
How long is China National Highway 217?
China, asia
1,753 km
3,538 m
moderate
Year-round
Get ready for an epic adventure on China National Highway 217 (G217) in southwest Xinjiang! This newly paved route stretches 1,753 km (1,089 mi) through some seriously stunning landscapes. Starting in Altay, a city in northern Xinjiang, you'll journey through the vast Taklamakan Desert, framed by the Kunlun, Pamir, and Tian Shan mountain ranges.
The section between Dushanzi and Kuqa, crossing the Tianshan Mountains, is a highlight. Just be aware, this high-altitude pass tops out at 3,538m (11,607ft). Due to snow and ice, the G217 is only open from May to October. Keep in mind that vehicles with more than 7 seats are restricted. Watch out for potential mudslides!
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 1,753 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,538 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in asia
moderateDriving on water surface through the Shiziguan floating bridge
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: You're in Xuan'en County, deep in the gorgeous southwestern Hubei province of China, ready for an adventure. Get ready to experience the Shiziguan floating bridge, seriously one of the coolest bridges EVER! Hidden inside the Shiziguan scenic area, this wooden wonder, aka the Shiziguan water highway, puts you practically *on* the river. Seriously, you'll feel like you're gliding across the water as you walk or drive. They call it the "Long Bridge Of Dreams," and it's easy to see why. This 1,640-foot-long (500 meters) beauty winds its way over the dazzling turquoise Qingjiang River, which is a whopping 60 meters deep! It's only 4.5 meters wide, so keep an eye out for other travelers! There's a speed limit too, so keep it slow and steady to keep those big waves down. This unforgettable experience opened up to the public on May 1st, 2016. Get ready to have your mind blown!
extremeDiscovering the unpaved road from Chitral to Parsan is a terrifying adventure on wheels
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Hold on to your hats, folks, because the road from Chitral to Parsan in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is WILD. Forget paved paradise – this is a 15-mile stretch of pure, unadulterated mountain road blasted straight out of the cliffside. Locals built this thing the old-fashioned way, without heavy machinery, which adds to its, uh, charm. You'll be hugging the Lutkho River, winding your way through Garam Chashma, and clinging to a route that makes "unstable" an understatement. Picture this: a narrow dirt track, sheer cliffs above, and a dizzying drop to the river below. Oncoming traffic? Prepare for some serious reversing skills – sometimes up to a kilometer! The notorious "Parsan's tunnel of death" is a particularly tight squeeze, demanding a 4x4 and nerves of steel. But hey, the views! You'll climb from 4,000 feet to a breathtaking 10,000 feet in just a few miles. The inclines are intense, but the scenery is epic. Just remember, this adventure isn't for the faint of heart!
extremeHow dangerous is Shatu Pass?
🌍 Afghanistan
Kotal-e Shatu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.405m (11,171ft) above sea level, located in Bamyan Province, in Afghanistan. The security situation in the country remains extremely volatile. How dangerous is Shatu Pass? Tucked away in the central part of the country, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. A 4x4 vehicle is required. Never travel alone. If you do choose this route please check up to date information due to the security situation: terrorist attacks, ongoing armed conflict, risk of kidnapping and high crime rate. The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 14% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. How long is Shatu Pass? The pass is 63.2 km (39.27 miles) long, running south-north from Panjab to Yakawlang. Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson The road to Kotal-e Unak is not for the faint of heart Courage is required to drive to the summit of Kotal-e Tamazan 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.
extremeTra La, a scary and dangerous journey in Tibet
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Tra La Pass in Tibet is calling your name, but only if you’re ready for a serious challenge. We're talking a whopping 5,479 meters (that's nearly 18,000 feet!) above sea level in Xaitongmoin County. The X201, or 201 County Road, is a wild, unpaved route stretching almost 50 kilometers (around 30 miles) from Nadangxiang to Xaitongmoin. You’ll need a 4x4 to conquer this beast! Picture this: insanely steep climbs, thin air, and weather that can change on a dime. Oxygen is definitely a luxury up here, so be prepared for the altitude. Summer’s your best bet to make the trek, but always keep an eye on the conditions. Trust me, the views are totally worth the adrenaline rush!