Self-driving gods: where are you planning to dash off to?
You may have 1,000 small travel goals, but now at this stage, I'm afraid that only Tibet and Xinjiang are reliable. Especially Tibet, the little red flag has not fallen.
Be honest: Are you now interested in going to Tibet?
Not just twice into Tibet, walked through the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet, the Tangfan ancient road, but also walked through the Qinghai-Tibet line, the northern route of Sichuan-Tibet, part of the Cacharan line. The journey has taught me a lot of things.
I have shared some of what I have seen and heard in Tibet off and on, which is not systematic. Today I am going to use a long article to detail all aspects of the trip to Tibet. If you find it useful, please bookmark it.
First, the route into Tibet
There are many routes into Tibet, and they will continue to increase in the future.
Generally speaking, the routes into Tibet are Sichuan-Tibet South Route (G318), Sichuan-Tibet North Route (G317), Qinghai-Tibet Route, Yunnan-Tibet Route, Xinhai-Tibet Route, Tangfan Ancient Road, Pincharan Route, and G345 National Highway. In addition, the internal Tibetan Ali northern route connecting Naqu and Ali, also often mentioned by self-drivers.
318 Sichuan-Tibet South Route
Most people who are entering Tibet for the first time will choose this route.
It starts from Chengdu and passes through Ya'an, Kangding, Litang, Mankang, Bomi and Linzhi before finally arriving in Lhasa. The road is 2,145 kilometers long, with some sections having parallel highways.
Personally, I don't think it's necessarily the most scenic route, nor is it the most suitable route for first-time visitors to Tibet. But it is a route that has been "planted" the most, and in the minds of self-driving people, it has long become a kind of sentiment. In addition, it is the most convenient route for the eastern provinces with a large population.
Its scenery can be ranked in the top three, characterized by endless variations and a great variety of landscape types.
The route starts with great altitude ups and downs, with high and low altitudes arranged in succession, which is more conducive to overcoming plateau reactions (not as good as the Yunnan-Tibet route and G345).
317 Sichuan-Tibet North Route
The northern route of Sichuan-Tibet starts from Chengdu, passes through Markang, Changdu, Dingqing and other places, and reaches Nagqu. The total length of this section is a little over 2,000 kilometers.
In Nagqu, we can go south to Lhasa (about 350 km); or we can continue west into the northern line of Ali to explore the mysterious Ali region.
It is generally treated as an alternate route, and people who enter Tibet for the first time usually do not choose the northern route, but will take it on their second trip into Tibet or on their return trip from Lhasa.
It has medium scenery, the first half is similar to the southern route, but not as spectacular as the southern route; the advantage is that the scenery is pristine and the pastures and Tibetan villages are quite popular among tourists. The second half is more desolate and not much interesting.
It has less altitude fluctuations, and the beginning stage is smoothly rising, which is better for overcoming altitude sickness.
109 Qinghai-Tibet Route
The Qinghai-Tibet route is the shortest route into Tibet (counting only the plateau section), counting from Golmud and only 1,150 kilometers to Lhasa.
The trail is relatively straight, with high elevation but not much ups and downs. Most of the large trucks into Tibet take this road.
It is the route out of Tibet for most tourists. The shortest route is certainly the best route for those who have already had their fill of the plateau scenery and are eager to go home.
It is really not suitable for entry into Tibet. After starting from Golmud, the altitude rises sharply from 2800m to 4767m (Kunlun Pass), and there is a long stretch of road further ahead where the altitude is not very low. If you have altitude sickness, the only way to get a respite is to rush until Lhasa (3650m above sea level).
The drivers of large goods choose this road is a last resort, because this road is short and less hilly. From the two aspects of saving time and saving money, large cargo drivers prefer to be tormented by plateau reaction, but also have to take this route.
The road passes through Namtso and Cocosi, and the scenery is desolate and rough, not so beautiful.
Yunnan-Tibet route
The Yunnan-Tibet route starts from Kunming, passes through Dali and Lijiang, and arrives in Mankang, Tibet, and merges into the southern Sichuan-Tibet route. It is supposed to be the second most popular route for self-driving into Tibet.
Personally, I think this road is better than the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet if it is the first time to enter Tibet. Its scenery along the way does not lose 318, and the route's height rises gently, which is very good for overcoming plateau reaction.
Of course, it also has obvious disadvantages: for most Chinese people, taking the Yunnan-Tibet route requires a detour through Yunnan, which involves a lot of unnecessary travel. It is probably more suitable for friends from Yunnan and the two provinces.
New Tibet Route
The Xinjiang-Tibet route starts from Yecheng, Xinjiang, and arrives in Lhasa via Ali and Shigatse.
There are fewer towns along the Xinjiang-Tibet route, it is more desolate, the route is longer (2100 km), and the weather is complicated at the border of Xinjiang and Tibet.
