Tibet Highway

Xinjiang-Tibet highway

Xinjiang-Tibet Highway (no.219 National Trunk Highway starts from Yecheng County of Xinjiang and ends at Lhaze County of Shigatse Prefecture in Tibet, and it is 2,300 kilometers long. Built in June 1955, it climbs over the Kunlun and Gangdisi mountains with the highest elevation of 5,433 meters. It then goes southbound along the north slope of the Himalayas and crosses the western deserted land. Many famous attractions and historical sites are in view along the line. Hordes of Tibetan antelopes, wild donkeys and wild oxen drift into view, and they are under the national-level protection. Xinjiang-Tibet Highway is the principal thoroughfare of Nyair prefecture's foreign exchange and also an important defense trunk highway. It plays a major part in the economic development of Nyair Prefecture, maintaining social stability, improving people's life and consolidating the southwest frontier defense.