Qinghai-Tibet Highway – Food, Accommodation, Transportation

Qinghai-Tibet Highway is originated from Xining City of Qinghai Province to Lhasa of Tibet. It is the highest and longest asphalt road throughout the world and the road condition is fine. In addition, it is also the shortest and the safest highway of China lead to Tibet Autonomous Region.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway – Food

The breakfast in the army service station and eatery is usually provided from 8:40 am to 9:00am. Tourists usually depart in the morning early if they are driving or riding along Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Therefore we need to prepare the some solid food for next day. The restaurants in Ngari and Dangxong are opened earlier.

In general, cooked wheaten food is the major food along the way. The fruits are very expensive and not easily to find until passing Wudaoliang. You'd better prepare some tea, coffee, powdered juice, chocolate, ham sausage, and pork luncheon meat in advance, etc.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway – Accommodation

The most cost-effective accommodation place is the army service station along the way except camping. In general, it costs 50-100 RMB per person. You can have lunch or dinner in the army service station, and the food cost is much lower. The doctors are available in the army service station.

Daoban is also a good chosen for accommodation. It is not as good as the army service station. But it is also cost-effective. In general, it costs 30-100 RMB per person.

In addition, the accommodation along Qinghai-Tibet Highway is characteristic of the combination of the restaurant, hostel, and eatery. The accommodation condition is not very good along the way.

What's more, the rescue station is also available along Qinghai-Tibet Highway. If you feel ill on the way, you may ask for help there. Generally speaking, you can discuss about the accommodation with them if you would like to.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway – Transportation

Road condition

In general, the road condition of Qinghai-Tibet Highway is the best one of the other 3 highways. It is asphalt road. But there are some rough roads along the way which you need to pay attention. For example, about 20 kilometers far from Xidatan, the road surface is crushed and uneven. When you are very close to Wudaoliang, there are many cavities. Please be careful. In addition, the dust is terrible when you nearly reach Tanggula Mountain Pass.

How to get into Tibet

You may firstly arrive in Golmud from Xining. Golmud is about 1100 kilometers far from Lhasa. It usually takes 24 hours driving on the way. Many tourists would like a self-driving experience from Golmud to Lhasa. Besides, the long-distance buses are operated regularly between Golmud and Lhasa City. The tourist bus from Lanzhou to Lhasa is also available (luxury sleeper) via Tar Monastery, Riyue Mountain, Qinghai Lake, Geladandong Mountain, Tuotuo River, Ngari Prefecture of Tibet, Dangxong Grassland, Namtso Lake, and Yampachen scenic spot, etc. It is 2216 kilometers far from Lanzhou to Lhasa and usually takes 50 hours driving on the way.

Take the car halfway

You could take the regular buses which operated between Golmud to Lhasa city at the station across from the railway station. Or you could find people who are going to drive to Lhasa city. You could discuss with them and the take the car.

Qinghai-Tibet Railway

You may take the train along Qinghai-Tibet Railway. You could take the train in Xining or Golmud. The magnificent scenery along Qinghai-Tibet Railway gives you an unforgettable impression.