Tibetan Friendship Highway — Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake and Karo La Glacier
Glacier at the roadside. Turquoise lake below. 5,000 m up.
The G318 section between Lhasa and Shigatse is the most accessible slice of the Tibetan Friendship Highway, and it earns its reputation immediately. Leaving Lhasa, you climb to the Kamba La pass at 4,794 metres where the first view of Yamdrok Lake — a 638-square-kilometre turquoise body of water at altitude — stops traffic cold. The road then descends to the lake’s edge before climbing again to Karo La at 5,010 metres, where the Nojin Kangsang glacier’s toe hangs less than 300 metres from the tarmac. The surface is paved but rough in sections, with long stretches of frost-heaved concrete and the occasional military checkpoint that demands your Tibet Travel Permit on the spot.
This is not a technical 4WD route — a standard high-clearance vehicle handles it — but altitude is the real obstacle. Acclimatise in Lhasa for at least two days before driving or your judgement and reflexes will betray you above 4,500 metres. You must hold a Tibet Travel Permit (TTL), an Aliens’ Travel Permit, and book through a licensed Tibetan tour agency — independent driving is not legal on this route. Best window is May through October; winter brings snow closures at Karo La. Fuel is available in Gyantse and Shigatse. What you get is some of the most brutal and beautiful plateau landscape on the planet, period.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 165 mi / 265 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 16437 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Standard high-clearance vehicle (guided tour mandatory) |
| Nearest town | Gyantse, Tibet |
| Land manager | Tibet Autonomous Region Tourism Bureau / Chinese Ministry of Public Security |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Tibet Tourism – Friendship Highway overview |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can I drive this route in my own vehicle?
No. Foreign nationals cannot self-drive in Tibet — you must hire a licensed Tibetan guide and a local driver with an approved vehicle. Your own 4x4 stays at the border regardless of capability.
When is this route actually passable and when does it close?
May through October is the reliable window. Winter brings snow and ice over the high passes, and the Chinese authorities frequently restrict access outside this window entirely. September and October offer stable roads and fewer monsoon-related washouts.
What permits do I need and how long does it take to get them?
You need a Chinese visa, a Tibet Travel Permit (TTB), and an Alien's Travel Permit for areas outside Lhasa — at minimum three separate documents. Budget 2-4 weeks lead time and arrange everything through a licensed Tibet tour operator, as individual applications are not accepted.
What's the hardest part of this route to get through?
The Karo La pass sits at roughly 5,010 m (16,437 ft) and is the critical chokepoint — snow can close it even in summer, and the road narrows with glacier ice hanging directly above the pavement. Altitude sickness is the real threat here, not technical terrain; acclimatize in Lhasa for at least 2 days first.
Is there anywhere to get fuel between Lhasa and Shigatse?
Gyantse has fuel and is roughly the midpoint of the route — plan your fill-ups around it. Don't count on anything between Lhasa and Gyantse outside of that town, and carry extra if your tour vehicle has range concerns on the plateau.
Trail track
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