Chola Shan Pass
China, asia
N/A
4,920 m
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for the Chola Shan Pass in China's Sichuan province – a wild ride up to 4,920m (16,141ft)! You'll find it in the Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, so expect some serious cultural immersion alongside the breathtaking views.
This isn't your typical Sunday drive, though. China National Highway 317 can be a bit of a beast. Much of it is gravel, turning into a muddy mess when it rains. Picture this: thousand-car traffic jams! Some stretches are single-track, and trust me, you don't want to be there in bad weather. Speaking of weather, winter sticks around for almost ten months, bringing rain, ice, snow, and crazy winds. Pack accordingly!
Oxygen gets thin up here, and the elements can change in a heartbeat. But the payoff? Epic panoramas, including a glimpse of Mount Gongga in the distance. The pass, also known as Tro La or Qo La, connects Manigango and Derge. In Derge, you'll find one of Tibetan Buddhism's most important monasteries.
The climb is steep and twisty, but the road's actually pretty smooth with a manageable grade. Just watch out for landslides, avalanches, and all sorts of icy surprises. The views of the Chola Mountains from the top are incredible!
Psst... There's a tunnel that bypasses the pass now, said to be one of the world's highest road tunnels at 4,499 meters. But if you're feeling adventurous, take the old road!
Where is it?
Chola Shan Pass is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 32.9465, 108.6319
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Max Elevation
- 4,920 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 32.9465, 108.6319
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