Haitar Pass is a drive worth taking
China, asia
88.7 km
3,882 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventurers, buckle up for the ride of your life on the incredible Haitar Pass! Found in the Gangca County of Qinghai, China, right on the northern edge of the stunning Qinghai Lake, this beauty clocks in at a whopping 3,882m (12,736ft) above sea level.
Tucked away in the breathtaking Qilian Mountains, the S204 Erga Highway is your ticket to the top. The pavement is smooth, and you won't be fighting off crowds, so get ready to cruise! But don't get too comfy – this climb is no joke, with some seriously steep sections topping out at a 7% gradient.
Spanning 88.7km (55.11 miles) from Molezhen to the G315 (Huangiia Highway), this north-south route is a proper mountain expedition. Just a heads up: the air gets thin up here, so take it easy and remember that the altitude and unpredictable weather can be real game-changers. Get ready for some truly unforgettable scenery!
Where is it?
Haitar Pass is a drive worth taking is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 34.2863, 105.9766
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 88.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,882 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 34.2863, 105.9766
Related Roads in asia
hardDare to drive the dangerous Kelashin Pass
🇮🇷 Iran
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Kelashin Pass (Gardaneh-ye Kalashīn)! This epic international route straddles the Iran-Iraq border and tops out at a whopping 2,942 meters (9,652 feet). Think you're tough? This unpaved road will test you with its steep, narrow sections. This road connects Batrian, a village in Iran's West Azerbaijan Province, to Kelashin, a mountain village in Iraqi Kurdistan. Word to the wise, though, traveling to Iraq comes with risks. While Rawanduz is safer thanks to the Peshmarga forces, vigilance is always key. The scenery? Absolutely stunning. The challenge? Seriously real. And those winter snows? They turn this pass into a slippery, treacherous beast. Oh, and a little heads-up: there's a landmine risk in the area. So, yeah, maybe don't wander off the beaten path *too* much.
extremeWho built the road to Xifanggoucun?
🇨🇳 China
, in China's north-western Shaanxi province, the road to stands as a testament to human determination. Tucked away in the formidable , this terrifying mountain drive is one of the most remarkable tunnel roads in China , literally hanging approximately 3,000ft high above the valley floor. Road facts: Xifanggoucun Road Ningqiang County, Shaanxi, China ~915 m (3,000 ft) drop Cliff-hanging Tunnel Road Who built the road to Xifanggoucun? Unlike modern highways, this precarious path was constructed entirely by local residents between 2000 and 2006. For decades, Xifanggoucun village was practically isolated from the world; villagers had to climb over the mountain peaks and walk for two hours just to reach the nearest bus stop. Determined to change their fate, they carved this road out of the sheer cliffs. Today, what used to be a grueling two-hour hike is now a 10-minute drive, although the journey is far from relaxing for those behind the wheel. Is the road to Xifanggoucun paved? 6,000-meter-long road is totally paved with concrete . However, the paving does little to alleviate the fear factor. The track is extremely narrow and is totally impassable to bigger vehicles ; only small cars or motorcycles can navigate the tight squeezes. The most iconic feature of the drive are the "windows" carved into the side of the tunnels. These openings were originally made to dump debris during construction, but now they offer wonderful, yet dizzying views of the 3,000ft drop to the valley below. Why is the drive to Xifanggoucun dangerous? The drive is considered high-risk because it lacks almost all modern safety features. There are no barriers, no safety mirrors, and no lamps along the entire stretch. Driving through the hand-hewn tunnels feels like entering a cave, where the jagged ceiling is often just inches above the car roof. The transition from the dark tunnels to the bright cliff-side openings can be blinding, and the constant threat of rockfalls in the Daba Mountains adds another layer of danger. One wrong steering input on the narrow concrete surface could be fatal, as there is nothing between the tires and the abyss. What should you expect when conquering this Chinese tunnel road? Conquering the Xifanggoucun road requires absolute focus and a high tolerance for vertigo. The path is the only transportation route connecting the village to the outside world, so you might encounter local motorcycles in the most inconvenient, narrow spots. Because the road is carved into a vertical cliff, extreme care is needed during rainy weather, as water cascades directly over the tunnel openings. It is a masterpiece of folk engineering that demands respect for both the people who built it and the terrifying landscape it inhabits. Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez Get behind the wheels for Guangzhou Green Tunnel Road A road trip on the Lapche La pass is truly epic Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our 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 to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardJalori Pass is an isolated road full of adventure in India
🇮🇳 India
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Jalori Pass in Himachal Pradesh, India, is calling your name. It's the closest Himalayan pass to Delhi (about 600 km), and trust me, it's an experience. The road, NH305, is a wild ride. Think mostly paved, but also narrow, steep, and bumpy with potholes – so hold on tight! It winds 43.1 km between Jibhi and Anni, offering stunning views that'll make you forget about the jarring ride... almost. Elevation-wise, we're talking 3,134m (10,282ft), so be prepared for mountain weather. The pass is usually open from around March to mid-December, but winter brings heavy snow, making it impassable. Keep an eye out for frost and black ice! Up at the top, reward yourself with lunch at one of the restaurants and visit the Jalori Mata temple, a local pilgrimage spot. While technically doable in any vehicle, be smart about it. From Ghayagi to the pass, the road is rough and slow-going. The last 3 km before the summit are particularly challenging – narrow, steep, and pretty gnarly. Use first gear! But if you're a confident driver with hill driving experience, you'll be fine. The views are SO worth it.
extremeThe road to Anjihai Grand Canyon is said to be the scary of scaries
🇨🇳 China
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Hidden away in Shawan County, China, is the mind-blowing Anjihai Grand Canyon, also known as the Hongshan (Red Mountain) Grand Canyon. Seriously, this place is a photographer's dream! Picture this: you're in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, staring down into a canyon carved by the Anjihai River. We're talking about a 30-kilometer-long gash in the earth, plunging a staggering 400 meters deep. At points, it’s only two or three meters wide! Expect sheer cliffs, jagged rocks, and stones bursting with color. Getting there is an adventure in itself. This unpaved road snakes along the northern base of the Tianshan Mountains and it is NOT for the faint of heart. I'm talking precipices, hanging cliffs, and a max speed of 40 km/h. Newbies, maybe sit this one out. The views from the top of the canyon are insane! But heads up, it’s a serious drop. And just to keep things interesting, the road dead-ends at the edge of the mountain, right above a mine. This one is for those who like to live life on the edge!