Chengdu Lhasa Overland Tour Via G318 and G317 Highway

Tibet Overland Tour FAQs & Travel Tips

• 1. Where is the Sichuan Tibet Highway?

  Sichuan Tibet Highway, also known as the Chengdu-Lhasa Highway, is the most precipitous road in China running from Chengdu to Lhasa. It is a world-class scenic road travelling through Kham Tibetan areas and part of the Hengduan Mountainous Regions. 

  Specifically, the highway from Sichuan to Tibet comprises two parts: the southern route and the northern route.

  The Southern Route is the west section and highlights of the G318 National Highway from Shanghai to Zhangmu on the China-Nepal border. Covering around 2146 kilometers, the southern route of the Sichuan Tibet Highway runs through Litang and Batang, and then enters the Tibet Autonomous Region in Markam, to further extend to Bomi and Nyingchi, before arriving in Lhasa.

  The northern route, being part of the G317 National Highway, extends a little longer than the southern one, about 2412 kilometers. Starting from Chengdu, it runs through Garze, Dege, and towards Qamdo in Tibet, before arriving in Lhasa. 

  The two routes of the Sichuan Tibet Highway converge in Bamda, Qamdo. In most cases, the southern route via the G318 Highway will be the dominating road to take an overland trip from Lhasa to Chengdu, because of its breathtaking scenery and favorable road conditions.

• 2. When is the best time to travel from Chengdu to Lhasa by road?

  The best time to travel overland from Sichuan to Tibet is from May to October, when the weather is warm and comfortable, and it is the ideal time to see the best of Tibet and the scenic landscapes along the G318 Highway.

  But for green hands on driving challenging roads, it is recommended to avoid the rainy season of July and August, since the frequent debris flows and landslides of this period will make the driving dangerous.

  From November to April of the next year, it is not so cold in the daytime, but the nights will get quite chilly. However, during this low travel season of Tibet tours, you can experience less crowded roads and get an in-depth discovery of the Tibetan landscape and culture at a cheaper price. Just pay attention that the road of some sections may be closed due to heavy snow.

  The early spring, from mid-March to April, is the best time to witness the peach blossom in Nyingchi, offering the most charming view of Eastern Tibet before arrival in Lhasa.

• 3. How about the road condition of the Sichuan Tibet Highway?

  The road condition of the southern route of the Sichuan Tibet Highway is actually rather good since the whole line is mostly well-paved with asphalt. But obviously, you cannot drive too fast on this road, as there are so many switchbacks and bends, rock-falling sections, together with precipitous topography across valleys and mountains. Especially for the section from Batang to Mangkang, the road is narrow and zigzag, and one may probably encounter with landslides after passing the Jinsha River.

  As for the northern route of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, on the other hand, the road is much worse and tends to be primitive compared to the southern one. It is more suitable for those overland adventurers with enough experience.

  So it is recommended to choose the south route via the G318 Highway, which is not such dangerous and worrisome in terms of the road condition.

• 4. What travel documents are required for a Chengdu to Lhasa overland tour?

  For foreign travelers, you need to prepare the Tibet Travel Permit, which is the prerequisite to enter Tibet. The permit can only be obtained by your tour operator with your Chinese Visa and passport copies.

  And the Aliens’ Travel Permit is also necessary when you drive the way to the Nyingchi Prefecture before arriving in Lhasa.

  If you plan to extend your Chengdu to Lhasa overland trip to Shigatse and Ngari regions, you will also need to prepare Military Permit and Frontier Pass to visit places like Mount Kailash.

  To ensure a hassle-free trip, we guarantee all necessary local travel documents once you book your Chengdu Lhasa overland tour with us. Feel free to share your travel ideas with us, and our professional travel consultant will help you fulfill your dream land journey to Tibet.

• 5. What to pack for a Chengdu to Lhasa overland tour?

  Firstly you need to pack enough warm clothes as the temperature tends to be quite low at night, even in summer, especially after you enter the high-altitude Tibet. Warm layers, down jackets, weatherproof pants and sturdy boots are necessary.

  Sunglasses and sunscreen are also needed to resist the strong sunshine on the plateau.

  Electronic equipment like battery chargers, power banks, camera and the memory card are also required.

  Except for the required clothing and daily living goods, you can also bring some food and snacks like chocolates and sweets, bread and cookies, bottled water etc., in case you will need to replenish energy.

  Regular medicines like analgesics (ibuprofen), anti-inflammatory drugs, cold medicines, digestive stomach drugs, diarrhea drugs, are also required.

  Please follow your doctor’s instructions when taking medicine.

• 6. How about the accommodation along the Sichuan Tibet Highway?

  Along the Sichuan Tibet Highway, there are small towns, counties and villages to provide basic accommodation for tourists. From star-rated hotels to ordinary guest houses and family inns, you can find proper accommodation for your night stay.

  While traveling with our Chengdu to Lhasa overland tours, you can feel relieved to enjoy the well-reserved accommodations by our guide.

• 7. How about the food and dining along the Sichuan Tibet Highway?

  Being a popular scenic road attracting numerous tourists every year, the Sichuan Tibet Highway has been dotted with various restaurants along the way. Most of them offer Sichuan dishes or Tibetan dishes, and the price will be higher than the normal but acceptable considering the delivery cost. It is recommended to try the local food as it is a good way to experience the local cultures.

  If you are not so keen on the food offered by local restaurants, you can bring some fruits, snacks, and instant meals of your favorite.

  If you have any special dietary requirements, such as the need for vegetarians food, please inform your travel consultant when discussing trip details.