Many people have been asking about the things to be aware of when self-driving on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. It’s essential to understand these beforehand. You can get a good grasp of it by focusing on 5 main aspects. What are they? Let’s break it down together.
1. Vehicle Selection
When it comes to vehicle selection, a hard-core SUV is the way to go. City SUVs are not ideal. Vehicles like the Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Pajero, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, Jeep Wrangler, Nissan Patrol are all top choices. These types of vehicles can handle most rain and snow weather. They offer safety and ample space. It’s recommended to go for a 4WD. If you own one, great, if not, you can rent one. You can also use a city SUV or a crossover, as the roads are now very convenient. However, it’s not recommended as some areas have rugged roads and weather conditions, and problems can arise, impacting your journey and putting your safety at risk.
2. Time of Departure
The core of driving the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is not about sightseeing; it’s about arriving safely and returning home safely. Therefore, you must plan well before departure, check the weather, and avoid traveling during the rainy season from July to August, as landslides, mudslides, and heavy rain pose significant dangers. Also, avoid traveling from November to March, as there’s lots of ice and snow, roads are often blocked by snow, and slippery roads make driving dangerous, even for experienced drivers. It’s really not recommended to drive during those periods. Safety is paramount.
3. Preparations Before Departure
Vehicle: Before departure, have your vehicle thoroughly checked, as you will be driving thousands of kilometers. Consider getting a service done. Bring along emergency tools, tow rope, tire chains (essential in rain and snow), snacks, a small amount of food for the car, drinking water, fruits, medication. Once you pass Ya’an, things become more expensive. If you’re not in a hurry, you can basically eat on the way.
Clothing: The Sichuan-Tibet Highway, including Tibet, has a large temperature difference between day and night. It’s not even hot in summer. In summer, you can bring less. In winter, from October to April, a windbreaker and down jacket are essential, especially if you plan to visit Mount Everest or Ali.
Daily necessities: Toothpaste, toothbrush, facial cleanser, toner, moisturizer, sunscreen (above SPF 50, important, essential), lip balm (important, essential), hand cream, sunglasses, thermos, rain gear. You can prepare a dirt-proof sleeping bag, as some accommodation conditions are generally not ideal.
Documents: Make sure to bring your ID card, border pass (if visiting border areas).
4. Trip Itinerary
The Sichuan-Tibet Highway has fairly established routes that you can refer to and adjust based on your circumstances. At each point, remember to check how much fuel is left in your tank and fill it up when possible. Be aware that fuel is relatively expensive in Zuogong. Here is a 10-day itinerary for the North Sichuan-Tibet Highway and the South Sichuan-Tibet Highway:
Day 1: Chengdu → Wenchuan → Maerkang → Guanyin Bridge Town Route highlights: Taoping Qiang Village, Guanyin Temple
Day 2: Guanyin Bridge Town → Seda Five-Mind Buddhist College Route highlights: Seda Buddhist College, Red Houses, Sky Burial Platform
Day 3: Seda Buddhist College → Daofu → Bamei → Xinduqiao Route highlights: Tibetan folk customs along the way, white pagoda, Tagong Grassland
Day 4: Xinduqiao → Litang → Daocheng Yading Route highlights: Ya’an, the world’s highest city, Kazi La Mountain, Gaer Temple Mountain
Day 5: Yading Day Trip Route highlights: Yading Three Holy Mountains, Milk Sea
Day 6: Daocheng Yading → Litang → Batang → Mangkang Route highlights: Mao Ya Grassland, Sister Lakes, Jinsha River Bridge, Zhubalong Checkpoint
Day 7: Mangkang → Zuogong → Bonda → Basu Route highlights: Jinsha River, Lancang River, Dongda Mountain, Bonda County
Day 8: Basu → Ranwu Lake → Meidui Glacier → Bomê Route highlights: Nujiang 99 Bends, Ranwu Lake, Meidui Glacier
Day 9: Bomê → Tongmai → Lulang → Linzhi Route highlights: Jiangnan Linzhi, Swiss Lulang of Tibet, Nanga Bawa Peak, Thousand-year-old Cypress King
Day 10: Linzhi → Mila Mountain Pass – Yangzhuo Lake – Lhasa Route highlights: Tears of the Goddess Niyang River, Mila Mountain, Yangzhuo Lake
5. Safety Reminders
Safety comes last because it’s the most important.
First, driving safety. Never be careless. Many accidents happen due to carelessness. Drive cautiously, reduce speed on bends, there are many vehicles on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, especially in Tibetan areas, where many drivers are quite casual. Of course, there are also many self-driving tourists from other places who drive rashly. Be careful to avoid them. Slow down when passing through villages, as hitting livestock is a hassle. Pay attention to speed limit signs. Therefore, it’s recommended to always use navigation, follow its prompts, and download offline packages, as there may be areas with no signal. It’s also recommended to travel in a group, rather than alone.
Personal safety. Consider purchasing travel accident insurance and self-drive insurance as a precaution. Be mindful of the effects of altitude sickness on your body. Prevent colds. When hiking in scenic areas, be cautious of wildlife and stray dogs (Tibetan authorities have addressed this issue, so there are fewer now). For those who sleep in their cars at night, remember to leave a window slightly open, and try to park near villages.
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