Map of Roads to Tibet: from Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Nepal

Having an overland tour to Tibet is different from getting into Tibet by train or flight. It will show you something that you can never get the chance to see from a train or a plane. And you can stop whenever and wherever you want to take a photo or stay for a while to enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the road. Tourists can choose to get into Tibet via roads that connect with mainland China and also roads from Nepal. Here are the up-to-date maps of roads to Tibet.

From mainland China, there are total 4 highways available for tourists when they want to have an overland tour to Tibet: Qinghai-Tibet Highway from Xining to Lhasa, Sichuan-Tibet Highway from Chengdu to Lhasa, Yunnan-Tibet Highway from Kunming to Lhasa, and Xinjiang-Tibet Highway from Kashgar to Lhasa. Those highways are the most important roads that make it possible for Tibet to connect the outside world at the end of last century. Besides, if you want to travel overland from Kathmandu in Nepal, Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway can take you to Lhasa via the new Gyiong Port.

Map of Qinghai-Tibet Highway G109

Qinghai-Tibet Highway runs from Xining in Qinghai to Lhasa in Tibet, covering 1,347km in total. It is one of the highest and longest roads in the world, which connecting Tibet with the outside world since 1954 after four years of tough construction. This route is the busiest and also the shortest road from mainland China to Tibet with a lot of picturesque views along the road, including grassland, salt lake, gobi desert, plateau, desert, etc. You will get the chance to have a close look at those famous tourist spots, such as Qinghai Lake, Kunlun Mountain Pass, Hoh Xil National Reserve, Tuotuo River, Tanggula Pass, Amdo Grassland, and Namtso. Xining to Tibet Tours

Map of Qinghai-Tibet Highway G109

Map of Xinjiang-Tibet Highway G219

With an average altitude of over 4,500, Xinjiang-Tibet Highway is also one of the highest roads in the world. Starting to offer service in the year of 1957, it is also an important road to get into Tibet. It starts from Yechen in Xinjiang and ends in Cha Wu in Lhatse in Tibet, covering a total length of 2,140km. Tourists will encounter many depopulated zones along the road from Xinjiang to Tibet. However, it will be a totally amazing experience for adventurous tourists. Just be careful and it is highly recommended to prepare all necessary articles for expected and unexpected situations when passing through those no-man's land.

Map of Xinjiang-Tibet Highway G219

Map of Sichuan-Tibet Highway G318 & G317

Sichuan-Tibet Highway is divided into two routes - the northern route and the southern route. The northern route covers a length of 2,412km with Queer Mountain as its highest spot, while the southern route covers 2,146km. No matter which line you choose to have your Tibet overland tour from Chengdu, you will never regret since the scenery along the road will definitely amaze you. The northern line was opened in December 1954, while the southern line was opened in 1969 officially. The part from Chengdu to Xinduqiao and the part from Bamda to Lhasa are overlapped. It took thousands of soldiers lives to complete the construction of the road because of the tough and complicated geographic features along the road. So, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway marked the development of Tibet by connecting this area with mainland China. And it is also the most important way for tourists from Sichuan and the surrounding areas to get to Tibet easily. Chengdu to Tibet Tours

Map of Sichuan-Tibet Highway G318 & G317

Map of Yunnan-Tibet Highway G214

Yunnan-Tibet Highway, also known as No.214 Highway, is another important road that connects Kunming and Lhasa. It covers a total length of 1,930km, serving as a bridge that brings tourists from Yunnan to Tibet. It will not pass through places that have high altitude on the road. But tourists need to drive 39km on places with the altitude of more than 4,000m and 239km on places with altitude between 3,000m to 4,000m. so, it is also a tough and adventurous experience for people with those complicated conditions, including numerous snow-capped mountains, tunnels, bridges, etc. Yunnan-Tibet Highway is known as a dangerous and beautiful roads to Tibet that attracts lots of tourists to have a try. Kunming to Tibet Tours

Map of Yunnan-Tibet Highway G214

Map of Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway G318

Sino-Nepal is an international road that links Tibet with Kathmandu, attracted thousands of international tourists to travel via this road from Tibet to Nepal or vice versa. It starts from Lhasa and passes through Shigatse and Lhatse County before it divides into two lines. The eastern line will get to Zhangmu Port and get into Kathmandu via the Friendship Bridge, while that western line will take tourists to get into Kathmandu via the Gyirong Port. The part of the road in Tibet is well-paved for tourists to drive comfortably. But tourists need to pay attention to the speed limit and ensure safety first. The Sino-Nepal Highway will pass through Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Mt.Everest, Rongbuk Monastery, etc. Tibet Overland Tours

Map of Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway G318