Cycling G318 Through Western Sichuan

About This Route

The Kangding-to-Litang stretch of National Highway G318 is the most famous — and one of the hardest — multi-day cycling sections in western Sichuan. Over roughly 300 km the road climbs from Kangding at about 2,560 m onto the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, crossing Zheduo Pass (4,298 m), the Gaoersi/Jianziwan tunneled section (traditional Gaoersi pass 4,412 m), Jianziwan (old pass 4,659 m), and Kazila (approximately 4,718 m) before dropping into the high grassland town of Litang at 4,014 m.

This is the section where G318 cycling stops being a road ride and becomes high-altitude expedition riding. You will spend most of two consecutive days above 4,000 m, share narrow mountain roads with heavy freight traffic, ride through unlit tunnels, and face weather that can swing from warm sun to snow in an hour. The scenery — Tibetan villages, alpine meadows, prayer-flag passes, and the "photographer's paradise" of Xinduqiao — is genuinely world-class, but it is earned.

This route is for experienced multi-day cyclists who have acclimatized to altitude. It is not suitable as a first bicycle tour, a first high-altitude trip, or a ride to attempt without proper gear, a repaired-and-tested bike, offline navigation, and cash. Distances and elevations on this page are approximate; published figures vary between sources by 10–25 km depending on route alignment and which old-road/tunnel option is ridden.

Route at a Glance

All figures are estimates based on multiple published cyclist itineraries and mapping sources. Exact distances vary by tunnel vs. old-road choices and construction detours.

Stage-by-Stage: Kangding to Litang

A typical independent cyclist takes five to six days. Strong riders sometimes compress it to four by combining the two high plateau days. The route follows G318 west through Xinduqiao, Yajiang, the Xiangkezong ("Xiangkezong Village" / 相克宗) area, the 158 Daoban road-maintenance station area, and on to Litang.

A 4-day option combines Stages 4 and 5 (Xiangkezong → Litang, ~110–130 km, almost entirely above 4,000 m) — only recommended for very strong, well-acclimatized riders. Add a rest/acclimatization half-day in Kangding before Day 1 and in Litang at the end.

The Passes & Tunnels

G318 has been progressively tunneled, and the riding experience changes depending on whether you use the modern tunnel or the older pass road. As of the 2025–2026 cycling season:

• Zheduo Pass (折多山, 4,298 m): Still crossed by the open, winding pass road. The Zheduoshan tunnel is under construction but was not yet open to through traffic in 2026; the Kangding–Zheduo section has active road works and can see long delays (reports of 4–5 hour jams in peak season). Expect heavy trucks, a long steady climb of roughly 1,700–1,900 m, and cold/windy conditions at the pass even in summer. Snow and ice are possible well into May and from October onward.
• Gaoersi (高尔寺山, old pass 4,412 m): Most traffic uses the Gaoersi tunnel (around 3,900 m), which is lit. The old pass road was bypassed around 2015 and is reportedly in poor/abandoned condition; cyclists generally take the tunnel. The big reward of this stage is the long descent to Yajiang at around 2,530 m — a valuable altitude recovery night.
• Jianziwan (剪子弯山, old pass 4,659 m): Famous for the "18 Bends of the Sky Road" (天路十八弯) switchbacks climbing out of Yajiang. The Jianziwan tunnel (about 2,230 m long, roughly 4,200 m elevation) is the standard route. Multiple cyclist reports note this tunnel has no lighting and a rough, potholed surface — a powerful front light and tail light are essential, and riding through in a group or during daylight is strongly recommended. The old pass road over 4,659 m is no longer the normal through route.
• Kazila (卡子拉山, approximately 4,718 m): Crossed on the open road; no tunnel. This is the highest point on the Kangding–Litang section and is reached after many kilometers of riding already above 4,000 m. It is exposed, cold, and windy — not a technical climb but a serious test of altitude tolerance, endurance, and clothing.

Road conditions and tunnel status change as construction progresses. Ask locally in Kangding, Xinduqiao, or Yajiang about the current state of each tunnel and any old-road access before you ride — and treat "the old pass is still rideable" claims with caution.

Acclimatization & Altitude Sickness (AMS)

Altitude is the single biggest risk on this route — more dangerous than traffic, weather, or mechanicals. You go from 2,560 m in Kangding to sleeping above 4,000 m within three days, and much of Day 4 is spent at 4,000–4,700 m. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can affect anyone regardless of fitness; being a strong cyclist does not protect you.

