Recently, on the Sichuan-Tibet section of National Highway 318, reporters observed that with the summer vacation approaching, self-driving tours along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway have been growing in popularity, with various brands of SUVs and sedans traveling along the route.
The Sichuan-Tibet Highway spans over 2,400 kilometers, with an average altitude of more than 3,000 meters. Along the route, travelers can enjoy views of many popular tourist destinations such as Mount Namcha Barwa, Ranwu Lake, and "Little Switzerland of Tibet" Nyingchi. As a result, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is also known as the "Scenic Highway of China."
Currently, there are three common ways to travel to Tibet: by train, by plane, or via self-driving tours. Due to the greater flexibility and freedom in itinerary planning and sightseeing, an increasing number of people are choosing to drive to Tibet for sightseeing. Most self-driving enthusiasts coming from inland China opt for National Highway 318, which has relatively lower altitudes. In recent years, the government has invested heavily to upgrade the road quality and improve traffic conditions along this section. Tourist service facilities along the highway have also been continuously enhanced, attracting a large number of self-driving tourists every year.
In response to the growing popularity of self-driving tourism, many Tibetan travel agencies have introduced specialized self-driving tour packages. For instance, to mitigate safety risks associated with self-driving, some agencies gather self-driving enthusiasts from across the country in cities like Chengdu and Xining, and then dispatch local Tibetan drivers to meet them there in off-road vehicles.
Additionally, areas along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway such as Nyingchi and Chamdo in Tibet are capitalizing on self-driving tourism resources by actively developing self-driving camps to provide various conveniences for travelers. Currently, the Nyingchi tourism authorities are constructing Tibet’s first self-driving camp at the entrance of the Palong Valley in Nyingchi County. Once completed, the camp will offer services such as accommodation, vehicle adjustments, and car repairs for self-driving tourists.
As the Sichuan-Tibet Highway has historically been prone to natural disasters and recent frequent rainfall has led to a high incidence of geological hazards such as landslides, mudslides, and collapses—posing safety risks to travelers—the Second Regiment of the Armed Police Force Traffic Corps, which is responsible for maintaining the highway, reminds visitors to keep three essential road safety rules in mind while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
First, self-driving vehicles must be in good condition, and novice drivers without solid driving skills should avoid attempting the journey to Tibet. Second, travelers should monitor weather forecasts before entering dangerous sections of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and avoid driving at night or during rainy weather. Third, self-driving tourists, cyclists, and hikers should try to avoid traveling alone and are advised to join guided tours led by experienced team leaders.