Ride a Bicycle along China-Nepal Highway

Ride a Bicycle along China-Nepal Highway – Brief Introduction

There are 5 routes of enter to Tibet region in total. They are Sichuan-Tibet Highway, Yunnan-Tibet Highway, Sinkiang – Tibet Highway – 219 National Highway, Qinghai-Tibet Highway, and China-Nepal Highway. China-Nepal Highway is not only the shortest route among them, but also the only one international route.

The road condition is rough along the way and the elevation is relatively higher. It is only 1200 kilometers long. There are 6 mountains of over 5000 meters high, and 3 mountains of over 4000 meters high. Most of the sections of China-Nepal Highway are over 4000 meters high.

Ride a Bicycle along China-Nepal Highway – Itinerary

D1 Lhasa (3650m) – Qyushui Bridge (3593m)

It is approximately 71 kilometers long. It is asphalt level road along the way. Qyushui County in Tibet is about 62 kilometers far from Lhasa City. It usually takes about 3 hours. You could depart from Lhasa city after lunch and have dinner in Qyushui County. And then you need to ride about 8 kilometers long to camp nearby Qyushui Bridge. Or you could pay some money to overnight in the restaurant. It is a good place to enjoy the sunset of Yarlung Zangbo River.

D2 Qyushui Bridge (3593m) – Ganpala Mountain Pass (4798m) – Langkatse County (4450m)

It is about 90 kilometers far. It is asphalt road along the way. You could get some supplies nearby Qyushui Bridge. After passing Qyushui Bridge you will ride on 307 Provincial Road. It is asphalt. You will pass by a Daoban on the way. Daoban is usually constructed to repair and inspect the railway or highway. Some tourists would like to pay some money to overnight there. There is 23-kilometer long spiral road before arriving in Ganpala Mountain Pass. The elevation increases 1200 meters and the slope is steep. Ganpala Mountain Pass is the best place to view Yamdrok Lake. Yamdrok Lake is one of the holy lakes of Tibet, which looks like a silver silk across the mountains. Then ride downward about 8 kilometers you will reach the riverside of Yamdrok Lake. It looks more beautiful standing by it. There is a small village nearby it, you could get some supplies there.

Riding along the asphalt road will finally reach Langkatse County. Sometimes you need to ride a bicycle against the wind.

You may overnight in Langkatse County. There are few hostels on the street. The hot water is provided.

D3 Langkatse County (4450m) – No. 18 Daoban – Karela Mountain Pass (5110m) - Dasimila Mountains Pass (4345m) – Gyantse County (4025m)

From Langkatse County to Gyantse County it is 104 kilometers long in total. It is asphalt road.

From Langkatse County to No. 18 Daoban it is a 17.32-kilometer long level road. And then you need to ride a bicycle along a long up slope to Karela Mountain Pass. It is about 29.64 kilometers far. Karela Mountain Pass is 5110 meters high. Please pay much attention to the high altitude sickness. There are many amazing glaciers on the way.

Next you need to continuously ride downward to the Dasimila Mountain Pass and Gyantse County. Dasimila Mountain Pass is about 4345 meters high. You will have a chance to enjoy Manla Reservoir to Dasimila Mountain. Gyantse County is 4025 meters high. It is the way which must be passed to Mt. Everest Base Camp from Shigatse. There are some worthy attractions in Gyantse County such as Palkor Monastery and Gyantse Zongshan Castle, etc.

Next please reading: Ride a Bicycle along Sino-Nepalese Highway.