
Driving the road to Cuo Ga Bu Lake is not a piece of cake
China, asia
24 km
5,229 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You HAVE to check out Cuogabu, a mind-blowing glacial lake chilling way up in the Tibetan mountains of Kangmar County. We're talking a staggering 17,155 feet above sea level.
Now, getting there isn't exactly a Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved, so a 4x4 with some serious clearance is a MUST. It’s about 15 miles from Dilicun. Prepare for some steep climbs—some sections hit a gradient of 14%! Also, this area is pretty remote. Don't expect fancy hotels or even running water. Basic is the name of the game. Pro-tip: keep a close eye on the weather forecast. Things can change on a dime up here.
But trust me, the effort is SO worth it. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Think stunning mountain views, pristine blue lake, and an overall feeling of being on top of the world. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Where is it?
Driving the road to Cuo Ga Bu Lake is not a piece of cake is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 33.3581, 101.4759
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 24 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,229 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 33.3581, 101.4759
Related Roads in asia
extremeKarakoram Highway: The Highest Paved International Road and Eighth Wonder of the World
🇨🇳 China
The Karakoram Highway (KKH) – or the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway – is rumored to be the highest paved international road *in the world*, snaking between Western China and Pakistan. Think of it as a pilgrimage route for mountain lovers, a bucket-list road trip begging to be experienced. This epic two-lane road stretches for 1,300 km (810 mi) – with 887 km (551 mi) in Pakistan and 413 km (257 mi) in China. It cuts through disputed Kashmir, linking Hassan Abdal (near Rawalpindi and Islamabad) to Kashgar in China's Xinjiang province. While the KKH technically stays open year-round, the Khunjerab Pass, teetering at 4,693 m (15,397 ft), usually closes between January 1st and April 30th due to insane snow. Even when "open," expect winter closures thanks to heavy snow, while July and August bring monsoon rains that can trigger landslides, blocking the road. Building this road was no joke – construction began in 1959 and wasn't finished until 1986! It took 27 years and cost the lives of 810 Pakistani and 82 Chinese workers, mostly lost to landslides and falls. Even though the road's improved a lot, some parts still need constant TLC. Every now and then, entire sections need rebuilding. And due to the ongoing Kashmir conflict, the highway's got strategic and military importance. In 2010, a landslide in the Hunza Valley swallowed a chunk of the road. By 2015, they replaced the damaged section with the amazing Attabad Lake tunnel, a series of 5 tunnels at 2,500 m above sea level! This newly-built 24 km (15 mi) section includes two bridges, 78 culverts, and those five tunnels (totaling 7 km). The KKH isn't for the faint of heart! Stones, rockfalls, floods, and earthquakes are all part of the experience. Forget your average car – 4x4 is practically mandatory. This road dishes out hairpin curves, potential drops of hundreds of meters, and unstable mountains prone to rockfalls. Driver error is not an option! But hey, it's a top-tier destination, with unreal views. Following the ancient Silk Road, this high-altitude road winds through the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush ranges. Spring and early autumn are prime travel times. While the views, especially of K2, are incredible, altitude sickness can be a real problem. But, if you take precautions and watch the weather, the KKH can be an unforgettable journey. Nicknamed the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', the KKH has scary moments and awe-inspiring scenery in equal measure. Driving it is a massive challenge but also a fantastic adventure, running through the highest concentration of towering peaks and wild rivers on the planet. It's the most famous road in the Himalayas and a dream for adventure seekers.
hardDanyore Suspension Bridge: the bridge between heaven and hell
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Deep in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region, you'll find the Danyore Suspension Bridge, and this ain't your average stroll in the park. We're talking about a 510-foot-long suspended walkway that used to connect to a short tunnel. Locals call it "Pul-e-Sirat" – the bridge between heaven and hell – and honestly, the name kinda fits. Back in the day, this bridge linked Gilgit to Danyore across the wild Hunza River, but now it's only open to pedestrians. Word on the street is that it's been deemed unsafe for vehicles. They say driving it used to be a true test of skill and nerves. Imagine being stuck mid-stream? Definitely not a chill vibe! Nowadays, the views are still incredible, but maybe best enjoyed on foot.
hardDzang La: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Dzang La (aka Khojang La), a seriously high mountain pass in Gyirong County, Tibet, China. We're talking about a lung-busting 5,287m (17,345ft) above sea level! This mostly paved road is a rollercoaster of hairpin turns snaking through the Ublung Chu valley. Keep your eyes peeled for the stunning Kochang Kangri peak (6,022m) towering above. Pro tip: always check local conditions before heading up—things can change fast up here. The climb kicks off from the G216 and it's a leg-burner, with some sections hitting a crazy 13% gradient. It's a 22.5km (13.98 miles) haul to the top, gaining a whopping 1448 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 6.43%, so get ready for some serious uphill action! But trust me, the views are SO worth it.
extremeRoad trip guide: Conquering Kanggar Tzoxe La
🇨🇳 China
Hey adventurers! Get ready for Kanggar Tzoxe La, a mind-blowing mountain pass soaring to 18,415 feet on the border of Tolung Dechen and Qüxü Counties, near Lhasa, Tibet, China. This isn't just a drive; it's a high-altitude experience! Winding its way on the northern side of the Himalayas, this road is mostly paved, so your average car can handle it, except for a short unpaved section near the top. But, remember, you're way up there, so be prepared for thinner air and potential altitude sickness. This 53.81-mile route from Lhasa to Qüxü is full of hairpin turns – seriously, get ready to turn that steering wheel! If you get carsick easily, maybe think twice. Give yourself about two hours for this incredible journey, not including stops. And definitely check the weather – things can get wild up here. Plus, some parts of the road climb pretty steeply, hitting a max gradient of 7%. But trust me, the views are worth it!