2022 Self-Drive from Beijing to Tibet 10: Amdo to Golmud

2022.07.14 Amdo to Golmud (Elevation 2780 meters)

Departed at 7:00, about to leave Tibet.

Today was expected to be a tough day, as it's said that National Highway 109 has poor road conditions.

Arrived at Tanggula Pass (5231 meters) at 8:53.

Reached Tuotuo River Town at 10:45.

Arrived at the North Gate of Tibet at 12:10.

At 15:40, saw snow-capped mountains - Yuzhu Peak and Yuxu Peak.

At 16:40, reached a viewing point on the edge of Hoh Xil to see Tibetan antelopes.

Didn't spot any Tibetan antelopes here, but along the way saw over 20 of them in total.

Arrived at Kunlun Pass at 18:09.

Felt it was too messy here, way worse than the impression I had from my visit over 20 years ago! Had no mood to take photos!

Reached Golmud at 20:15, took a nucleic acid test upon arrival as required.

Poor management, a bit chaotic; it could have been faster.

Arrived at the hotel at 21:15 (on Provincial Highway 109, total about 690 km, took 14.3 hours. No. 95 gasoline at 9.57 yuan/liter).

Booked Golmud Hotel through Ctrip, was pleasantly surprised at first. Didn't expect it to be 'a donkey dung ball that's shiny on the outside.' We stayed in Building 3, which we specifically inquired about before booking - a newly renovated building. But...

1. Upon entering, inserted the room card but didn't know where to turn on the lights - all the panels were missing!

2. The curtains were like this, electric, but the remote was broken.

3. The room clearly stated that there was chargeable bottled water, but...

Empty and clean indeed!

4. Tried to call the front desk to inquire.

The published front desk number was disconnected!

No choice but to take the elevator downstairs to report to the front desk, to avoid being accused of taking the chargeable bottled water.

If the hotel's location and breakfast weren't decent, and I'm not sure if only Building 3 is like this, I would have given them a zero rating.