A curvy paved road to Qieshan La
Qieshan La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,392m (17,690ft) above sea level, located in Tibet, north-east of the Himalayas, in the People's Republic of China.
The "Sky Road": A Thrilling Adventure on 219 National Road
The road to the summit, also known as Hongtu Daban ('Red Clay Pass'), is called 219 National Road (Tibet-Xinjiang Highway). Construction of this road started in 1951, was completed in 1957, and fully paved with asphalt in 2013. On this road, also known as the "Sky Road" in Chinese, you're firmly on altitudes over 5,000m. For an unacclimatized person, this can be fatal.
Harsh Beauty: Inhospitable Terrain and Remote Wonders
The breathtaking scenery ranks as some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet. The road is long and arduous and crosses several mountain passes of 5,000, 4,000, and 3,000 meters. This road passes through remote areas, so you need to be prepared. Despite its reputation for running through terrain that is by and large uninhabited, the G219 does pass through a number of important historical and religious sites. If you do choose this route, please check up-to-date information. It's a windy place and it's one of those places where you can feel hard winds coming from two directions at the same time.
Surviving the Elements: Tips for a Safe Journey
For your safety, be sure to check the weather forecast before you begin your trip. The extremely high altitude of Tibet makes the winter seasons extremely harsh, marked by extreme cold with gusts of strong winds, blowing almost all the time. Therefore, it is better to avoid any trip to Tibet during winter. Half of the roads remain closed due to heavy snowfall. The atmosphere becomes extremely arid and almost intolerable. There are truck stops along the way, about a day’s travel apart, but it’s wise to bring food and a sleeping bag. A tent can be useful in emergencies. Monsoon always begins from July and ends in August. It rains a lot during Monsoon time and it makes self-driving travel difficult to handle. And remember, in China, a lot of websites are censored, so you won't be able to access any URL you want (especially if Tibet is mentioned).
Pic&video: 巡游轨迹China travel