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China National Highway 219

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alt=National Highway 219 shield
National Highway 219
219 quốc lộ
Map of China depicting G219, a red line along its NW, W, and SW borders
Route information
Length10,000 km (6,200 mi)
2,342 km (1,455 mi) until 2013. Proposed length is over 10,000 km (6,214 mi), according toa 2013–2030 government plan
Existed1955–present
Major junctions
north-west endKom-Kanas Mongolian Ethnic Township
south-east endDong xing
Location
CountryChina
Highway system
←G218→G220

China National Highway 219(G219;Chinese:Guódào219) is ahighwaywhich runs along the entire western and southern border of thePeople's Republic of China,fromKom-KanasMongolian ethnic township inXin gian gtoDong xinginGuangxi.At over 10,000 kilometres (6,214 mi) long, it is part of theChina National Highway Network Planning (2013–2030),and once completed it will be the longestNational Highway.

Before 2013, G219 ran fromYecheng (Karghilik)in theXin gian g Uyghur Autonomous RegiontoLhatsein theTibet Autonomous Region.It was 2,342 km (1,455 mi) long. This section was completed in September 1957. India disagrees with China over its 180 km (112 mi) territorial footprint inAksai Chin.During the1962 war,China defended the road, also pushing its western frontier further west. For the first time after the 1960s, between 2010-2012, China spent CN¥3 Billion ($476 million) repaving the Xin gian g section spanning just over 650 km (404 mi). China's 13th (2016–2020) and 14th (2021–2025)five-year plansboth included development of the road and connectivity with other roads.

Former G219

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Construction of this 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]About 180 km (112 mi) passes through Aksai Chin.[4]

Xin gian g-Tibet road, Aksai Chin

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Alignment of the 1957Xin gian g-Tibet road.

Through 1950s China planned and constructed a road through its western frontier in Xin gian g and Tibet (Hotan/Rutog).[5][clarification needed]China announced completion of the road in September 1957.[6][7]A number of reasons[weasel words]for building the road has been conceptualized, including cementing China's control over the region.[5][clarification needed]India supposedly[weasel words]learnt of the construction a couple of years[weasel words]after the road construction started.[5]Despite the historic remoteness of the region,[clarification needed]both sides lay claim to the area.[5]

The road entered disputed territory "just east of Sarigh Jilgnang" after which it ran through a number of locations[clarification needed]India recognized as its territory such asHaji Langar,and usage was claimed by India to be in contravention to theSino-Indian Agreement 1954.[8]The following years saw China repave the road which resulted in localized tension.[5][clarification needed]One of the reasons for the1962 warwas the defence of that road.[9][3][according to whom?]In the defence of the road, China pushed its western frontier further west.[10][according to whom?]

Dispute over the territory persists to the present time.[5]There is a Chinese war memorial on the G219 atKangxiwar.[11]A number of lateral roads have been constructed with scattered military infrastructure.[11][clarification needed]

Road development

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Repaving of the road began in late 2010.[12]By July 2012 and with an expenditure of CN¥3 Billion ($476 million), the Xin gian g section spanning just over 650 km (404 mi) was completed.[12]This was the first repaving since the 1960s, according to a Chinese road administration official.[12]The13th five-year planof China (2016–2020) further upgraded the road.[13]In 2013 the road was upgraded toasphalt.[4]A number of provincial roads have been and are being developed which exit off from the G219, the G564 and the G365,[14]and the S205, S206, S207.[15]China14th five-year planfor 2021–2025 further improves connectivity with G219.[16]

Route description

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G219 in 2011
G219 elevation profile; Xin gian g line

As one of the highest motorable roads in the world, the breathtaking scenery ofRutog Countyalso 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 thePeople's Liberation Armyat the edge of theAksai Chin.Near the town of Mazar many trekkers turn off for both theKarakorumrange andK2base camp. Approaching the Xin gian g 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 theTaklamakan Desertfar below before descending into the Karakax River basin.

