Sichuan-Tibet Highway G318: Chengdu to Lhasa

Traverse Western Sichuan and Eastern Tibet along National Highway 318, crossing high mountain passes, glaciers, and lush forests all the way to Lhasa.

Covering approximately 2,100 km, this route climbs from the Chengdu basin up to the high plateau, before descending into the forested regions of Bome and Nyingchi. Compared to the 10-day version, this itinerary adds an extra night in Ranwu, plus visits to Basum Tso and Yamdrok Lake, keeping daily driving times under 5 to 6 hours. Mountain driving experience is required, with Dongda Mountain, Yela Mountain, and rainy season landslides being the main challenges. Ideal for road-trippers with plenty of time.

Avoid the landslide season in July and August, as well as icy mountain passes in winter. Be prepared for document checks in Markam.

Day by day

Day 1 · Chengdu to Kangding via Luding

Chengdu → Hailuogou & Kangding（Luding Bridge、Kangding Love Song Square）

Take the expressway from Chengdu to Ya'an, then transfer to G318 and drive through Luding to Kangding. Approx. 280 km, 4 to 5 hours.

Stay: Kangding Urban Area

Day 2 · Zheduo Mountain to Xinduqiao and Tagong

Hailuogou & Kangding（Zheduo Mountain Pass） → Xinduqiao & Tagong（Tagong Grassland、Lhagang Monastery (Tagong Monastery)、Xinduqiao）

Drive from Kangding over Zheduo Mountain to Xinduqiao, and make a round trip to Tagong. Total distance is about 180 km, 3 to 4 hours.

Stay: Xinduqiao Town

Day 3 · Through Litang Down to Batang

Litang（Kazila Mountain Pass、Litang Monastery (Lithang Gompa)） → Batang（Batang Town (Home of Xianzi Dance)）

Drive from Xinduqiao over Kazila Mountain to Litang, then descend into the Jinsha River valley to Batang. Approx. 370 km, 7 to 9 hours.

Litang sits at an altitude of about 4,000 meters; descending to Batang for the night is much more comfortable.

Stay: Batang County Town

Day 4 · Enter Tibet, Cross Dongda Mountain to Zogang

Batang（Zhubalong Jinsha River Bridge） → Markam（Lawu Pass、Rumei & Zhuka Lancang Bridge、Dongda La Pass）

Cross the Zhubalong Bridge to enter Tibet, pass Markam, and cross Dongda Mountain to Zogang. Approx. 260 km, 6 to 8 hours.

Start early and keep your stay on Dongda Mountain brief. Have your ID and border defense permit ready for checks in Markam.

Stay: Zogang County Town

Day 5 · Nujiang 72 Bends to Ranwu

Chamdo (Qamdo)（Bamda Grassland） → Rawok Lake & Midui Glacier（Nujiang 72 Bends (Mt. Yela)、Anjiula Pass）

Drive from Zogang through Bangda, cross Yela Mountain, descend the 72 Bends, and pass Baxoi to Ranwu. Approx. 290 km, 6 to 7 hours.

Use low gears to control your speed on long downhills; coasting in neutral is strictly prohibited.

Stay: Ranwu Town

Day 6 · Ranwu Lake and Lhagu Glacier

Rawok Lake & Midui Glacier（Ranwu (Rawu) Lake、Laigu Glacier）

Using Ranwu Town as a base, drive south along the lake to Lhagu Village and back. Total driving time is about 3 hours.

Stay: Ranwu Town

Day 7 · Midui Glacier to Bome

Rawok Lake & Midui Glacier（Midui Glacier） → Bomê Town（Zhamu Central County Committee Red Building）

Drive from Ranwu along the Parlung Tsangpo River to Midui Village, hike to see the glacier, and continue to Bome. Approx. 130 km, 3 hours.

Stay: Zhamu Town County Seat

Day 8 · Guxiang Lake and Tongmai to Lulang

Bomê Town（Gang Spruce Forest、Guxiang Lake） → Yigong & Tongmai（Tongmai Bridge） → Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon & Lulang（Lulang Forest & Lulang Town）

Drive west from Bome through Guxiang Lake and the Tongmai Tunnel complex to Lulang. Approx. 150 km, 3 to 4 hours.

Stay: Lulang Town

Day 9 · Sejila Mountain to Basum Tso

Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon & Lulang（Sejila Pass） → Nyingchi (Bayi Town)（Basum Tso (Draksum-tso)）

Drive from Lulang over Sejila Mountain to Bayi, then head west to Basum Tso. Approx. 200 km, 3 to 4 hours.

Stay: Basum Tso Lakeside

Day 10 · Cross Mila Mountain to Lhasa

Nyingchi (Bayi Town)（Mila Pass） → Lhasa（Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street）

Take the Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway from Basum Tso, crossing Mila Mountain to Lhasa. Approx. 360 km, 5 to 6 hours.

Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple

Day 11 · Potala Palace and the Old Town

Lhasa（Potala Palace、Ramoche Temple、Guangming Sweet Tea House）

Leave your car at the hotel and explore the old town on foot or by taxi. Visit the Potala Palace in the morning and Ramoche Temple and a sweet tea house in the afternoon.

Tickets for the Potala Palace must be booked in advance.