
72 bends to the summit of Ye La
China, asia
N/A
4,651 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Ye La Pass in Tibet! This beast of a road climbs to a whopping 15,259 feet (4,651m) in Baxoi County, and trust me, the views from the top are worth the white knuckles.
You'll be cruising (or maybe crawling!) along China National Highway 318, the legendary Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Just a heads up, this route is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. The entire journey is a long haul, snaking through remote landscapes and over multiple mountain passes, so pack your patience and plenty of snacks.
Also known as Gama La or Yela Shan Pass, this road sits between the villages of Bangdazhen and Lagenxiang. The real kicker? The "Nujiang 72 turnings" – a dizzying, dusty descent that drops you from the summit down to just 8,850 feet (2,700m) alongside the Salween River. Seriously, this section is not for the faint of heart! And maybe skip it if you've got respiratory or heart issues. But if you're up for the challenge, Ye La Pass promises a ride you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
72 bends to the summit of Ye La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 30.9024, 104.6433
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Max Elevation
- 4,651 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 30.9024, 104.6433
Related Roads in asia
hardIs Soge La paved?
🇨🇳 China
Soge La Pass in Tibet's Shigatse Prefecture? Oh yeah, you NEED to add this to your bucket list, thrill-seekers! We're talking a staggering 4,732m (15,524ft) above sea level, right in the heart of Drongpa County. This stretch of the Tibet-Xinjiang Highway (AKA the "Sky Road") is now fully paved (thank you, 2013!). But don't let that fool you; this isn't your average Sunday drive. You'll be cruising at altitudes over 5,000m, so acclimatization is key – seriously, this can be life-threatening if you're not prepared. The scenery is BREATHTAKING, but brutally unforgiving. Think vast, empty landscapes where finding food or water can be a serious challenge. And while the views are epic, you might be roughing it for weeks with no showers! Nighttime temps can plummet to -25°C. It's a long haul, crossing multiple passes at 5,000, 4,000, and 3,000 meters. The pass itself stretches for about 80.5km (50 miles) between Payang Town and Dangxinqu. Get ready for an adventure!
hardWhere is Mount Hermon?
🌍 Israel
Okay, picture this: you're cruising up Mount Hermon, a seriously impressive peak towering at 2,803 meters! It's nestled in the Golan Heights, that spot where Israel, Syria, and Lebanon all meet. The road? Paved, finally! Think smooth sailing – well, mostly. This route kicks off near Mas'ade and winds its way up. We're talking hairpin turns and some seriously steep climbs, so keep your eyes on the road! The drive is roughly X km (I need the true value here), but the views? Totally worth it. At the top, you've got a huge parking lot, a ski resort (yep, skiing in Israel!), and a UN observation post. Snap some pics from the viewpoints – the panoramas are insane. Heads up though: winter up here is the real deal. Think snow, ice, and potential road closures. Check the weather before you go – you don't want to get stuck! But trust me, when the sun's out, and the skies are clear, this drive is unforgettable.
moderateHow to get to Milarepa’s Footprint on Mount Kailash?
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: You're in Tibet, trekking toward the south face of the mighty Mount Kailash. Forget climbing the mountain itself; nobody does that. Instead, you're headed to Milarepa's Footprint, a sacred mark pressed into the rock at a staggering 17,175 feet! This isn't just any hike; it's a pilgrimage to one of Tibet's most spiritually charged spots, nestled between the Sonam Ri and Sharma Ri peaks. Legend says the great yogi Milarepa left his mark here after a face-off with a Bon master. Instead of a brawl, Milarepa meditated his way to victory – literally flying to the summit and proving that inner peace trumps all. It's all about humbling yourself and tapping into your inner strength. Getting there is an adventure in itself. The 11.5-mile dirt track kicks off from Trungto, and climbs over 2000 feet, with an average grade of 3.40%. You'll be winding through the Himalayas, in the remote Kailash Range. Keep in mind, this is Tibet, so pack accordingly! Snow is a serious issue in the winter (May to November is your best bet), and the wind can be brutal. Even in the summer, you'll swing from 20°C in the day to -10°C at night. Be ready for anything – rain, snow, you name it.
extremeDabanshan Pass: Driving the old mountain road and the G227 tunnel
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through China's Qinghai Province, right on the border of Haibei and Xining Prefectures, smack-dab in the Qilian Mountains. You're on the G227, an ancient Silk Road route, heading for Dabanshan Pass! This place is seriously high, peaking at almost 4,000 meters! Back in the day, getting to the top meant tackling a crazy 9 km mountain road. We're talking hairpin turns, steep climbs – a real challenge. They even built a tunnel to avoid the worst of it. Now you can choose: zoom through the tunnel or brave the original scenic road. That old road? It's a beast! Seven tight switchbacks, crazy gradients. But if you're up for an adventure, it's still open! You'll find Silk Road memorials at the summit, even a Marco Polo statue. Pretty cool, right? If you just need to get through, the 1.6 km tunnel's the way to go. It's a toll road, but it skips the super-hairy parts. Coming down from the tunnel, stop at the lookout point. Local vendors are there, and the views? Epic high-altitude landscapes as far as the eye can see. Heads up, though: winter hits hard. Usually, the pass is snowed in from late October to late June. The tunnel helps, but even it can close when the snow's too heavy. When it opens depends on the weather and how fast the snow melts.