An epic enthralling road to Puti La

An epic enthralling road to Puti La

China, asia

Length

709 km

Elevation

4.2 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Puti La in Tibet! This beast of a pass sits at a lung-busting 4,483m (14,708ft) in Banbar County, Chamdo Prefecture.

Clocking in at a hefty 709km, this route is not for the faint of heart! You'll be cruising above 4,200m for the *entire* time, hopping over mountain passes with views that'll make you weep (from joy and maybe a little fear).

The road is mostly paved, but don’t get too comfy – there are plenty of rough patches to keep you on your toes. Expect countless hairpin turns, seriously steep inclines, and drop-offs that plunge hundreds of meters with zero guardrails. Gulp. Plus, the road surface is pretty beat up.

The scenery? Unbelievable snowy peaks everywhere you look. The catch? It’s often flooded, seriously damaged by rain and landslides, and can close without warning. Oh, and did I mention the dark, muddy tunnels dripping with water? And the speeding trucks? Yeah, this one's an adrenaline cocktail.

Where is it?

An epic enthralling road to Puti La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 32.6770, 103.9671

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Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
709 km
Max Elevation
4.2 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
32.6770, 103.9671

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