12-Day Motorcycle Riding Itinerary on China’s Scenic Route G318 (Chengdu to Lhasa)

What is the Sichuan-Tibet Highway?

The Sichuan-Tibet Highway is one of China’s longest and most treacherous roads. There are three routes, with the most famous being the southern route, which is the G318 section from Chengdu to Lhasa, spanning 2,142 kilometers.

The red line indicates the southern Sichuan-Tibet route (G318 Chengdu-Lhasa section).

The Sichuan-Tibet Highway was constructed in 1954 after 110,000 soldiers and civilians from the 18th Army fought valiantly in its construction.

During the building process, over 3,000 officials, soldiers, and workers heroically sacrificed their lives. Their legacy endures in history.

Today, the once formidable Sichuan-Tibet Highway has been transformed into a navigable road, with bridges spanning rivers and tunnels carved through mountains.

Detailed 12-Day Cycling Itinerary Along the G318

Day 1 Chengdu – Ya’an – Mount Mengding (110 km)  

• Explore the birthplace of world tea culture and learn about the origins of the Ancient Tea Horse Road
• Begin understanding Tibetan culture and customs at the Tibetan-Han cultural crossroads

Day 2 Mount Mengding, Ya’an – Bifeng Gorge – Ya’an (380 km)

• Erlang Mountain (altitude 3,437 m)
• Luding Bridge
• the vibrant town of Kangding
•  Continue learning about Tibetan culture at the Tibetan-Han cultural crossroads

Day 3 Ya’an – Luding – Kangding (200 km)

• Erlang Mountain
• Luding Bridge
• Kangding, where the Tibetan-Han cultures meet, offering more insight into Tibetan traditions and customs

Day 4 Kangding – Tagong – Yajiang (184 km)  

• Zheduo Mountain (altitude 4,298 m)
• Tagong Grassland
• Xinduqiao
• Gao’ersi Mountain

Day 5 Yajiang – Litang – Cuopu Valley (262 km)

• Traverse the 18 Bends of Tianlu
• visit Kamba Man Village
• Sky City
• Maoya Grassland
• the Sister Lakes on Haizi Mountain

Day 6 Cuopu Valley Tour (30 km)

• Yasuosi Monastery
• hot springs
• Cuopu Lake
• local wildlife

Day 7 Cuopu Valley – Batang – Zuogong (295 km)

• Cross Jinsha River Bridge
• Haitong Valley
• Dongda Mountain Pass

Day 8 Zuogong – Bangda – Ranwu (289 km)

• Navigate the 72 hairpin bends of the Nujiang River
• Nujiang Grand Canyon
• Nujiang Bridge
• Anjula Mountain Glacier

Day 9 Ranwu – Renlongba Glacier – Guxiang in Bomi (228 km)

• Ranwu Lake
• Renlongba Glacier
• Guxiang Lake

Day 10 Guxiang – Gongyu Spruce Forest – Guxiang (80 km)

• Cycle and hike through the primeval forest
• enjoy the scenic beauty of the Grass Sea

Day 11 Guxiang in Bomi – Nyingchi (200 km)

• Pass through the Tongmai Danger Zone and Lunang Town
• cross Sejila Mountain
• see Mount Namjagbarwa

Day 12 Nyingchi – Lhasa (419 km)

• Visit Basum Lake (altitude 3,480 m)
• enjoy the Lhasa River scenery
• cross Mila Mountain Pass (altitude 5,013 m)
• arrive at the Potala Palace

Main Attractions During the Cycling Journey

Mount Mengding

Mount Mengding in Ya’an, along with the Ancient Tea Horse Road, are vital components of China’s tea culture, embodying a rich history and deep cultural significance. Here, you can delve into and experience the tea culture of Mount Mengding and learn about the history of the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

Bifeng Gorge

Bifeng Gorge offers a stunning combination of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forests, lakes, and temples. The Bifeng Gorge Panda Protection Center is set in a beautiful natural environment, with lush mountains, clear waters, and expansive bamboo forests. While visiting the Panda Center, you can also enjoy the other breathtaking landscapes of Bifeng Gorge, where towering peaks, deep valleys, and cascading waterfalls create a truly spectacular natural scenery.

Cuopu Valley

Cuopu Valley is a breathtaking destination that features snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forests, lakes, and temples, blending natural beauty with cultural significance. The valley is home to Cuopu Lake, known as the “First Holy Lake of Kham,” where the jade-green waters are surrounded by pristine forests and verdant meadows, creating a stunningly picturesque landscape. Additionally, Cuopu Valley is rich in diverse plant and animal life and is home to one of Sichuan Province’s top ten geological parks, the Dikeng Hot Springs. The most remarkable feature is the intermittent geyser, which erupts once a day with water temperatures exceeding 100°C, making it the hottest spring on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. 

Renlongba Glacier

Renlongba Glacier is one of the few mid-latitude maritime mountain glaciers on Earth. Although its size and grandeur are comparable to other famous glaciers like Laigu Glacier and Midui Glacier, it remains undeveloped and retains its pristine state, hidden deep within the mountains and largely unknown to the outside world. Unlike other glaciers, Renlongba allows for easy access to its ice tongue, offering visitors the unique opportunity to touch the glacier and experience its majestic beauty up close.  

Gongyu Spruce Forest

With a forest coverage rate exceeding 61%, Gongyu Spruce Forest has been recognized as one of China’s top ten primeval forests by Chinese National Geography. Immersing yourself in this ancient and mysterious land allows you to fully appreciate the beauty and wonder of nature.  

Inclusions

• Accommodation Booking
• 12 nights in local high-standard hotel standard rooms (twin rooms shared by 2 people; participants can choose their roommates or be assigned by the tour leader. A single room supplement is required for solo accommodation).
• Meal Arrangements  
• A mix of standard and specialty meals along the route.
• Ticket Booking
• Entrance tickets to Mount Mengding, Bifeng Gorge, Luding Bridge, Cuopu Valley, Renlongba Glacier, Gongyunsan Forest, and Basum Lake.
• Support Services
• For the luxury group, a support vehicle is provided along with drinks and snacks. For the premium group, no support vehicle is provided, but emergency supplies are included.

Exclusions

• Personal Expenses
• All drinks, entertainment, and other personal expenses during the trip.
• Vehicle Expenses
• Fuel, tolls, and other expenses for personal or rented vehicles.
• Additional Costs
• Extra entrance fees and other services not included in the main itinerary.
• Vehicle Transport Fees
• Shipping and packing fees for picking up or returning vehicles in different locations.
• Optional Services
• Any additional optional services during the trip.
• (Note: All costs are subject to the terms and conditions of the contract.)