
A sensational drive to Xuebaoding Snow Mountain Pass
China, asia
41 km
4,015 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for Xuebaoding Snow Mountain Pass! This high-altitude gem sits way up in northwestern Sichuan, China, in Songpan county, clocking in at a cool 4,015 meters (13,172 feet) above sea level.
You'll find it near the ridiculously scenic Mt. Xuebaoding. The whole route's paved (it's X120, also known as Pingsong Road), but don't think it's a cakewalk! This winding road is full of hairpin turns that'll have you reaching for the motion sickness pills. We're talking about 30 hairpin turns.
This pass, also known as Liang Yakou, is about 41km (25.47 miles) long, taking you from Chuanzhusizhen to Huanglong. There's even a car park at the top for a breather and some photos. The steepest part of the old road is now bypassed by the Xueshanliang Tunnel. However, the climb is still intense, with gradients hitting a maximum of 25% in places! Definitely keep an eye on the weather before you head out – conditions can change in a heartbeat up here.
Where is it?
A sensational drive to Xuebaoding Snow Mountain Pass is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 38.3204, 103.7228
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 41 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,015 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 38.3204, 103.7228
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