Cycling Route on Sichuan-Tibet Highway

Last time we have ready talked about the things we need to pay careful attention to when preparing for your cycling on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
All you all know, in recent years, various kinds of outdoor travels have sprung up in urban white-collar and high-income groups. In the busy life of work and living, we can take a period of idle time to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and leave the chaos in the world of mortals far behind us, devoting our heart to those unfamiliar, but tranquil pleasant, with the vast expanse of lofty and mysterious moving natural environment, to baptize and sublimate our body and mind and get a full range of relaxation. The western region is a sacred place for outdoor travellers, with its unique natural features and humanistic characteristics.
The Sichuan-Tibet line is an essential part of No.318 National Road and it is the Pilgrimage in the heart of all cyclists. It’s 2166km from Chengdu to Lhasa.
So how should we plan our cycling trip to the Sichuan-Tibet Highway? Here is a detailed cycling route to you for reference.

1. Day 1: from Chengdu to Ya’an (155km)
It’s the first day on the road with heavy baggage. Everything is difficult in the first place, although it is a flat road, it’s still a big challenge for normal people. But perseverance means victory, so, come on! And never give up!
2. Day 2: from Ya’an to Tianquan to Xingou (87km)
With Tsing Yi River Canyon running all the way to Xingou, you can see the beautiful scenery along the way and you will be very excited as the true Sichuan Tibetan blockbuster now is on stage.3.

Day 3: from Xingou to Erlang Mountain to Huding (57km)
Erlang Mountain is the first mountain you need to conquer, and I hope you will enjoy the long steep slopes. Pay extreme attention when you are cycling in Erlang Mountain as always has icy or snowy weather, heavy rain, thick fog, landslides, resulting in frequent traffic accidents and broken road conditions.

4. Day 4: from Huding to Kangding (51km)
Accompanied by the rough Dadu River, Zheduo Rivers, pilgrimage to the first Bai Tower, we are cycling into Tibetan area.
As we all know, Kangding is the starting point of Ancient Tea Route, and it is the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, where is called the gateway of Tibet. Kangding County is not big. It is sandwiched between three mountains, making it looks like a T-square. Along the foothills of two urban areas, one is from east to west while the other is from north to south with a north-south River running in the course of it.

5. Day 5: from Kangding to Zheduo Mountain to Xinduqiao (82km)
Xinduqiao has a very high altitude and it is a plateau climate area where the range of temperature is very big and the weather varies greatly.

6. Day 6: from Xinduqiao to Gao’ershi Mountain to Yajiang to Xiangkezong Village (92km)
In the highland meadow, you can overlook the Gongga Snow Mountain as well as experiencing the unique characteristics of Tibetan folk customs. The scenery is more and more beautiful when you are here.

7. Day 7: from Xiangkezong Village to Kalazi Mountain to Honglong Village (85km)
Cycling in the lush forest with a clean river running along, you can enjoy the fresh air and pleasant scenery.

8. Day 8: from Honglong Village to Litang (37km)
Litang is called "Le Tong" in Tibetan, meaning a grassland as flat as a bronze mirror. It was an important town of Ancient Tea Route where merchants gathered. It was called a land of plenty where a place propitious for giving birth to great men.

9. Day 9: from Litang to Haizi Mountain to Batang (187km)
Today will be the longest day and you will come across a super long exciting downhill where you can enjoy the freedom of your heart and soul.

10. Day 10: from Batang to Jinshanjiang Bridge to Hot Spring Villa (47km)
You can experience the real hot spring here.
11. Day 11: from Hot Spring Villa to Zongbala Mountain to Mangkang (60km)
You are going to leave the flat highway and going into little paths.
12. Day 12: from Mangkang to Lawu Mountain to Jueba Mountain to Dengba (91km)
You are going to conquer two mountains today and it will be a tough route you have never met. You will come across the great canyon of Lancang River where you can see the lush forest with spectacular scenery as well as some quaint and quiet little villages.
13. Day 13: from Dengba to Dongda Mountain to Zuogong (76km)
You will run across Zuogong Mountain with stranger stones, which is 5000 above the sea level.

14. Day 14: from Zuogong to Bangda (103km)
15. Day 15: from Bangda to the Seventy-two Turnings to Nujiang Bridge to Basu (95km)
Here comes the Seventy-two Turnings! It really is a challenge for many cyclists to conquer it safe and sound as it is very dangerous.

16. Day 16: from Basu to Anjiula Mountain to Ranwu Lake (90km)
Ranwu Lake is extremely beautiful, even it is in winter.

17. Day 17: from Ranwu Lake to Bomi (132km)
With blue sky, white clouds, snowy mountains, lush forest, long exciting downhill, you will enjoy yourself a lot.

18. Day 18: from Bomi to Tongmai (92km)
Cycling in the mountains and forests, with lush vegetation and a surging river, you need to be really careful.
19. Day 19: from Tongmai to Lulang (71km)
You will ride on the little paths near the cliff and paths in the forests, little towns, enjoying the delicious chicken.
20. Day 20: from Lulang to Sejila Mountain to Bayi Town (71km)
You are going into the town! Congratulations!
21. Day 21: from Bayi Town to Bahe Town to Gongbujiangda (130km)
22. Day 22: from Gongbujiangda to Jinda Town to Songduo (98km)
23. Day 23: from Songda to Mila Mountain to Lhasa (176km)
Cycling through the last mountain, here comes your last stop: Lhasa! Your cycling trip is finished! Congratulations!
You must be very tired after the whole tough trip, take a rest in Lhasa and enjoy the beautiful scenery here.
I will tell you some details about cycling in Lhasa next time.