A Newbie's Self-Drive Tibet Travel Diary
Tibet Trip – Self-Drive
I don't know when it started, but I've always wanted to travel to Tibet when I had the chance, to see the almost touchable blue sky, herds of yaks on the hillsides, and lakes of every hue. Whenever a documentary or film about Tibet was on TV, my partner and I would watch with rapt attention, saying, ‘We must go there when we can.’ Time flew, and now that we're about to retire, our Tibet trip is finally on the agenda. Having read many Tibet travel tips, we quickly mapped out our route: a self-drive entering from Sichuan and exiting from Yunnan (G318 → G214).
As the Tibet trip was officially on the agenda, we began preparations. Supplies are limited on the plateau, so don't set your expectations too high for food. You might not be able to eat at regular times due to road conditions, so be sure to pack enough dry food (about two days' worth). There are supermarkets in towns along the way where you can resupply, but you might not find your favorite snacks.
Also, bring some snacks like energy bars and various chocolate treats—high-calorie foods are best. Remember to pack some pickles, and it's a good idea to bring plenty of bottled water. Staying well-hydrated on the plateau can help ease the discomfort of high altitude.
September is autumn, the season with the best weather and least rainfall on the Sichuan-Tibet route, making travel safer.
You can pack a dress; places like Ya'an and Luding are hot. Bring long-sleeved T-shirts, quick-dry clothes, and thermal underwear—adjust based on your body type. A double-layered outer jacket that blocks wind is best. Thick casual trousers, sweatpants, or outdoor pants are all fine, but be sure to bring thermal leggings. Pack an extra pair of shoes, preferably sturdy, easy-to-walk-in ones. If you're heading to Everest or Ngari, bring a down jacket.
The last thing you want on a trip is to fall ill, so pack essential medications. Also, prevent altitude sickness: bring plenty of oxygen canisters and glucose. You can buy mask-style or nasal oxygen on Taobao, whichever you prefer. Oxygen tip: Don't wait until you feel unwell to use it; take occasional puffs to help your body adapt.
It's a good idea to carry some cash in small and large denominations. Buses in Lhasa are self-service, costing 1 yuan per ride, and they're convenient on main streets. Taxis and cycle rickshaws are also common. You can pay via WeChat or Alipay in Tibet; although these are widely used, the telecom network can be patchy, so it might not always be convenient.
Bring your ID card and a border permit. You can get the border permit from your local police station before departure to save time. Seasoned drivers know all the essential documents to carry.
Route: G318
Kunming → (766 km) Ya'an → (100 km) Luding → (216 km) Yajiang → (134 km) Litang → (169 km) Batang → (257 km) Zuogong → (291 km) Ranwu Lake → (294 km) Lulang → (462 km) Lhasa
Our overnight stops were generally at gradually increasing altitudes. During the day, we'd pass higher areas, but at night we chose places with relatively lower elevation to let our bodies acclimatize. It's best to keep daily driving under 300 km because G318 is all winding mountain roads with complex conditions—much more tiring than regular highways. The map below was shared by a fellow traveler; I'm borrowing it here.
