China National Highway 219

Road in China along the western and southern border

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 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 long. This section was completed in September 1957. India disagrees with China over its 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 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. It is also known as the 'Yehchang–Gartok road', the 'Aksai Chin road', and the 'Sky Road'. About passes through Aksai Chin.

Through 1950s China planned and constructed a road through its western frontier in Xinjiang and Tibet (Hotan/Rutog). China announced completion of the road in September 1957. A number of reasons for building the road has been conceptualized, including cementing China's control over the region. The following years saw China repave the road which resulted in localized tension. Dispute over the territory persists to the present time.

Repaving of the road began in late 2010. By July 2012 and with an expenditure of ($476 million), the Xinjiang section spanning just over was completed. In 2013 the road was upgraded to asphalt. and the S205, S206, S207. China 14th five year plan for 2021–2025 further improves connectivity with G219.

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.

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). Unreliable source: date=September 2023