| Country: | CHN |
| Type: | G |
| Route: | 219 |
| Map: | G219-路线图.svg |
| Length Km: | 10000 |
| Established: | 1955 |
| Direction A: | north-west |
| Terminus A: | Kom-Kanas Mongolian Ethnic Township |
| Direction B: | south-east |
| Terminus B: | Dongxing |
| Previous Type: | G |
| Previous Route: | 218 |
| Next Type: | G |
| Next Route: | 220 |
| Length Notes: | 23420NaN0 until 2013. Proposed length is over 100000NaN0, according to a 2013–2030 government plan |
| Map Alt: | Map of China depicting G219, a red line along its NW, W, and SW borders |
China National Highway 219 (G219; Chinese: Guódào219) is a highway which runs along the entire western and southern border of the People's Republic of China, from Kom-Kanas Mongolian ethnic township in Xinjiang to Dongxing in Guangxi. At over 10000km (10,000miles) long, 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 from Yecheng (Karghilik) in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to Lhatse in the Tibet Autonomous Region. It was 23420NaN0 long. This section was completed in September 1957. India disagrees with China over its 1800NaN0 territorial footprint in Aksai Chin. During the 1962 war, China defended the road, also pushing its western frontier further west. For the first time after the 1960s, between 2010-2012, China spent ($476 million) repaving the Xinjiang section spanning just over 6500NaN0. 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 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 1800NaN0 passes through Aksai Chin.[4]
Through 1950s China planned and constructed a road through its western frontier in Xinjiang and Tibet (Hotan/Rutog).[5] China announced completion of the road in September 1957.[6] [7] A number of reasons for building the road has been conceptualized, including cementing China's control over the region. India supposedly learnt of the construction a couple of years after the road construction started. Despite the historic remoteness of the region, both sides lay claim to the area.
The road entered disputed territory "just east of Sarigh Jilgnang" after which it ran through a number of locations India recognized as its territory such as Haji Langar, and usage was claimed by India to be in contravention to the Sino-Indian Agreement 1954.[8] The following years saw China repave the road which resulted in localized tension. One of the reasons for the 1962 war was the defence of that road.[9] [3] In the defence of the road, China pushed its western frontier further west.[10]
Dispute over the territory persists to the present time. There is a Chinese war memorial on the G219 at Kangxiwar. A number of lateral roads have been constructed with scattered military infrastructure.[11]
Repaving of the road began in late 2010.[12] By July 2012 and with an expenditure of ($476 million), the Xinjiang section spanning just over 6500NaN0 was completed. This was the first repaving since the 1960s, according to a Chinese road administration official. The 13th five-year plan of China (2016–2020) further upgraded the road.[13] In 2013 the road was upgraded to asphalt.[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] China 14th five-year plan for 2021–2025 further improves connectivity with G219.[16]
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.[17] [18] There are a number of military check posts along the road.[19]
| Province | Prefecture | County | Township/Village/Landmark | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xinjiang | Kargilik(Yecheng) | Boxireke-xiang (zh) | 0 | |||
| 650NaN0 | ||||||
| Pusa | 100NaN0 | |||||
| Akemei | 280NaN0 | |||||
| K104 military rest point | 60NaN0 | |||||
| Akazi | 200NaN0 | |||||
| Kudi | 330NaN0 | |||||
| Mazar Pass | 580NaN0 | |||||
| 880NaN0 | ||||||
| Hotan | Pishan | 550NaN0 | ||||
| Hotan | 1220NaN0 | |||||
| Xinjiang | Entering disputed area | 100NaN0 | ||||
| Tianshuihai | 1020NaN0 | |||||
| Leaving disputed area | 850NaN0 | |||||
| Border between Xinjiang Uyghur AR and Tibet AR | ||||||
| Tibet | Ngari | Rutog | Risong | 2650NaN0 | ||
| Gar | Sengge Zangbo bridge | 1250NaN0 | ||||
| Shigatse | Zhongba | Labrang | 5800NaN0 | |||
| Saga | Gya'gya | 1620NaN0 | ||||
| Ngamring | Gegang | 2410NaN0 | ||||
| Lhatse | Chawu-xiang (zh) | 520NaN0 | ||||
| Total | 21070NaN0 | |||||
The western portion of the highway has numerous notable mountain passes. Motorists have invented a rhyme describing those mountain passes:[20] [21]
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。 (alternate to last line) 界山达坂弯，伸手可摸天。 | 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. |
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 100000NaN0, 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).[22] [23]