Qinghai-Tibet Highway: Xining to Lhasa

Follow the Qinghai-Tibet Highway across Hoh Xil and the Tanggula Pass, passing Namtso to enter Lhasa.

Widely recognized as the classic route into Tibet, with better road conditions than the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, covering a total distance of about 1,950 km. This itinerary slows the pace down to 7 days, gradually ascending via Delingha and Golmud, crossing Hoh Xil, and finally looping around Namtso. It is not advisable to stay overnight around Wudaoliang, so the stay is moved to Tuotuo River. Suitable for drivers with high-altitude driving experience; those who prefer not to drive can take the Qinghai-Tibet Railway instead.

Road conditions are relatively stable in June and September; July and August are the rainy season, and winter carries high risks of ice and snow.

Day by day

Day 1 · Xining via Qinghai Lake to Chaka

Qinghai Lake（Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area） → Chaka Salt Lake（Chaka Salt Lake）

Drive from Xining via Erlangjian to Chaka, about 320 km, taking around 5.5 hours, with the altitude rising to around 3,000 meters.

Stay: Chaka Town

Day 2 · Delingha and Keluke Lake

Delingha（Keluke Lake (Hurleg Lake)、Haizi Poetry Museum）

Drive from Chaka to Delingha, about 200 km, taking around 3 hours. A short half-day drive to let your body adapt.

Stay: City Center near Haizi Poetry Exhibition Hall

Day 3 · Qarhan Salt Lake to Golmud

Golmud & Qarhan Salt Lake（Qarhan Salt Lake）

Take the highway from Delingha to Qarhan, taking about 3.5 hours, and drive to Golmud for about 1 hour after the visit.

Fill up on fuel and prepare oxygen in Golmud. Foreign tourists must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit.

Stay: Downtown · Bayi Road

Day 4 · Kunlun Pass and Crossing Hoh Xil

Kunlun Pass & Hoh Xil（Kunlun Mountain Pass、Sonam Dargye Protection Station, Hoh Xil、Hoh Xil Tibetan Antelope Viewpoint、Tuotuo River & Yangtze Source Monument） → Tanggula Town (Tuotuo River)

Drive from Golmud via Kunlun Pass to Tuotuo River, about 420 km, taking around 7 hours, with some construction sections along the way.

The altitude is about 4,500 meters, so minimize physical activity tonight. It is strictly forbidden to leave the highway to enter the reserve.

Stay: Tanggula Town (Tuotuo River)

Day 5 · Over Tanggula Mountain to Nagqu

Nagqu

Drive from Tuotuo River over the Tanggula Pass to Nagqu, about 400 km, taking around 7 hours, with heavy truck traffic.

The Tanggula Pass is about 5,231 meters; do not stay too long, and drive slowly if you encounter snow.

Stay: Nagqu Downtown

Day 6 · Nagenla Pass to Namtso

Namtso（Largen La Pass、Tashi Dor Peninsula）

Drive from Nagqu to Damxung, about 170 km, then travel over Nagenla Pass to Tashi Peninsula and back, about 220 km.

The lake area is at an altitude of about 4,700 meters; returning to Damxung to stay overnight is safer.

Stay: Damxung County Town

Day 7 · Yangbajain, then Arrive in Lhasa

Namtso（Nyenchen Tanglha Viewpoint） → Lhasa（Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street）

Drive from Damxung via Yangbajain to Lhasa, about 170 km, taking around 3 hours. Spend the afternoon exploring Barkhor Street.