Driving the extreme road to Gyandro La: A 5,147m mountain pass with 62 hairpin turns

Driving the extreme road to Gyandro La: A 5,147m mountain pass with 62 hairpin turns

China, asia

Length

46.6 km

Elevation

5,147 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Gyandro La, clocking in at a sky-scraping 5,147m (16,886ft), sits nestled between Lhünzê and Cona counties in Tibet's Shannan Prefecture. We're talking seriously remote, folks—right in the heart of the Himalayas.

This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking 46.6 km of pure, unadulterated, unpaved road snaking its way from Yonggaerding to Lenong through a wild, isolated landscape.

Forget smooth tarmac! It's all rugged dirt and gravel here, so you'll definitely want a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle the uneven terrain.

Hold on tight, because the climb is packed with a mind-blowing **62 hairpin turns**! Seriously, they're jammed so close together, you'll need all your focus and patience to navigate them.

The gradient hits a maximum of **8%** in places, and while that might not sound insane, remember you're doing it all above 5,000 meters. The air is thin, making it tough on both you and your engine.

Altitude sickness is a real risk, so be prepared! Resources are scarce out here. Come ready to be self-sufficient and prepared for unpredictable weather.

Speaking of weather, always check the forecast before you go. This road is generally only passable in summer, as winter snow turns it into a no-go zone.

Where is it?

Driving the extreme road to Gyandro La: A 5,147m mountain pass with 62 hairpin turns is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 33.9517, 108.6700

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Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
46.6 km
Max Elevation
5,147 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
33.9517, 108.6700

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