Overland 

Nepal-Tibet Highway

Covering around 1300 kilometers by distance, the epic overland journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa normally takes 8 days, with wonderful visits to Tibet’s famous attractions on the way. The road is smooth and well-paved, especially for the part within Tibet. On the way, you will expect to visit the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, see the magnificent architecture of Tashilhunpo Monastery, get amazed by the turquoise water of Yamdrok Lake, and more.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway

Qinghai-Tibet Highway connects Xining, Qinghai to Lhasa. It is not only the longest asphalt road at the highest elevation in the world, but also the shortest and safest road to approach Tibet. Landscapes along the highway are majestic and various. Visitors can get a close look at prairies, salt lake, Gobi Desert, high mountains, and wilderness.

It is open all year long and has the most traffic. Drivers may get tired from long-time driv-ing, and accidents frequently happen here. Visitors may spot wagons turned turtle while rolling down the road. Extreme caution is needed on this road.

Sichuan-Tibet Highway

It may be the most dangerous highway in the world, but it offers the most breath-taking views while entering Tibet. It is the first highway for motorized vehicles connecting Tibet and other Chinese provinces. Before the building of a class-4 highway in 1954, yaks were used to transport goods for more than 2,000km between Ya'an in Sichuan and Lhasa in Tibet. The round trip used to take a year. Riding on horses also needed more than six months. Sichuan-Ti-betan Highway starts in Chengdu, Sichuan, stretches 2,432km along Ya'an, Garzi, and Qamdo, and ends in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.It is the longest highway in China. It accommodates shuttle coaches (between Chengdu and Lhasa, and between other cities).

Yunnan-Tibet Highway

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Built in 1974, it starts in Xiaguan, Yunnan, stretches 714km along Jianchuan, Zhong-dian, and Thakin, and ends in Markham. It connects with the southern section of Sichuan-Tibet Highway. It has the lowest elevation among all four roads leading to Tibet. In ancient times, traders and travel-lers used to ply this route for trading tea. Crossing Zhongdian Basin and Hengduan Mountains, this highway has its highest point at 4,300m above sea level (Hongla Mountains). Climate along the highway is mild and humid. It features verdant forests and attractive views. Lancang River and Jinsha River cut open Hengduan Mountains and create the unique landform of high mountains and deep valleys. A slump in heights may allow visitors to experience weather and views of all four seasons.

Xinjiang-Tibet Highway

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The highway from Yecheng of Xinjiang to Lhasa of Tibet has the highest average elevation. The Xinjiang section passes only three villages and one town and then covers hundreds of kilometres of no man's land. Similarly, the Tibet section passes a few villages and towns in Ngari Prefecture. Every summer, a small number of wagons would leave from Yecheng of Xinjiang for Shiquan-he, the city seat of Ngari Prefecture.