Mila Pass · the Holy City of Lhasa
The final day: over Mila Pass at 5,013 m, the last great climb, then a long freewheel down to Lhasa at 3,650 m — and the golden roofs of the Potala Palace at the end of the road.
Plan the day
Songduo to Lhasa — the road, food, lodging and gear for this stage.
Road & riding
Over Mila Pass (5,013 m), the last great climb (now eased by a tunnel), then a long, joyful descent down the Lhasa River valley into the Holy City — and the Potala Palace at road’s end.
Food & resupply
Lhasa has everything — Tibetan, Sichuan and Nepali food, cafés around the Barkhor; celebrate the finish with a feast.
Sleeping
Every kind of hotel and hostel in Lhasa. You’ve made it — rest, and enjoy the city you rode 2,000+ km to reach.
Gear & body
Cold final pass to mild Lhasa (3,650 m): warm layers for Mila, lighter kit in the city. The sun is strong year-round — keep covering up.
Landmarks
Songduo
The morning's start, a small roadside village at 4,288 m below the climb to Mila.
Mila Pass
The last great pass, 5,013 m, draped in prayer flags.
Mila Mountain Tunnel
The world's highest extra-long road tunnel, 5.7 km bored beneath the pass, opened in 2019.
Rido Hot Springs
A hot-spring township beside the road east of Maizhokunggar, where the long downhill toward Lhasa eases on.
Lhasa River
The Kyichu, “waters of happiness,” that the road follows down into the city.
Maizhokunggar
The first county town past Mila Pass, in the broad Lhasa River valley.
Gyama Valley
A green side valley just west of Maizhokunggar, honored as the birthplace of King Songtsen Gampo.
Dagzê
The last county town before Lhasa, about 25 km out, in the widening Kyichu valley.
Potala Palace
The finish line — the Potala rising over Lhasa, the Holy City, at 3,650 m.
Jokhang & Barkhor
The spiritual heart of Lhasa — the Jokhang temple and the pilgrim circuit of Barkhor Street.
Questions about this day
What is the last pass before Lhasa?
Mila Pass at 5,013 m — the final great climb of the route, draped in prayer flags. After it comes a long freewheel down to Lhasa at 3,650 m, and the golden roofs of the Potala Palace at the end of the road.
How does cycling 318 end?
Over Mila Pass and down into Lhasa, the Holy City. The finish line is the Potala Palace — your last check-in and postcard, and the completion of your 318 passport.
How high is Lhasa?
Lhasa sits at about 3,650 m. The final day climbs to 5,013 m at Mila Pass first, then drops more than a kilometre down into the city to finish the 2,150 km road from Chengdu.
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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