Off-roader convoy tours Sichuan-Xizang Highway on its 70th anniversary

A convoy of 212 off-roaders set off from Sichuan-Xizang Highway Museum in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Dec 25, embarking on a journey to retrace the highway in celebration of its 70th anniversary.

The highway, part of No 318 National Highway, is hailed as a legendary route, known for its stunning plateau landscapes, and does not disappoint travelers.

The ever-changing landscape keeps the travelers in awe, with each turn revealing a new vista more stunning than the last.

As the six T01s from the Chinese 212 brand departed from Chengdu, the city gradually faded into the distance in the rearview mirror, revealing the expansive Chengdu Plain with its winding rivers and the magnificent snowcapped mountains towering overhead in the distance.

One of the most awe-inspiring segments of the journey was the Nujiang 72 Turns, a 12-kilometer stretch of road in Baxoi county, Xizang autonomous region, featuring a drop of 1,600 meters in altitude.

The winding road, with its dizzying array of hairpin bends, is a miracle of road construction. As the convoy meandered its way up Nujiang Mountain, everyone marveled at the ingenuity and determination that had made such a road possible.

The Sichuan-Xizang Highway is a marvel in road construction, defying nature's challenges to create an engineering wonder spanning the world's highest peaks.

According to a guide at the Sichuan-Xizang Highway Museum, the highway's construction was exceptionally difficult due to the harsh high-altitude conditions.

In 1953, during the construction of the Nujiang bridge, a young worker accidentally fell into a pillar and lost his life. When passing the bridge, the convoy drivers honked their horns in respect for the worker.

As the convoy approached Lhasa, capital of Xizang, on Dec 31, everyone in the convoy was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

They had crossed 14 mountains and ridges, traversed 10 major rivers, and experienced a spectrum of terrains such as snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes and glaciers, spanning more than 2,000 km with a drop of more than 4,000 meters in altitude.

The Sichuan-Xizang Highway Monument in downtown Lhasa marked the end of the journey, a poignant reminder of the rich history and culture that had inspired the road.

Xiang Guangming, 88, who lives in Lhasa and whose parents were the first generation of maintenance workers on the highway, said that the construction of the highway has brought a lot to the locals, transforming their lives and connecting them to the rest of China.

The rugged terrain of the Sichuan-Xizang Highway also serves as a rigorous testing ground for assessing vehicle capabilities.

During the seven-day trip, the 212 convoy encountered various challenges, from hazardous mountain passes to snow-covered roads.

Despite adverse conditions, the T01 off-roaders excelled, maneuvering through obstacles and highlighting the prowess of Chinese off-road vehicles.

In snowy conditions at the mountain pass, while drivers of some other vehicles fitted anti-skid chains, the 212s did not require them.

The journey was initiated by CCTV.com and the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Liu Yan, deputy secretary-general of the CAAM, highlighted the remarkable journey of the Chinese automotive industry from its humble beginnings to its current strength.

The original 212 model, a pioneer in Chinese off-road vehicles, symbolizes the industry's resilience and progress, embodying the emotions and memories of generations of Chinese people, she added.

Unveiled in 1965 as a military jeep, the 212 has evolved into a brand, becoming the first Chinese marque to continue the legacy of a legendary vehicle.

Lu Yunran, CEO of the new 212 brand, said that the convoy seeks to emotionally connect with users by merging off-roading with culture, nature and society along the Sichuan-Xizang Highway.

The aim is to share the area's beauty and stories with a broader audience, fostering a deeper appreciation in China for off-road culture and nature, Lu added.