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Roads in Kham (last updated April 27, 2007)
PLEASE NOTE:
| Route | Description | Closures | Typical drive time |
| Chengdu-Kangding | All paved, some is expressway. Erlangshan Tunnel means that you avoid very high elevations. | Rare, but can have long delays during rainy season if rocks have fallen on the road. | 7-8 hours |
| Kangding-Xinduqiao | Good from Kangding to Tseto La (pass), terrible the rest of the way to Xinduqiao. This must be the worst national highway in China. Broken pavement, pot-holes, rough rough rough. | Rare, but heavy snow can close the pass. It is usually cleared within one day. | 3 hours |
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NORTH KHAM |
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| Xinduqiao-Tagong | Currently a new road is under construction but the old road is fairly useable and delays are not great.. | Closures due to weather or landslides are rare, but accidents occasionally cause traffic backups. | 1.5 hours |
| Tagong-Daofu/Dawu | Mostly paved except for one section west of the pass. Pavement near Daofu is brand new but closer to Tagong it is old and rough in some sections. | Rare, but some portions can be icy after a snowfall. | 2.5 hours |
| Daofu-Luhuo/Trango | All paved, no passes. Pavement is old and needs repair. | Rare, but don't be surprised by construction delays. | 2 hours |
| Luhuo-Ganzi | All paved, one pass. Pavement is old and needs repair. | Rare, but don't be surprised by construction delays. | 2.5 hours |
| Ganzi-Maniganggo | All paved, one pass. | Rare, but don't be surprised by construction delays. | 2.5 hours |
| Maniganggo-Shiqu/Sershul | All paved, one pass | Rare | 3.5 hours |
| Shiqu-Yushu | All paved, one pass. Road is excellent on the Qinghai side of the border. | Rare. | 5 hours |
| Maniganggo-Dege/Derge | All paved except on Qiaoershan pass. | Landslides are rare but heavy snow can close the pass. There may be construction delays at times. | 4 hours |
| Dege-Baiyu/Pelyul | Dirt road beside the Jinsha River | Vulnerable to landslides in summer. Can take 2-3 days to clear. | 2-3 hours |
| Dege-Chamdo | Mostly paved, some unpaved parts, 2 passes | Vulnerable to landslides in summer and snow blockage in winter. | 1 day |
| Baiyu-Ganzi | Mostly paved, some very steep sections, some narrow bits by the river that may be unstable. | Occasional, especially in summer. | 4-5 hours |
| Baiyu-Batang | Dirt road through very remote area. 4WD recommended. | Frequent | 7-9 hours |
| Ganzi-Xinlong/Nyarong | All paved, no passes, very steep terrain vulnerable to landslides. | Occasional, especially in summer | 2-3 hours |
| Luhuo-Seda/Serthar | All paved, one pass | Rare | 4 hours |
| Chengdu-Danba | All paved, one high pass, can be rough going if you're starting in Chengdu and prone to altitude sickness. | Subject to massive traffic jams between Chengdu and Wolong. | 7-8 hours |
| Danba-Bamei | Mostly paved, some dirt sections, one pass, steep in parts | Vulnerable to landslides in summer. | 4 hours |
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SOUTH KHAM |
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| Xinlong-Litang | All newly paved, one pass, some steep sections | Occasional, especially during summer | 4 hours |
| Litang-Batang | One pass. New road, excellent condition. | Occasional, especially during summer. In springtime beware of possible heavy snow on the pass. | 4 hours |
| Xinduqiao-Yajiang | All paved, one pass, some steep sections | Infrequent closures, but beware of speeding trucks! | 2-3 hours |
| Yajiang-Litang | All paved, long high stretch, very few houses. | Rare, but don't set out if fresh snow is falling. | 5 hours |
| Litang-Xiangcheng/Chaktreng | All paved, two passes, long high stretch. | Infrequent, but don't set out if fresh snow is falling | 4 hours |
| Litang-Daocheng | All paved, one pass | Same as above | 3.5 hours |
| Xiangcheng-Zhongdian/Shangrila | All newly paved, some steep sections | Occasional, especially during summer | 4 hours |
| Xiangcheng-Derong | All paved, one pass | Infrequent | 3 hours |
| Derong-Zhongdian | Half paved, half very bumpy dirt, no passes. | Infrequent | 3.5 hours |
| Derong-Batang | All dirt road, muddy in parts, one pass, 4WD recommended. | Occasional, especially during summer | 4-5 hours |
| Xinduqiao-Jiulong | All paved, no passes, new road. | Rare | 4 hours |