Since ancient times, Yushu has been a vital transportation hub connecting Xizang, Sichuan and Xining, and the Tang-Tubo Ancient Road runs right through it. The route is lined with numerous historical sites and rich local customs.

The Tang-Tubo Ancient Road refers to the thoroughfare linking Chang’an (present-day Xi’an, Shaanxi Province), the capital of the Tang Dynasty, and Lhasa (then called Luoxie) in Tubo (ancient Xizang). Tibetans also name it the "Buddha Welcoming Road". With a history of over 1,300 years, it ranks among the three major ancient passages in China. Like a colorful rainbow, it has closely bonded the Han and Tibetan peoples.

As a famous ancient transportation route, it served as the main passage from central China to Qinghai, Xizang, Nepal, India and other neighboring regions since the Tang Dynasty. Stretching more than 3,000 kilometers, it starts from Xi’an in Shaanxi, passes through Gansu and Qinghai and ends in Lhasa, Xizang. Traversing western China and the world-famous Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is also known as the Southern Silk Road.