Yunnan–Xizang highway links mountain landscapes with local tourism
The Yunnan–Xizang highway is marking five decades as a connection between mountain communities and a route through some of southwest China’s most striking landscapes.
The Yunnan–Xizang highway is marking five decades as a connection between mountain communities and a route through some of southwest China’s most striking landscapes.
The 715-kilometre route links Xiaguan with Mangkam, crossing terrain shaped by the Jinsha and Lancang rivers and the Hengduan Mountains. Improved transport has helped bring visitors into communities along the road.
Self-drive travel, homestays and local food businesses feature in the route’s evolving tourism economy. Alongside scenery, the journey offers encounters with regional traditions and everyday life. The highway’s anniversary highlights how transport connections can influence both travel patterns and opportunities for local residents.
