you go a little further, you will arrive at Bamei Town, the beautiful Bamei Grassland with few people, and you can also visit the unique Chinese Moshi Park.

Sichuan-Kangding-Tagong Grassland

Sichuan-Kangding-Tagong Grassland-Scenery along the way

Sichuan-Kangding-Tagong Grassland-Overlooking Yala Snow Mountain

Sichuan-Taofu-China Moshi Park

From Xindu Bridge to the south towards Kowloon, you can go to Yaha Pass and Zimei Pass through Jiagen Dam, which are good places to have a close view and watch Gongga Mountain. You can also visit the calcification slope and Quanhua Beach along the way. The two hidden scenic spots in Kangding, which are rarely visited by tourists, can not only experience the original landscape of hiking and climbing, but also enrich the knowledge of the journey.

Sichuan - Kangding - Calcification slope

Sichuan - Kangding - Yaha Pass - Overlooking Gongga Mountain

Sichuan-Kangding-Quanhuatan

Sichuan-Kangding-Zimei Pass-Overlooking Gongga Mountain

tips

1. When parking at the alpine pass to enjoy the scenery and take pictures, you must pay special attention to wind protection and warmth. It is sometimes windy and snowy on the alpine pass. In addition, the temperature difference on the plateau will be larger.

2. Xindu Bridge is not a scenic spot, but it is loved by countless people. Although it is only a small town, there are many places to stay and eat, and it is very convenient. During the peak season, people come and go, and it is a bit lively. It is a good choice to live here and play around.

3. The road conditions from Jiagenba to Yaha Pass and Zimei Pass are poor. There is an inn near Quanhua Beach for board and lodging, but the conditions are average. If you want to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Gongga Mountain Rizhao Jinshan at Zimei Pass, you generally need to stay here.

Sichuan - Kangding - Xindu Bridge

Sichuan-Kangding-Quanhuatan-Scenery along the way

Sichuan-Kangding-Quanhuatan

The third stop: Xindu Bridge - Yajiang - Litang - Batang (370 kilometers)

Depart from Xindu Bridge, and then cross Gaoersi Mountain, which is known as the second pass of Kangba and has an altitude of 4412 meters. Stay at the hotel.

Crossing the Yajiang River and continuing forward is a long climbing section. After finally bypassing the 18th bend of the Tianlu Road, there are several high mountain passes waiting for you to climb. They are Jianziwan Mountain (4659 meters above sea level) , Xiong Zongka (4281 meters above sea level), and Kazila Mountain (4718 meters above sea level).

Sichuan-Yajiang-318 National Highway

Sichuan - Yajiang - Jianziwan Mountain - Eighteenth Bend of Tianlu

Sichuan - Litang - Xiong Zongka

Sichuan - Litang - Kazila Mountain Pass

Sichuan - Litang - Kazila Mountain Pass - Alpine Meadow

After crossing these passes, we came to Litang, the county with the highest average altitude in the Maoya prairie, and its county seat is known as the "highest city in the world". This is also the hometown of Ding Zhen. After leaving Litang, we crossed Haizi Mountain at an altitude of 4,685 meters, saw the sister lakes, and continued to walk to Batang, which is only 2,580 meters above sea level. You can choose to stay here.

Sichuan - Litang - West Gate

Sichuan-Litang-County Town-Street View

Sichuan-Batang-Sister Lakes in Misty Rain

Sichuan - Batang - scenery along the way

Sichuan-Batang-County-Street View

In addition, when passing through Jingtang, you can also choose to temporarily leave the G318 Sichuan-Tibet line, go south via Provincial Highway 217, take Litang-Daocheng-Derong-Deqin (Yunnan), and then return to G318 Sichuan-Tibet along National Highway 214 Markcom online. Although taking a big U-shaped route like this requires more than 500 kilometers, you can visit Daocheng Yading Scenic Spot, Jinsha River Dawan, Baima Snow Mountain Pass, Meili Snow Mountain National Park, Lancang River Meili Grand Canyon, Millennium Famous scenic spots such as ancient salt fields, many of which are the core scenic spots of the Three Parallel Rivers World Natural Heritage, especially Daocheng Yading, may not exist as the "last piece of pure land on the blue planet", but "condensing all the extreme scenery of Tibet" must be its most real evaluation. Of course, if you choose to go this way, at least a few more days must be reserved in the itinerary.

