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| National Highway 219 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 219国道 | ||||
Planned extension of the G219 | ||||
| Route information | ||||
| Length | 10,000 km (6,200 mi) 2,342 km (1,455 mi) until 2013. Proposed length is over 10,000 km (6,214 mi), according to a 2013–2030 government plan | |||
| Existed | 1955–present | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| north-west end | Kom-Kanas Mongolian Ethnic Township | |||
| south-east end | Dongxing | |||
| Location | ||||
| Country | China | |||
| Highway system | ||||
| ||||
China National Highway 219 (G219; Chinese: Guódào219) is a highway running along the entire western and southern border of the People's Republic of China, from Kom-Kanas in Xinjiang to Dongxing in Guangxi. At over 10,000 kilometres (6,214 mi) in length, it is part of the China National Highway Network Planning (2013–2030), and once completed it will be the longest National Highway.
Before 2013, G219 ran only from Yecheng (Karghilik) in the Xinjiang to Lhatse in Tibet on a length of 2,342 km (1,455 mi). This section was completed in September 1957. India is engaged in a territorial dispute with China over Aksai Chin, through which this section passes for 180 km (112 mi). After a 1962 war, China retained control of the road.
For the first time after the 1960s, between 2010-2012, China spent CN¥3 Billion ($476 million) repaving the Xinjiang section spanning just over 650 km (404 mi). China's 13th (2016–2020) and 14th (2021–2025) five-year plans both included development of the road and connectivity with other roads.
Construction of the Sinkiang-Tibet road as a gravel road was started in 1951.[1] It is also known as the 'Yehchang–Gartok road', the 'Aksai Chin road',[2] and the 'Sky Road'.[3] As the only direct road between Xinjiang and Tibet it is of strategic importance to China.
Through the 1950s, China constructed the road through its western frontier in Xinjiang and Tibet, from Hotan to Rutog.[4] It was completed in September 1957.[5][6]
About 180 km (112 mi) passes through Aksai Chin,[7] easily accessible to the Chinese, but more difficult for the Indians on the other side of the Karakoram to reach.[8] India did not learn of the road until 1957. Both sides lay claim to the area.[4]
The road enters disputed territory east of Sarigh Jilgnang after which it runs through territory India recognizes as its own. India claimed the road to be in contravention to the Sino-Indian Agreement 1954.[9] China repaved the road in the following years, which resulted in heightened tension.[4] A goal of the 1962 war was the defence of the road.[10][3] China retained control of the road,[11] taking even more territory further west before withdrawing. There is a Chinese war memorial on the G219 at Kangxiwar.[12]
Dispute over the territory persists to the present time.[4] A number of lateral roads, including to military infrastructure, have been constructed.[12]
Repaving of the existing road began in late 2010.[13] By July 2012 and with an expenditure of CN¥3 Billion ($476 million), the Xinjiang section spanning just over 650 km (404 mi) was completed. This was the first repaving since the 1960s, according to a Chinese road administration official. The 13th five-year plan (2016–2020) facilitated further upgrades to the road.[14] In 2013, the road was upgraded to asphalt.[7] A number of provincial roads have been and are being developed to exit off the G219: the G564 and the G365,[15] as well as the S205, S206 and S207.[16] China's 14th five-year plan for 2021–2025 envisions further improves connectivity of the G219.[17][needs update]
As one of the highest motorable roads in the world, the breathtaking scenery of Rutog County also ranks as some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet. Domar township—a town of concrete blocks and nomad tents—is one of the bleakest and most remote outposts of the People's Liberation Army at the edge of the Aksai Chin. Near the town of Mazar many trekkers turn off for both the Karakorum range and K2 base camp. Approaching the Xinjiang border, past the final Tibetan settlement of Tserang Daban is a dangerous 5,050-meter-high pass. Tibetan nomads in the area herd both yaks and two-humped camels. Descending through the western Kunlun Shan, the road crosses additional passes of 4,000 and 3,000 meters, and the final pass offers brilliant views of the Taklamakan Desert far below before descending into the Karakax River basin.
The Chinese government is making efforts to promote tourism along G219.[18][19] There are a number of military check posts along the road.[20]
[edit]
The western portion of the highway has numerous notable mountain passes. Motorists have invented a rhyme describing those mountain passes:[21][22]
(optional preamble)
库地达坂险，犹似鬼门关；
(alternate to last line) |
(optional preamble)
Kudi Daban is very dangerous, just like the gates of hell;
(alternate to last line) |
G219 in Barga Township, Tibet
Few kilometers south of the border between Xinjiang and Tibet on the G219.
Same mountains as previous image but closer
Heiqiazi Daban (Kirgizjangal Pass) in Kargilik County, Xinjiang
Mazar Pass (Chiragsaldi Pass) in Kargilik County, Xinjiang
The route was expanded in the China National Highway Network Planning (2013–2030) both northward and eastward to span the entire Chinese western and southern border. The new route will measure over 10,000 km (6,214 mi), making it by far the longest National Highway.
The section along the China-Vietnam border is also known as the Yanbian Highway (沿边公路, literally: along the border highway).[23][unreliable source?][24]
Memorandum for: Henry A. Kissinger. From: Winston Lord.
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When China and India did go to war in 1962, it was over a road. China began construction of National Highway G219, the Sky Road ...
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At 17,000 feet elevation, the desolation of Aksai Chin had no human importance other than an ancient trade route that crossed over it, providing a brief pass during summer for caravans of yaks from Sinkiang to Tibet that carried silk, jade, hemp, salt
常年往来于这条路上的官兵，编了一句顺口溜来形容路上的艰辛："库地达坂险，犹似鬼门关；麻扎达坂尖，陡升五千三；黑卡达坂旋，九十九道弯；界山达坂弯，喘气真是难。