China National Highway 219

Before 2013, G219 ran from Yecheng (Karghilik) in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to Lhatse in the Tibet Autonomous Region. It was 2342 kilometers long.

Construction of this road was started in 1951.[2] It was completed in 1957.[3] The road passes through disputed area of Aksai Chin, an area administered by the People's Republic of China but also claimed by India, and its construction was one of the triggers for the Sino-Indian War of 1962. Originally made of gravel, it was fully paved with asphalt in 2013.[4]

As one of the highest motorable roads in the world, the breathtaking scenery of Rutog County also ranks as some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet. Domar township—a town of concrete blocks and nomad tents—is one of the bleakest and most remote outposts of the People's Liberation Army at the edge of the Aksai Chin. Near the town of Mazar many trekkers turn off for both the Karakorum range and K2 base camp. Approaching the Xinjiang border, past the final Tibetan settlement of Tserang Daban is a dangerous 5,050-meter-high pass. Tibetan nomads in the area herd both yaks and two-humped camels. Descending through the western Kunlun Shan, the road crosses additional passes of 4,000 and 3,000 meters, and the final pass offers brilliant views of the Taklamakan Desert far below before descending into the Karakax River basin.

Mountain Passes Rhyme

The western portion of the highway has numerous notable mountain passes. Motorists have invented a rhyme describing those mountain passes:[5][6]

(optional preamble) 行车新藏线，不亚蜀道难。 库地达坂险，犹似鬼门关； 麻扎达坂尖，陡升五千三； 黑卡达坂旋，九十九道弯； 界山达坂弯，喘气真是难。 (alternate to last line) 界山达坂弯，伸手可摸天。

(optional preamble) Driving the Xinjiang-Tibet road, no easier than the ancient roads to Sichuan. Kudi Daban is very dangerous, just like the gates of hell; Mazar Daban is very pointy, soaring five thousand and three; Heiqia Daban is very loopy, with ninety-nine bends in the road; Jieshan Daban is very curvy, but breathing now is really hard. (alternate to last line) Jieshan Daban is very curvy, an extended hand will touch the sky.

Map including China National Highway 219 (yellow) in Aksai Chin

The route was expanded in the China National Highway Network Planning (2013–2030) both northward and eastward to span the entire Chinese western and southern border. The new route will measure over 10,000 kilometres (6,214 mi), making it by far the longest National Highway.

Major cities and towns along the route are in order:

Kom-Kanas, Kaba, Jeminay County, Hoboksar, Yumin, Bole, Arixang, Zhaosu, Onsu, Uqturpan, Akqi, Peyziwat, Yopurgha, Yengisar, Yarkant, Poskam, Kargilik, Rutog (Tibet), Gar, Labrang, Saga, Gyirong, Tingri, Dinggyê County, Gamba, Lhozhag, Comai, Lhünzê , Mainling, Mêdog, Zayü, Gongshan (Yunnan), Fugong, Lushui, Tengchong, Longling, Yongde, Zhenkang, Cangyuan, Ximeng, Menglian, Lancang, Menghai, Jinghong , Jiangcheng, Luchun, Jinping, Pingbian, Maguan, Xichou, Pingxiang (Guangxi), Dongxing (border town to Vietnam).[1]

• China National Highways

• Dorje, Gyurme. (2009). Footprint Tibet Handbook. (4th Ed.) Footprint Handbooks, Bath, England. ISBN 978-1-906098-32-2.

• Xinjiang-Tibet Highway (Yecheng-Burang)
• The Highway 219 from Yecheng over Western Tibet to Kathmandu Description and profile of the route.
• From Kashgar to Lhassa Photos along highway 219 (text in French).
• Some photos along the Highway 219
• A detailed description of a bicycle ride along highway 219 with lots of photos