of ($476 million), the Xinjiang section spanning just over 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. In 2013 the road was upgraded to asphalt. A number of provincial roads have been and are being developed which exit off from the G219, the G564 and the G365, and the S205, S206, S207. China 14th five-year plan for 2021–2025 further improves connectivity with G219. Route description 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. There are a number of military check posts along the road. Route and distance Mountain Passes Rhyme The western portion of the highway has numerous notable mountain passes. Motorists have invented a rhyme describing those mountain passes: Gallery New route 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 , 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). Route table See also China National Highways China National Highway 228, which follows the coastline of China China National Highway 331, which follows the northern border of China References Further reading Dorje, Gyurme. (2009). Footprint Tibet Handbook. (4th Ed.) Footprint Handbooks, Bath, England. . External links Xinjiang-Tibet Highway (Yecheng-Burang) The Highway 219 from Yecheng over Western Tibet to Kathmandu Description and profile of the route. From