Author: Wanying
Source: Self-driving Geography
Edit: Yellow River
Yanghu Lake, source/Tibet Travel Online Original image/ZOL Zhongguancun Online
In June, spring on the plateau has come
A seductive scent in the air
Crowds of people, vehicles
From all directions to the snow-covered plateau
Tibet ushers in the peak travel season
But there are also many students who have various concerns
Put the itinerary on hold:
“My car is XX, can I enter Tibet?
Having trouble refueling along the way? “
“I plan to bring my children to Tibet during the summer vacation. Do I need to bring an oxygen cylinder?”
“When is the best time to go to Tibet?
Which route is suitable for the first time entering Tibet? “
Go back in time to 30 years ago
In the 1980s and 1990s, few people traveled by car
Let alone go into Tibet
Everyone knows very little about Tibet
Going to Tibet was really an adventure back then.
Not only do you have to bring your own oil barrels, compressed biscuits, and sleeping bags
No mobile phone or navigation software yet
The legendary road is unimaginable today
Xinzang Line (Kashgar-Shiquanhe) in 2005
It’s not the current asphalt road
Picture by VIP member Li Guanyun
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30 years later
Tibet’s development is getting better and better
all the conditions are perfect
There is no need to be so nervous about entering Tibet~
Linla Highway almost parallel to National Highway 318
It is the reconstruction project of Linzhi-Lhasa section of Line 318
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In fact, looking at everyone’s problems
summed up
It is nothing more than targeting people, vehicles, and time
And the lack of understanding of the status of the various lines in Tibet
1
Let’s talk about time first
From April to June, spring on the plateau is long overdue
As early as March, the snow-covered Jiangnan Linzhi peach blossoms were in full bloom
But the whole Tibet is still slightly chilly
There is a lot of dark ice along the way, and there is rain and snow at the mountain pass
The temperature will not rise until after May
Linzhi is full of peach blossoms, pictured by the photographer The Lancet
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July-August is the short summer on the plateau
Pleasant temperature and plenty of sunshine
Blue sky and white clouds, spring flowers blooming
It can be said that it is the most beautiful time in Tibet
July and August are the summer vacation, which is the peak period of the Sichuan-Tibet line
But many veteran drivers stay away
I prefer to be quiet
Second, Tibet has entered the rainy season
On July 11 last year, K4061, National Highway 318, Suotong Village, Guxiang, Bomi County
National road traffic interruption caused by mudslide disaster.
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It’s hard to tell where it will be due to heavy rainfall along the way
resulting in sudden landslides, rockfalls, and mudslides
even cut off
Those with bad moral character will encounter traffic jams and traffic control
It’s really annoying to stop and go
After Bomi interrupted the road to rush through, the scene of traffic jam waiting to pass
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Coincidentally
Due to the landslide in Jueba Mountain on the Yunnan-Tibet Line, stranded vehicles lined up in a long queue
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From September to October, it is a dreamy and attractive golden autumn
The climate is also very mild
The amount of rain is greatly reduced, and travel is safer
every time
Different colors are laid out sequentially from the mountain
beautiful
From November to next March, enter the long winter
dry cold, hypoxia
Contrary to our imagination
Tibet in winter is not a world of ice and snow, the cold is pressing
It’s sunny, I don’t say, you might think it’s summer?
Picture byVIP member suddenly looking back
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Due to the low latitude
The average altitude is above 4000 meters
continental plateau climate
In the high-altitude areas of Tibet, it is basically a low temperature state
Individual high mountains even have snow all year round
but in the meanwhile
Tibet has thin atmosphere and abundant sunshine
The temperature difference between day and night is larger than that of the mainland
The annual temperature difference is small
Tibet in winter is basically sunny, with less snow
(Large-scale snowfall is mostly in spring)
The sunshine in Tibet is still very warm in winter
Picture byVIP member suddenly looking back
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Average daytime temperatures in major cities and towns
Warmer than most cities in the northern part of the inland
So many people like to go to Lhasa to bask in the sun
Tibet in winter
There are no tourists in the peak season
The cultural landscape is more leisurely
Small expenses for board and lodging, transportation, and scenic spot tickets
Lhasa in winter, photo by VIP member Shanyu
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Less mist in the rainy season
Cleaner air and better visibility
You can see the whole picture of Xuefeng
Namjagbarwa Peak, pictured by VIP member Shanyu
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What are the disadvantages of Tibet in winter?
