Dzi La: The technical 16% climb through the Ngonkhori range

Deep in the heart of the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan, China, lies Dzi La, a mountain pass that'll take your breath away – literally and figuratively! Perched at a staggering 4,799m (15,744ft) high in the Ngonkhori mountains, this is high-altitude driving at its most raw and real.

Forget the smooth asphalt of eastern China; at these coordinates (32.66468, 98.04547), you're in for an off-road adventure. While the new S456 handles most of the traffic, the original, unpaved track to the summit is still there for those who dare. It's a more direct route, but be warned, it's also a wilder ride through grasslands and jagged peaks.

This 75.1 km (46.66 miles) stretch of road runs north-south from Sêrxü (connected via the G345) to Luoxuzhen and is entirely unpaved. Get ready for countless twists and turns as you navigate the steep mountainsides. This track is less about sweeping curves and more about a head-on assault of the slopes, with some sections hitting a crazy 16% gradient!

You'll need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle the deep ruts and loose gravel. And heads up, your engine will feel the altitude, so be smart with your gear selection. No safety barriers here, just dramatic drops into the valleys below.

Dzi La sits in one of the highest inhabited areas of the Tibetan Plateau. The weather is notoriously unpredictable. Even in summer, you could face sudden snowstorms or hail that turns the track into a mud bath. The newer road means less maintenance on this one, so landslides or washouts are real possibilities.

Come prepared! There are no facilities, fuel stations, or workshops along this 75km stretch. Pack recovery gear, extra fuel, and consider bringing oxygen to combat altitude sickness. Oh, and remember that foreigners driving in these areas usually need permits and local guidance. Dzi La is epic, challenging, and demands serious respect!