Sichuan-Daocheng-Daocheng Yading Scenic Area-Xianuoduoji Peak

Sichuan - Daocheng - Daocheng Yading Scenic Area - Xiannairi Peak

Sichuan-Daocheng-Daocheng Yading Scenic Area-Yangmai Yongfeng

Sichuan-Daocheng-Daocheng Yading Scenic Area-Pearl Sea

Sichuan-Daocheng-Daocheng Yading Scenic Area-Milk Sea

Yunnan - Deqin - Meili Snow Mountain

Yunnan-Deqin-Pearl Laka Observation Deck-Meili Snow Mountain

Yunnan-Deqin-Lancang Meili Grand Canyon

Yunnan - Deqin - Lancang River

Tibet - Mangkang - Bank of Lancang River - Millennium Ancient Salt Field

tips

1. The viewing platform at the pass of Jianziwan Mountain is an excellent location for overlooking and photographing the 18th bend of Tianlu; if the weather is good, you can also overlook Gongga Mountain here.

Sichuan-Yajiang-Jianziwan Mountain Pass Observation Deck

Sichuan-Yajiang-Jianziwan Mountain Pass Observation Deck-Overlooking the 18th Bend of Tianlu

2. The alpine meadow of Kazila Mountain is vast and magnificent, and it is too beautiful to behold. You can stay longer at the pass on the mountain to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountains here.

Sichuan - Litang - Kazila Mountain Pass - Alpine Meadow

3. The altitude of Litang County is as high as 4014 meters, and there are not many tourists who choose to stay here. But when passing by, the Changchun Keer Temple on the outskirts of the county is worth taking some time to visit, and the West Gate is a check-in point for Internet celebrities.

Sichuan-Litang-Changqingqing Keer Temple

Sichuan-Litang-Changchunqing Keer Temple-Overlooking Litang County

Sichuan - Litang - West Gate

4. The 217 provincial road from Litang to Daocheng to Shangri-La Town is in good condition. The distance is about 230 kilometers.

Sichuan - Daocheng - Shangri-La Town

Sichuan - Daocheng - Rabbit Mountain

Sichuan-Daocheng-Haizishan Ancient Ice Cap

Sichuan - Daocheng - Sangdui Red Grass Beach

Sichuan - Daocheng - Daocheng Yading Airport

Sichuan-Daocheng-Daocheng White Pagoda (Zunsheng Tower Forest)

5. From Shangri-La Town in Daocheng (where Daocheng Yading Scenic Spot is located) to Benlanzi Town in Deqin, a road called "New Dianchuan Tourism Channel" has been opened, with a total length of more than 220 kilometers. Not only is the road condition good, but there are few cars , the scenery along the way is even more picturesque, and it feels really good to drive a car with such an environment and road.

Sichuan-Daocheng-Dianchuan New Travel Channel

Sichuan-Rural City-Dianchuan New Travel Channel-Qingde Pastoral Tibetan Village

Sichuan-Daocheng-Dianchuan New Travel Channel-Scenery along the way

6. In Benlanzi, Deqin, there is a viewing platform of the Great Bay of the Jinsha River, where you can watch and take pictures of the panoramic view of the Great Bay of the Jinsha River. This scenic spot is just beside the avenue, so it is very convenient to visit and watch.

Yunnan-Deqin-Jinsha River Dawan

7. The No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 tunnels have been opened to Baima Snow Mountain along National Highway 214 from Benlanzi to Feilai Temple. If you want to enjoy the scenery of Baima Snow Mountain, you must not take the tunnel but take the old national highway on the Baima Snow Mountain pass. After playing, you don’t need to go back, just keep going, and you will return to National Highway 214. If the weather is good, the scenery on the mountain is really beautiful, don't miss it.

Yunnan-Deqin-Baima Snow Mountain pass scenery

8. The Feilai Temple in Deqin is all because of the Meili Snow Mountain. There are many hotels and B&Bs, both high school and low class. To enjoy the beauty of Meili Snow Mountain, especially Rizhao Jinshan, staying at Feilai Temple is a unique choice.

Yunnan-Deqin-Pearl Laka Observation Deck-Overlooking Meili Snow Mountain

Yunnan - Deqin - Meili Snow Mountain - Rizhao Golden Mountain

Yunnan - Deqin - Feilai Temple - many hotels

Next, "Meeting the Great Beauty of China, Feeling the Poetry and the Distance, Traveling the Motherland, One of the Series Comprehensive Articles (5) G318 Sichuan-Tibet Line Self-driving Tour Road Book (Part 2)