That is the color is too monotonous
Mountains and roads closed due to heavy snow in some scenic spots
And the low flow of people in the off-season leads to the closure of most service industries
2
and when we
When talking about which car is more suitable to enter Tibet
can not be separated from Tibet entry time
From this important factor
Tibet in rainy season
Wading through water, crossing landslides and falling rocks and other bad road sections
At this time, if you drive a car with a low chassis and poor passability,
It’s more hanging all the way
(Ordinary urban SUVs are also better than sedans)
The big puddle at this landslide
Off-road vehicles are barely passable, and small cars are a bit dangerous
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The four-wheel drive SUV with high chassis and strong passability
will make you feel like a fish in water
However, it is best to keep a larger car model
Otherwise, once the car breaks down
It is hard to find matching parts in Tibet!
If it is May-June, which is not the peak of the rainy season
Autumn September-October
(Snow begins in mid-November)
Choose a flatter route
(318/Qinghai-Tibet Line/Yunnan-Tibet Line)
It is also possible to drive a car
However, the roads on the plateau mostly go up and down the mountain, with big bends.
It is necessary to choose a larger displacement
(at least not lower than 2.0T, preferably with turbo)
In general
Four-wheel drive SUV can enter Tibet anytime
(In winter and spring, there is snow, dark ice on the road, and heavy snow on the pass, so you need to be cautious when driving)
Urban SUVs and sedans are not forbidden to enter Tibet
But it depends on the specific time and route
3
About refueling
China’s “two barrels of oil”
Tibet is almost dominated by CNPC
and other Tibetan areas
Such as Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, Yunnan and other places
There are also many Sinopec
Picture by Songxia Yangzong Travel
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Three certificates are required to refuel in Tibet
Driver’s license, ID card, driving license
If you apply for a PetroChina fuel card
This procedure can be avoided
Gas stations in Tibet are almost common now
There must be a gas station within 300 kilometers
So as long as your car can last 300 kilometers
basically no problem
Even in some remote areas of Ali, there are container gas stations
Picture byVIP member Tianruoqing
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But many gas stations in Tibet
Not 24 hours a day
they have strict schedules
So be on time during the day
And in order to deal with sudden traffic jams,
The next gas station may not be able to refuel normally
best condition
It is to keep the remaining oil volume at more than half
In many cases, due to road construction and other conditions, oil cannot be transported into the county
I really have no choice but to ask for help from local people’s private oil
Picture by photographer Zhao Lei
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No. 92 gasoline is basically available throughout Tibet
But in some small counties or gas stations in small towns
No 95 gasoline
Diesel is available where gasoline is available
requires attention
Since the country forcibly promotes the National V and National VI
To meet environmental standards
The engine technology of many manufacturers has not changed
Only on front intake and rear exhaust
Forcibly remodeled
Three-way catalytic operation principle
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Make the original three-way catalysis more detailed
There are fewer impurities in the exhausted smoke
But these impurities are like constipation
stuck in the engine
So once the oil is bad
It affects the engine, and the fault light appears
So try to refuel in the “two barrels of oil”
Private gas stations in Tibet can provide emergency relief
But the oil is not guaranteed
It is recommended to put on my wife’s stockings and filter
Or stock up on some fuel additives
Especially the friends of the founding five countries six diesel cars
4
About high anti
When it comes to Tibet
This problem cannot be avoided
from the plains
After quickly entering the plateau above 3000 meters above sea level
Human body responds to hypobaric hypoxic environment
produce various symptoms
China’s four major plateaus, picture by “China Self-driving Geography”
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in fact
people who go to the plateau
More than 90% of people will not have major problems
As long as you are healthy, relaxed and getting enough sleep
Gao Fan is a paper tiger
Some symptoms of hyperactivity
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but if you have a cold
or have severe cardiovascular,
Respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and other diseases
I have to consider whether to enter Tibet
due to high altitude pulmonary edema
and high-altitude cerebral edema will be very likely
Pro-test that butter tea can relieve hyperactivity
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People often ask if they can bring their children into Tibet
Recommended for children under 10 years old
It’s better not to take him into Tibet
(at least not less than 8 years old)
