A curvy paved road to Qieshan La

A curvy paved road to Qieshan La

China, asia

Length

N/A

Elevation

5,392 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Qieshan La! This beast of a mountain pass, also known as Hongtu Daban or "Red Clay Pass," sits way up high in Tibet, north-east of the Himalayas, China. We're talking 5,392m (17,690ft) – seriously thin air!

You'll find it chilling on the 219 National Road (Tibet-Xinjiang Highway), nicknamed the "Sky Road" by the locals. This road was finished in 2013, but it's been around since 1957. Be warned: altitude sickness is a real threat at these heights. Acclimatize!

The scenery? Unbelievably stark and raw. Think seriously remote, inhospitable landscapes, with the road twisting and turning over passes at 5,000, 4,000, and 3,000 meters. Come prepared, because this road goes through some of the most uninhabited areas on Earth. Although the G219 seems remote, it passes some very important historical and religious places. Seriously, check the information before you go. Expect relentless winds – the kind that buffet you from every direction!

Safety first! Weather can be brutal. Winter in Tibet means extreme cold, howling winds, and road closures thanks to heavy snowfall. Avoid it if you can. The air gets super dry and harsh. There are truck stops roughly a day's drive apart, but pack your own food, water, and a sleeping bag (a tent could be a lifesaver). Monsoons hit in July and August, bringing heavy rains that make driving tough. And FYI, some websites are blocked in China, especially when it comes to Tibet. Happy travels!

Where is it?

A curvy paved road to Qieshan La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 34.7143, 106.5892

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Max Elevation
5,392 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
34.7143, 106.5892

Related Roads in asia

Crossing the haunted Jalan Binuang bridgehard

Crossing the haunted Jalan Binuang bridge

🌍 Indonesia

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're cruising through West Sumatra, Indonesia, you absolutely HAVE to check out the Jalan Binuang bridge. This isn't just any bridge; it's a gateway to the stunning Ngarai Sianok area, and it's got a story to tell! At just 45 meters long, you might think it's a quick hop across, but hold on... this place has a reputation. Locals whisper tales of it being haunted, and after the devastating 2007 earthquake, it's easy to see why. They say some villagers remain buried in the collapsed 200-foot cliff nearby, their cries carried on the night winds. Spooky, right? But hey, if you're brave enough, the views alone are worth the trip!

Driving the highway through a building in Japanmoderate

Driving the highway through a building in Japan

πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Japan

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through downtown Osaka, Japan, and suddenly you see it – the Gate Tower Building! This isn't your average office block. It's a 16-story marvel with a wild secret: the Hanshin Expressway *literally* goes right through it! Yep, the highway blasts through the 5th, 6th, and 7th floors of this 71.9-meter tall building. It’s like something out of a sci-fi movie, but totally real. Built in 1992, this was the first building in Japan to pull off this kind of architectural stunt. The expressway, a 239km loop around Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, is supported by its own structures, so the building isn't actually holding up the road. It's a mind-blowing design where the road passes right on through, creating a gap in the building.

205 Provincial Road is an epic enthralling driveextreme

205 Provincial Road is an epic enthralling drive

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ China

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Provincial Road 205 in Tibet is calling your name... if you dare! This isn't your Sunday drive; we're talking about one of the planet's highest roads, topping out at a staggering 5,488m (18,005ft). Yep, you'll be gasping for air along with the views. Spanning 472 km across the northern Tibetan plateau, connecting Sangsangzhen (off G219) and Nyima (off S301), this route is almost entirely above 4,200m. Think rugged, think remote, think 4x4 only! The unpaved surface can be seriously rough in places. Mother Nature throws some serious curveballs here. Wind can be fierce, and temperatures fluctuate wildly. Even in summer, be prepared for daytime highs of 20Β°C to plummet to -10Β°C at night. July and August bring relentless rain (or even snow!), and landslides can make sections completely impassable. The road is often underwater and severely damaged by rain. What makes it worthwhile? The epic scenery, especially those glacial lakes! Keep an eye out for Dangqiong Co and Tangra Yumco (Tibet's deepest lake). But be warned: extreme high mountain passes and dodgy conditions along the lakes mean this route isn't for the faint of heart. This route can be closed anytime.

How challenging is the drive at HaMakhtesh HaGadol?extreme

How challenging is the drive at HaMakhtesh HaGadol?

🌍 Israel

Okay adventurers, let's talk about HaMakhtesh HaGadol – or the Large Crater – in Israel's Negev Desert. Forget your everyday road trip; this is a lunar landscape carved into the earth! Think 5 by 10 kilometers of multicolored sandstone and towering limestone walls. Seriously, it's one of the coolest "makhteshim" (erosion cirques) you'll ever lay eyes on. This isn't just some scenic route, it's got history. An Israeli commando unit carved this track out, so it’s all business. Expect intense heat, dust, and pure desert silence. If you're craving a real off-road expedition, this is it. The track? Short, but mighty! This rocky, dusty, and ledge-filled route is NOT for your rental sedan. High-clearance, 4-wheel drive is mandatory. We're talking about a technical challenge with deep ruts, narrow ledges, and places where your wheels might just be dangling over the edge! You'll need desert navigation and rock crawling experience. Expect sharp turns, steep climbs over loose stones, and a real test of your tires' grip. This is the middle of nowhere, folks. Pack extra water and fuel, make sure your rig is in top shape. Help is a long way away in this kind of terrain. Timing is everything! Summer in the Negev is brutal. Temperatures in the crater can skyrocket, risking heat exhaustion and engine trouble. Aim for winter or spring (November to April) for cooler temps. Watch out for flash floods, though! Even a little rain can turn dry washes into raging rivers in minutes. This route is a Middle Eastern off-road experience you won't soon forget. Trust me.