
Driving the savage road to Lungkar La
China, asia
24.1 km
5,645 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're in western Tibet, craving serious altitude and views that'll blow your mind, you HAVE to check out Lungkar La! We're talking 5,645 meters (that's over 18,500 feet!) of pure, unadulterated mountain pass, nestled between the stunning Palong and Taro lakes.
This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a totally unpaved, bumpy, wild ride that even the legendary explorer Sven Hedin tackled way back when. The road kicks off near Longgacun, south of Taro Lake, and stretches for about 24 kilometers (almost 15 miles) as it climbs.
Be warned: this is high-altitude territory. The air is thin, so take it easy and watch for signs of altitude sickness. And definitely leave the Prius at home. You'll need a high-clearance, preferably 4x4 vehicle to conquer this beast. Oh, and pro tip: scope out the weather before you head up. Things can get dicey up there real quick. But trust me, the panoramic vistas? Totally worth it.
Where is it?
Driving the savage road to Lungkar La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 37.0593, 104.4279
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 24.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,645 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 37.0593, 104.4279
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