
Driving the road to Hongqi Daban is not a piece of cake
China, asia
40.3 km
5,694 m
hard
Year-round
Hongqi Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.694m (18,681ft) above the sea level, located in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China, in the northwest of the country. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Set high in the Chang-Chemno Range, the winding road to the summit is totally unpaved. 4x4 vehicles only. The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 10% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at SS19 road, the ascent is 40.3 km (25 miles) long. Due to the high elevations and exposure, the road is subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes. Facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, western toilets etc. are rare to find.Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson
Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world
Drive Us to Your Road!
With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
Where is it?
Driving the road to Hongqi Daban is not a piece of cake is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 36.0898, 99.8981
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 40.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,694 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 36.0898, 99.8981
Related Roads in asia
hardMi La: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Mi La Pass in Tibet, China! This baby climbs to a staggering 5,010m (16,437ft) above sea level. You'll find it along China National Highway 318, otherwise known as the legendary Friendship Highway heading to Nepal. The road's paved, so no need for monster truck tires, but be warned: you'll likely find it impassable from October to June thanks to the weather. The views from the top? Absolutely mind-blowing! This isn't a Sunday drive, though. It's a long haul through some seriously remote terrain, so come prepared. If you're prone to respiratory issues or have a heart condition, maybe sit this one out. The air gets seriously thin up there – we're talking significantly less oxygen than you're used to. Altitude sickness is a real risk, hitting many people way before you even reach the summit. Expect your engine to struggle, your pulse to race, and even simple movements to feel like a workout. Keep an eye on the weather; heavy mist can roll in and make things dicey. After you crest the pass, though, get ready for a visual treat! The landscape transforms into classic alpine scenery with rocky gorges and a welcome return of trees. Oh, and a heads up: these days, you can bypass the pass altogether through the Mi La Mountain tunnel!
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering the 562 Country Road
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Country Road 562 in Tibet's Chamdo Prefecture! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a full-on, unpaved, 19.2 km (11.93 miles) stretch of pure, unadulterated mountain road connecting Highway 214 to the tiny village of Gaiwa, nestled along the Nujiang River. Get ready for hairpin turns and blind corners that will test your driving skills, and an elevation that climbs to a whopping 4,287m (14,064ft). Seriously, bring your 4x4 and leave your lead foot at home. This isn't a race, it's an experience. Take your time, soak in the views, and prepare to be amazed by the rugged beauty of Tibet!
hardJangkhu La: Driving one of the highest paved passes on the G317 Road
🇨🇳 China
Okay, so picture this: you're cruising the legendary G317 (Northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway), smack-dab in the heart of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. You're heading for Jangkhu La, a mind-blowing mountain pass that punches through the sky at a whopping 4,935m (16,190ft)! This isn't just a road; it's a lifeline for the remote Seni District of Nagqu. Sure, this stretch is paved with high-quality asphalt, but don't get complacent. At this altitude, your engine's gonna be gasping for air, and you might be too! Altitude sickness is a real buzzkill here, so take it easy if you're not used to being so high up. This epic drive spans 37.4 km (23.2 miles) between Kormang and Daqên, and it'll take you around 45 minutes...assuming everything goes smoothly. The road’s fairly wide, and the gradients aren't crazy steep (maxing out at 6%), but up here, even a tiny mechanical issue can turn into a full-blown crisis. Jangkhu La *should* be open year-round, but Mother Nature often has other plans. Expect heavy snowfall and slick black ice, especially from October to May. If a blizzard rolls in, the local authorities might shut it down for a bit. If you're hitting this pass in the colder months, pack your emergency kit and brace yourself for sub-zero temps. The biggest danger these days isn't mud, it's the lack of oxygen. Seriously, fatigue and bad decisions are your enemy here. You'll also be sharing the road with massive trucks and nomadic herds, so keep your eyes peeled! And remember, the weather can flip on a dime, turning a sunny day into a whiteout faster than you can say "yak butter tea." But oh, the views! Reaching the summit of Jangkhu La is like stepping onto another planet. You're surrounded by the raw, windswept beauty of northern Tibet, where the sky stretches on forever. It's a true highlight of the G317, and a chance to soak in the immense scale of the "Roof of the World."
moderateStranded Survival: A Mini-Economy Emerges Amid Hunger and Thirst
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up for a wild ride on China National Highway 110! Picture this: August 2010, and you're smack-dab in the middle of the *longest* traffic jam ever recorded – a whopping 62 miles of standstill! We're talking days on end between Hebei and Inner Mongolia, surrounded by thousands of other weary travelers. Forget roadside rest stops; this was a whole new level of "roughing it." Think makeshift shelters, instant noodles going for crazy prices, and water costing ten times its worth! What caused this madness? Not an accident or some natural disaster – just too many vehicles at once, especially those heavy construction trucks headed to Beijing (ironically to *fix* congestion!). The pace? Try crawling along at less than a mile *per day*. It's a slow-motion travel experience that will have you questioning your life choices... but hey, at least you'll have a story to tell!