With the 2013 National Highway Network Plan, the route was extended north to Hongzhanzui in Fuhai County on the border with Mongolia, and extended south to the boundary with Nepal in Gyirong County.

Originally it ran in the general southern direction from Altay City, Xinjiang to Baluntai (in Hejing County, Xinjiang), where it joins China National Highway 218.

[citation needed] After landslides blocked Zhangmu port of entry, for a while, G216 was the only road link between Nepal and Tibet.

Another extension plan was announced in 2022, including new small purpose connection highways (601-701).

This People's Republic of China road-related article is a stub.