Sichuan–Tibet Highway South Route — Litang to Batang via the Tibetan Plateau High Corridor (G318)
High passes, yak country, and zero margin for error.
Litang sits at 4,014 metres and the road climbs from there. The G318 south corridor between Litang and Batang is the stretch that separates the casual China road-tripper from the overland driver who came prepared. You cross two passes above 4,500 metres — Haizi Shan being the brutal one, prone to snow, ice, and white-out fog even in summer — before the road uncoils down the Batang canyon into the Jinsha River gorge, which forms the Sichuan-Tibet border. Yak herders’ tents dot the plateau grasslands, the sky is a violent blue at altitude, and the road surface oscillates between decent blacktop, frost-heaved horror, and active construction chaos. Rockfall and landslides are year-round features, not exceptions — the route journals earn their scars.
You need a Tibet Travel Permit and Alien Travel Permit for the TAR sections west of Batang — apply well in advance through a registered Chinese travel agency, as independent foreign overlanders face strict enforcement. Fuel and supplies in Litang, then limited until Batang. Altitude sickness is real at these elevations; acclimatise properly before attempting. A reliable diesel 4WD with good cold-start capability, a winch, high-lift jack, and comprehensive spares is the sensible minimum. July to September gives the best weather window. This is one of the great road journeys on Earth — and it demands the respect of a big expedition.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 218 mi / 351 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15420 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Diesel 4WD high-clearance with winch and cold-start reliability |
| Nearest town | Litang, Sichuan, China |
| Land manager | Sichuan Provincial Highway Bureau / Tibet Autonomous Region Transport Department |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Tibet Travel Permit — official requirements |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock petrol SUV handle this route, or does it have to be diesel?
Diesel is strongly preferred — petrol engines lose significant power at 4,000–4,700m and cold overnight temps can kill petrol cold-starts at altitude. High clearance and a winch are non-negotiable; stock suspension travel is marginal on the washed-out gravel sections between Litang and Batang.
Is this route passable outside July–September?
October brings early snowfall on the high passes and road closures can happen fast with no warning. Spring (April–June) sees mud, ice melt, and frequent landslides. Outside the July–September window, the route is genuinely dangerous and sections may be officially closed.
What permits do foreigners actually need to drive this route?
You need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region side near Batang, plus a Chinese driver's license — foreign licenses are not valid for driving in China. Some nationalities also require an Alien Travel Permit for restricted Sichuan prefectures; check current requirements before departure because enforcement checkpoints are real and frequent.
What's the hardest section and what makes it dangerous?
The plateau corridor between Haizi Mountain and the Jinsha River descent is the crux — narrow shelf roads with loose scree, no guardrails, and sheer drops into river canyons. Add altitude hypoxia impairing driver judgment and afternoon thunderstorms turning dirt into grease, and this is where mistakes become fatal.
How far apart are fuel stops, and is there a resupply gap I need to plan around?
Litang and Batang both have fuel, but the 218-mile stretch between them has extremely limited and unreliable roadside stations — treat it as a no-resupply zone and carry enough diesel for at least 250 miles plus a reserve. There are no proper grocery resupply points mid-route; stock food and water before leaving Litang.
Trail track
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