Why do most self-driving Sichuan-Tibet lines choose G318 instead of G317?

A large number of tourists drive the Sichuan-Tibet Line every year because it is a very challenging outdoor adventure trip, and many changeable climate environments and natural beauty can be expected along the way. So why do people like to choose G318 instead of G317?

When traveling to Tibet by car, the Sichuan-Tibet line is the first choice for most people. On the one hand, the Sichuan-Tibet Line is known as "China's No. 1 Scenic Avenue" because of its beautiful natural scenery. The scenery along the way is dizzying and unforgettable. On the other hand, the reason is that for self-driving enthusiasts in most provinces and cities in China, taking the Sichuan-Tibet Line is the shortest distance from where they are, and there is no need to spend more time on the road.

But as the well-known Sichuan-Tibet Line, many people do not know that the Sichuan-Tibet Line is actually the collective name for two completely different routes. One starts from Chengdu, with a total journey of more than 2,100 kilometers, passing through Ya'an, Luding, Kangding, Xinduqiao, Yajiang, Litang, Batang, Mangkang, Zuogong, Basu, Bomi, Ranwu, Linzhi, and arrives at Lhasa G318 Southern Sichuan-Tibet Line. The other one also starts from Chengdu, with a total journey of more than 2,400 kilometers, passing through Wenchuan, Aba, Luhuo, Garze, Dege, Jiangda, Qamdo, Luwu Banner, Dingqing, Baqing, Suoxian, and Nagqu, and ends at Lhasa G317 Sichuan Northern Tibet Line.

For most friends who take the Sichuan-Tibet Line to travel to Tibet by car, more than 95% of the preferred routes always choose the southern Sichuan-Tibet Line, while very few people choose the northern Sichuan-Tibet Line. So why is this happening?

As an old traveler who often goes to Tibet, in my opinion, there are several reasons.

The influence of publicity and traditional cognition

It should be said that over the years, whether it is media promotion or word-of-mouth in the self-driving circle, the southern section of the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Line has become synonymous with the Sichuan-Tibet Line . The northern part of the Sichuan-Tibet line is a more mysterious and awe-inspiring existence. Why do you say that?

Five or six years ago, the northern section of the Sichuan-Tibet Line was a difficult route with harsh natural climate conditions, complex road conditions, and rugged roads. Not to mention cars, high-riding SUVs and ordinary off-road vehicles will all pose great challenges. The G317 Beichuan-Tibet Line back then looked like the pictures below.

There are also more complicated and scary road conditions. After reading this, you will give up the idea of ??driving north of the Sichuan-Tibet Line. This image is deeply imprinted on the psychology of many ordinary people and self-driving travel enthusiasts. Overcoming this psychological barrier is not an easy task.

Compared with the "terrible" G317 Sichuan-Tibet North Line, the G318 Sichuan-Tibet South Line in the south has a relatively better geographical location, large traffic volume, relatively developed regional economy, and more and more priority investment in road infrastructure. There are many, so the road conditions are many years better than the G317 Sichuan-Tibet Northern Line in the north. Even now, with the vigorous construction of the G317 Sichuan-Tibet Line in the north and the substantial improvement of road conditions, the road conditions of the G318

Sichuan-Nan Line are like this.

So in this case of comparison and difference, and because most of my friends who drive to Tibet are doing it for the first time and will not go to Tibet for the second time for a long time, most people They will all choose the southern route of G318. Only friends who are going to Tibet for the second or third time will consider challenging the northern route of G317. Even the current G317 has no difficulty.

Same

Most friends who drive to Tibet, especially if they go there for the first time, will always try their best to learn about various strategies and consult car friends who have already been to Tibet, because They feel more or less respect and mystery about Tibet. At this time, 99 out of 100 people who have driven into Tibet will suggest that novices take the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Line South first. There are many reasons, which I will explain later. The final conclusion is "Just take 318."

Under this kind of information bombardment and inducement suggestions, few people will choose other routes on their own. Except for friends who are relatively close to Yunnan or want to travel to Yunnan by the way, most people will take the Yunnan-Tibet line to go to Tibet. Most people will naturally take the southern section of the Sichuan-Tibet line to start their first self-driving trip to Tibet.

