How to Travel to Tibet

I.The Sichuan-Tibet Southern Route: the most beautiful scenic road into Tibet

Length

Chengdu (capital city of Sichuan Province)-Lhasa, more than 2,000 km in total distance

Roadside scenery

1. Xinduqiao: The best place for photos
2. Ra'og Lake: Filled with beauty like the quiet charm of a woman
3. Midui Glacier: This highland glacier is a vanishing beauty
4. Medog County: True paradise
5. Lulang Township: Like being in a small Swiss town

Ways to travel

1. Cycle: Cycling is the most difficult way to travel along the Sichuan-Tibet Southern Route, and also takes the most travel time. Even so, every year many riders take on the challenge of the Sichuan-Tibet Southern Route, including many tough girls (July and August is the peak time).
2. Self-driving: A self-driving tour on the Sichuan-Tibet Southern Route is the most liberating way to travel. However, the Sichuan-Tibet Southern Route has many dangerous road conditions that must be matched by an extremely skillful driver. It is recommended to drive as a team and in an off-road vehicle. Along the way there are many gas stations, so there is no need to worry about running out of gas.
3. Duration: About 11 days
4. Best time to travel: Late spring (May, June) and early fall (September, October)

II.The Sichuan-Tibet Northern Route：The road to deeply understand Tibetan culture

Length

Chengdu (capital city of Sichuan Province)-Lhasa, 2412-kilometers in total distance

Roadside scenery

1. Wolong Town: The hometown of giant panda
2. SertarFive Science Buddhist Academy: Situated in the mountains, it is the largest schools of Buddhism in the world
3. Jiaju Tibetan Village: China's most beautiful mountain village
4. Daofu Tibetan Village: Tibetan architectural masterpieces
5. Chola Mountain: The genie in a cloud
6. Dege Printing House: A Tibetan cultural center
7. Longdeng Grasslands: Like an emerald sea
8. Road with 99 Turns: Its turns exhibit the many different personalities of China
9. The Nujiang River Grand Canyon: The Grand Canyon of the east

Ways to Travel

1. Car: Some people say that to truly drive along the Sichuan-Tibet Route it's best to enter on the National Highway 317 and exit from the National Highway 318. The Sichuan-Tibet Route (National Highway 317) is respected by adventurers as an intense cross-country drive. You cannot miss the beautiful scenery of Sertar County.
2. Cycle: While cycling along the Sichuan-Tibet Southern Route is like visiting a busy market while the northern route may seem very lonely. Riders rarely encounter others and accommodation is a bit more expensive. There are also greater risks when riding the Northern rather than the Southern route. It is best not to ride alone. A team should have at least 3 people or more.
3. Best time to travel: Late spring (May, June) and early fall (September, October)

III. Qinghai-Tibet Route, the "Suez Canal" on the Roof of the World

Length

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway: From east to south, Xining city, capital city of Qinghai Province to Lhasa in Tibet. 1,956 km total in distance.

The Qinghai-Tibet Highway: Xining-Lhasa, 1937-km.

Roadside scenery

Train: Take the train all the way over the towering Kunlun Mountain and Mt. Nyenchen Tanglha, across the Chumaer and Tuotuo Rivers. In Hoh Xil No Man Area, Tibetan antelopes roam in herds. The Changtang Grassland and Cona Lake offer a beautiful encounter for travelers to feel the real Tibet from their windows.

Highway: It is said that along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway the view can be monotonous. But this cold desolation that permeates one to their bones gives rise to an uninhibited and majestic feeling unique to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. You can also enjoy Lake Namstoscenery before arriving in Lhasa.

Ways to Travel

1. Car: The Qinghai-Tibet Highway has asphalt road and is open all year round. It is the busiest highway to Tibet. Many people said that entering Tibet was difficult, but actually, driving a Xiali car to Tibet via the Qinghai-Tibet Highway can be nice. It is a bit more expensive to eat and sleep at stops along the way.
2. Train: Visiting Tibet for the first time, save a few limited cases, it is more suitable to take the train to Tibet. Between the Shanghai-Lhasa section, the trip lasts two days with the elevation rises gradually so it is not easy to suffer from highland sickness.
3. Best Time to Travel: Open all four seasons

IV. Yunnan-Tibet Route: The toad through heavenly beauty

Length

Kunming (capital city of Yunnan Province) to Lhasa, 1,930 km total distance

Scenery

1. Dali, Yunnan
2. Lijiang Shangri-La
3. Cakalho in Markam County: experience the "Tea-horse Road" here
4. Zogang and Markam counties: Magnificent landscapes
5. Bome County: Hosting China's most beautiful glacier
6. Nyingchi prefecture: Unforgettably pure beauty

Ways to Travel

1. Cycle: Compared to the Sichuan-Tibet Route the Yunnan-Tibet Route room and board are a bit more expensive, but offer a brilliant view of the culture.
2. Car: Beautiful scenery along the road is unending- a true driver's paradise. The Yunnan-Tibet Route conditions are complicated, so it is recommended that novices do not drive as a means of entering Tibet.
3. Best Time to Travel: May-October (Try to avoid July and August) V.The Xinjiang-Tibet Route: The adventurer's road to conquer

Length

Yecheng (Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region) to Lhasa, 1,455 km total distance

Roadside Scenery

1. Yecheng: Meet lovely Uighur beauties
2. No Man Area: Experience the stark desolation

Ways to Travel

1. Car: Alongthe Xinjiang-Tibet Route, the drivers buy high-grade oil from private restaurants for gas. Sometimes the drivers have to beg the sellers no matter how expensive the price is. This is a particularity of the Xinjiang-Tibet Route.
2. Best Time to Travel: July and Augus 

VI. Sino-Nepalese Highway: The only internationaldirect highway

Length

From Lhasa to Kathmandu (capital city of Nepal), 943 km total distance

Roadside Scenery

1. Shigatse City
2. Zham Township

Ways to Travel

1. Cycle: Cycling en route to cross four high elevation peaks will be difficult, but simply riding a bike abroad is already a feat!
2. Best Time to Travel: From October to March 

VII. The Ancient Tang-Tibet Ancient Road, experience the road of Princess Wencheng into Tibet

Length

From Xian (capital city of Shaanxi Province) to Lhasa, more than 3,000 km in total distance

Roadside scenery

Mt. Qilian, Qinghai Lake, Riyue Mountain, Gyaring Lake, Yushu Prefecture

Ways to Travel

Car: There are not many cars and the road conditions are good.

Best Time to Travel: Open all four seasons

VIII. Bingzhongluo-Chayu Highway: Through heaven and hell

Route Length

Bingzhongluo to Lhasa, more than 1,200 km in total distance

Roadside scenery

Passing by the Bingzhongluo, Nujiang's First Beach Shimen Mountain Pass, Khata Waterfall, Sky Waterfall, Jade Stone Wall (Yulishibi), and other famous attractions and magical landscapes.

Ways to Travel

1. Car: Road conditions are poor. Use off-road vehicles and drive as a team to enter Tibet.
2. Best time to travel: May-June (Avoid July and August's rainy season and winter)