• Acclimatize before you start. Ideally arrive in Kangding via a multi-day ride from Chengdu/Ya'an (as most through-riders do), or spend at least 2–3 nights at 2,500–3,300 m (e.g. Kangding, then Xinduqiao) before tackling the 4,000 m+ stages. Do not fly or bus directly from sea level to Kangding and start climbing the next day.
• Use Yajiang as a recovery night. At roughly 2,530 m, Yajiang after the Gaoersi descent is intentionally low — sleep there, eat well, and do not skip it to push straight up to Xiangkezong.
• Recognize AMS symptoms: headache, nausea, loss of appetite, persistent breathlessness at rest, confusion, poor coordination, or a cough that won't settle. Mild symptoms are common above 4,000 m and usually improve with rest; worsening symptoms — especially confusion, ataxia, or breathlessness at rest — require immediate descent. HACE (cerebral edema) and HAPE (pulmonary edema) can be fatal within hours.
• If you get a cold or fever above 4,000 m, descend before treating it. Do not "push through" illness at altitude.
• Hydrate aggressively. Aim for 3+ liters on riding days and use electrolytes. Dehydration mimics and worsens AMS. Avoid alcohol and do not take a hot shower on your first night at a new high altitude.
• Carry any altitude medication your doctor recommends (e.g. acetazolamide/Diamox, used preventively) and know how to use it. Canned oxygen sold at roadside stalls is generally not effective treatment for someone exerting at altitude — it gives a brief psychological boost but does not replace descent.

Difficulty

Hard / Advanced. This is not a tour for fit-but-inexperienced riders. The difficulties are cumulative rather than any single impossible climb:

• Sustained high altitude — two consecutive days largely above 4,000 m, sleeping at 3,500–4,300 m.
• Long climbs with luggage: Zheduo gains about 1,900 m from Kangding; the Yajiang–Xiangkezong climb gains about 1,700 m including the 18 Bends.
• Heavy truck traffic on narrow mountain roads with tight switchbacks and limited shoulder in places.
• Unlit/rough tunnels (notably Jianziwan) that demand lights and confident riding in the dark.
• Exposure: cold, wind, rain, hail, and occasional snow at the high passes — even in May/September. Temperatures at a 4,000+ m pass can drop to near freezing during a storm.
• Remoteness: limited food, water, and repair between settlements; mobile signal is patchy on the high plateau.

Riders should have prior multi-day loaded-touring experience, prior high-altitude travel, a low-geared and well-maintained bike (disc brakes strongly recommended for long descents), and the discipline to turn around or take a bus if altitude or weather turns.

Traffic, Tunnels & Road Safety

• G318 is a working freight highway. Expect large trucks, tour buses, and self-drive traffic, particularly on the Zheduo climb and around the Jianziwan 18 Bends. Ride defensively, stay as far right as is safe, use a bright rear light in daytime, and never descend alongside a truck on a switchback.
• Trucks overheat brakes on long descents and may swing wide on hairpins. On the Yajiang descent and other long downhills, control your own speed, use pulse/feathered braking rather than dragging brakes, and pull over periodically to let convoys pass.
• Tunnels: carry a powerful white front light (not just a small blinkie) and a red rear light. Some G318 tunnels are well lit; others (Jianziwan specifically) are unlit, long, and rough. Remove dark glasses before entering, ride in a straight predictable line, and consider waiting for other cyclists to group up.
• Road works and construction are common, especially on the Kangding–Zheduo section. Expect temporary surfaces, gravel, one-way controls, and waits. Check local traffic notices the night before.
• Avoid riding at night. There is no street lighting outside towns, wildlife and livestock can be on the road, and trucks do not expect cyclists after dark.

Weather & Best Season

The two recommended windows are May to mid-June and September to October. In both periods temperatures are manageable at altitude, most high-pass snow has cleared (or hasn't yet returned), road conditions are comparatively stable, and skies are often clear for the big views across the grasslands.

• July–August (monsoon): avoid if possible. This is the rainy season on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, and G318 is prone to landslides, rockfall, mud on the road, and closures/delays — particularly in the gorges around Yajiang and further west. If you must ride in summer, start early, finish before afternoon storms, check conditions daily, and build buffer days into your schedule.
• November–March (winter): not recommended. Passes can be closed or impassable due to snow and ice; Zheduo in particular sees long snow/ice closures. Services in smaller settlements are limited, and cold exposure is a serious risk for cyclists.
• April and late October are shoulder months — possible for experienced, well-equipped riders, but check snow conditions and be ready for cold.

Whatever the month, carry windproof and thermal layers, a waterproof shell, gloves, and a hat. At 4,000+ m the combination of wind, shade, and sweat on a long descent can lead to hypothermia quickly, even on a "sunny" day. UV is extreme — SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and head/neck coverage are essential.

Food, Water & Accommodation

Towns along the route (Kangding, Xinduqiao, Yajiang, Litang) have restaurants, shops, ATMs, and a range of hotels and guesthouses. Smaller overnight stops such as Xiangkezong, the 158 Daoban area, and Honglongxiang offer much more basic options — typically Tibetan family guesthouses or road-maintenance station (道班, dàobān) accommodation with shared facilities, limited or no hot water, and simple noodle/rice meals. This is part of the character of the ride, but it is not comfort touring.

