Where the road takes you – by leesan
The popular G318 highway is said to be one of China’s top tourist attractions today.
FOR the past five years, an “ordi- nary” highway in China has emerged as a super popular route, thanks to the power of the Little Red Book and TikTok, prompting countless of people to traverse the entire length of the road as tourists.
What’s even more incredible is that most of China’s 1.4 billion people think that the route – G318 – is the one highway that they must conquer at least once before they die.
As I’m writing this, I’m at the “KM3528” (957km from Chengdu) mark of the G318 with a bunch of travel buddies. We are in Zuogong county, which lies at an altitude of 3,877m above sea level in Tibet Autonomous Region, a very important rest stop for travellers along this highway.
Arriving at KM4000 of a total 5746km. G318 is now the most famous self drive trunk road in China from Shanghai to Tibet.
Five days prior, 22 of us were travelling in seven Toyota 4WDs driven by Tibetan driver-guides along the Chengdu section of the G318, going westward toward Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. When we reached Litang in Sichuan Province, we made a detour along route G227 towards Shangrila in Daocheng Yading, which then added 450km to our original travel plan.
Even though that’s a long drive, the scenery along the route has been extremely rewarding.
After driving up and down the hills and valleys for five days, we arrived at Jinsha River loess valley at 3,700m above sea level. We crossed the bridge into Tibet, and we “officially” arrived at the Mangkang Checkpoint in Tibet Autonomous Region at 11am.
The Mangkang-Bome section is actually the most challenging of the entire G318 route. First and foremost, the road quality here is not as good as in Sichuan. Additionally, there are towering mountains and deep ravines all over Tibet. Accidents are very common here, while major road- works and landslides may add to unbearable hold-ups that could last anything from 30 minutes to three hours. But the scenery along the route is totally reward- ing and lifted our spirits.
We still have another 1,119km to cover, driving through mountainous roads and passing Rakwa, Bome, Linzhi, Gongbo’gyamda and Shannan before arriving in Lhasa. If we want to reach the end of G318, we will then have another 736km to travel from Lhasa. The actual terminus is the Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge.
The weather is normally sunny and bright from September through December, and you will most likely get to see the majestic Mount Everest on this route.
One of the writer’s travel buddies showing the nine bends and 72 turns on the G318 highway. different areas of the route have different sceneries and landscapes, including cliffs and rivers.
The G318 highway is 5,476km long. — Photos: Leesan
Terry from the Chinese tour inbound agency said to me, “If you really want to complete the whole G318, you should do it as soon as possible while you are still physically fit and mentally strong.”
Well it just so happens that one of my biggest wishes after the pandemic is to travel on the G318 route, especially the 2,094km Chengdu-Lhasa section. This is said to be one of the 10 most famous sections along G318.
Such a sign can be spotted all along G318. It creates astronomical sums of tourist economy and is the most valuable tourist sign I have ever seen anywhere in the world. I really admire the creativity of its original creator!
Nevertheless, this is still a really thrilling and unusual cross-country experience.
Given that it’s the social media that has helped popularise the G318, the highway has become the “darling” of Mainland China’s adventure seekers. The G318 boasts many irresistible charms, especially in the crossing of provincial and county borders, with its varied topographical features that include towering mountains and flat plains, distinct seasonal shifts and uniquely colourful ethnic cultures.
Most importantly, G318 was constructed in stages from the early 1950s soon after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. During the early years, the highway was built exclusively with manual labour; tunnelling works were only possible later with the introduction of mechanisation.
By the time the project was completed, the entire stretch of the national highway straddling provinces around 30th parallel north were all linked up, forming one of the longest horizontal highways on this planet.
Notably, the “Zero” mark of G318 lies in the People’s Avenue in downtown Shanghai, and then passing through many provinces and cities such as Suzhou, Huzhou, Xuancheng, Wuhu, Chizou, Anqing, Huanggang, Wuhan, Jingzhou, Yichang, Enshi, Chongqing, Dazhou, Nanchong, Suining, Ziyang and Chengdu. Once you’ve passed all that, the legendary Chengdu-Lhasa section begins. It then continues to Garze, Changdu, Linzhi and Lhasa, before ending at the Sino- Nepal Friendship Bridge in Tibet’s Shigatse City.
The entire length of the high- way is 5,476km.
The G318 national highway runs across the entire width of Mainland China from east to west, passing fertile plains, undulating hills, basins and highland landscapes, encompassing the dreamy watertown cultures of lower Yangtze in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and Sichuan Basin, as well as Tibetan cultures.
And from the Chengdu plains to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, one can enjoy an exciting mix of mesmerising views.
This is a grand viewing gallery not just in China, but the whole world! Therefore, it comes as no surprise that “pilgrims” have flocked here from all across China, including no-frills walkers, cyclists and travellers arriv- ing in all modes of motorised transport.
Notably, the Chengdu-Lhasa section of G318 stretches for 2,094km across at least two peaks that are over 5,000m high, and 10 peaks that are over 4,000m.
Mount Gongga (the 1,000m vertical Hailuogou Glacier), Mount Zheduo, Yala Snow Mountain and the three snowcapped peaks in Daocheng (Xiannairi, YangMaiyong and XianuoDuoji), Namjagbarwa, and Gyala Peri, along with four majestic rivers (Jinsha, Lancang, Nujiang and Yarlung Tsangpo) are just some of the majestic nat- ural wonders that are waiting to be explored.
If one were to proceed westward for another 736km past the friendship bridge, one would chance upon four of the 14 peaks that are over 8,000m high: Makalu, Cho Oyu, Everest and Shishapangma. You can even put up a night at the Mount Everest Base Camp at 5,200m above sea level.
The writer (far right) with his travel buddies taking a break along one of the stops on the G318.
We are ready in 7 Land Cruiser 4WD, full of challenges and yet fruitful journey.
Knowing that I was on a trip along G318, my friend Chiharu-san sent me this message: “Inside everyone’s heart there’s this ‘Tibetan Dream’, and I really envy you for being able to challenge this amazing ‘pilgrim’s road’. It is said that the westward Chengdu-Lhasa section of G318 is a ‘heavenly way’, where one’s soul is closest to Heaven!
“It transports you to the crystal clear azure blue lake and sky, where you can take a deep breath of the pristine snow mountain air, touch the vast expanse of golden grasslands, and feel the peaceful and heart warming bell tolls echoing from Potala Palace afar. Lee San, please send my tashi delek greet- ings to the Tibetan people you come across along your way.”
Our 4WDs are hitting the road again, as we wind our way past the many hairpin curves and bends, reminding me of Han Hong’s hugely popular song, The Heavenly Road.
(Some of the figures in this article were quoted and taken from various websites. Do correct me if any part of the information provided here has been misquoted.)
Leesan, the globe-trotting traveller who has visited 137 countries and seven continents, enjoys sharing his travel stories and insights. He has also authored five books.
Published in STAR 2, 14 October 2023
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