No one will take this route except for a few people who are traveling for a long time. For most people, it is also not the way home.
The Xinjiang-Tibet route is only suitable for going out of Tibet, the reason is that the altitude is super high (more than 4500 meters on average, higher than the Qinghai-Tibet route) and the height of the starting stage rises sharply, which makes it extremely easy to have plateau reactions. Moreover, it does not give tourists a chance to adapt, and the altitude is maintained at 5000 meters for a long period of time, with the lowest 30-mile camp reaching 3700 meters.
Tangfan ancient road
It starts from Xining, passes through Mado and Yushu, and merges into National Highway 317 in Xiwuqi.
This is a good route out of Tibet, with better scenery and not too much elevation change, but the route is long. It is suitable for people who have enough time, are not in a hurry to go home and still want to see the scenery.
If used to enter Tibet, not good and not bad, certainly stronger than the Qinghai-Tibet line and the new Tibetan line. It starts with a smooth altitude rise in the beginning stage, but the adaptation time left for self-drivers is still not long enough, so plateau reactions will still occur. Personally, I recommend using it to get out of Tibet.
Cacharan line
From Dali, it passes through Nujiang, Fugong and Gongshan and arrives at the town of Ranwu.
This is a late route into Tibet, not very famous. Self-drivers generally take it as a "personality" route and will only consider trying it after they have taken other routes.
This road has pristine scenery and gentle altitude rise, which is suitable for entering Tibet. Road condition, just repair into that time is quite good, now it is not easy to say.
Gan-Tibet route
G345 is a newly formed route into Tibet, which starts from Longnan, Gansu, and arrives at Yushu via Diepe, Maqu, Dari, and Shiqu. No one has given it a name yet, I am bold enough to call it the "Gan-Tibet route" first!
The original plan for this road was to continue west from Yushu and arrive at Naqu via Zaduo and Nerong, but currently there is no through road between Zaduo and Nerong. So we can only enter the ancient Tanfan Road from Yushu to the south at the moment.
This is an excellent route into Tibet, passing through the stunning scenery of Gannan and northern Sichuan on the way. It starts with a very smooth rise in altitude, which gives visitors a comfortable acclimatization process. So far, it has good road conditions and relatively low traffic flow.
Personally, I think: the combination of the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet and the Gan-Tibet route (which can be entered) is probably the optimal solution for the first time to enter Tibet.
Second, the cost of self-drive tour
The exact cost of course can not be calculated, but I can help you to calculate an approximate, not too much difference.
To an SUV, a family of three peers, Wuhan departure back to Wuhan to estimate the total distance of about 7,000 kilometers, round-trip time of 20 days. The costs incurred for the trip are these.
1. Fuel cost.
The total distance traveled was about 7,000 kilometers. In the current situation of high fuel prices, the full journey fuel cost should be 7000 yuan up and down. You should know that the fuel price in Tibet is quite higher than the mainland. Everyone can count on 1 yuan for 1 kilometer.
2、High speed fee
Generally, only the highway is available outside the highlands. The estimated highway toll is 1,600 RMB.
3、Accommodation fee
If there are two large and one small and only one room, the accommodation cost is 3,000 RMB at 150 RMB per day.
If you drive an RV or bed van into Tibet, this cost is not necessary.
4、Eating expenses
For a normal meal, I estimate that the cost of two large and one small meal should be 5,000 yuan.
The above "just need", already more than 15,000.
5、Small expenses and flexible costs
There are also costs such as parking fees, entrance fees to scenic spots, purchase of specialties, medicines, etc., which are not so good to estimate.
Broadly speaking, $20,000 for two large and one small plus one car is a more typical cost.
III. Accommodation and food
Many people who have never been to Tibet are worried about this problem.
First of all, you don't have to worry about eating, as long as you have money in your pocket, it's not a problem at all. Take the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet as an example, the tourism service industry is very mature, and the towns are dense enough, there are plenty of places to eat.
The restaurants along the way, with Sichuan and Tibetan cuisine, are still rich enough in variety.
As for accommodation, generally speaking, as long as it is a town, there are definitely hotels. But where there are more people, the range of choices is also sufficient, high school and low-grade are available. Usually, when you go to Tibet, accommodation is not a problem.
However, if you are in Tibet during the peak tourist season, I can't say for sure. It is recommended to make reservations if you can do so in advance. During the summer holidays, the counties on the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet that are suitable for accommodation will form congestion every afternoon in the direction of the city. If you expect to get into the city and then try your luck, the result is likely to be disappointment.
It is recommended that the car is not a caravan, bed car friends, it is best to also prepare a tent. If you can't get to the hotel, at least you have a way to make up a night.
Fourth, what kind of car is suitable for Tibet?
If you ask can or can't? Then the answer is any car, as long as it's not a Ferrari or Lamborghini.