• Food: Sichuan and Tibetan cooking dominate. Expect noodles (miantiao), rice dishes, yak-based dishes, potatoes, tsampa, butter tea, and sweet tea. Eat a proper hot meal at breakfast and dinner; carry high-calorie snacks (chocolate, energy bars, nuts, instant noodles) for the long high-altitude stretches where there may be no open shop for 30–50 km.
• Water: Carry 2–3 liters capacity. Refill in towns and guesthouses. Treat or boil water from natural sources. Bottled water is sold at village shops but not reliably on the high plateau stretches.
• Accommodation cost: roughly ¥80–200/night for basic guesthouses, more for standard hotels in Kangding/Xinduqiao/Litang. In peak autumn weeks (and around the October National Day holiday) book ahead — Litang in particular fills up.
• Foreign guest registration: not every small hotel is licensed to accept foreign passports. In larger towns this is rarely an issue; in very small villages and daoban, ask first. Carrying a passport photocopy and being polite at check-in helps.
• Payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay work in towns, but mobile signal can disappear on the high passes — carry enough CNY cash (a few hundred renminbi) for guesthouses, food, and emergency transport in dead zones.

Litang itself (4,014 m) is one of the highest substantial towns in the world, with a long Tibetan old town, the large Changqingchun Ke'er (Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling) Monastery, and a growing range of accommodation including oxygen-equipped rooms. Many travelers find their first night at 4,014 m tough — sleep elevated, hydrate, and avoid alcohol.

Bike Setup, Repair & Navigation

• Bike type: a steel/aluminum touring bike, gravel bike with wide tires (38–45 mm), or hardtail mountain bike with slick/semi-slick tires. Low climbing gears (e.g. 1:1 or lower) matter more than weight. Disc brakes are strongly recommended for long, loaded descents.
• Luggage: rear panniers or a bikepacking setup kept as light as practical. You are climbing thousands of meters — every kilogram counts, but do not cut safety gear to save weight.
• Repair kit: 2+ spare inner tubes (or a tubeless plug kit plus sealant), tire levers, a reliable mini-pump or CO2, a chain tool/power link, spare brake pads (rim brakes wear fast on descents), a multi-tool, derailleur hanger if you have one, duct tape, and a small bottle of chain lube. Basic bike shops exist in Kangding and Litang and can handle simple repairs; they are not reliable on the road between. There are informal mechanics and roadside tire-fix stalls in bigger villages, but do not depend on them for anything specialized.
• Lights: a high-lumen front light (minimum ~600 lumens, charged/powerable from a power bank) for unlit tunnels, plus a daytime-visible red rear light for truck traffic.
• Navigation: download offline maps before starting. Baidu Maps and Amap (Gaode) are the accurate, reliable mapping apps in China; Google Maps is blocked without a VPN and its cycling data in this region is unreliable. Mark your overnight stops and key passes before signal drops. A dedicated GPS unit preloaded with the route is a good backup.
• Power & signal: carry a high-capacity power bank (20,000 mAh) — you may be 2 days between reliable power outlets if you stay in very basic accommodation. Mobile signal (China Mobile generally strongest) is available in towns but patchy or absent across the high plateau passes; tell someone your plan before each stage and don't rely on being able to call for help from the roadside.

Bailout & Emergency Options

• Busing out is normal on G318. Public buses and shared minivans (拼车, pīnchē) run between Kangding, Xinduqiao, Yajiang, and Litang, and can usually transport a bike in the hold for a small fee. If altitude, weather, injury, or a mechanical ends your ride, this is the safe, common exit — there is no shame in it.
• Kangding is the main logistical hub at the start of the section (bus connections to Chengdu/Ya'an, bike shops, hospitals, supplies). Litang is the hub at the end (buses to Chengdu and Daocheng, basic medical facilities, bike shops).
• Flagging a vehicle for a short lift to the next town is also common on G318, especially in bad weather. Have cash ready and agree on a price before loading the bike.
• Emergency numbers: 120 (ambulance), 110 (police), 122 (traffic police). The nearest reasonably well-equipped hospitals are in Kangding and Litang; for serious altitude or trauma cases you may need evacuation to Chengdu. Carry travel insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude activities and emergency medical evacuation, and keep the policy/emergency number on you.
• Consider carrying a basic first-aid kit (blister care, dressings, painkillers, antidiarrheals, rehydration salts, any personal medication) and a space blanket for emergency warmth.

What Makes It Worth It

For all its difficulty, this is one of the most visually and culturally striking paved cycling routes in China. The first view west from Zheduo Pass, where the forested Sichuan hills suddenly give way to the open Tibetan plateau; the golden light, poplars, and stone villages of Xinduqiao; the switchbacks of the 18 Bends; the endless grasslands and yaks around Kazila; and the arrival over the rise into high, prayer-flag-festooned Litang — these are the moments that keep riders coming back to G318. Nearby, the wider region offers some of Sichuan's best trekking, including Daocheng Yading, Genyen Sacred Mountain, and Siguniang Mountain, which can be combined with the ride as rest-day or post-ride trips.

Last verified: August 2026. Distances, elevations, tunnel status, and permit rules change — verify locally in Kangding before riding. Sources cross-checked include published G318 cycling itineraries, Chinese cyclist ride reports, mapping data, and current 2025–2026 Tibet permit guidance.