Xinjiang–Tibet Highway (G219)

National Highway 219 from Kashgar and Yecheng through Aksai Chin and Ngari to Lhasa, the highest-average-altitude, most demanding and most spectacular route into Tibet.

The Xinjiang–Tibet Highway generally refers to National Highway 219 from Kilometer Zero in Yecheng to Lhaze, followed by National Highway 318 to Lhasa. Measured from Kashgar, the total distance is about 2,600 kilometers. Leaving Yecheng, the route climbs Kudi Pass, Mazha Pass and Heika Pass in succession, then passes Thirty-Mile Barracks and Big Red Willow Flats into the Aksai Chin plateau. It crosses Jieshan Pass (about 5,248 m) into Tibet, passes Doma and Rutog (Pangong Lake), and reaches Shiquanhe, the capital of Ngari. Continuing south, you can detour to the Zanda earth forests and the ruins of the Guge Kingdom. Then head to Tachin to circle Mount Kailash and see Lake Manasarovar. From there the road runs through Paryang, Zhongba, Saga and Lhaze, joins National Highway 318 and continues via Shigatse to Lhasa.

The stretch from Yecheng to Shiquanhe is about 1,100 kilometers and is one of the highest sections of any national highway on average. Many sections are above 5,000 meters. There are almost no towns along the way, only army posts, supply points and a few petrol stations. Nights are cold, and the altitude sickness risk is high. Recent road reconstruction has paved most of the route, but construction detours and seasonal washouts remain.

Allow 10–15 days. Vehicles must be in good condition with spare tyres, fuel, oxygen and cold-weather gear. A Border Permit is required for the whole journey, and checks are also made at Pangong Lake, Zanda and other places. The Ngari section (Shiquanhe–Tachin–Zanda) is worth several days as an independent destination.

Xinjiang–Tibet Highway (G219)

Along the route