Driving the road to Zixia Palace with 49 dizzying hairpin bends

Driving the road to Zixia Palace with 49 dizzying hairpin bends

China, asia

Length

5 km

Elevation

3,245 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're in Yunnan Province, China, Dongchuan District to be exact. You're heading up Guniu Mountain on a wild adventure to Zixia Palace, a mind-blowing building perched way up at 3,245m (10,646ft)!

The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. It's a totally unpaved, 5km (3.10 mile) rollercoaster that climbs a staggering 1,000 meters. Buckle up for 49 hairpin turns and some seriously steep sections hitting a 20% gradient! The road starts at Dongchuan Wangjiaqing Village.

Most cars can handle it, but be prepared for a bumpy ride! Keep an eye out for a gate that might block the way. But trust me, the views from the top are absolutely worth it. Imagine yourself surrounded by breathtaking scenery – a reward for conquering this thrilling, challenging, and beautiful climb!

Where is it?

Driving the road to Zixia Palace with 49 dizzying hairpin bends is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 33.8884, 105.4620

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
5 km
Max Elevation
3,245 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
33.8884, 105.4620

Related Roads in asia

Kheriya ancient road is a drive you'll never forgethard

Kheriya ancient road is a drive you'll never forget

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Kheriya ancient road – a wild 4x4 ride deep in the Kunlun Mountains of Tibet, China! This high-altitude stunner, also called the Keriya/Keliya trail, carves its way from Xinjiang to Tibet and has recently opened up. Be warned: it's a mixed bag of pavement and gravel, so leave your sedan at home. This is strictly 4x4 territory! You'll start near Pulu village and eventually hit the Kongka La Highway/S519, not far from Shouxing Lake. Seriously, this route is legendary, throwing all sorts of challenges your way. We're talking serious elevation here in the Tibetan and Xinjiang Kunluns. You'll crest Liuhuang Daban (5,170m), Tuopolagate Daban (5,020m), At To Pass (5,500m) and Kheliya Pass (5,440m). Remember, thin air is the name of the game, and the weather can turn on a dime. Historically, this route has been called "unfeasible" in winter and summer, so plan accordingly. Expect epic scenery – canyons, cliffs, sky-high passes, volcanoes, and those incredible plateau lakes that make Tibet so special.

The road to Kharpo La is not for the sissieshard

The road to Kharpo La is not for the sissies

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventurers, listen up! I've got a killer pass to tell you about: Kharpo La. This beauty sits way up high in southeastern Tibet, China, chilling at a cool 16,410 feet. We're talking Lhünzê County, so get ready for remote! The road? Oh, it's a doozy. Seriously winding, seriously steep, and seriously narrow. You're gonna want a 4x4 for this one, trust me. Kharpo La links up the Char and Tsari valleys by way of the Kyu valley, just north of Sangak Choling. Now, let's be real: this route isn't for the faint of heart. Think thrilling (or terrifying, depending on your perspective) drop-offs. That hairpin road to the top? Yeah, it’s pretty intense. The climb kicks off from Legaduo and stretches for about 11 miles, gaining over 2,300 feet in elevation. But hey, the views will be epic!

Dag Mountain Roadmoderate

Dag Mountain Road

🇮🇷 Iran

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to the Dag mountain range road in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. Get ready for 16.1 km of pure adrenaline as you wind your way up a seriously steep asphalt road. Think hairpin turns and breathtaking views! You'll be climbing to a whopping 1,946 meters above sea level, so be prepared for some serious elevation. The road surface is paved, but it might be pretty rugged in places, so keep your eyes peeled. But trust me, the stunning scenery is worth the white-knuckle ride. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!

Where is Burzil Pass?hard

Where is Burzil Pass?

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a pass for you that's seriously going to blow your mind. We're talking about Burzil Pass, chilling way up in the Himalayas in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan territory. We're talking 4,210m (13,812ft) above sea level, so buckle up for some serious altitude. You'll find it north of the Line of Control, about 30km, near Gilgit. The road is paved, but don’t think it’s a cakewalk! This historic caravan route linking Srinagar and Gilgit will put your driving skills to the test with some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients up to 11%! The adventure kicks off near the exciting , and from there it’s a 115km (71-mile) ride to the top. But here's the catch: this road is ONLY open from July to September, thanks to the crazy amounts of snow it gets. But trust me, it's worth the wait! You'll be rewarded with incredible views of grassy slopes absolutely bursting with wildflowers. Seriously, a feast for the eyes!