G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway

The southern route of the G318 runs roughly two thousand kilometres from Chengdu to Lhasa, climbing from the Sichuan basin onto the plateau and crossing more than a dozen passes over 4,000 metres, several above 4,700, with descents into deep river gorges between them. It passes Kangding, Xinduqiao, Litang at 4,000 metres, Batang, the Nujiang switchbacks, Ranwu lake and the forests of Nyingchi. It has become a rite of passage for Chinese cyclists, who ride it in three to four weeks, and for motorcyclists and drivers. Foreign travellers need permits and an organised arrangement for the Tibet portion.

What you actually see

• The high passes - more than a dozen crossings above 4,000 metres.
• The gorge descents - drops into the Jinsha, Lancang and Nu river valleys.
• Ranwu lake - glacier-fed water among peaks in eastern Tibet.
• The cyclists - riders working the route over weeks.

When to go

May to October, avoiding the worst snow; the June to September monsoon brings landslides that close sections for hours or days. Autumn is clearest. Winter crossings are for the well prepared only.

Honest expectations

Altitude is a real health risk and acclimatisation matters. Landslides and roadworks cause long delays. Foreign travellers require permits and a guided arrangement for the Tibet section, arranged in advance.

Nearby

Kangding, Xinduqiao and Litang are all on the route.