Various Tibet Road Studies

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000300210044-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 8, 2000
• Sequence Number: 44
• Publication Date: February 12, 1964
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2002/09/06 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300210044-8
Approved For Release 2002/09/06 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300210044-8
 TCS No. 1260/64-KH
IB No. 79/64
12 February 1964
Copy /
25X1A ATTENTION MS/CST
THROUGH Chief, Requirements Branch, Reconnaissance Group, CGS
FROM Chief, CIA/PID (NPIC)
SUBJECT Various Tibet Road Studies
REFERENCES (a) Requirement No. C-RR3-80,751
(b) Project No. C 1563/63
1. This memorandum is in response to the referenced requirement requesting
an annotated map and memorandum showing the alignment and condition of the
following roads or well defined tracks:
a. Branch roads off the Szechwan-Tibet Road north toward Yushu
(33 CON - 96 14E). Two supposedly exist: one leaves the road at
Kantzu (Kang-to 31 38N - 100 02E) and the other from Chang-tu (31 09N-
97 15E).
b. Branch road off the Szechwan-Tibet Road south toward Paiyu
(31 13N - 98 49E).
c. Branch Road NE from Pamei (30 37N - 101 55E) toward Tanpa
(3C 52N - 101 55E). -
d. Northern extension of the road to Sanpiling (28 52N - 99 47E).
This road supposedly connects with the Tungolo (30 04N - 101 44E) -
Batang (30 CON - 99 COE) road at Litang (29 59N - 100 22E).
e. A1cng the Rongto Chu Valley from Rimy (Lima 28 26N - 97 01E)
toward the northwest.
2. The aforementi?-,ned roads are described in detail in the following
text and their alignment is plotted on a series of enclosed maps CIA/PID/IB-
P-232 thru P-236 and P-242/64. Their condition can be ascertained from the
map legend. These maps are arranged alphabetical, in the same sequence as
used in this r emorandu-n.
L
 - - -.- -- .w d ii.
TCS No. 1260/64-KH
Page 2
a. There are two roads which proceed from Yu-shu, only one of which
connects with the Szechwan-Tibet Highway. These roads are described in
detail as follows:
(1) A single-lane improved road leaves Yu-shu in an easterly
direction. The road tranverses relatively flat alluvial plains in
a broad river valley. The road stays on the north side of this
valley for approximately 25 miles where it joins with the Yangtze
River Valley. At this point the road turns in a northwesterly direction
;=long the west bank of the Yangtze River. Due to obliquity, the
condition of the road at this point is extremely difficult to
ascertain. However, a bridge was noted under construction over the
Yangtze at approximately 33 O8N - 97 06E. Upon completion it appears
that it will be a 3 span thru-truss steel bridge. Two spans have
already been completed. Obliquity precludes further analysis of
this road.
(2) A second route, a single-lane improved road leaves Yu-shu
in a southerly direction. It follows the westside of a broad river
valley. Beyond Po-chin-kung-pa (32 53N - 90 51E) the road crosses
rugged mountainous terrain which forms the divide between the
Yangtze River and the Mekong River. The road reaches an altitude
approximately 21,000 feet at one point along the route. Grades
are steep and switch-backs can be found in the mountainous terrain.
A great deal of snow is encountered along this section and, during
the winter months, it must be considered an operational problem
which would be difficult to overcome. The road drops down into the
Mekong River Valley where improvements end. The narrow floor and
steep walls of the valley presents the following problems for road
construction; landslides, tributary drainage, and heavy vegetative
growth. This unimproved road continues southward in the Mekong
Valley. In some locales it Is little more than an improved trail..
At Te-lu-k'o (Approx. 31 33N - 97 13E) a single lane improved roe-..
begins and follows the Mekong Valley to Chang-tu (31 09N - 97 15E).
b. A single-lane, slightly improved road leaves the Szechwan-Tibet
Road at Kang-to (Gang-to 31 38N - 100 02E). This road parallels the Yantze
River on the east bank in a southeasterly direction. The road becomes
improved and graded (Approx. 31 25N - 98 55E) at a point where the river
flows to the southwest. The road continues to parallel the river with
a slightly impro-,red, singgle-lane branch road leading southward to Pai-yu
(31 13N - 98 49E). The road follows the river to Rash Drango (Chun-lo-ssu
31 121; - 97 4lE) where improvement ends and a trail begins. Two small
wooden dock-type bridges, of li,,--ited capacity cross the Yantze in the area
of this small village, but no roads were noted on the opposite bank of the
river.
 TCS No. 1260/6+-KH
Page 3
Even though a section of this road is graded and improved, all
streams are forded. The improved section is located on the lower
slopes of the mountains that border the Yantze Valley. This location
requires side hill cuts in talus slope material which is subject to
landslides.
c. After careful detailed analysis of the available photography,
single-lane, graded improved road was observed proceeding south from
Litang (29 59N - 100 23E). The road generally follows river valleys,
but does cross through mountainous terrain with no major difficulty.
d. Rima is located at the confluence of the Rongto-chu and the
Zayul-chu Rivers. The region northwest of Rima is characterized by
lofty, rugged-alpine mountains, deep river valleys, and intermountain
structural basins. The best possible road location in this type terrain
would be in river valleys capable of accommodating road construction.
The Rongc-chu River Valley contains all these qualifications. However,
after careful detailed analysis of the photography, no road of major
importance was observed nor any construction noted in this valley and
the surrounding mountains. Clouds and obliquity prevent a thorough read-
cut of this area with available photography.
A military build-up has occured in the Rima Area
resulting in improvement to the Zayul-chu Valley Road. This road leaves
the Szechwan-Tibet Road at Rau (Approx. 29 30N - 96 47E) to continue
southward in the Zayul-chu Valley to Rima. The road has been graded with
a natural gravel surface and widened in some locations. New deck-type
bridges was noted in the Rima Area. These bridges could very well be a
temporary mobile-type bridge until permanent ones can be constructed.
Maintenance on this road would be a difficult problem because of the
landslides in this area.
e. The village of Pamei could not be located on any available map,
however, the nearest village to Pamei's coordinates is Kueiyum (30 37N -
101 49E). The name Kueiyum is substituted in this memo for Pamei. A
single-lane branch road leaves the Szechwan-Tibet Road at approximately
30 39N - 101 36E. This graded, improved road follows river valleys and
high lever plateau: before it makes an abrudt turn to the north near
Tapao P. Just north of Tap,--.a P.,due to obliquity, the road is lost in a
river valley. The road is comparatively straight with no steep grades.
The soil appears to be very well drained, therefore excellent for road
construction.
3. The following list of phct,grLphic missions contains most of the basic
material from which this study was extracted:
 Approved For Release 2002/09/06 : CIA-RDP78T05439A000300210044-8
TCS No. 126064-KH
Page 4
4. The photo analysis on this project was performed by
who may be contacted on extension 2546 should questions arise
project. This requirement is considered complete.
EIvCLOSURES:
6 Ann3tated Maps
(CIA/PID/IB-P-232/64 th--u P-235/64 and P-242/64)
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