Tips for Driving on State Highway G219

State Highway G219, also noted as Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, starts from Karghalik in Xinjiang and ends at Latze in Tibet. It stretches 2342 kilometers in total with an average elevation of higher than 4000 meters. It is a pretty challenging highway with high altitude, severe climate, bad road condition and poor resource supply. Tibet Tour would like to provide some tips for tourists planning to make a self-driving or riding tour along State Highway G219.

Tips for Driving on State Highway G219 – Karghalik to Shiquanhe (1111km)

The section between Karghalik and Shiquanhe is covered with gravels. The road condition would be pretty workable if there isn't any rainfall. It takes about 30 hours driving from Karghalik to Shiquanhe. Generally, the 4-wheel drive would spend 3 days in this section in the consideration of safety. The board and lodging in this section are relatively convenient and there would be a rest station each 3-4 hours driving. Most rest stations provide Tibetan style and Uyghur style dishes. Besides, some of the stations also provide vehicle maintenance and refuel services.

The climate on State Highway G219 is characterized by warm in the day and cold in the night. There is an obvious temperature difference between day and night in the section between Karghalik and Shiquanhe for its high altitude. The temperature range would be -6? to 15? in 24 hours. Hence tourists planning to travel on State Highway G219 are highly advised to make a good preparation to deal with the severe cold in the night.

Tourists driving on State Highway G219 should also pay special attention to the high altitude sickness. There is sudden elevation change in the section between Karghalik and Shiquanhe. The Sweet Water Lake is one of the most challenging spots in this section though it not enjoys the highest elevation. It is quite easy to suffer severe high altitude sickness here for the bad air circulation since Sweet Water Lake is surrounded by high mountains.

Tips for Driving on State Highway G219 – Shiquanhe to Latze (1231km)

The section between Shiquanhe and Latze on State Highway G219 is also noted as the Southern Nagri Route. The road condition is relatively better compared to the section between Karghalik and Shiquanhe. There would be a rest station each 4-hours driving. The accommodation condition in the rest station is pretty limited. Only simple Tibetan style and Sichuan style dishes are available. Tourists driving on this section are strongly suggested to prepare a private sleeping-bag. Not all the rest stations provide vehicle repairing service, but the refuel service is always available.

Obvious temperature difference between day and night also exists in the section between Shiquanhe and Latze on State Highway G219. There is long winter on Ngari Plateau and it even starts to snow in late September. Tourists would get a better adaptation to the high altitude after the previous days from Karghalik. Tourists will have the chance to pay a visit to Jiwu Village, located at the west of Lake Manarsarovar and the east of La'angtso Lake. It is also not far away from Mt. Kailash, which is highly respected by the followers of Tibetan Buddhism. There are about 30 families in Jiwu Village. Tourists here could experience the local folk customs.