Different landscape characteristics

As an awesome landscape avenue, the southern part of the Sichuan-Tibet Line really brings together a variety of scenery, including snow-capped mountains, dangerous peaks, glaciers, grasslands, lakes, rivers, etc. wait. The scenery is magnificent, but the cultural landscape on this route will be much less. Different from the southern line, the G317 Sichuan-Tibet Northern Line is a line rich in cultural and natural landscapes, especially there are many cultural landscapes. Along G317, there are many Tibetan cultural holy sites with profound cultural history, such as Wuming Buddhist College, Dege Jingyin College, Sky Burial Platform, etc. But for many people who only love beautiful scenery and have no time to pay attention to cultural landscapes, it is simpler and more direct to choose the southern Sichuan-Tibet route.

Objectively speaking, many friends who drive to Tibet first do it for the beautiful scenery, taking photos, and making friends. The appeal of cultural landscapes to them will obviously be greatly reduced, just like my first self-driving trip to Tibet.

Differences in natural climate conditions

Although G317 and G318 pass through western Sichuan and eastern Tibet, the overall altitude along the southern part of the G318 Sichuan-Tibet line is lower and the terrain is more undulating. Especially after entering Tibet, whether passing through Linzhi or Lhasa, the overall altitude is relatively low, the climate is warmer, the temperature is relatively high, and the oxygen content in the air is relatively high.

G317 Northern Sichuan-Tibet Line, whether it is Aba Prefecture or Ganzi Prefecture in northwest Sichuan, not to mention the Qamdo and Nagqu areas after entering Tibet, the altitude is higher, the temperature is lower, and the temperature difference between day and night is large, which is harmful to the body. The adaptability requirements are higher. For those who are visiting Tibet for the first time, the probability of physical discomfort is higher and the symptoms will be more severe.

From the perspective of physical health and self-driving safety, many people will give priority to taking the southern route.

The difference in difficulty of self-driving

If we say that a few years ago or more than ten years ago, the road conditions of the two routes had already determined that the G317 Beichuan-Tibet Line would be a hell-level route , and the G318 Nanchuan-Tibet Line is much easier.

However, the current difficulty of self-driving on the two lines is almost the same. The hardening of the G318 South Line and G317 North Line has basically been completed. Especially in spring and autumn, the two most suitable seasons for self-driving, the roads will be in good condition. Meet the traffic needs of various vehicles.

If it is the rainy season, the two lines will inevitably have landslides, mudslides, landslides, road gravel accumulation and other problems that affect driving safety. Judging from the actual situation in recent years, there seem to be more rivers and tributaries along the southern route, and the number and probability of problems are also greater.

In addition, due to terrain elevation, latitude, climate and other reasons, the northern route is more prone to sudden snowfall, snow accumulation and ice accumulation in high altitude areas. If you are not a four-wheel drive vehicle or do not have rescue facilities such as snow chains, it is easy to find yourself in a dilemma in this kind of weather.

Differences in the support capabilities of service facilities along the way

Whether it is historical reasons, policy and infrastructure investment bias, or the control of the invisible hand of market demand, in my opinion, The reality is that the number of tourists on the southern Sichuan-Tibet Line is much higher than that on the northern Sichuan-Tibet Line, and both passenger and freight volume are much higher than those on the northern line. The flow of people is the flow of capital. Driven by this demand, the number of service industries (catering, accommodation, supermarkets) in the counties south of the Sichuan-Tibet Line is much higher than that in the counties north of the Sichuan-Tibet Line. In terms of service guarantee, service quality, intensity of competition, etc., the southern part of the Sichuan-Tibet Line is better than the northern part of the Sichuan-Tibet Line. For many people who pay attention to the quality of travel, food and accommodation, this is also a factor that cannot be ignored.

The difference in travel time cost

First of all, the travel distance of the southern Sichuan-Tibet Line is 300 kilometers shorter than that of the northern line. The quality of the roads in the southern part of the Sichuan-Tibet Line and the convenience of service facilities along the way can ensure that you can complete the Daocheng-Aden-Lhasa route in 5-7 days. If you only take the southern part of the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Line and don't go to Daocheng, you can drive there in 4 days at the fastest (everything within 3 days). If you take the G317 Northern Sichuan-Tibet Line and want to comprehensively visit various cultural attractions, it

Final Summary

In fact, whether it is the G318 Nanchuan-Tibet Line or the G317 Beichuan-Tibet Line, the scenery is very beautiful. As long as you are willing to take this trip, you will definitely feel very lucky that you came. For most friends who have never been there, you really need to think carefully about when you plan to drive your car and start this self-driving trip.