Sister Lakes · the Long Drop to Batang
Past the twin Sister Lakes mirroring the sky below Haizi Mountain (4,685 m), then a huge descent of nearly two vertical kilometres down to warm, low Batang.
Plan the day
Litang to Batang — the road, food, lodging and gear for this stage.
Road & riding
Across the Haizi Shan moraine plateau past the turquoise Sister Lakes (~4,685 m), then a long descent to warm, low Batang (2,580 m) near the Tibet border.
Food & resupply
Batang is famously mild and green — good vegetables and Sichuan-Tibetan food, a welcome change after the high plateau.
Sleeping
Comfortable lower-altitude hotels in Batang — a good place to rest properly before crossing into Tibet.
Gear & body
From freezing lakes to a balmy valley in one day: bring the full layering range; sunglasses are essential on the bright plateau.
Landmarks
Litang
“World’s high city” on a 4,014 m grassland plain, where the day begins among prayer flags.
Maoya Grassland
A vast highland pasture west of Litang where NR318 crosses, dotted with yaks and tents.
Heni
A small grassland township near 4,160 m, a quiet roadside rest before the climb.
Haizi Shan Stone Sea
An endless field of glacial boulders strewn across the “Daocheng ancient ice cap” plateau.
Tu’er Shan
A row of jagged rock “rabbit-ears” rising straight out of the Haizi Shan plateau.
Haizi Pass
A 4,685 m pass on a vast plateau of glacial boulders.
Sister Lakes
Two still alpine lakes side by side, mirroring the sky at about 4,350 m.
Cuopu Valley Mouth
The G318-side turn-off into Cuopu Valley, a hidden reserve of hot springs and turquoise lakes.
Cuola
A roadside village near 3,372 m where the plateau gives way to warm valley air.
Lanashan Tunnel
A long tunnel through Lana Mountain; its exit drops steeply into a hairpin toward Batang.
Batang
A warm river town near 2,580 m — the last stop in Sichuan.
Questions about this day
What are the Sister Lakes on the G318?
Two still alpine lakes side by side below Haizi Mountain, mirroring the sky at about 4,350 m — one of the most photographed spots on the road, and a check-in viewpoint in the game.
How big is the descent to Batang?
Huge — after Haizi Pass at 4,685 m the road drops nearly two vertical kilometres down to warm, low Batang at about 2,580 m, the last town in Sichuan.
How do I handle a long descent in the game?
Let it run, but stay in control: tilt to steer through the bends and feather the brakes rather than holding them. Long drops are the reward for the climb — and a great chance to grab a postcard at the Sister Lakes on the way down.
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.
Download on the App Store