
Bunggar La
China, asia
N/A
5,228 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Bunggar La in Tibet is calling, and it's a wild one. We're talking a lung-busting 5,228 meters (17,152 feet) up in Maizhokunggar County, Lhasa.
Forget smooth tarmac; this is a rocky, gravelly adventure with some seriously sharp stones just waiting to shred your tires. You'll need high clearance, skid plates, and diff lockers – this is strictly off-limits for your average rental car!
The views? Epic! But be warned, the altitude isn't the only challenge. This is a mine road so expect a rough ride. Weather changes on a dime, with fierce winds year-round and even summer snow. And winter? Brutal. Make sure you're prepped for serious cold and gusts that'll try to blow you off the mountain. This road is for drivers with nerves of steel only.
Where is it?
Bunggar La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 37.0269, 103.8940
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Max Elevation
- 5,228 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 37.0269, 103.8940
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