A Once in a Lifetime Drive through Chake La

A Once in a Lifetime Drive through Chake La

China, asia

Length

66.1 km

Elevation

5,338 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to Chake La, a seriously high mountain pass in Tibet, chilling at a breathtaking 17,513 feet (5,338m)! You'll find it straddling the Nyima and Shuanghu (Tsonyi) counties in southwest China.

Get ready for a wild ride, because this road, also called Qagê La, is completely unpaved. A 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential! Trust me, you'll want that extra grip. Try to time your visit for daylight hours; night driving is a no-go.

This isn't just a road, it's an experience. Picture this: stunning views, a sense of freedom you can't find anywhere else, and lungfuls of the freshest air imaginable. Keep in mind this is serious mountain territory. Altitude and crazy weather are part of the deal.

The pass itself stretches for about 41 miles (66.1 km) from Suoga Luma to Gacuoxiang. Budget around 4 hours for the drive without stops. But seriously, plan extra time to soak in the scenery and snap some photos – you won't regret it! This road cuts through the Changtang National Nature Reserve, so expect some seriously wild landscapes!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
66.1 km
Max Elevation
5,338 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in asia

What is the Khasab Coastal Road?moderate

What is the Khasab Coastal Road?

🌍 Arabian Peninsula

Khasab Coastal Road is a very scenic drive, offering rugged coastal views, located at the tip of the Musandam Peninsula by the Strait of Hormuz, in Oman. What is the Khasab Coastal Road? Surrounded by the northern mountains of the Western Hajar Range, the road, also known as 02 Road, is totally paved running along the peninsula. Built in 2019, the road runs along the edge, with rock walls on one side and the ocean on the other side. To build this road, massive cuts had to be made in the rock walls comprising of thickly bedded to massive limestones. As a result, the street runs along steep and sometimes vertical rock cliffs of up to several hundred meters height- which in turn leads to a massive risk of falling rocks for road traffic. Before the coastal road was built, access to the area was almost impossible by land. How long is the Khasab Coastal Road? 44.0 km (27.34 miles) long running north-south from Khasab (a port city on northern Oman’s Musandam Peninsula) to Tibat, near the UAE border. It is advisable to drive slowly due to the windy nature of the route. It is ideal for motorcyclists, because traffic is often sparse. This route follows the coast around the entire tip of the Arabian Peninsula, snaking its way through jagged mountainsides that overlook the sea. Is the Khasab Coastal Road worth it? The road hugs the Oman coastline and offers very scenic views. Plan 1 hour to complete the remarkable drive without stops, although you may want to block out extra time to stop, take photos and explore the region it passes through. Along the way you’ll have plenty opportunities to stop and soak up your surroundings. The road is lovely, with bays, harbors, mosques, forts, and beaches. Remember the area has very hot and humid summers and mild winters. Car Rental Logistics: Autonomy and Movement on Dubai’s Roads 5 Tips To Rent a Luxury Car in Dubai Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

A paved mountain road to Tso Kar Lakehard

A paved mountain road to Tso Kar Lake

🇮🇳 India

Okay, adventure awaits at Tso Kar, a dazzling "White Lake" shimmering at 14,860 feet in southern Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir! This isn't just any lake; it's a haven for incredible wildlife and a birdwatcher's paradise, thanks to the marshlands teeming with feathered friends. The road's all paved now as of the 2020s, stretching for about 43 miles east-west from Nyoma to the Leh–Manali Highway at Meroo. Pro tip: Gas up beforehand! Fuel stops are a trek back to Leh or Keylong. And ATMs? Nope, so bring enough cash to cover your expenses. The road peaks at Polongka La, a mighty pass soaring to 15,892 feet! Brace yourself for extreme weather. Winter dips to -40°C, while summer can surprisingly hit 30°C, with crazy temperature swings. Rain or snow is rare. If you're camping, pack ALL the woolens. Seriously, the open grasslands get super chilly and windy. But hey, the views? Totally worth it!

How to get by car to Chandragiri Hill, one of Nepal’s most loved day-trip destinations?hard

How to get by car to Chandragiri Hill, one of Nepal’s most loved day-trip destinations?

🇳🇵 Nepal

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Chandragiri Hill, perched high above Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, is calling your name! At 2,553 meters (that's a cool 8,375 feet!), this peak is a must-see. Think stunning temples, chill parks, tasty restaurants, and viewpoints for days. This place is super popular for a quick getaway from Kathmandu, especially on weekends when the crowds flock in. You can cheat and hop on the cable car, but where's the fun in that? For the adventurous souls, there's a winding, mostly unpaved road that leads to the top. But fair warning: you'll definitely want a 4x4, especially after a rain shower. This climb ain't for the faint of heart! The Chandragiri side is a short but intense 8.8 km, packing in a whopping 1,106 meters of elevation gain, meaning a steep 12.56% average gradient. Alternatively, you can tackle it from Matatirtha, a slightly longer 11.8 km route with a gentler 9.57% gradient. Whichever way you choose, prepare for incredible views of the Himalayas, stretching from Annapurna to Everest!

How Long is Munnar Road?hard

How Long is Munnar Road?

🇮🇳 India

Munnar! This gem of a hill-resort town sits pretty in Kerala, India, nestled high in the Western Ghats at 1,700m (5,600ft). Getting there is half the fun, trust me! The road you’ll want to take? That’s NH-85. Think winding, twisty, and narrow – the kind that keeps you on your toes! It’s paved, sure, but expect some seriously curvy and steep sections. Coming from Kochi? You’re looking at a 118km (73 mile) journey, with Kothamangalam marking a good point about 80 km before you reach Munnar. A word of warning: this road demands respect. It’s narrow with hairpin bends galore! If you're not used to driving in these conditions, seriously consider hiring a local driver. Fog can roll in too, thick as pea soup, turning visibility to zero even with fog lights. Factor in about 5.5 to 6 hours for the drive, especially if you’re heading up or down. Some spots are blind, and you'll be sharing the road with trucks and buses that sometimes seem to think they own it! Adimali is your last chance for a decent bite before Munnar, and it's still nearly an hour from there to your destination. But, oh, is it worth it! The views are simply breathtaking, especially in the early mornings. The air is thick with the fragrance of fresh tea leaves from endless plantations. Plus, keep an eye out for stunning waterfalls and panoramic vistas of the Western Ghats that'll have you reaching for your camera every five minutes.