Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Start early to catch cooler temperatures and avoid afternoon storms on high passes (high-altitude rides demand planning for sudden weather). (0:50)
- Tip 2Be prepared for mixed surfaces; carry a lightweight, sturdy bike and basic repair gear for rocky, unpaved segments. (2:40)
- Tip 3When skies look threatening, seek shelter and consider lighter packing for quick setup at campsites. (7:30)
Max Roving’s Cycling across China episode on the Tibetan Plateau blends high altitude hardship with breathtaking scenery. Beginning in Liang, one of the country’s highest cities at four thousand meters, he sets a bold course toward Gaksu, chasing Buddhist Tibetan culture and remote, traffic-free roads. The ride is punctuated by dramatic weather swings, from blue skies to sudden hail and biting headwinds, making every climb feel like a battle against elements as much as terrain. The journey unfolds on largely unpaved or lightly trafficked routes that wind along the plateau’s edge, with long tunnels and landslide-prone stretches adding to the sense of isolation. He occasionally contends with road closures and off-road detours, sometimes pushing when the surface becomes too rocky, and he muses on the hard life of nomads and the resilience of Tibetan settlements perched on mountain faces. The narrative slows to savor villages, rivers like the Yalong, and the quiet grandeur of the landscape
More about the current video:
Max opens by locating himself in Liang, a city perched at 4000 meters on the Tibetan plateau, and outlines a route toward Gaksu while noting the season’s uncertainty. He faces a brutal climb up to 4600 meters, followed by hail, wind, and changing skies that flip from sun to snow in hours. The road alternates between smooth asphalt and unpaved stretches, sometimes forcing him to push when surfaces get too rocky. He reflects on the nomadic life and the scale of Tibetan settlements dotting the landscape, and he deliberately avoids the busy G318 to seek quieter, more remote routes. A notable moment comes when he pushes through a long, narrow tunnel-like path that hugs the mountain face, and later he follows the Yalong River downstream. After camping near a shelter amid worsening weather, he secures a low-cost room in Gangpa for a hot shower and rest, then continues the plan toward Changdu, adjusting for coming cold nights. The episode ends with noodles for dinner under a roof of rain and wind, as Max signs off for the next leg toward Changdu.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What’s the terrain like on the route?
- A: Mostly high-altitude mountain roads with a mix of smooth asphalt and unpaved sections, plus long tunnels and occasional landslides; expect frequent weather changes.