Highway to Tibet 

Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu-Lhasa)

Entering Tibet via Sichuan-Tibet Highway is quite dangerous. However, tourists travelling this way are rewarded with the most beautiful landscapes.
The 2,413-kilometer Sichuan-Tibet Highway starts from Chengdu of Sichuan in the east and ends at Lhasa of Tibet in the west, of which 1,304-kilometer is in Tibet. The road was started to construct from April 1950, and opened on December 25, 1954.
Sichuan-Tibet highway traverses 14 high mountains averaging 4,000-5,000 meters above sea level (such as: Erlang Mountain, Hengduan Ranges, Quershan Mountain); spans dozens of famous rivers (Dadu River, Jinsha River, Lancang River, Nujiang River);  crosses primeval forest and numerous dangerous sections. It has fine scenery along the line, with unique customs.
Starting from Chengdu, passing by Ya'an, Kangding, Sichuan-Tibet Highway divides into northern route and southern route at Xinduqiao. Northern route traverses Ganzi, Dege, reaches Changdu (Chamdo), Bangda of Tibet; while southern route traverses Ya'an, Litang, Batang, reaches Mangkang of Tibet; two routes link up again in Bangda, then, traverse Basu, Bomi, Nyingchi, arriving in Lhasa finally. Northern route is 2,412 kilometers in total, with 6,168-meter-high Quershan Mountain as the peak. Southern route is 2,149 kilometers long, passing 4,700-meter-high Litang. Most people choose southern route to enter Tibet since it is shorter and the altitude lower.
A car trip via Sichuan-Tibet Highway takes about 8-10 days.

Northern Route: 
Chengdu<-54km->Dujiangyan<-83->Wolong<-148km->Dawei<-43km->Xiaojam<-55->Tanpa<-77km->Baimei<-68km->Daofu<-72km->Luhuo<-97km->Ganzi<-95km->Manigange<-112km->Dege<-24km->Jinshajiang River Bridge<-85km->-Jiangda<-228km->Changdu<-248km->Dengen<-225km->Bagen<-136km->Nagqu<-164km->Damxung<-75km->Yangbajing<-87km->Lhasa

Southern Route: 2149km
Chengdu<-147km->Ya'an<-168km->Luding<-49km->Kangding<-75km->Xinduqiao<-74km->Yajiang<-143km->Litang<-165km->Batang<-36km->Zhubalong<-71km->Mangkang<-158km->Zuogong<-107km->Bangda<-94km->Basu<-90km>Ranwu<-129km->Bomi<-89km->Tongmai<-127km->Nyingchi<-19km->Bayi<-127km->Gongbo Gyamda<-206km->Maizokunka<-68km->Lhasa

Tips:
1. The best time to travel via Sichuan-Tibet Highway is May-June and September-October. In rainy season of July and August, debris flow or overbreak may often occur in the sections of Bangda-Basu, Bomi-Bayi. Therefore, plenty of extra time needs to be planned to do this trip during this season. 
2. Please make sure your equipments are water-proof, including cameras, tents, sleeping sacks and etc.
3. This highway route is suitable for those who drive to Tibet by themselves, for the public transport does not cover the whole route up to now.
4. Tibet is one of the last few "Pure Lands" in the world. Please kindly be responsible for your waste. Don't do harm to the wild plants or animals.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway (Xining-Lhasa)


Qinghai-Tibet Highway is the busiest route to Tibet with smooth traffic all the year around.
Qinghai-Tibet Highway starts from Xining, Qinghai Province, crossing four mountains, namely Kunlun Mountain (4,700m), Fenghuo Mountain (4,800m), Tanggula Mountain (5,150m at the mountain pass) and Nyainqentanglha Mountain, spanning three rivers, Tongtian River, Tuotuo River and Chuma'er River, at an average altitude of 4,500m. 544km of the route is in Tibet, traversing the Qiangtang Grassland and converging with Sichuan-Tibet Highway in Lhasa.
The highway was constructed in 1950 firstly, and opened on 25 December, 1954.
With the roadbed being 10-meter wide, and an incline of less than 7%, the speed limit is 60km per hour.
Qinghai-Tibet Highway, dubbed "heaven road", is a lifeline in Qinghai and Tibet.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway Route: 1937km
Xining<-103km->Daotang River<-196km->Chaka<-484->Golmud<-269km->Wudaoliang<-150->Tuotuo River<-91km->Yanshiping<-100km->Tangula Mountain<-89km->Amdo<-138km->Nagqu<-164km->Damxung<-75km->Yangbajing<-78->Lhasa

Tips:
1. May to September is the best time to go Tibet via Qinghai-Tibet Highway. It has the typical climate of plateau lands.
2. People can feel serious altitude sickness while on Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Start from Golmud about and onwards 100km, the altitude is already more than 4,000m above sea level, with the highest at Wudaoliang and Tangula mountain Pass. Plenty of winter clothing and medicine against altitude reaction should be prepared.
3. With relatively good road condition, driving speed can be pretty fast. While drivers get tired easily after long-distance driving, many traffic accidents occur there. Please pay more attention to the traffic while driving.
4. Scenery en route is mainly snow-capped mountains, alpine pasture and small Tibetan villages. You will see many wild animals along this route, only they are far away. If you want to take pictures of them, prepare excellent cameras in advance.
5. Meals are available at many small restaurants along the road. However, since the journey is mostly on the vehicle, enough solid food and drink water should be prepared.
6. Tibet is one of the last few "Pure Lands" in the world. Please kindly be responsible for your waste. Don't harm the wild plants or animals.

