Why do most self-driving Sichuan-Tibet lines choose G3 18 instead of G3 17?

Every year, a large number of tourists drive the Sichuan-Tibet line by car, because it is a challenging outdoor adventure, and many changeable climatic environments and natural beauty can be foreseen along the way. So why do people prefer G3 18 to G3 17?

To go to go on road trip, Tibet, the Sichuan-Tibet line is the first choice for most people. On the one hand, the Sichuan-Tibet line is known as "the first scenic avenue in China" because of its beautiful natural scenery, and the scenery along the way is dizzying and unforgettable. On the other hand, the reason is that for road trip fans in most provinces and cities in China, it is the shortest distance to take the Sichuan-Tibet line from their place, so they don't need to spend more time on the road.

However, as a well-known Sichuan-Tibet line, many people don't know that the Sichuan-Tibet line is actually a general term for two completely different routes. One starts from Chengdu, with a total journey of more than 2 100 kilometers, and passes through Ya 'an, Luding, Kangding, xinduqiao, Yajiang, Litang, Batang, Mangkang, Zuogong, Basu, Bomi, Ranwu and Linzhi, reaching the G3 18 southern Sichuan-Tibet line in Lhasa. The other is also from Chengdu, with a total distance of more than 2,400 kilometers. It passes through Wenchuan, Aba, Luhuo, Ganzi, Dege, Jiangda, Qamdo, Luwuqi, Dingqing, Baqing, Suoxian and Naqu, and reaches Lhasa G3 17 Sichuan-Tibet North Line.

For most friends who travel to Tibet by car on the Sichuan-Tibet line, more than 95% of the preferred routes always choose the southern part of the Sichuan-Tibet line, while few people choose the northern part of the 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 propaganda and traditional cognition

It should be said that over the years, the southern section of G3 18 Sichuan-Tibet Line is synonymous with the Sichuan-Tibet Line, whether it is media publicity or the reputation of the self-driving circle. The northern section of the Sichuan-Tibet line is a more mysterious and awesome 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 climatic conditions, complicated road conditions and rugged roads. Not to mention cars, SUVs with high chassis and ordinary off-road vehicles will have great challenges. The G3 17 Beichuan Tibet Line of that year is shown below.

There are more complicated and scary road conditions. After reading it, you will give up the idea of driving in the northern section of the Sichuan-Tibet line. This image is deeply imprinted on the psychology of many ordinary people and road trip lovers. Overcoming this psychological barrier is not an easy task.

Compared with the "terrible" G3 17 Sichuan-Tibet North Line, the southern line G3 18 Sichuan-Tibet South Line has a relatively good geographical location, a large traffic volume, a relatively developed regional economy and more and more priority investment in road infrastructure, so the road conditions are superior to the northern line G3 17 Sichuan-Tibet North Line for many years. Even now, with the vigorous construction of the northern G3 17 Sichuan-Tibet line and the substantial improvement of road conditions, G3 18.

The road condition of the southern Sichuan line is like this.

Therefore, under this contrast and difference, because most friends who drive to Tibet are the first time and will not go to Tibet for the second time for a long time, most people will choose G3 18 south line, and only friends who go to Tibet for the second time or even the third time will consider challenging G3 17 north line. Even the current G3 17 is not difficult.

consistent

Most friends who drive to Tibet, especially those who go for the first time, always try their best to understand various strategies and consult riders who have been to Tibet, because they feel more or less respect and mystery about Tibet. At this time, among the 100 people who have already driven into Tibet, 99 will advise novices to go south on the G3 18 Sichuan-Tibet line first. There are many reasons, which I will explain later. The final conclusion is "take 3 18."

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

Different landscape features

As a super-class landscape avenue, the southern section of the Sichuan-Tibet line does gather various landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, dangerous peaks, glaciers, grasslands, lakes, rivers and so on. The scenery is magnificent, but the human landscape of this route will be much less. Different from the southern line, the northern section of G3 17 Sichuan-Tibet line is a line with rich human and natural landscapes, especially many human landscapes. There are many Tibetan cultural shrines with profound cultural history along G3 17, such as Wuming Buddhist College, Dege Silent College and Celestial Burial Terrace. But for many people who only love beautiful scenery and have no time to pay attention to human landscape, it is simpler and more direct to choose the southern line of Sichuan and Tibet.

Objectively speaking, many friends who go to Tibet by car first do it for beautiful scenery, taking photos and making friends. The attraction of cultural landscape to them will obviously be greatly reduced, just like the first time I went to Tibet by car.

Differences in natural climatic conditions

Although G3 17 and G3 18 pass through western Sichuan and eastern Tibet, the overall elevation along the southern section of the G3 18 Sichuan-Tibet line is low and the terrain fluctuates greatly. Especially after entering Tibet, whether passing through Linzhi or Lhasa, the overall altitude is relatively low, the climate is relatively warm, the temperature is relatively high, and the oxygen content in the air is relatively high.

In the northern part of G3 17 Sichuan-Tibet line, whether Aba Prefecture or Ganzi Prefecture in northwest Sichuan, not to mention Qamdo and Naqu areas after entering Tibet, the altitude is higher, the temperature is lower, the temperature difference between day and night is larger, and the requirements for physical fitness are higher. For friends who travel to Tibet for the first time, the probability of physical discomfort is higher and the symptoms will be more serious.

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

Differences in driving difficulty

If the road conditions of the two routes have determined that the G3 17 Beichuan Tibet Line is a hell-class route several years ago or more, then the G3 18 Nanchuan Tibet Line will be much easier.

However, at present, the self-driving difficulty of the two lines is almost the same. The hardening of G3 18 south line and G3 17 north line has been basically completed, especially in spring and autumn, which is most suitable for self-driving, and the roads will be in good condition to meet the traffic needs of various vehicles.

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

In addition, because of the terrain, altitude, latitude, climate and other reasons, the northern line is more prone to sudden snowfall, snow and ice accumulation in high altitude areas. If it is not a four-wheel drive vehicle or there are no rescue facilities such as snow chains, this weather can easily fall into a dilemma.

Differences in support capacity of service facilities along the line

Whether due to historical reasons, the inclination of policy and infrastructure investment, or the control of the invisible hand of market demand, in my opinion, the reality is that the number of tourists on the southern line of Sichuan-Tibet line is much higher than that on the northern line of Sichuan-Tibet line, and both passenger volume and freight volume are much higher than that on the northern line. People flow is capital flow. Driven by this demand, the number of service industries (catering, accommodation, supermarkets) in the southern counties of Sichuan-Tibet line is much higher than that in the northern counties of Sichuan-Tibet line. From the aspects of service guarantee, service quality and fierce competition, the southern section of Sichuan-Tibet line is superior to the northern section of Sichuan-Tibet line. For many people who pay attention to the quality of travel and accommodation, this is also a factor that cannot be ignored.

Travel time cost difference

First of all, the journey distance of the southern line of the Sichuan-Tibet line is 300 kilometers shorter than that of the northern line. The road quality in the south of the Sichuan-Tibet line and the convenience of service facilities along the way can ensure that you can complete the route of Daocheng Yading Lhasa in 5-7 days. If you only take the G3 18 Sichuan-Tibet line south and don't go to Daocheng, you can drive there in four days at the earliest (everything in three days). If you take G3 17 Sichuan-Tibet North Line and want to visit various cultural attractions, it

Final summary

In fact, whether it is G3 18 Nanchuan Tibet Line or G3 17 Beichuan Tibet Line, the scenery is very beautiful. As long as you are willing to start this trip, you will feel very glad that you have come. For most friends who haven't been there, you really need to think about when you plan to start this self-driving trip.