Introduction:The G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway is known as "China’s Scenic Avenue." Its breathtaking landscapes along the way are unforgettable, but enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee during a long drive used to be a challenge. Now, Starbucks has officially set up shop at the Tianquan Service Area in Ya’an, Sichuan, offering classic drinks such as lattes and Americanos, as well as convenient options like drip bags and VIA instant series—allowing you to enjoy rich coffee even on the road. This article introduces how to choose the right coffee for driving at the Tianquan Service Area and recommends several distinctive specialty coffees, so you can recharge your energy while also savoring a unique coffee experience.

The G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway is hailed as "China’s Scenic Avenue." It traverses a variety of terrains including plains, mountains, and plateaus, with magnificent and captivating scenery, making it a dream travel route for many self-driving enthusiasts. However, on this challenging yet scenic road, having a cup of freshly ground coffee during a long drive has long been a luxury.

Now, that has changed. Starbucks China has officially entered an important stop along the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway—the Tianquan Service Area in Ya’an, Sichuan—bringing a selection of classic coffee beverages including lattes, Americanos, and Frappuccinos, as well as convenient drip bags and VIA instant series, so you can easily enjoy rich coffee even while on the move.

The Tianquan Service Area is not only an important rest stop along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, but also a popular Instagram-worthy spot thanks to its giant panda and Route 318 cultural themes. The addition of a Starbucks outlet makes this place not just a rest area, but also a small joy for coffee lovers on their journeys.

At the Starbucks Tianquan Service Area outlet, you can enjoy popular daily brews such as lattes, Iced Shaken Espressos, and classic Americanos, as well as specially made iced Frappuccinos—perfect for delivering a refreshing experience in hot or high-altitude environments.In addition, drip bags and Nescafé VIA instant series are also readily available, making them ideal for self-driving travelers who prefer lightweight gear, allowing you to enjoy pour over-style coffee anytime, anywhere.

The store has also specially designed several exclusive coffee blends themed around the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. For example, the “All the Way to the Mountains Americano” features a delicate layer of cream carefully piped to resemble mountain peaks on top of an Americano—not only visually echoing the highland landscapes along Route 318, but also offering a richer flavor profile. Another option, the “Hearts Toward the Distance” Yuenyeung Latte, combines classic tea and coffee flavors with an added shot of espresso to help you stay alert and energized during your long journey.

Beyond the diverse coffee options, the store also offers light snacks such as bagels and sandwiches, perfect for replenishing energy during long drives. If you’d like to enjoy your coffee in the car, you might also consider purchasing Starbucks’ popular mugs, city edition cups, or insulated bottles. Among these, the city edition cups are especially loved by travelers for their beautiful designs and practicality, making them an excellent souvenir choice as well.

According to feedback from multiple travelers, on the opening day, one lucky customer became the 318th person to place an order and not only received a free drink but also enjoyed warm service from the staff. Some people, even those who are usually introverted, couldn’t resist trying Starbucks’ signature “Coffee Command,” with one drawing the phrase “No matter which way you go, just keep moving forward”—a sentiment very much in the spirit of Route 318, adding an element of surprise to the trip.

Many netizens have shared their experiences on social platforms, expressing surprise that Starbucks has set up in such an iconic service area, and emphasizing that the service quality remains excellent. Buying a combo also comes with a photo that can be hung in the car, adding more memories to the journey. Some travelers also mentioned that the store can now be found on navigation maps, and they plan to make a special stop there during the National Day holiday while traveling on the Ya’an-Yecheng Expressway.

Whether you’re a long-distance driving enthusiast or a traveler planning to explore the magnificent landscapes of Tibet along the G318, you can now enjoy a rich cup of freshly brewed coffee at the Tianquan Service Area—making your journey not just about moving forward, but also about savoring and enjoying the experience.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.