Sichuan · China
Sichuan–Tibet Highway
G318Kangding to Litang
This 285 km section of G318 climbs from the Tibetan gateway town of Kangding over the Zheduo Pass (4,298 m) across the grasslands of Kham to Litang, one of the world’s highest towns, crossing the cultural boundary into the Tibetan plateau in a day.
From Kangding (2,560 m) the road climbs 21 switchbacks to Zheduo Pass at 4,298 m, the First Pass of Kham, then descends to Xinduqiao, the Photographer’s Paradise of Tibetan farmhouses and poplars. It winds through Yajiang gorge before a long ascent to the Litang plateau at 3,950 m, lined with monasteries, prayer-flag ridges and yak herds.
Scenery
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Sichuan–Tibet Highway on the map175.8 mi · point to point
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Character
More hairpins than 9 in 10 roads · higher than 9 in 10 roads in the catalogue.
Corners
busiest around mile 28Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%2,462.3 – 4,432.4 mPoints of interest3 stops
- Zheduo PassViewpoint29 mi in
- Litang Snow Mountain ViewpointViewpoint172 mi in
- Eighteen Bends ViewpointViewpoint111 mi in
Hazards
- Altitude sickness above 4,000 m
- Rockfall and landslides in the June-July rains
- Sudden snow at the passes
- Yaks and livestock on the road
- Poor mobile signal
- Sparse fuel and services
Sources
“Often called the 'Heavenly Road,' this spectacular portion winds through the rugged Hengduan Mountains and the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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