Yunnan–Tibet Highway (G214)
A route from Dali via Lijiang, Shangri-La, Deqin and Yanjing to Markam, then along National Highway 318 into Tibet, crossing the Three Parallel Rivers region.
The Yunnan–Tibet Highway refers to the route from Dali (or Kunming) north along National Highway 214, joining National Highway 318 at Markam in Tibet and continuing to Lhasa. The distance from Dali to Lhasa is about 2,000 kilometers. The Yunnan section runs through Lijiang, the Tiger Leaping Gorge entrance and Shangri-La. It crosses Tuguan Village Pass to Benzilan on the Jinsha River, where Moon Bend offers views of the great bend of the Jinsha. It then crosses Baima Snow Mountain Pass (about 4,290 m) to Deqin. At Feilai Temple and Wunong, you can see the golden sunrise on Meili Snow Mountain. Next, follow the Lancang River gorge north, pass Fushan into Tibet, and reach Yanjing to see the ancient salt fields and a Catholic church. Cross Hongla Pass to Markam. From Markam onwards, the route shares the road with National Highway 318: Lawu Shan, Zogang, Dongda Shan (about 5,130 m, the highest point on the route), the 72 bends of the Nu River, Baxoi, Ranwu Lake, Bomi, Tongmai, Lulang, Nyingchi, and finally Lhasa.
This route crosses the UNESCO World Heritage “Three Parallel Rivers” region, where the Jinsha, Lancang and Nu rivers run side by side within a hundred kilometers, with gorges that drop two or three thousand meters. The northwestern Yunnan Tibetan areas blend the cultures of the Naxi, Lisu and other ethnic groups.
Allow 9–14 days, with 3–4 days for the Yunnan section. The stretch from Deqin to Yanjing has many cliffs along the river, so watch for rockfalls in the rainy season. Once you enter Tibet, the altitude rises quickly, so acclimatize in Deqin and Markam. During the National Day Golden Week, traffic is heavy, and you should get up early to see Meili Snow Mountain.