First: It's not as desolate and isolated as people imagine, with wilderness, wild beasts, and birds everywhere. Before you go, first find a detailed map of Sichuan and Tibet online or at a bookstore, and study the route and altitude. The website of Chengdu's "Shenguichu Chehang" (a bike shop) has a ready-made altitude map that's very useful—we used this all the way. We recommend everyone prepare one. From the map, you can roughly see that from Chengdu to Lhasa, whether taking the southern or northern route, there’s always a town or village every less than 100 kilometers where you can rest, even in the mountains, where there are highway maintenance stations and military posts. So you can be completely at ease about food and lodging along the way!
Second: Speaking of food and lodging, you might worry about adapting to Tibetan food after entering Tibetan areas. Hehe, no need to worry at all—there are Sichuan restaurants run by people from Sichuan everywhere along the way, with prices set according to local costs. Moreover, in some places, you can even enjoy affordable local specialties, so you definitely don’t need to pack lots of food before departure. And for those who absolutely love Coca-Cola, no need to quit like I did before reaching Lhasa. From Chengdu to Lhasa, wherever there are people, there are shops, and wherever there are shops, they sell Coke—usually Pepsi, haha. Cyclists aren’t monks, so just smile to yourself!
Third: Prices. Starting from Kangding, you’ll learn a truth—high prices aren't exclusive to mega-cities like Beijing or Shanghai in China. Many places in Tibetan regions produce nothing due to surrounding mountains and climate conditions. Fruits and vegetables that have been transported long distances are naturally very expensive. If you think it’s too pricey, just eat less—after all, you’re doing physical labor by cycling. Make your own call!
Fourth: Dealing with the locals in Tibetan areas. The people there vary by region. Some say that Tibetan people from Lhasa to Sichuan follow a cycle: civilized – semi-civilized – semi-barbaric – barbaric – semi-barbaric – semi-civilized – civilized. In truth, most adults won’t bother you, but the scary ones are the children—especially from Mangkang to Zogang. When descending the Baxi Mountain, there are a few small villages where kids swarm the road and block people. I had kids poke sticks into my bike wheels, but thank goodness nothing happened, and I didn’t dare stop. Other travelers had their jackets hooked down by kids wielding sickles—the glint of those sickles sent chills down my spine. So, it’s best to carry some snacks, candy, stationery, etc., and if you can’t escape, share a bit with them. Generally, they won’t harm you. Just shout “Tashi Delek” (hello/good luck) a few times—you won’t lose out.
Fifth: Robbers? It’s often said there are robbers on Zheduo Mountain after Kangding. We might not have noticed because we were in a big group. But the day before, a group of three or four was actually robbed. So it’s better to go up the mountain together as a team. Also, there’s Haizi Mountain, located between Litang and Batang. Our group of 13 went up there, and even then, we encountered two motorcycle bandits. We kindly said “Tashi Delek” to them, but they aggressively asked where we were going and how many we were. They had Tibetan knives over a foot long at their waists. In the end, our large group scared them off. Fellow travelers, long-distance journeys test not just physical and mental strength—teamwork is especially crucial. Helping a teammate in a critical moment or waiting for someone lagging behind will benefit you for life. Travel is precious, but life is priceless!!!
Sixth: Corrections to past travel guides. One is the No. 119 Maintenance Station, which is a place to stay after exhausting climbs over numerous mountains upon leaving Gaoyuan (Lithang). Previous guides spoke very highly of the auntie there. But now she charges, and not cheaply—at 20 yuan per person, regardless of how many stay. There are only two dishes per meal—one meat and one vegetable—and the next morning’s breakfast is plain noodles. Over ten people squeeze into an empty room with nothing. That’s the treatment for 20 yuan. She can charge, but we suggest a fair price of 10 yuan. Take Tongmai’s “Traveler’s Home” as an example—they offer free lodging, just eat there. Another is the Yidun Military Post. Even though they’re the People’s Liberation Army, when we arrived in heavy rain, it took 40 minutes for a lazy soldier to come out. Without saying a word, he started quoting a price—30 yuan per person with nothing included. We haggled in the rain for a long time, and finally, an angry group of us left. That day, we cycled 170 kilometers, our highest single-day record, and three people got injured in a tunnel. Also, there’s the frequently debated mileage issue. Older guides may have referenced even older ones, so some new road maintenance, rerouting, etc., on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway in recent years hasn’t been updated in time. If you rigidly follow your odometer and the mileage in the guide, kilometer by kilometer, it’s a bit too inflexible. I don’t have exact mileage records here—just a reminder to mentally prepare for this!
Seventh: Cycling safety. This isn’t about how others threaten your safety—it’s about protecting yourself. First, a cycling helmet is essential. A teammate once lost control going downhill too fast, fell, and hit his head on a roadside railing—the helmet cracked instantly. Without the helmet... Then, bring a waterproof flashlight or bike light. The tunnel where we had the accident with three people had no lights—it was several kilometers long. Don’t go through if there are no lights—take a detour. Sanitary pads aren’t just for women—men can use them under their buttocks to prevent severe friction from the bike seat. After all, you’ll be cycling continuously for over 20 days. That seat could ruin your ability to have kids. Skip this if you have cycling shorts. Always check your brakes well. Don’t act impulsively—don’t go downhill too fast, and look ahead. Try not to cycle at night—the lack of visibility is one issue, and encountering bad guys is another. On gravel roads, don’t ride too fast either; it’s easy to skid or get a flat. Major gravel sections include Baxi Mountain, the Nujiang 72 Turns, and the initial stretch upon entering Tibet. Watch out for Baxi Mountain—cliffs are everywhere. Looking down from the roadside, you’ll see hundreds of meters of vertical drop, sometimes spotting car wrecks. Here’s a note: I didn’t get injured the whole way. So remember, cycling isn’t just a sport or physical activity—it requires some smarts too. Hehe~
Eighth: Entertainment. Everyone travels for different reasons, but the desire for freedom and no constraints is the same. The scenery along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is absolutely worth your while, soothing your weary body—just make sure you have enough memory cards and batteries for your camera. During evenings, jot down your diary to reflect on the day’s experiences. If you’re in a big group, bring a deck of cards—we played Landlord all the way. Sure, it was fun, but not particularly meaningful. Instead, dive deeper into local customs and culture, explore hidden ancient buildings on street corners and stunning views behind mountains. You might encounter grand local festivals in certain places, like Litang’s August 1st International Horse Racing Festival—best not to miss them. A significant part of travel’s value lies in these unique folk festivals. We were too focused on rushing forward and didn’t fully appreciate those festival vibes—truly regrettable. Before you go, it’s best to roughly understand where along the route there are famous scenic spots or unique local customs. You’ll gain extra rewards that way.