The Chinese government is making efforts to promote tourism along G219.[17][18]There are a number of military check posts along the road.[19]

Route and distance

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Map
Map
Map all coordinates usingOpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

Province Prefecture County Township/Village/Landmark Coord km (mi)
Xin gian g Kashgar Kargilik

(Yecheng)

Boxireke-xiang (zh) 37°52′34″N77°27′58″E/ 37.876°N 77.466°E/37.876; 77.466(Boxireke-xiang) 0
Kokyar 37°23′38″N77°10′59″E/ 37.394°N 77.183°E/37.394; 77.183(Kokyar) 65 km (40 mi)
Pusa 37°19′01″N77°08′42″E/ 37.317°N 77.145°E/37.317; 77.145(Pusa) 10 km (6 mi)
Akemei 37°06′40″N77°00′36″E/ 37.111°N 77.010°E/37.111; 77.010(Akemei) 28 km (17 mi)
K104 military rest point 37°05′31″N76°57′58″E/ 37.092°N 76.966°E/37.092; 76.966(K104 military rest point) 6 km (4 mi)
Akazi 37°04′23″N76°52′44″E/ 37.073°N 76.879°E/37.073; 76.879(Akazi) 20 km (12 mi)
Kudi 36°50′13″N76°58′52″E/ 36.837°N 76.981°E/36.837; 76.981(Kudi) 33 km (21 mi)
Mazar Pass 36°34′44″N77°00′11″E/ 36.579°N 77.003°E/36.579; 77.003(Mazar Pass) 58 km (36 mi)
Kirgizjangal Pass 36°24′14″N77°29′13″E/ 36.404°N 77.487°E/36.404; 77.487(Kirgizjangal Pass) 88 km (55 mi)
Hotan Pishan Xaidulla 36°21′07″N78°01′37″E/ 36.352°N 78.027°E/36.352; 78.027(Xaidulla) 55 km (34 mi)
Hotan Dahongliutan 35°58′55″N79°11′17″E/ 35.982°N 79.188°E/35.982; 79.188(Dahongliutan) 122 km (76 mi)
Xin gian g

Aksai Chin*

Entering disputed area 35°55′37″N79°16′08″E/ 35.927°N 79.269°E/35.927; 79.269(Entering disputed area) 10 km (6 mi)
Tianshuihai 35°17′49″N79°33′40″E/ 35.297°N 79.561°E/35.297; 79.561(Tianshuihai) 102 km (63 mi)
Leaving disputed area 34°47′06″N80°06′04″E/ 34.785°N 80.101°E/34.785; 80.101(Leaving disputed area) 85 km (53 mi)
Border betweenXin gian g Uyghur ARandTibet AR
Tibet Ngari Rutog Risong 33°22′59″N79°43′44″E/ 33.383°N 79.729°E/33.383; 79.729(Risong Township) 265 km (165 mi)
Gar Sengge Zangbobridge 32°30′00″N80°05′31″E/ 32.500°N 80.092°E/32.500; 80.092(Sengge Zangbo bridge) 125 km (78 mi)
Shigatse Zhongba Labrang 29°46′05″N84°01′55″E/ 29.768°N 84.032°E/29.768; 84.032(Labrang) 580 km (360 mi)
Saga Gya'gya 29°19′52″N85°13′48″E/ 29.331°N 85.230°E/29.331; 85.230(Gya'gya) 162 km (101 mi)
Ngamring Gegang 29°16′23″N87°10′55″E/ 29.273°N 87.182°E/29.273; 87.182(Gegang) 241 km (150 mi)
Lhatse Chawu-xiang (zh) 29°06′32″N87°34′55″E/ 29.109°N 87.582°E/29.109; 87.582(Chawu-xiang) 52 km (32 mi)
Total 2,107 km (1,309 mi)

Mountain Passes Rhyme

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The western portion of the highway has numerous notable mountain passes. Motorists have invented arhymedescribing those mountain passes:[20][21]

(optional preamble)
Xe cẩu tân tàng tuyến, không á đường Thục khó.

