Driving one of the highest roads in the world to Lo La
China, asia
47 km
5,578 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near Ngamring County in Tibet, you HAVE to check out Lo La Pass. We're talking seriously high altitude here – a whopping 18,300 feet (5,578m)! It’s up there with some of the highest roads in all of China!
Tucked away northwest of Sangsang in the breathtaking Gangdise Mountains, getting to the top is a ROUGH ride. We're talking a completely unpaved, rocky path – Y231 to be exact (or 231 Country Road, if you prefer). Leave your low riders at home; you absolutely need a 4x4 for this one.
The whole shebang is about 29 miles (47km) stretching north-south. You'll start near Cazê, a little township, and wind your way down to the tiny village of Xialacun, which hooks up with the S205 Provincial Road. Seriously, the views are out of this world!
Where is it?
Driving one of the highest roads in the world to Lo La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 32.8412, 107.5850
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 47 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,578 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 32.8412, 107.5850
Related Roads in asia
easyKhunjerab Pass: Conquering the Highest Border-Crossing in the World
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Khunjerab Pass: imagine standing at 4,706m (15,439ft) on the very edge of Pakistan and China! This is where N35 (Karakoram Highway) in Pakistan meets China National Highway 314 (G314) and where you'll find what's often called the world's highest border crossing. Nestled high in the stunning Karakoram Mountains, the pass marks a key point connecting Gilgit–Baltistan's Hunza-Nagar District in Pakistan with China's Xinjiang region. Snap a pic at the iconic border gate! The fully paved road, open since 1982, winds its way up, not too steep, offering jaw-dropping mountain views along the way. The road is generally closed for heavy vehicles from November 30 to May 1 and from December 30 to April 1 for all vehicles. However, this adventure isn't without its challenges. The altitude is a real concern – altitude sickness is no joke! The road is seasonally closed due to snow. The border crossing operates Mondays to Fridays. Pakistani side is open from 9 am to 5 pm and Chinese side is open from 11 am to 8 pm Beijing time. Expect some police checkpoints along the Chinese side that may slow you down. Don't forget your passport and remember to check in advance to make sure you are not traveling on a holiday. But hey, you're standing at the highest ATM in the world on the Pakistan side so embrace the chill (bring warm clothes!), sip plenty of water and limit your stay due to the elevation. The name comes from the Wakhi language, where 'Khun' means Blood and 'Jerav' means a creek coming from spring water - pretty cool, right?
hardWhere is Lataband Pass?
🌍 Afghanistan
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Karkacha hills of Afghanistan, smack-dab in the Hindu Kush range. You're on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway (also known as AH1), heading east from Kabul toward Surobi. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. You're tackling the legendary Kotal-e Lataband, also called Kotal-e Latah Band, a mountain pass that'll take your breath away – if the views or the road conditions don't first! Locals call it "Mountain of Rags," a nod to the old tradition of leaving scraps of cloth on bushes to make wishes. Super cool, right? This 70.2 km (43.62 miles) stretch climbs to 2,154m (7,066ft) above sea level. The road is unpaved, rough, and tumble. Fair warning, this route has seen some serious action, especially during the U.S. invasion. Military vehicles tore it up, so expect a bumpy ride. Bridges are in rough shape, some still sporting damage from back in the day. So, while the scenery is epic, keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you! And while you might be daydreaming about conquering this epic road, a HUGE word of caution: Afghanistan's security situation is super unstable. Think terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, and a high risk of kidnapping. Seriously, your safety is on the line. So, do your homework, stay informed, and make responsible choices. Travel at your own risk!
extremeShargang La is a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure
🇨🇳 China
Okay, thrill-seekers, ready for an epic adventure? Shargang La Pass in Tibet is calling your name! Situated way up high in Banbar County, we're talking a staggering 17,503 feet above sea level! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. The 21-mile route from Taoqiuge to Zhama'er is unpaved, super steep, and packs in over 50 hairpin turns. Built back in 2000, it's a proper white-knuckle ride! Word to the wise: this road isn't maintained anymore since they're building a tunnel underneath (at a mere 15,583 feet!). The new Xia Gongla Mountain Tunnel will be 4.3km in length. Definitely bring an off-road vehicle for this one – small cars need not apply. Also, keep an eye on the weather as conditions can change rapidly up here. Remember, we're in the mountains, so oxygen is scarce, and the altitude will definitely make you feel it. But hey, the views are insane! Think snow-capped peaks all around and air so fresh you can practically taste it. Danda Mountain (or "East Snow Mountain") looms large in the background. Shargang La is not for the faint of heart, but the raw beauty of the Tibetan landscape makes it worth the journey.
moderateThe paved Khyber Pass is part of the Silk Road
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up, because the Khyber Pass is not your average Sunday drive! Perched high in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, this legendary mountain pass climbs to a dizzying 1,070m (3,510ft). It's the main drag connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan, and let me tell you, it's steeped in history. We're talking a major Silk Road artery, a route for countless invasions, and a region where tribal lands reign supreme. To be frank, this isn't a place for the faint of heart. We're talking tribal warlords, areas outside the law. The town of Landi Kotal, at the pass's peak, is notorious for smuggling – think everything from electronics to, ahem, AK-47s. The road itself? It's paved, part of the Grand Trunk Road. The N5 Torkham Highway snakes for 32 km (20 miles) from Shalkani to the Afghan border. The scenery is pretty intense, nestled in the Spin Ghar mountains. Just be aware of your surroundings and maybe leave this one to the pros, yeah?