How long is the Chuya Highway (Chuisky Tract)?
Mongolia, asia
616 km
1,894 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: the Chuya Highway, or Chuisky Tract, a 616-kilometer (382-mile) stretch of road in the Republic of Altai that's been connecting Russia and Mongolia for ages. We're talking ancient Silk Road vibes here!
This legendary road kicks off at the Biya River in Biysk and snakes its way through the majestic Altai Mountains all the way to the Mongolian border. Get ready for some serious elevation changes as you tackle mountain passes. We're talking summits at 1,894m, 1,246m, and a whopping 2,482m!
Don't let the fact that this road has been around for over a thousand years fool you. It wasn't exactly a smooth ride back in the day. Think prisoners and gulag inmates building it by hand in the early 20th century, narrow paths barely wide enough for one car, and drivers having to honk just to warn others they were coming. Thankfully, it's a dual highway since 1984.
Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! National Geographic even put it in their top 10 most beautiful roads in the world. Seriously, the scenery is insane. You'll be cruising past everything from bustling cities and cozy villages to dense taiga forests, rushing rivers, towering mountains, and endless steppes.
These days, the Chuya Highway is paved and in pretty good shape, so you don't need a special vehicle. You'll find hotels, gas stations, and restaurants dishing out all kinds of tasty food along the way. But pro tip: if you're heading south towards Mongolia, it gets a bit more remote, so pack a tent, sleeping bag, and cooking stove just in case!
Road Details
- Country
- Mongolia
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 616 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,894 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in asia
moderateSouthern Expressway to Ella (A2/A4)
🌍 Sri Lanka
# Galle to Ella: Sri Lanka's Ultimate Scenic Drive Want to experience Sri Lanka's full natural diversity in one epic road trip? The A2 and A4 roads connecting Galle to Ella deliver exactly that—and then some. You're looking at roughly 230 kilometers of pure magic, starting from the atmospheric colonial fort town of Galle right on the southwest coast and ascending into the misty, emerald tea gardens of the highlands. What makes this route absolutely unforgettable is how dramatically the landscape transforms as you climb. You'll wind through steamy tropical jungle, past rubber plantations that look straight out of a postcard, and through fragrant spice gardens before suddenly breaking into the rolling tea estates of the hill country—all while gaining elevation until you're cruising above 1,500 meters. The final approach to Ella is where things get genuinely breathtaking. The road hugs dramatic ridgelines with vertiginous drops on either side, offering jaw-dropping vistas across valleys carpeted in tea plants and punctuated by thundering waterfalls. Keep your eyes peeled for the stunning Bambarakanda Falls—at 263 meters, it's Sri Lanka's highest and seriously impressive. And then you reach Ella itself, nestled in a mountain gap with panoramic views stretching all the way south to the coast on clear days. Beyond the stunning scenery, you're essentially road-tripping through Sri Lanka's cultural heart—from Muslim fishing communities on the coast, to ancient Buddhist temples in the lowlands, to the vibrant Tamil tea-picker villages dotting the highlands. It's travel storytelling at its finest.
hardIs the road to Yongko La paved?
🇧🇹 Bhutan
Okay, adventure seekers, picture this: You're cruising at 5,774 feet in the Mongar District of Bhutan on the Bumthang-Ura Highway (PNH1). The road to Yongko La is a west-to-east connector from Chamkhar to Trashigang, and let me tell you, it's an experience. Built in the 90s, this road is mostly paved, but be warned – it's paved in a *Bhutanese* kind of way. Think rough, patched, and even a bit of gravel thrown in for good measure. Expect narrow sections, especially near the start and end, adding a little spice to the drive. You'll be winding through deep forests of Rhododendron trees – gorgeous! Keep in mind, though, you're in the eastern part of the country, right next to Phrumsengla National Park, so the pass can be closed for a day or two after heavy snowfall. Oddly enough, snow is rare up here in April and May. And pro tip: the top of the pass is usually shrouded in a cool, mysterious mist.
extremeWhere is Dawagenzha Peak?
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! I’ve got a real gem for you: Dawagenzha Peak in Sichuan Province, China. We're talking serious heights here, topping out at 3,862 meters (that’s 12,670 feet!). Picture this: you're deep in the west-central part of Sichuan, cruising along the upper Qingyi River. This peak sits pretty in the Qionglai Mountain Range, a seriously remote spot near the Giant Panda Sanctuaries. Hello, views and amazing wildlife! Now, about the road… buckle up! It's 16.9 km (10.5 miles) of pure, unadulterated off-road heaven (or hell, depending on your perspective!). Starting from Liujiazhai, you'll climb a whopping 1,626 meters (5,335 feet). Do the math – that's an average gradient of nearly 10%! We're talking big rocks, loose gravel, and a nail-biting shelf road experience. This is 4x4 territory, folks. Oh, and did I mention the 30+ hairpin turns crammed into that relatively short distance? Keep your eyes peeled, your focus sharp, and your gears low! Important note: Winter is a no-go. This peak gets hammered with snow, so plan your trip for summer or early autumn. Trust me, the views are worth the wait, but being prepared is everything!
hardIs the road to Pir Ki Gali Pass paved?
🇮🇳 India
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Mughal Road in Jammu and Kashmir, India, heading towards the legendary Pir Ki Gali Pass. This baby climbs to a whopping 3,485 meters (11,433 feet)! The road, also called Peer Ki Gali, is mostly paved, but don't think it's a walk in the park. Get ready for a wild ride with tons of curves, super narrow stretches, seriously steep sections, hairpin turns that'll make your head spin, and drop-offs that'll take your breath away (in a good and slightly terrifying way). This is the highest point on the Mughal Road, so soak it in! The pass itself stretches for about 50 km (31 miles) between Shopian and Poshiana, and the views are absolutely killer. Up at the top, you'll find little souvenir shops and a couple of shrines. It's usually pretty quiet, so you can really enjoy the drive. Just remember you're high up there, so take it easy and stop often to admire the scenery. Word of warning: this road is set way up in the Pir Panjal Range, so it's often closed in the winter because of heavy snow. Also, be ready to show your vehicle and passenger details at checkpoints, so keep those documents handy!