2024 Bingchacha Carpooling and Chartered Car Services Are Here – Take a Spontaneous Trip
Everyone has a dream of Tibet,
but not everyone has the courage to hit the road,
especially when choosing the toughest way into Tibet—
the “hell-like” Yunnan-Tibet Highway (G219 Bingchacha section),
which rewards you with heavenly scenery.
You’ll feel like you’re “in hell, yet your eyes are in paradise.”
The “Bingchacha” route is the core, most perilous stretch of the G219 Yunnan-Tibet Highway. Starting from Bingzhongluo Town in Gongshan County, Yunnan Province in the south, passing through Chawalong Township in Chayu County, Tibet Autonomous Region, and ending at Chayu County seat, it’s popularly known as “Bingchacha.” To this day, most of the road is unpaved, narrow, and hugging cliffs, making it a notoriously difficult but legendary path into Tibet.
Crossing Bingchacha means driving the roughest road to witness the most stunning scenery.
Scenery along the way: 10-day journey from Laomudeng – Dulong River – Bingzhongluo – Chawalong – Jiaying Village – Chayu – Laigu Glacier – Rawu – Motuo – Nyingchi – Lhasa.
Both carpooling and chartered options available. Small group of 4, flexible stops, looking for like-minded travellers with matching schedules to share a ride.
Vehicles: Toyota Prado off-road SUVs, ensuring a safe journey. Led by experienced front-line guides who lead teams on various Tibet routes year-round.
Travel style: Just bring your bag; we provide the car and driver.
The Bingchacha route is also called the eighth highway into Tibet. It retains pristine, untouched natural beauty—a seldom-trodden, most primitive road, and a dream challenge for off-road enthusiasts. On one side of the Nujiang Gorge plunges the roaring Nujiang River hundreds of meters below; on the other, mist-shrouded cliffs hang like a fairyland. The complex road conditions and treacherous terrain make it an unrivalled hardcore off-road route. This is the unpolished Tibet that demands your courage, your passion, and your resolve—pushing your limits on this spine-testing trail.
【2024 Carpooling Schedule】
Phase 04: Departure on May 1 (Labour Day)
Phase 05: May 15
Phase 06: June 8 (Dragon Boat Festival)
Phase 07: June 20
Phase 08: July 10
Phase 09: July 25
Phase 10: August 10
Phase 11: August 25
Phase 12: September 15 (Mid-Autumn Festival)
Phase 13: September 25
Phase 14: October 1 (National Day)
Phase 15: October 15
Phase 16: November 1
Phase 17: November 15
Carpooling cost: 5500 RMB per person (group of 4 required)
Chartered car cost: 18,000 RMB per vehicle
【Bingchacha Tibet Itinerary】
Day 0: Assemble in Dali
Day 1: Dali – Laomudeng
Day 2: Laomudeng – Fugong – Gongshan – Dulong River
Day 3: Dulong River – Gongshan – Bingzhongluo
Day 4: Bingzhongluo – Qiunatong – Chawalong – Jiaying Village
Day 5: Jiaying Village – Ice Lake – Jiaying Village – Chawalong
Day 6: Chawalong – Mure Village – Chayu
Day 7: Chayu – Xiachayu – Laigu Glacier – Rawu
Day 8: Rawu – Motuo
Day 9: Motuo – Nyingchi
Day 10: Nyingchi – Lhasa
【Personal Gear】
1. Documents: border pass, ID card, bank card, some cash, etc.
2. Outdoor gear: backpack or suitcase (try to keep it compact, or it'll become a burden), waist pack, foldable umbrella (raincoat), insulated water bottle.
3. Clothing: one fleece-lined windbreaker (or down jacket, thick coat), three pairs of trousers, two sets of thermal underwear, hiking boots, several changes of underwear and socks, etc.
4. Sun protection: The plateau UV is extremely strong. Bring sunscreen (SPF30+), lip balm, sunglasses, scarf, and hat to protect your skin and eyes.
5. Medicines: motion sickness pills, cold medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, wound care, Rhodiola rosea, glucose… and any personal medication (medicines are optional, based on individual needs).
6. Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, shower gel, towel, etc.
