Jinsha River · Sichuan–Tibet Boundary Marker
▲ 2,487 mCrossing the Jinsha River at about 2,487 m, your wheels roll officially into Tibet — every cyclist stops at the boundary marker here. The river below is the upper Yangtze.
Day 10 of 20 · Act 3 · Into Tibet
The Jinsha River · Into Tibet
Batang → Mangkang
4,170 m High point Crossing into Tibet
Cross the Jinsha River bridge — the boundary into the Tibet Autonomous Region — then climb Zongla Pass (4,170 m) to Mangkang, your first Tibetan town.
Landmarks
Jinsha River Bridge
金沙江大桥 · 2,500 m
The bridge over the Jinsha (upper Yangtze) — the moment you ride into Tibet.
Zongla Pass
宗拉山垭口 · 4,170 m
A 4,170 m pass on the climb to Mangkang.
Mangkang
芒康 · 3,870 m
The first town inside Tibet, around 3,870 m.
Stops along the way
2 scenic check-in spots on this stage — pull over at any of them for a postcard.
Zongla Pass Viewpoint
▲ 4,145 mOn the climb to Mangkang, Zongla Pass near 4,145 m offers a long look back at the Jinsha River canyon falling away behind you — a good place to catch your breath.
Questions about this day
Which day does cycling 318 cross into Tibet?
Day 10. You cross the Jinsha River bridge — the boundary into the Tibet Autonomous Region — then climb Zongla Pass at 4,170 m to Mangkang, your first Tibetan town at about 3,870 m.
What river divides Sichuan and Tibet here?
The Jinsha River, the upper reaches of the Yangtze. Riding across the bridge is the moment the game marks you entering Tibet.
Is Mangkang the first town in Tibet?
Yes — Mangkang, at around 3,870 m, is the first town inside the Tibet Autonomous Region on this route, and the start of the giant Tibetan passes that follow.
A shared postcard from Cycling 318
Ride your own 318
Cycling 318 turns the road to Lhasa into a daily, cozy ride. Check in at the landmarks, collect a postcard from each, and fill your 318 passport.
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