Self-driving Itinerary of Yunnan-Tibet Highway

Self-driving Itinerary of Yunnan-Tibet Highway – Brief Introduction

In October of 1973, Yunnan-Tibet Highway was opened to traffic. It is originated from Jinghong of western Yunnan Province to Lanzhou of Gansu Province by way of Mangkang County, Zuogong County, Qamdo Prefecture and Riwoqe County in Tibet. Yunnan-Tibet Highway passes through the thick forest of Hengduan Mountain Range and crosses the Jinsha River. It is about 803 kilometers long in Tibet Autonomous Region.

Yunnan-Tibet Highway is approximately 1930 kilometers long in total. The road is sometimes up and down but the height difference is not big. One section of the road of over 4000 meters high is 39 kilometers long. And another section of the road of over 3000 meters high is 239 kilometers long. The air is very thin and the climate is extremely cold along the way. There are many snow mountains, magnificent gorges, tunnels and bridges. For example, there are 4 huge great bridges and 3 long tunnels, 112 middle and small bridges, 1764 culverts, and the battle walls of 16.9 square kilometers.

Self-driving Itinerary of Yunnan-Tibet Highway – Route

Please enjoy reading the previous one: Self-driving Tour along Yunnan-Tibet Highway.

D4 Mangkang – Zuogong

Both of the asphalt road and gravel road are available from Mangkang County in Tibet to Zuogong County. There are some steep slopes and curves. It usually takes about 5 hours driving. You will firstly climb over the Lawu Mountain which is 4358 meters high and cross the Lancang River. And then arrive in Zuogong after climbing over another high mountain pass which is 5008 meters high. You may overnight in Cannon Hotel or government hostel in Zuogong County. The air-dried meat is very delicious there. If you have enough time, you could relax yourself in the nearby hot spring.

D5 Zuogong – Ranwu Town

It is approximately 300 kilometers far from Zuogong County to Ranwu Town. It usually takes about 6 hours. Both of the gravel road and asphalt road are available along the way. We highly suggest tourists to check the safety performance of your car as the road condition is more challenge today. You need to climb over the natural barrier of Nujiang Mountain and pass the 99 dangerous turnings. Finally you will arrive in Ranwu Town via Basu County in Tibet.

We kindly recommend you to visit Ranwu Lake. It is a barrier lake formed as the landslide and the debris flow.

D6 Ranwu Town – Bome

It is about 129 kilometers long. The road condition is fine. Bome is a town of Nyingchi Prefecture. It is well known for the quite lakes, pure snow mountains, green grasslands and small villages. Bome is highly praised as the little Switzerland of Tibet. The accommodation condition is simple.

D7 Bome – Bayi Town

It is difficult to leave for Bayi Town from Bome in a rainy day. Both of the gravel road and asphalt road are available along the way. You will climb over the Sejila Mountain of 4515 meters high and cross Tongmai Great Bridge. Bayi Town is a relatively prosperous town in Nyingchi Prefecture. It is convenient to find the restaurant and hostel here.

D8 Nyingchi Prefecture

Nyingchi Prefecture is so beautiful that we highly suggest you to spend one 1 day here. Many attractions are worthy to visit such as the Yarlung Zangbo River Canyon, Nanyi Valley and Giant Cypress Forest, etc.

D9 Bayi Town – Namtso

The road condition from Bayi Town to Dangxong is fine. You'd better pay attention to prevent the skid in a rainy day from Dangxong to Namtso. We kindly suggest you to spend 1 night nearby Namtso Lake. It is one of the top 3 holy lakes in Tibet region. Both of the sunset and sunrise sceneries are romantic and breathtaking in Namtso Lake.

D10 Namtso – Lhasa

It is about 400 kilometers far. You will have a chance to enjoy Yampachen Hot Spring on the way to Lhasa City.