Most Practical Sichuan-Tibet Highway Self-Driving Map, High-Definition Concise Version, Travel Blogger's Treasured Share
Currently, when traveling to Tibet according to local Tibetan policies, self-funded isolation of 0-14 days is required. For those planning to self-drive along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, it's worthwhile to bookmark the following Tibetan self-driving classic maps to facilitate departure once the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is open.
I. Sichuan-Tibetan-Qinghai Out
When traveling to Tibet, people usually enter through the 'Sichuan-Tibet Highway' to avoid backtracking, hence it's abbreviated as 'Sichuan-Tibetan-Qinghai Out'. This routea total distance of 5000 kilometerswith plenty of sightseeing along the wayrequires a driving time of 16 daysspanning Sichuan, Tibet, Qinghai, and Xining provinces/districts, it isChina's longest, most scenic, and most diverse in terms of culture landscape
In the map below, the red line represents National Highway 318, also known as the Sichuan-Tibet Highway; the green line represents National Highway 109, known as the Sichuan-Tibet Highway; and the purple line represents National Highway 213, also known as the Ganba County route.
II. Sichuan-Tibetan North-South Lines
The highway from Sichuan to Tibet is commonly referred to as the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. The routes from Sichuan to Tibet are not limited to National Highway 318; there's also National Highway 317. National Highway 318has lower altitude and more beautiful scenery, with better road conditions, suitable for first-time travelers to Tibet. Compared to National Highway 318, the driving environment is much more challenging, suitable for experienced off-road enthusiasts driving four-wheel drive vehicles.As shown in the map below, the red line represents National Highway 318, also known as the Sichuan-Tibetan South Line; the green line represents National Highway 317, known as the Sichuan-Tibetan North Line. Most travelers self-drive to Tibet via National Highway 318.
III. Chengdu Direct to Yadong (Emeishan)
The Sichuan-Tibet Highway and Tibet have always been dream destinations for travelers. However, due to limited time, sometimes it's only possible to visit Yadong (Emeishan) in the Sichuan-Tibet region. The driving distance from Chengdu to Yadong is approximately 1700 kilometers, with a one-way driving time of about 2 days, and a round trip with sightseeing taking approximately 5 days.
Yadong (Emeishan) is known as the 'Soul of Shangri-La', administratively divided into: Daxiandong Village, Yadong County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. From the perspective of foreign travelers, Yadong is considered the last untouched corner of the blue planet, with original and pure scenery. When visiting Yadong, the visual experience is like wandering between heaven and earth.
IV. Other Routes
Tibet is vast, and even if you spend 365 days in Tibet, you won't be able to see half of Tibet's scenery. Besides the conventional routes, there are many other Tibetan tourism routes. For example, New Tibet Line, Line, Puncun-Chayang Highway, Ali Great Loop, Zhonggu (Mount Qomolangma) Namtso 5-Day Tour, etc.
The following routes will not be detailed here. The last few maps bring you the mainstream loops of Tibetan tourism
Altitude SchematicfeaturingNational Highway 318 Sichuan-Tibetan Line, National Highway 317 Sichuan-Tibetan Line, Qinghai-Tibetan Line, New Tibet LineI have compiled this Sichuan-Tibet Highway travel guide over several years, seeing various maps, but I haven't collected a complete, high-definition, practical, and concise map manual. The Tibetan self-driving high-definition maps above are compiled by me, and you can save them for reference.
For more Sichuan-Tibet Highway and Sichuan-Tibet West Line travel guides, if you're unsure, you can private message me, or check my column to understand the itinerary, accommodation, and sightseeing arrangements for each route in detail. I wish you a pleasant journey!
