The Sichuan-Tibet Highway starts from Chengdu, Sichuan in the east and ends in Lhasa, Tibet in the west. The Sichuan-Tibet South Line is mainly composed of National Highway 318 and some expressway sections. Many donkey friends call it "the most beautiful road in China", and it is also one of the most dangerous roads in the country.
Recently, Xiaoxin, who has lived in Lhasa for a long time, drove the Sichuan-Tibet Highway home to celebrate the New Year. Follow Xiaoxin's camera to see what it is like to drive "the most beautiful road in China" during the "Spring Festival Transport"...
In the early morning of January 15, the reporter set off from Lhasa by car.
In winter, Mount Mira on the Sichuan-Tibet line.
Mira Mountain Tunnel, the right side of the screen is the old National Highway 318, and the passage time of the tunnel has been greatly shortened after the opening of the tunnel.
Scenery of the Duobu Lake Section in Nyingchi, Tibet, on the Sichuan-Tibet Line.
National Highway 318 (left) and G4218 Tibet Linla Highway.
In recent years, the conditions of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway have been greatly improved.
At noon on January 15, the reporter successfully arrived at Sejila Mountain in Nyingchi, Tibet.
The picture shows Sejila Mountain in Nyingchi City, Tibet in winter.
Sejila Mountain Observation Deck, when the weather is fine, you can overlook Namjagbarwa Peak from the observation deck.
Sichuan-Tibet Highway Nyingchi Palonggou Bridge in Tibet.
The Tongmai section of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway used to be the most dangerous section of the Sichuan-Tibet line, with frequent mudslides in summer and avalanches in winter, but is now replaced by tunnels and bridges.
The famous Tongmai natural barrier on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway now has three bridges in the natural barrier section, and the bottom of the picture is the first two generations of cable bridges.
The snow-capped mountains in Bomi County, Tibet along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Glaciers and virgin forests in Bomi County, Nyingchi, Tibet.
On the evening of January 15, the scenery of the glacier in Bomi County on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Glaciers around Bomi County, Tibet.
On January 16, the scenery of Ranwu Lake in Basu County, Qamdo, Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Ranwu Lake in winter.
Encountered a herd of yaks on the road.
At noon on January 16, we arrived at the Nu River Canyon section in Qamdo, Tibet.
The new and old Nujiang Bridge on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Nu River Gorge on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
The famous "Sky Road 72 Turns" in Qamdo, Tibet, this road section embodies the dangers of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
On the evening of January 16, the vehicle drove across the Jinsha River and entered Sichuan.
In the early morning of January 17, Litang, Sichuan at sunrise.
Litang sunrise scenery on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Litang section of Sichuan-Tibet highway.
At noon on January 17, passing through the "Eighteen Bends of Tianlu" on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Sichuan-Tibet Highway Ganzi Gaoersi Mountain Panshan Viaduct.
Ganzi Forest Scenery along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
On the afternoon of January 17, we successfully arrived at Tianquan, Ya'an, Sichuan
The Sichuan-Tibet Highway is full of mountainous landscapes.
Kangding along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Luding Xingkang Bridge in Sichuan is known as the first bridge in Sichuan and Tibet.
On the afternoon of January 17, the team successfully arrived in Tianquan County, Ya'an, Sichuan.
On January 18, the reporter arrived at Deyang, Sichuan, the destination of the trip.
Precautions for self-driving Sichuan-Tibet Highway in winter
Vehicle condition requirements:
Ordinary cars, SUVs, and off-road vehicles are all available. Xiaoxin drives an SUV without four-wheel drive function, so he can handle it calmly. Due to the low chassis of the car, some road conditions need to slow down.
In addition, it is recommended to do a good job in vehicle maintenance and repair before departure.
Road conditions:
The entire line of the Sichuan-Tibet South Line is in good condition. Only a small number of road sections are not paved due to construction and other reasons. Just slow down and observe.
Time required:
Starting from Chengdu, Sichuan, it usually takes three to four days to arrive in Lhasa. If you like to "slow travel", the time will increase accordingly.
Accommodation:
There are hotels of various consumer grades in county-level cities along the way, and some hotels have better conditions. You can choose hotels with floor heating and oxygen supply depending on the situation.
Other requirements:
Pay attention to altitude sickness, inhale oxygen in time if you feel unwell, and do not continue to drive the vehicle if altitude sickness occurs.
Also, be sure to bring snow chains!
(Xiaoxin did not encounter icy roads during this trip, but the high-altitude sections of the Sichuan-Tibet line are prone to snow and ice, and snow chains are the first choice for safe driving.)
Text/Photo: Jiang Feibo