Road Trip in Tibet
Welcome to the Tibet Road Trip! For first-time travelers to Tibet and western Sichuan, why not go with our self-drive team? We have well-equipped, leading cars and expert guides who will accompany us on our journey in Tibet. The self-driving routes are extensive and diverse. Whether it’s Daocheng, Yading, the world-famous Jiuzhaigou, the traditional and popular Sichuan-Tibet 318, or the route from Chengdu to Lijiang, the high point of the journey from Lhasa to Everest, join us and witness the amazing head together. The driving path for foreigners is now open; please contact us if you happen to be interested!
Vehicle Model Photographs
Our company has struck a contract with a reputable, reliable, and dependable vehicle rental company in Chengdu. The cars include Toyota Prado, LandCruiser, Buick GL8, TANK 300, MAXUS, and more. We offer self-driving routes in Tibet and western Sichuan, providing travelers with more possibilities. There are numerous rental car travel itineraries available, such as Chengdu to Lhasa on 318/317, the West Sichuan Ring Road, Shigatse to Everest Base Camp and Namtso, and Mt. Kailash. You can use our schedule and follow our self-driving cars to explore. Or design a special, personalized trip itinerary according to your own needs. If you are interested, please contact us, and we will gladly serve you.
Buick GL8 Business 7-seater
Tank 300 Off-road Vehicle 5-seater
Iveco Business 9-seater
SAIC Maxus Motorhome 5-seater
Great Wall Haval Series 5-seater
Beijing BJ40 Off-road Vehicle 5-seater
Self-Driving Tour
1. How about the road conditions on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway?
The road leaves the Sichuan Basin behind and heads into the lower highlands of the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture from Chengdu. It passes through the Hengduan highlands and via cities like Minya Konka and Kangding, which serve as the entrance to the Yala Jokul Scenic Area. Further along the route, in Xinduqiao, is a pleasantly lovely town with mountains, plateau grassland views, and traditional Tibetan dwellings that make it a photographer’s dream come true.
The roads are not good after Xinduqiao, and there are lots of portions made of gravel and dirt that could be dangerous for an unfamiliar way driver. The road is at best uneven and should be carefully through Litang and Batang, as well as across the border into Markam. But from Markam onward, the majority of the road has an asphalt surface all the way to Lhasa, with only a few isolated areas of poor road.
The mountains and valleys of Nyingchi Prefecture, sometimes referred to as the Switzerland of Tibet, are green and lush, with peach trees lining the sides of the road as far as the eye can reach in places.
2. How can international tourists drive to Tibet?
Tourists can rent a car in Chengdu, follow the lead car of a travel agency, arrange a local tour guide in Tibet, and apply for the Tibet Travel Permits, temporary driver’s license, and other procedures to drive in Tibet.
At present, our company has recommended road trips for international tourists: Sichuan-Tibet 318 Line, Chengdu-Lijiang Road Trip for 15 days, Northwest Sichuan Round Line for 10 days and others.
For more inquiries, you can contact us directly.
3. Why drive in Tibet?
Because they said, “In this life, I will drive 318 all the way west to Lhasa.”
Because there are four seasons in one day, different weather in 10 miles in Tibet. Eyes in heaven, bodies in hell.
Because there are snow mountains, white pagodas, lamas, Prayer flags, Longda, Mani stone, sacred lake, and yak.
Because of the Tibetan antelopes, sky burials and faith.
Because it was the Tang Pan Ancient Road that Princess Wencheng had walked for three years.
Because there are Gesang flowers, this is Zoma’s hometown.
Because there is a snowy plateau, there is sunshine in Jinshan.
Because there is the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple.
Because there is Mount Everest, the third pole in the world.
Because there is Ali in heaven, and there is the sacred Mt. Kailash.
Because there are poems left by Tsangyang Gyatso.
