{"id":19184,"date":"2021-09-26T11:09:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-26T03:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/?p=19184"},"modified":"2021-09-26T23:15:42","modified_gmt":"2021-09-26T15:15:42","slug":"drive-from-batang-to-mangkang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/tibet-travel\/mangkang\/drive-from-batang-to-mangkang","title":{"rendered":"Drive from Batang to Mangkang (Tips, Photos & Map)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ABC of Mangkang<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Around 3:45 pm after\u00a0a brief break at the filling station in Xiaqionzhen in BatangCounty\u00a0(\u5df4\u5858), we again start up our trip along G318 west for our next destination \u2013 Mangkang (\u8292\u5eb7\u00a0)\u00a0in Tibet. Mangkang is also known as Markham or Karkam in Tibet, a county under the administration of Qamdo City (\u660c\u90fd)\u00a0in the Tibet Autonomous Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mangkang is located amid the border areas of the three provinces including Sichuan, Tibet and Yunnan. It is adjacent to Batang County in Sichuan on the east and Deqin County in Yunnan on the south. Both the\u00a0National Highway G318 and G214 run through Mangkang County. It is an important stepping stone to enter\u00a0the three connected provinces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batang to Mangkang Road Trip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is a 110 km drive from Batang to Mangkang (Karkam). The first 35km drive is easy and uneventful when we pass through Zhubalong Township (\u00a0\u7af9\u5df4\u9f99\u4e61) which is the west tip of Batang County along G318.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Zhubalongxian (\u73e0\u5df4\u9f99\u4e61) in Batang\u00a0abuts Zhubalongxian\u00a0(\u6731\u5df4\u9f99\u4e61), the east tip of Mangkang (Karkam). The two townships have the same Chinese pinyin\u00a0( romanization of Chinese), but with different Chinese characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Drive from Batang to Mangkang and Jinshajiang Bridge is the devideline. (Google Map)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Jinshajiang Bridge (Jinsha River Bridge)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Passing through Zhubalongxiang Township in Batang, we soon go across Jinshajiang River Bridge (\u91d1\u6c99\u6c5f\u5927\u6865) which divides the two townships \u2013 Zhubalongxiang Township ( \u7af9\u5df4\u9f99\u4e61) in Batang and Zhubalongxiang Township (\u6731\u5df4\u9f99\u4e61) in Mangkang (Karkam).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jinshanjiang River (\u91d1\u6c99\u6c5f) is largely the dividing borderline between Sichuan and\u00a0Tibet. We stop at the middle of Jinsha River Bridge, straddling the the\u00a0two provinces ( Sichuan and Tibet ) while snapping a photo of the borderline sign attached to the bridge cememt\u00a0handrail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tibet
Tibet Borderline Sign standing in the middle of Jinsha River Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Driving across Jinsha River Bridge (\u91d1\u6c99\u6c5f\u5927\u6865),\u00a0 we run into the area of \u00a0Zhubalongxiang Township\u00a0(\u6731\u5df4\u9f99\u4e61) in Mangkang (Karkam), Tibet. Soon we have to stop at the security checkpoint set up by the local Zhubalongxiang Public Security Bureau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The security checkpoint at Zhubalongxiang <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mr.Chen and I leave our vehicle in the waiting line and go out to the roadside office windows, taking all the personal travel documents with us – ID card, or passport and driving licences and the vehicle certificate. We see policemen with their weapon resting lazily slung over their shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Zhubalong
Policemen with their weapon resting lazily slung over their shoulders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

At the checkpoint, we\u00a0are offered\u00a0a speed limit ticket which requests us to drive within two hours\u00a0to cover the 71 km\u00a0distance ahead\u00a0between Zhubalongxiang Township and the downtown of Mangkang. So we have to limit our drive within 2 hours before we get to\u00a0Mangkang, just 75km away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We much keep the ticket till the policemen at the checkpoint in Mangkang collect and check it. Why two hours for the 75 km? So slow, like a slow moving snail. The ticket says the road ahead is full of risks with possible falling stones and the fact that some sections are in the state of disrepair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a
Zhubalong – Mangkang speed limit ticket<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The 71-km G318 Highway from Zhubalong Township to the downtown of Mangkang has complicated geographical conditions. The road is often collapsed in rainy season. The roadside river sometimes encroaches the road. In some areas, the road sinks,  bumpy and muddy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most dangerous thing is the falling stones, blocking the road with a potential risk of harming the people on the way. On route, for several times we have to stop  and clear the fallen stones on the road ahead. Sometimes we have to gingerly drive along the cliff swept with the scree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Zhulongba
