Get behind the wheels for 787 County Road, one of the planet’s highest roads
China, asia
139 km
5 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Tibet's Ngari Prefecture, you HAVE to check out County Road 787. Seriously, this is one of the highest roads in China, pushing you way above 5,000m! Think panoramic views of the Tibetan plateau, but also think about the serious altitude. We're talking potential AMS, Pulmonary Edema, the works – so be prepared!
This unpaved beauty demands a 4x4, and forget about it during the winter months. The road is a real climb, with some sections hitting an 11% gradient. The air is thin, the mountains are high, and the views? Unbelievable.
The road connects X711 to China National Highway 219, stretching for 139 km (86 miles). The highest point is a staggering 5,518m (18,103ft). Keep your eyes peeled for Argog Lake – a vibrant emerald jewel nestled amongst the rugged peaks. Trust me; you'll want to stop and soak it all in!
Where is it?
Get behind the wheels for 787 County Road, one of the planet’s highest roads is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 32.0099, 102.9612
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 139 km
- Max Elevation
- 5 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 32.0099, 102.9612
Related Roads in asia
extremeMore than 100 hairpin turns to Sangbu La
🇧🇹 Bhutan
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're REALLY looking to get off the beaten path, let me tell you about Sangbu La, aka Chaagagang La. This insane international mountain pass sits way up high on the China-Bhutan border at a whopping 17,345 feet. Picture this: you're winding your way up a seriously rugged, unpaved road on the Chinese side, switchbacking through over 100 hairpin turns. I'm talking a climb of 6,000 feet over just 18 miles from Bianbaxiang, with an average gradient of 6%. The views? Absolutely mind-blowing. The oxygen? Considerably less so - so take it easy! Keep in mind this isn't a Sunday drive! Don't expect any luxuries up here. Electricity, hot showers, or western toilets are pretty much non-existent. And forget about it in the winter – this military road becomes totally impassable. Oh, and the Bhutan side? No road at all! But hey, who needs a smooth ride when you've got bragging rights like this? Just make sure you're prepared for a serious challenge and some unforgettable scenery.
hardS206 Road: A 401km journey across the Tibetan Plateau's highest plains
🇨🇳 China
The S206 in central Tibet? Get ready for remote! This 401-km (249-mile) highway is your shortcut between the northern (S301) and southern (G219) routes, and it's seriously off the beaten path. Imagine driving through the "middle of nowhere" on the Tibetan Plateau – that's the S206. This road isn't for the faint of heart, altitude-wise. You'll be cruising above 5,000 meters for over 150 kilometers, topping out at 5,578m (18,300ft) at the Semo La pass. Thin air is an understatement – oxygen levels are way lower than you're used to. Expect your car to feel the burn, and watch out for altitude sickness. You're in the Chang Tang region, a high-altitude wilderness. Weather here is no joke. Even in summer, temperatures can plummet from 20°C in the day to -10°C at night. Rain, snow, and crazy winds are common. Plus, watch out for black ice lurking on those higher sections. The road's paved and fairly new, but you might not see another soul for hours. But hey, if you're up for the challenge, the S206 serves up incredible views. We're talking the Nepal border, remote geysers, stunning high-altitude lakes, and those iconic, glacier-covered Himalayan peaks. It's a quicker route to Mount Kailash when the southern roads get messy with mud or landslides.
moderateWhere is Mount Abu?
🇮🇳 India
Okay, so you're headed to Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan? Awesome choice! This gem sits way up in the Aravalli Range, smack-dab in the middle of the desert state. The road, aptly named Mount Abu Road, is your paved ticket to the top. Get ready for a twisty-turny adventure, though! It's a real workout for your steering wheel, but trust me, the views are worth it. You'll climb from the hot plains into a surprisingly cool oasis, with panoramic vistas that stretch forever. The climb is real, folks! From Pandoori, it's a 21km (13 mile) ascent to Goa Gaon village, gaining almost 900 meters. Expect some seriously steep sections that will have your engine working, but hey, that just adds to the thrill, right? Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
hardDriving the Legendary Road to Balang Shan Pass
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Balang Shan La, a mountain pass that's a whopping 4,485m (14,714ft) high in Sichuan Province, China! Picture this: you're perched on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, right where Xiaojin County, Wenchuan, and Baoxing meet. To one side, you've got the adorable Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve, and on the other, the stunning Siguniang Mountain Scenic Area. Banlan, as the locals call the top of the pass, serves up views for days. You're looking out over a sea of mountains, crowned by the snow-covered Siguniang Mountains. The Tibetans call it Balangla, "the mountain of strange willows," and you'll see why! You'll be cruising on the Former 303 Provincial Road, a fully paved route with 26.8 km (16.65 miles) of pure driving bliss, featuring a wild 30 hairpin turns! Trust me, it's steep, it's snowy, and it's unforgettable. Word of warning: Mother Nature can be a bit of a diva here. Rain, snow, and landslides love to mess with the road, so closures are common. The good news? The insane Ba Lang Shan Tunnel (8.8 kilometers long!) bypasses the sketchiest part, saving you tons of time. Nestled between the Siguniang Mountains and Wolong National Park, this pass is a landscape jackpot. We're talking alpine meadows, lush river valleys, and crazy cool alpine flowstone slopes. Get your camera ready!