Xinjiang-Tibet Highway (Yecheng-Burang)


Xinjiang-Tibet highway is famed as the "Road Paved on the Heaven". Compared with other three highways to Tibet, this one is most difficult.
This highway was started to build from March 1956, and opened on October 6, 1957. With a total distance of 2,743km, the highway starts from Yecheng, a city in southern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; passes by Gar County in Tibet and reaches Shiquanhe Town locating in Ngari Prefecture of Tibet; then the route winds south to Burang County, where China borders India and Nepal. Here, the highway turns east to converge with China-Nepal Highway, and then extends to Shigatse and finally stretches into Lhasa.
Xinjiang-Tibet Highway traverses several mountains, five of which soaring more than 5,000m high above sea level. Among them, the highest is Jieshan Daban Mountain at an altitude of 6,035m. Also, you will appreciate the spectacular view of the heavenly holy mountain Kailash, which is called the “Center of the World”, and to feel the overwhelming charm of the holy lake Manasarovar. Though the road condition of this highway is poor and difficult, the holy mountains and lakes attract many pilgrims to go there.

Tips:
1. The best season to travel on this highway is May to early July or September to October. From July to September, it is the rainy season, and the road condition worsens. In winter and spring, the road will be blocked with snow and makes it impossible to travel.
2. Xinjiang-Tibet highway is very difficult to travel. Besides of the high altitude (at average altitude is higher than Qinghai-Tibet Highway), many sections of this route are unpaved and wild; both the road condition and accommodation are poor, so it is advised to take some solid food and sleeping bags. All people will experience altitude sickness on Jieshan Daban Mountain, so do take some medicines and oxygen with you.
3. An experienced guide is a must. Most of the road is deserted and full of turnoff.
4. The most challenging section of Xinjiang-Tibet Highway is from Yecheng to Shiquanhe Town, with a distance of 1060km, about 3 days bus ride. More than half of it is uninhabited area, covering 7 mountain passes (Daban).
5. No public transportation is available on this highway. The only way to travel on Xinjiang-Tibet Highway is to rent a car or drive your own.
6. Tourists want to trek in Tibet can choose from many bridle paths, pilgrims' byways and ferries (make necessary consultations to the locals or just follow the pilgrims).
7. Tibet is one of the last few "Pure Lands" in the world. Please kindly be responsible for your waste. Don't harm the wild plants or animals.

Yunnan-Tibet Highway (Xiaguan-Mangkang)


Yunnan-Tibet Highway, also called Dian-Zang Road (Dian is the abbreviation for Yunnan Province, Zang is the abbreviation for Tibet), is the fourth trunk line from hinterland to Tibet. This highway is famed as charming and graceful.
Yunan-Tibet Highway was opened to traffic in 1974. It starts from Xiaguan of Yunnan in the south; raverses Jianchuan, Zhongdian and Deqin to Mangkang of Tibet and covers a distance of 714 km. It joins the south part of Sichuan-Tibet Road in the north. The whole road runs through the China-Burma Basin and the Hengduan Mountain Range with the highest point - the pass of Hongla Snow Mountain at 4,300 meters above sea level. The road leads through spectacular landscape, with thick forests and mild and humid climate on the way. As the Hengduan Mountain Range is cut by Lancang River and Jinsha River with many high mountains and deep valleys, and the road goes up and down in elevations through the mountains and valleys, you can experience different kinds of climates and landscapes on the way.
This highway was built along the "Tea-Horse Ancient Road" which is a trade route connecting the fertile farmland with the remote western frontiers.
Travel on this highway, you will pass many minority areas and enter a colorful world of ethnical nationalities, such as Bai, Miao, Naxi, and Tibetan. You will be impressed by their typical and various culture and custom.

Tips:
1. The best time for driving on Yunnan-Tibet Highway is August to October.
2. On the south of Deqin of this route, there are some public transport or shuttle buses. But you'd better to rent a van from Deqin to Mangkang, as few vehicles can be found in this part. After passing Deqin, debris flows often occur in Lancang River Valley. 
3. Because of the high altitude, please prepare some medicine for altitude sickness. Warm clothing including waterproof coat, will be needed, even in summer.
4. Tibet is one of the last few "Pure Lands" in the world. Please kindly be responsible for your waste. Don't harm the wild plants or animals.