Kho mà đạt bản hiểm, hãy còn tựa quỷ môn quan;
Ma trát đạt bản tiêm, đột nhiên lên cao 5000 tam;
Hắc tạp đạt bản toàn, 99 nói cong;
Giới sơn đạt bản cong, thở dốc thật là khó.

(alternate to last line)
Giới sơn đạt bản cong, duỗi tay nhưng sờ thiên.

(optional preamble)
Driving the Xin gian g-Tibet road, no easier thanthe ancient roads to Sichuan.

Kudi Daban is very dangerous, just like the gates of hell;
Mazar Daban is very pointy, soaring five thousand and three;
Heiqia Daban is very loopy, with ninety-nine bends in the road;
Jieshan Daban is very curvy, but breathing now is really hard.

(alternate to last line)
Jieshan Daban is very curvy, an extended hand will touch the sky.

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  • G219 in Barga Township, Tibet
    G219 in Barga Township, Tibet
  • G219 in Burang, Tibet
    G219 inBurang,Tibet
  • Few kilometers south of the border between Xinjiang and Tibet on the G219.
    Few kilometers south of the border between Xin gian g and Tibet on the G219.
  • Same mountains as previous image but closer
    Same mountains as previous image but closer
  • Heiqiazi Daban (Kirgizjangal Pass) in Kargilik County, Xinjiang
    Heiqiazi Daban (Kirgizjangal Pass) in Kargilik County, Xin gian g
  • Mazar Pass (Chiragsaldi Pass) in Kargilik County, Xinjiang
    Mazar Pass(Chiragsaldi Pass) in Kargilik County, Xin gian g

New route

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The route was expanded in theChina 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 ( duyên biên quốc lộ, literally:along the border highway).[22][unreliable source?][23]

Route table

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Map
G219 onOpenStreetMap
Province Place Distance
Xin gian g Kom-Kanas
Habahe/Kaba
Jeminay County
Hoboksar
Yumin
Bole
Wenquan/Arixang
Zhaosu
Onsu
Uqturpan
Akqi
Peyziwat
Yopurgha
Yengisar
Yarkant
Poskam
Kargilik
Tibet Rutog
Gar
Zhongba
Saga
Gyirong
Tingri
Dinggyê
Gamba
Lhozhag
Comai
Lhünzê
Mainling
Mêdog
Zayü
Yunnan Gongshan
Fugong
Lushui
Tengchong
Longling
Yongde
Zhenkang
Cangyuan
Ximeng
Menglian
Lancang
Menghai
Jinghong
Jiangcheng
Lüchun
Jinping
Pingbian
Maguan
Xichou
Guangxi Pingxiang
Dong xing