Plateau hypoxic environment not only affects children’s development
And live in low altitude areas all year round
developing child
Comprehensive resistance is worse than that of adults
More prone to hypoxia, causing altitude sickness
For people over the age of 70
It is recommended to enter Tibet with caution
5
About 8 routes into Tibet
The most popular and easiest four:
Sichuan-Tibet South Line
traditional line to Tibet
Focus on natural scenery, most people go
Important highways protected by the state
Many tunnels have been opened at the pass along the way
The first expressway into Tibet will be here
(Scan the code to jump to the detailed road book)
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Northern Sichuan-Tibet Line
Slightly more difficult than the South Line
Focus on humanities and customs, mostly temples
Passing through the core area of Kham culture
There are also Jiarong Tibetans, Diaolou Group, Dege Sutra Printing House…
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Yunnan-Tibet Line
The most romantic one in the Hengduan Mountains
Rich in humanities, many ethnic minority areas
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Qinghai-Tibet Line
Tanggula Tianlu
The average altitude is above 4500 meters
Traveling through Hoh Xil, you can see Tibetan antelopes
The whole asphalt road, the road condition is the best, and the altitude difference is small
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There are two difficult ones:
Catcha
Unconventional off-road route from Yunnan to Tibet
It used to be the hardest way to enter Tibet
The geology along the line is fragile, and there are many landslides and rockfalls
It has been basically upgraded to “New Yunnan-Tibet Channel”
It is easier to cross in the non-rainy season
(The picture below shows the Meili Ring Road connected to Bingchacha)
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Xinzang Line
Over the Kunlun Mountains
The highest plateau road in the world
Over 4000 meters for several days
Walking on the roof of the roof of the world
The most passes, the most Daban
Easy to reverse, basically all asphalt roads
But all the long way up and down the mountain
Difficulties and sorrows are different
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The two most popular:
Tang and Fan Ancient Road
Traveled to Qinghai and Tibet since the Tang Dynasty
Even the “South Silk Road” in Nepal, India and other countries
left a lot along the way
Traces of Sino-Tibetan cultural exchanges
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heteropolyline
The most primitive, the most mysterious, and the least known
Poor road infrastructure along the route
Starting from Yushu, the must-pass point of the ancient Tang-Fan Road
Cross Tanggula Mountain after too much miscellaneous
Enter Tashi and join the Northern Sichuan-Tibet Line
one of the legends
The Zhengyuan of the Yangtze River, which has not yet been officially named, is marching in a straight line
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There is also the ninth line into Tibet
Zaduo-Chadan Township-Dangqu-Chawula Mountain Pass-Nie Rong-Anduo
(Click to jump to the article)
Tangfan Ancient Road North Line
Passing the Yanniu Ancient Trail
as little known as original
According to the legend, the real route to Tibet of the Chinese princess
Crossing the Tanggula Mountains into Tibet from Another Mountain Pass
Hundreds of kilometers of barren land along the route
It is not recommended for non-veteran drivers to go
6
About border defense certificate
Currently Lhasa is tightening the border control permit policy
No travel agency wants to take the risk
(First, a formal travel contract is required. The master’s road list and the number of people handling border defense certificates must be the same as the number of people on the contract. After the process is completed, the staff of the Border Defense Bureau will come to the travel agency to check the number of people and the master’s license plate number. If there is a problem with that link, I am sorry to suspend it. …)
Mount Everest North Slope. Picture byVIP member Shanyu
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so near future plan
Ali, Mount Everest, Loza, Shannan, Yadong
Waiting for friends who need a border defense card for their itinerary
Remember to register in advance at the place of residence or residence
Apply for a border certificate
The basic process is to go to the frontier police station to pick up the form and fill it out
(some places can be downloaded online)
then bring your ID
Go to the local police station to get a stamp to prove that you have no criminal record
Finally, turn back to the border police station to get the border certificate
(The validity period is 1 or 3 months, depending on the local conditions)
Which places in Tibet need to apply for a border defense permit?
Shigatse area
Zhongba County, Saga County, Nyalam County, Tingri County, Kangma County, Yadong County, Gangba County, Dingjie County, Jilong County
Shannan area
Cona County, Longzi County, Luozha County, Langkazi County
Nyingchi area
Milin County, Lang County, Zayu County, Medog County
Ngari area
Pulan County, Zada County, Ritu County, Gar County
