What is the speed limit on the Lalin Highway?
3 Answers
Highways typically have a speed limit of 120 km/h, while mountainous sections can reach up to 80 km/h. In other aspects, the Lalin Highway is also very similar to conventional standard highways. Here are some details about the Lalin Highway: 1. Introduction 1: The section from Liuwu New District in Lhasa to Zhenba Village in Bayi District, Linzhi, is a newly constructed highway connecting Lhasa to Linzhi. It generally follows the route of National Highway 318 and the Nyang River (while the Lalin Railway takes the southern route, roughly following the Yarlung Tsangpo River), with a total length of approximately 409.2 kilometers. 2. Introduction 2: The speed limit on the Lalin Expressway is 100 km/h. Exceeding the speed limit will result in severe legal penalties. Additionally, vehicles occupying the emergency parking lane without a valid reason in non-emergency situations will be fined and receive 6 penalty points. Serious consequences may lead to criminal liability.
Extra caution is required for speed limit signs when driving along the Lalin Highway. This high-grade road connecting Lhasa and Nyingchi has a speed limit of 80 km/h for most sections. In tunnel and bridge areas, it drops to 60 km/h, and you'll need to slow down further on winding sections. Last year, the entire route was upgraded with an average speed detection system, making speeding enforcement extremely strict. During the rainy season, extra attention is needed—slippery roads and poor visibility mean even the 80 km/h limit may not feel safe. I know several self-drivers who've received speeding tickets here; they often complain about the strict limits despite the road's flat terrain. The reason is the numerous villages along the route, with frequent livestock crossings. It's advisable to use navigation apps, which provide precise alerts for each speed camera location.
As a freight truck driver who frequently travels to Tibet, I'd like to remind everyone that the speed limits on the Lalin Highway are meticulously set. The main route is generally 80km/h, but tunnel sections are strictly limited to 60km/h. Particularly in the Milashan Tunnel area - an 18km continuous downhill with blind curves - speed limit signs are very densely placed. The most common spot for speed camera captures is the Lhasa River Bridge section, where navigation updates sometimes lag. Last year, 27 new mobile speed detection points were added, mainly concentrated between Tongmai and Nyingchi. This plateau highway may appear straight but hides many complexities. I strongly advise against relying on cruise control, and recommend automatically reducing speed by another 15% during rain or snow conditions for safety.