See also

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References

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  1. ^"MemCons of Final sessions with the Chinese"(PDF).The White House.12 August 1971.Archived(PDF)from the original on 16 December 2011 – viaNational Security Archive's legacy site.Memorandum for: Henry A. Kissinger. From: Winston Lord.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. ^Arpi, Claude (27 October 2021)."Dark clouds over Himalayas: Analysing China's new Land Border Law and why India needs to be more aggressive".Firstpost.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2021.Retrieved23 December2021.
  3. ^abBabones, Salvatore(13 July 2020)."China's Incursions into India Are Really All about Tibet".The National Interest.Archivedfrom the original on 6 August 2020.Retrieved23 December2021.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...
  4. ^abDuhalde, Marcelo; Wong, Dennis; Lee, Kaliz."Why did an India-China border clash turn into a deadly scuffle?".South China Morning Post.Archivedfrom the original on 3 July 2020.Retrieved23 December2021.
  5. ^abcdefTaillard, Michael (2018).Economics and Modern Warfare: The Invisible Fist of the Market.Springer. pp. 267–268.ISBN978-3-319-92693-3.
  6. ^Sinha, Rakesh (18 August 2019)."History Headline: Aksai Chin, from Nehru to Shah".The Indian Express.Archivedfrom the original on 17 August 2019.Retrieved23 December2021.
  7. ^"50th anniversary of Xin gian g-Tibet Highway marked".The Government of Xin gian g Uygur Autonomous Region. China Tibet Information Center. 1 November 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 28 May 2010.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ^Ministry of External Affairs, India(ed.).Notes, Memoranda and letters Exchanged and Agreements signed between The Governments of India and China 1954 –1959.Government of India Press.
  9. ^Wu, Jin; Myers, Steven Lee (18 July 2020)."Battle in the Himalayas".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Archived fromthe originalon 1 March 2021.Retrieved23 December2021.
  10. ^Raj, Prakash (10 September 2020)."Why Did China Ramp up Massive Infrastructure Along the LAC?".The Geopolitics.Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2021.Retrieved23 December2021.
  11. ^abBhat, Col Vinayak (29 August 2021)."China constructs new road links to Ladakh on stretch that sparked 1962 war".India Today.Archivedfrom the original on 29 August 2020.Retrieved23 December2021.
  12. ^abcKrishnan, Ananth(11 July 2012)."China spruces up highway through Aksai Chin".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2021.Retrieved23 December2021.
  13. ^Desai, Suyash (November 2021)."Infrastructure Development in Tibet and its Implications for India".Jamestown Foundation's China Brief (Volume 21 Issue 22).Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2021.Retrieved23 December2021– via Takshashila Institution.
  14. ^Arpi, Claude (26 January 2017)."Smell the coffee along the China border".The Pioneer.Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2021.Retrieved23 December2021.
  15. ^"S207 Provincial Route".dangerousroads.org.Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2021.Retrieved23 December2021.
  16. ^Krishnan, Ananth (11 March 2021)."China's new Five-Year Plan outlines push for key strategic projects".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2021.Retrieved23 December2021.
  17. ^"Tibet makes strong tourism recovery".China.org.cn.24 December 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 25 December 2020.Retrieved23 December2021.
  18. ^"Ultimate Guide to Lhasa Kailash Kashgar Overland Tour via Xin gian g Tibet Highway".Tibet Travel Blog.6 February 2018.Retrieved23 December2021.
  19. ^Master, Farah (29 October 2010)."China Motorcycle Diaries: altitude sickness at 5000m".Reuters.Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2021.Retrieved23 December2021.
  20. ^Dương phương tú (May 2019)."Một lần chấn động tâm linh tuyết sơn hành trình"[A trip to the snow-capped mountains that shocked the soul].The Press(in Chinese).People's Daily.ISSN0257-5930.Archivedfrom the original on 1 December 2019.Retrieved24 January2020.Hàng năm lui tới với con đường này thượng quan binh, biên một câu vè thuận miệng tới hình dung trên đường gian khổ: "Kho mà đạt bản hiểm, hãy còn tựa quỷ môn quan; ma trát đạt bản tiêm, đột nhiên lên cao 5000 tam; hắc tạp đạt bản toàn, 99 nói cong; giới sơn đạt bản cong, thở dốc thật là khó.
  21. ^Năm xưa.Quỷ giấu người[Ghost Tibetan] (in Chinese). Tri thức phòng. p. 1051.
  22. ^"Tự giá Tây Song Bản Nạp đến thụy lệ, chúng ta lựa chọn đi duyên biên quốc lộ 219 quốc lộ, ngày đầu tiên túc tuyết lâm".ixigua.Retrieved30 May2023.
  23. ^Thông tín viên đậu hải dung Lý nham vượng (21 April 2020)."Quốc lộ G219 tuyến nam rải đến cương mạc tiêu sơn xây dựng hạng mục vững bước đẩy mạnh"[The construction project of National Highway G219 from Nansa to Gangmobiaoshan is progressing steadily].m.yunnan.cn.Archivedfrom the original on 31 March 2022.Retrieved10 July2020.

Further reading

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