What began as a trip to Lhasa and Nyingchi, two major cities in the Xizang autonomous region, has turned into something far more ambitious — a drive along Highway 318 from Lhasa to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.
For years, I have been intrigued by the bumper stickers on countless four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles across China proclaiming, "A journey along Highway 318 is a must in a lifetime".
Social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu or RedNote are filled with posts about the route's beautiful scenery and formidable challenges. To me, the road has almost come to mean that "one who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a true man".
The journey also fits well into the 10-year retirement plan I began last September: to visit, and revisit, every corner of China while I still have the stamina for long and demanding road trips.
Three weeks in beautiful Xizang have only strengthened that resolve. The region's magnificent natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage and my own success in overcoming altitude sickness convinced me that this is something I should do now, or regret later.
The Highway 318 drive is truly exciting and challenging. On Wednesday, I crossed the 5,130-meter-high Dongda Mountain when it was snowing, a day after traversing the famous Nujiang River 72 Hairpin Turns, widely regarded as one of the toughest stretches on Highway 318.
The drive from Bomi to Medog, a side trip from Highway 318, was equally challenging yet rewarding. After passing through the 3,700-meter high Galongla Tunnel, the road plunges more than 2,000 meters.
Along the way, the weather gradually changes from the frigid plateau winter to a subtropical climate and finally into a tropical rain forest, where banana trees line the narrow and bumpy one-way driveway.
The natural landscape in Xizang, also known as the Roof of the World, is a feast for the senses.
Snow-capped mountains, glaciers, crystal-clear lakes, rushing rivers, deep valleys, forests and sweeping grasslands combine to make the region as charming and exotic as Switzerland or Iceland, if not more.
Photos and videos of my journey have attracted plenty of attention on my WeChat Moments. Friends have praised my courage to undertake such a tough road trip. Some are even inspired to give it a try sometime in the future, but others are deterred by the serious risks posed by altitude sickness.
I must admit I feel a sense of accomplishment for taking on one of China's most demanding road trips even though I am only halfway through it.
But on Highway 318, my achievement hardly seems extraordinary. The road is filled with travelers in four-wheel-drive SUVs like mine. In fact, my rental vehicle — a GWM Tank 300, a mid-size 4X4 SUV built for serious off-road driving — is probably the most common model on Highway 318.
However, I would not even remotely consider myself a hero on Highway 318.
Along the route I have seen many men and women, young and old, making the journey on motorcycles, bicycles, pushcarts and even on foot.
Most of them spent the night in tents, and some even cooked their meals. Compared to their endurance, my road trip is way too easy. I want to salute their grit and determination.
After spending 16 years largely away from China as a correspondent, I am delighted to discover this group of Chinese travelers on Highway 318 who possess the stamina and endurance of a triathlon athlete.
Highway 318 is only the beginning. I have heard stories of even more challenging routes, such as the 10,000-kilometer-long Highway 219 along the Chinese border from Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the northwest to Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in the southwest.
Running through high-altitude terrain, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful highways in China.
Watching those motorcyclists and bikers on Highway 318, I am tempted to give it a try.
One challenging journey has inspired another.
The author is a China Daily columnist.