4. What should you carry for a road trip in Tibet?
Materials to be ready:
1. Anti-high reaction: Coca-Cola (sugar might lessen altitude reaction), Rhodiola, and a portable oxygen bottle.
2. Sun protection measures, such as a hat, sunscreen, and other essential
3. Clothes: Because of the weather and altitude changes, quick-drying to down coats should be brought. Everest Base Camp offers coat rentals. Wearing short ones will result in sunburn, therefore avoid doing so.
4. Anti-slip chain: Without an anti-slip chain, Yiduo Mountain, Dongda Mountain, and the perennial snow Tanggula Mountain would be extremely dangerous.
5. Entrance documents into Tibet: passport, Tibet travel permit, temporary driver’s license, etc.
5. For an international tourist to drive to Tibet, what documentation are needed?
1. Tibet Travel Permits: We will handle the documents submitted 30 days in advance.
2. Travel permit: If you go 318 or 317 into Tibet, you need to apply for a travel permit, which is arranged by the tour guide on the way.
3. Military Permit: Road trip to Tibet involves the military control area, which requires advance application to pass, and the approval letter is also handled by our agency 30 days in advance.
4. Temporary driver’s license: After the tourists arrive in Chengdu with an international driver’s license, they will be arranged by the tour guide to study at the Chengdu Motor Vehicle Administration.
5. Keep the passport with you.
6. What about accommodation on the road in Tibet?
1. Accommodation: Basically, the towns along the Sichuan-Tibet border can accommodate people, and the one that is lowest in altitude is selected.
2. Hotel rate: 200 yuan during off-peak season, 300–400 yuan during peak season.
3. Hotel amenities: The Sichuan-Tibet line is comparatively new, and lodging quality has really increased. The hotel essentially offers amenities like hot water, electricity blankets, and toilets.
4. Supply and demand: Reservations must be made well in advance during the high travel season in Tibet, which runs from July to September.
7. How to choose the vehicle to Tibet?
Despite the improved road conditions along the Sichuan-Tibet route, it is still recommended to utilize an off-road vehicle due to the driving tendencies of international tourists and the uncharted territory. Smaller and medium-sized off-road vehicles, like the Tank 300, are preferable over huge off-road vehicles, like the Prado, which are still not advised.
8. Is it safe for international tourists to drive to Tibet or western Sichuan?
Following our team’s driving instructions is generally safe since we have highly skilled Road Trip leaders, carefully choose our routes, and create appropriate itineraries that protect everyone’s safety.
In reality, Tibetans are extremely loyal, sincere, and amiable, just like other ethnic minorities. It’s also a very safe place to travel, and the people there will greet you with smiles and waving. You can taste “endless” butter tea and barley wine and be treated like a distinguished guest when you visit a Tibetan home. Insecurity in Tibet is mostly caused by natural disasters including avalanches, blizzards, landslides, floods, and overturns.
9. What should you do if you get an altitude reaction while driving?
If there is an altitude reaction on the way, there are hospitals or health centers in general hotels or towns, and mild altitude sickness is recommended to adapt to through self-regulation, and serious illness can see a doctor.
You should relax more, walk less, insist on eating, and take medications (such rhodiola capsules) to alleviate altitude reaction.
We will quickly make arrangements for infusion, oxygen, and other care in the hospital if there is a serious altitude reaction, such as edema, pulmonary edema, severe cold, and other symptoms, and we will leave the plateau.
10. What are the physical requirements for Road trip to Tibet? Which people should not be admitted to Tibet?
For those in good health, there are no specific needs beyond keeping a positive attitude. People with severe respiratory, heart, cardiovascular, and mental diseases should not enter Tibet, so patients with severe hypertension, heart disease, bronchitis, diabetes, and colds are restricted from entering Tibet. In addition, do not deliberately exercise before entering Tibet, if you have been insisting on exercising, you should also stop half a month before going to Tibet, because oxygen consumption increases after exercise, which imposes a load on your heart in Tibet, and is easy to cause altitude sickness. When entering the plateau, it is often those who have good athletic ability that altitude sickness is more severe.
Culled Snapshots from Self-Driven Journeys
With decades of experience and thousands of travelers served, we are excited to present the best trip to Tibet to explore!
