There are eight routes to Tibet from Chengdu, Kunming, Xining, Lanzhou, Xi'an and Urumqi to Lhasa***. Each route covers about 2,000 kilometers and takes 5-10 days one way and 15-17 days round trip.
The mileage and number of days of driving for each route is different, such as 2100 kilometers for 318 Sichuan-Tibet South Route, which takes 10 days to drive; 214 Yunnan-Tibet Route is 1900 kilometers long, which takes 8 days to drive. Overall, there is no difference in mileage and self-driving time for each route.
Tibet self-driving, days on the most popular routes
"318 Sichuan-Tibet Railway + 109 Qinghai-Tibet Railway" is the most popular route to Tibet by car.
The scenery along the way is good, passing through Inacheng Yading, Linzhi, Namucuo, Coco Sicily, Qinghai Lake, etc.; at the same time, the road conditions and transportation security facilities (gas stations, repair stores, etc.) along the route are also the most perfect, the passage of the family car is no pressure.
Most self-driving tour enthusiasts will choose the "Sichuan in and out of Tibet" route for the first time. 318 Sichuan-Tibet route is known as "our countrymen's landscape avenue", and the scenery along the route has been highly praised. The route from Sichuan to Qingdao is 5,000 kilometers long and takes 15 days by car.
The specific route is: Chengdu - Xindu Bridge - Yading - Batang - Basu - Bomi - Linzhi - Lhasa - Yamdrok Yumtso - Potala Palace - Naqu - Golmud - **** and - Lanzhou. The basic route from Sichuan to clear is the same. If you have more time, you can stay 1-2 days more in famous tourist attractions such as "Inacheng Yading, Lhasa and Namucuo".
When you drive to Tibet, there are many attractions along the way, such as Xinduqiao, "World of Light and Shadow", "Highway Wonders", 72 bends of Nujiang River and "the most beautiful snow mountain in our country" Nanjiawa Peak. The scenery along the Sichuan-Tibet route includes snow-capped mountains, forests, canyons, seas, glaciers, grasslands and Yadan. It can be said that all elements of the natural landscape are covered except the sea.
The Cost of Tibet Self-Driving Tour
The cost of driving to and from Tibet is RMB 3,000-5,000 for fuel, RMB 400 for highway tolls, RMB 3,000 for accommodation, RMB 1,500 for meals, and RMB 1,000 for scenic spot entrance fees. The average cost shared by an individual is about 6,000 yuan. If a person drives to Tibet by himself, the cost is relatively high. With no one to share the house and no one to share the fuel costs equally, it's about 10,000 yuan for a single person.
Stores along the main routes in Tibet basically support mobile payment. When traveling to Tibet by car, you can pay without cash in almost all cases, except for the occasional roadside toilet that only charges a dollar in cash. I've been to Tibet a few times, usually with only a few hundred dollars in cash, but I didn't end up moving.
The happiest way to drive in Tibet
I think the happiest way to drive in Tibet is to sing and laugh with friends and family along the way. When you see the beautiful scenery and share it with people around you, the beauty of the journey will stay in your heart for a long time and leave a fragrance in your memory.
When a person drives in Tibet and sees the most beautiful scenery in the world, such as the sunny golden mountain on the Namgyalwa Peak, but can't find anyone to talk to in a foreign country, the feeling of loneliness and bleakness becomes more memorable against the beautiful scenery, which always puts people in a sad mood.
While driving on the road, some people want to see the scenery while others want to practice. People come to Tibet from thousands of miles away for different purposes. Tibet is never a disappointment for the discerning traveler or the open-minded tourist.
For more travel strategies and practical tips for Tibet, Xinjiang, western Sichuan, Qinghai and southern Gansu, check out my column, which includes a "Daily Travel, Sights and Accommodations" plan for each itinerary, or ask me privately (you can follow along and send a private message). Enjoy your trip!