The road into Tibet is mountainous, but the road condition is not bad. Because they are all national roads, the specifications of the roads are not too bad, and the maintenance is also very timely. Therefore, the general family car can cope with it.
In fact, cars like the Wuling Guang, BYD F0, old Santana and so on, I have seen in Tibet.
However, if you are asking what kind of car is suitable for entering Tibet, the answer will be very different.
For entry into Tibet, you are advised to choose.
1. A car with strong power. A car with too little power is too torturous to climb.
2, the car with a high chassis. People who have walked on mountain roads understand that mountain roads break down quickly. Although the line into Tibet is very well maintained, but still can not avoid some bad roads. Chassis high some, over the bad road will have the bottom.
3, four-wheel drive is better than rear-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive is better than front-wheel drive.
To sum it up, it is off-road vehicles, better SUVs, and pickup trucks that are most suitable for going into Tibet.
If you only have a normal family car, it's okay, it's just not too cool.
So, can electric cars go into Tibet?
In fact, electric cars also belong to the "can, but not suitable" category.
Charging electric cars along the way is not a big problem, charging posts are not difficult to find. But the range of your car should not be too little, and it is not recommended to enter Tibet with a little cutie like the Wuling Hongguang MINI.
I have seen electric cars on both my trips to Tibet, but the number is very small.
V. What do I need to prepare to enter Tibet?
The journey to Tibet is long, and the preparation work should not be sloppy.
1、Maintain the car
Because into Tibet once is a maintenance cycle, it is recommended that before leaving and after returning home major health care once.
2、Tools accompanying the car
Like jack, wrench, car inflatable pump, tire repair kit, tow rope, fire extinguisher, tripod, reflective undershirt, emergency power, power hitch, flashlight, anti-slip chain and so on, can bring all bring. Among them, in addition to the summer do not need to bring anti-skid chain, other seasons should be brought.
3, the necessary accompanying items
ID card, driver's license and driving license are naturally missing.
Then, it is recommended to bring some cash. Now, sweep code payment is also popular in Tibet, and most of the spending can be swept. However, because some remote areas may not have good signal to scan the code, you can't take a single money without it like the mainland.
If you go to Ali or Murdoch, you will also need a border guard permit, which is best issued in advance.
If you live in the car, tent, bedding, pillows, sleeping bags and what not, should not forget to bring.
4、Thick clothing
The temperature on the plateau is low, if you go into Tibet in summer, you should bring spring and autumn clothes; spring and autumn days into Tibet, you should bring winter clothes; winter into Tibet, you see what the northeastern people wear, you will wear anything.
Entering Tibet is not a day or two thing, at least you have to prepare two sets of clothes.
One more thing is especially important: a wide-brimmed hat, preferably the kind with a band.
5、Drugs
Cold medicine and oxygen bottles are a must. If you have any underlying diseases (such as high blood pressure), the corresponding medication is even more indispensable.
Cold medicine is not for use when you have a cold, it's too late then; you should use it as soon as you have the first sign of a cold to "suppress" it.
Anti-reflex medication is mainly a psychological comfort, you feel free to do.
6、Other
Umbrellas, sunscreen, children's holiday homework, razors, cell phone chargers ......
It is recommended that you make a list when you plan to go to Tibet so as not to miss important things.
Six, the time to enter Tibet
Tibet has different styles of beauty in different seasons. It is possible to enter Tibet in which season.
However, it is easy to accumulate snow and close roads in winter into Tibet. Generally speaking, it is not possible to take the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet in winter, but it is still possible to take the Qinghai-Tibet route.
Snow may accumulate on the road in spring and autumn, but it is not serious, bring anti-skid chains, drive carefully, generally not a big problem.
May to October every year is a more suitable month to enter Tibet.
Among them, July to August is the rainy season, with frequent geological disasters along the way and frequent road breaks. However, this is also the only time many people have time to enter Tibet. Generally speaking, you just bravely go forward! The road is broken, someone to repair, the big deal is to wait for a day or two more, over is sure to pass.
VII. Other Notes
1、Many people who first enter Tibet want to ask: Is the car good to drive? Is the road good?
This medium bar, no big difficulty, but at least you have to have two years of driving, it is best to have the experience of driving in the mountains - because most of the roads in Tibet are mountain roads.
2, even if the road is good, do not "burn the bag". In addition to paying attention to road conditions, you have to be careful of the occasional yak, wild animals.
3, high altitude areas with little oxygen, not suitable for intense exercise. If the scenery is good, you have to put on a calm face that has seen a lot of the world.
4. Respect the local customs and traditions. The cultural differences between Tibet and the mainland are not small, and Tibetans have more taboos. If you really can't remember what they are taboo, then it's better not to go to the herder's house.
For the time being, I can only remember so much. If there are any shortcomings, welcome to self-driving gods to add.
Tibet is not an unreachable place, a heart crossed, open step, you can be farther than Lhasa, higher than Dongda Mountain!
