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
easyWhere is Hon Giao Pass?
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Okay, buckle up, adventurers, because Hon Giao Pass is calling your name! This epic climb takes you way up to an elevation of [redacted] above sea level in [redacted]. Seriously, it's up there! Locals also call it [redacted], and you'll find it straddling the line between [redacted]. The road itself? Pure pavement heaven. Think smooth ribbons winding through lush mountains, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls. Now, a little heads-up: you might wanna skip this one in the [redacted], as the road can get a bit hairy with [redacted]. This incredible stretch connects [redacted] (hello, beaches!) to [redacted] in the [redacted].
moderateA paved border road to Kulma Pass in the Pamir Mountains
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Kulma Pass, also known as Qolma or Karasu Pass, is a seriously epic border crossing sitting way up high at 4,362 meters (that's 14,311 feet!) where China shakes hands with Tajikistan. This beauty connects the Gorno-Badakhshan region of Tajikistan with China's Xinjiang region. Think Pamir Mountains, and yeah, it's COLD! The AH66 highway is mostly paved and stretches 113 km (70 miles) from Kalasu Port in China to Murghab in Tajikistan. It swings open, usually from the 16th to the 30th of each month, between May and November. Word on the street is that, since 2017, travelers have been cruising through without any hassles. So pack your bags, charge your camera, and get ready for some seriously stunning scenery!
extremeChina National Highway 317: The high-altitude paved gateway to Tibet
🇨🇳 China
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime on China's National Highway 317, the Northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway! This 2,030 km (1,261 mile) stretch from Chengdu to Nagqu is seriously epic. Forget your grandma's Sunday drive – we're talking about one of the highest and most gorgeous road trips *anywhere*. This legendary route has been transformed from a rough-and-tumble dirt track into a modern, paved masterpiece cutting through the heart of the Tibetan Plateau. Okay, so the G317 used to be notorious for mud and landslides, but it's mostly smooth sailing these days, thanks to recent paving. But don't get *too* comfy! This is still a wild ride due to the super-thin air, crazy unpredictable weather, and mountain passes that soar to insane heights – we're talking over 5,000 meters! You'll be cruising through pristine nomadic lands, past ancient monasteries, with views that will absolutely blow your mind. While the "mud trap" days are mostly behind us, the G317 isn't exactly a walk in the park. Altitude sickness is the real deal. You'll be crossing a dozen mountains over 4,000 meters, where the air is thin, messing with your concentration and your car's engine. Plus, surprise rockfalls are still a thing in those narrow Sichuan gorges, and winter (snow and black ice) hangs around for almost the whole year, turning even paved roads into slippery challenges. Good news: The G317 is now mostly paved. Massive projects, like the Chola Mountain Tunnel that opened in 2017 (bypassing a seriously sketchy section), have made things much safer. But, heads up: maintenance is constant, so you'll likely hit construction zones with gravel roads for a few kilometers at a time. Oh, and be prepared for traffic jams caused by heavy trucks and nomadic herds – it's a daily occurrence! Beyond the toll the high altitude takes on your vehicle, the weather is a major factor. Things can change in a heartbeat, with blizzards popping up even in summer. This route is also famous for its hairpin turns and seriously steep drops. Oxygen tanks and cold-weather gear are a must. Seriously. This is a high-stakes journey through the wildest and most stunning nomadic cultures in Western China. Aim for May-June or September-October for the best conditions. July and August bring the monsoon rains, which can still cause landslides that shut down the highway. Winter driving is strictly for the pros; temperatures can plunge way below -30°C on those high passes near Nagqu.
extremeHow is the drive from Shamaxiang to Nangpa La?
🇨🇳 China
Hey adventure junkies! Ever heard of Nangpa La? It's this insane mountain pass chilling at 4,884m (that's over 16,000ft!) in western Sichuan, China, right on the edge of Tibet. Think rugged, remote, and raw. Forget your sedans, you're gonna need a high-clearance 4x4 to even think about tackling this beast. It's way out there in western Sichuan, so don't expect any cozy cafes or hospitals – you're on your own out here! The road – well, more like a rugged track – kicks off north of Shamaxiang and climbs for almost 24 kilometers. Don't let the distance fool you. This isn't some gentle slope, we're talking a steep, technical climb with an average incline of almost 8%. But get this – some sections max out at a crazy 31%! You'll need some serious horsepower and driving skills, especially with the air getting thin up here. Expect hairpin turns galore and a surface that's all loose gravel and dirt. Oh, and did I mention the weather? It can change on a dime. Snow can shut things down any time of year. Seriously, get local intel on road conditions and permits before you even think about heading up. But hey, if you're up for a wild ride and mind-blowing scenery, Nangpa La is calling your name!