
Cho La Mountain Tunnel is one of the world’s highest tunnels
China, asia
7 km
6.168 m
extreme
Year-round
Hey adventurers, get ready to cross the Cho La Mountain Tunnel in western Sichuan, China! This high-altitude passage cuts through the Cho La Mountains at a whopping 4,378m (14,363ft) above sea level, connecting Chengdu to Nagqu on the G317 highway.
It's no quick jaunt – this 7km tunnel with its 5km of access roads, takes about 10 minutes at a leisurely 40 kph. But trust me, it's worth it.
Before this tunnel opened in 2017, drivers faced a harrowing climb over the Chola Shan Pass at 4,920m (16,141ft), battling landslides, avalanches, and treacherous ice. Now, you can bypass that crazy section and save a solid 2 hours! The scenery is breathtaking, but remember the altitude can make things challenging. Prepare for thin air and chilly temps!
Where is it?
Cho La Mountain Tunnel is one of the world’s highest tunnels is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 36.1971, 105.7176
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 7 km
- Max Elevation
- 6.168 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 36.1971, 105.7176
Related Roads in asia
easyNational Highway 15 is a very popular drive among tourists in Pakistan
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Get ready for an epic road trip on National Highway 15 (N-15) in northern Pakistan! This beauty straddles the line between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, serving up some serious scenery. Think classic Pakistani mountain road vibes – hills on one side, dramatic valleys (khuds) on the other. For the most part, the road is paved and wide enough for any vehicle. You can cruise this route, stretching 226 km (140 miles) from Mansehra to Chilas (where it meets the legendary Karakoram Highway N-35). It's a handy shortcut if you're looking to bypass the N-35. The N-15 is a massive hit with tourists heading to Naran and its stunning surroundings. Trust me, Naran is picture-perfect, drawing crowds of trekkers, photographers, and nature lovers. Budget about 7-8 hours to drive it straight, but you'll probably want to stop for photos! Keep in mind, this is a high-altitude route, peaking at 4,179m (13,710ft) at Babusar Pass. Winter brings heavy snow, making it impassable. Plan your trip for the warmer months to fully enjoy this incredible drive!
extremeDriving the Challenging Road to Ghakhai Pass
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Ghakhai Pass! Straddling the Afghanistan-Pakistan border at a lofty 2,082m (6,830ft), this isn't your average Sunday drive. This epic route links Kunar Province in Afghanistan with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, stretching for 47.3 km (29.39 miles) from Asadabad (Chaghasarai) to Bajaur. Now, let's talk terrain. This road? Challenging is an understatement. Think unpaved surfaces, a relentless series of curves, sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath, seriously steep climbs, and those heart-stopping drop-offs. We're talking 25 hairpin turns that will test your driving skills to the max. High-clearance vehicles are a must – leave the sports car at home. But here's the serious bit: this region is unstable. Ongoing security issues, militant activity, and potential for violence make travel extremely risky. Kidnappings and terrorism are real threats, particularly in remote areas. Travel is heavily restricted, and even with permits, most governments advise against it. The scenery may be stunning, but safety first, guys. This one might be best admired from afar.
moderateA dusty remote track to Chuseng La
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Chuseng La, a crazy-high mountain pass clocking in at a whopping 17,139 feet! You'll find this beast in Gêrzê County, way out in the northwest of Tibet, right on the edge of Xinjiang. Forget smooth sailing; this remote road, also called Quseng La, is all unpaved, so you'll need a 4x4 to even think about attempting it. Pro tip: scope out the weather forecast beforehand because things can get gnarly, fast. The views, though? Totally worth the white knuckles. You'll be treated to mind-blowing panoramas of Tong Tso, a desolate, stunning plateau lake. The road kicks off from the S301, but after that, you're pretty much on your own. Don't expect any fancy amenities out here – electricity, hot water, and western toilets are basically mythical creatures in this part of the world.
extremeCan you drive to Manang?
🇳🇵 Nepal
Manang is a small mountain town at an elevation of 3,776m (12,388ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Lamjung and Manang districts of Gandaki Province, in Nepal. Can you drive to Manang? Set high on the north of the Annapurna mountain range, the road to Manang is mostly unpaved. A lot of websites list the most dangerous roads in the world. Not a single one of them mentions the road to Manang, a narrow ledge chiselled into the side of a cliff, that needs a brave driver (and passenger) to ride it . The road has been widened for 4x4 vehicles with some concrete sections. The combination of steep uphill rocky terrain and lack of oxygen is dangerous for engines. How long is the road to Manang? The road is 99 km (61 miles) long, running from Besishahar (in Lamjung District in Gandaki Zone, at an elevation of 710m above sea level) to Manang (in the Manang District) at 3,776masl. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 3,066m, and the average gradient is 3.2%, with some sections up to 10%. The road is carved into the hill on the western side of the river, rising through breathtaking scenery with a river raging below. The most challenging part of the road runs along the Marsyangdí river. Due to a lack of proper drainage of water, the road conditions are extreme after heavy rains. Another amazing feature of the road and surroundings is many amazing waterfalls that fall over the road with the water crossing it. Try to avoid the rainy season. Is the road to Manang dangerous? The track is known as Annapurna Circuit. The drive runs along the edge of a cliff over a rocky road strewn with big round pebble stones. It takes a certain level of skill and concentration to stay on the ground and not go airborne. It’s definitely not for anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of landslides. At some points, the road is carved into a vertical cliff with drops of some 500 meters vertical down to the river. The road itself is not more than two to three meters wide. Only the suicidal, the insane, or the paid-to-do-this should ever drive down. One mistake, and it's a free fall to your death. Pic: http://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/Nepali-Times-Buzz/Manang-will-prosper-from-its-new-road,2749 Driving the amazing BP Highway in Nepal Driving the road to Supa Deurali Temple is not a piece of cake 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.