Clear the fallen stones on the road ahead<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The road clings to the sheer cliffs, often with turns and curves, and we have to drive slowly and carefully to avoid colliding with coming vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Batang
The road clings to the sheer cliffs<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some sections of the highway are just in a  state of disrepair, muddy, rutted and without any handrails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Batang
Some sections of the highway are just in a state of disrepair<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Two hours late, around 5:50 pm, we get to the No.01 Checkpoint in the downtown of Mangkang (Karkam). We again have to stop and have our personal ID cards checked and then continue our trip, and this time we get off the National Highway G318 and turn south and drive along the National Highway G214.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sun is setting  and we have to hurry up to catch the time lost on the speed limit road just passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any questions on the drive from Batang to Mangkang, just drop\u00a0a line.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add-on<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drive from Hanzhong to Ya\u2019an<\/a>
Ya\u2019an Night View<\/a>
Most Beautiful Sky Road in China<\/a>
Moxi Old Town ( Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
Hailuogou Glacier Camp No.04 (Tips,Photos & Map)<\/a>
<\/a>Hailuogou Glacier Camp No.03 (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
Kangding (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
Drive from Kangding to Xinduqiao<\/a>
Drive from Xinduqiao to Danba<\/a>
Jiarong Tibetan Blockhouses<\/a>
Jiarong Tibetan Ancient Watchtowers<\/a>
Drive from Xinduqiao to Yajiang<\/a>
Drive from Yajiang to Litang<\/a>
Drive from Litang to Daocheng<\/a>
Drive from Litang to Batang<\/a>
Drive from Batang to Mangkang<\/a>
Drive from Mangkang to Deqin<\/a>
Kawagarbo Viewed from Feilaisi<\/a>
Drive from Deqin to Shangri-la (Zhongdian)<\/a>
Ganden Sumtseling Monastery Dwells Your Soul<\/a>
Pudacuo is an earthly<\/a> paradise<\/a>
Drive from Shangri-la to Daocheng<\/a>
Drive from Daocheng to Yading<\/a>
Yading Brings You Inner Peace<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hassle-free Chengdu Guided Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Chengdu and Sichuan guided tours:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chengdu tour<\/a>
Chengdu Car Rental with Driver<\/a>
Create My Chengdu Trip<\/a>
Jiuzhaigou Tour<\/a>
Sichuan Tour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Readings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Attractions in Chengdu<\/a>
Best Time to Visit Chengdu<\/a>
Chengdu Airport<\/a>
Railway stations in Chengdu<\/a>
Chengdu Taxi<\/a>
How to visit Wuhou Shrine<\/a>
How to visit Du Fu Thatched Cottage<\/a>
How to visit Jinsha Site Museum<\/a>
How to Visit Tomb of Wangjian<\/a>
How to Visit Wangjiang Tower Park<\/a>
How to Visit Qingyang Taoist Temple<\/a>
How to Visit Jinli Street<\/a>
How to visit Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley<\/a>
How to visit Qintai Road, Qintai Street Chengdu<\/a>
How to visit Shaoling Road Bar Street<\/a>
How to Visit Jiuyanqiao Bar Street<\/a>
The Old Teahouse in Pengzhen Town, Chengdu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bipenggou is a fairyland in Autumn<\/a>
When is the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou?<\/a>
Best Places to Visit Autumn Leaves in Sichuan<\/a>
Top 10 Places to Visit in Sichuan<\/a>
Ruoergai Grassland, my first trip to Ruoergai Grassland<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ABC of Mangkang Around 3:45 pm after\u00a0a brief break at the filling station in Xiaqionzhen in BatangCounty\u00a0(\u5df4\u5858), we again start up our trip along G318 west for our next destination \u2013 Mangkang (\u8292\u5eb7\u00a0)\u00a0in Tibet. Mangkang is also known as Markham or Karkam in Tibet, a county under the administration of Qamdo City (\u660c\u90fd)\u00a0in the Tibet…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3208,3175],"tags":[3975,3213,3214,3215,3212],"class_list":["post-19184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-batang","category-mangkang","tag-batang-to-mangkang-road-trip","tag-drive-from-batang-to-markam","tag-drive-from-zhubalong-to-mangkang","tag-drive-from-zhubalong-to-markam","tag-self-drive-from-batang-to-mangkang"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19184"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19184"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19184\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27778,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19184\/revisions\/27778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}