How to drive the wild paved road to Yongko La?
Bhutan, asia
256 km
1,760 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Yongko La! This beast of a pass clocks in at a cool 1,760m (5,774ft) in Bhutan's Mongar District.
This route, also known as the Bumthang-Ura Highway (PNH1), was carved out back in the 90s. Get ready for a wild ride! The pavement can be pretty rough, sometimes giving way to gravel, and the road gets seriously steep. We're talking thousands of curves, including hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. Some sections are incredibly narrow, so keep your eyes peeled!
Stretching 256km (159 miles) from Chamkhar to Trashigang, prepare for jaw-dropping scenery. You'll wind through thick forests teeming with Rhododendron trees, chattering monkeys, and other crazy exotic wildlife. Plus, the prayer flags draped along the roadside add a magical touch.
Nestled high in the Black Mountains near Phrumsengla National Park, Yongko La can get hit hard by winter snow, closing it down for a day or two. Strangely, by April and May, the snow is usually gone. Be warned that the summit is often shrouded in mist, adding an extra layer of mystique to your journey.
Where is it?
How to drive the wild paved road to Yongko La? is located in Bhutan (asia). Coordinates: 27.4660, 90.3105
Road Details
- Country
- Bhutan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 256 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,760 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 27.4660, 90.3105
Related Roads in asia
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.
hardLateral Road (Bhutan National Highway)
🇧🇹 Bhutan
# The Lateral Road: Bhutan's Epic East-West Journey Welcome to Bhutan's main artery—the Lateral Road, a spectacular 560-kilometer ribbon that winds from Phuentsholing at the Indian border all the way east to Trashigang. This is THE highway that literally stitches together every major town and dzong (those stunning fortress-monasteries you've probably seen on Instagram) across one of the world's most beautifully remote countries. What makes this drive so special? You're climbing over multiple passes topping out above 3,000 meters as you snake through the rugged Himalayan landscape. The scenery is genuinely breathtaking—think the famous Dochu La at 3,100m with its iconic 108 memorial chortens and knockout views of the eastern Himalayan peaks, or the absolutely dramatic Thrumshingla Pass at 3,780m cutting through ancient rhododendron and fir forests that feel untouched by time. The road itself has quite a story. Work kicked off back in 1962 with Indian help, and they're still tweaking and improving it today. You'll notice the narrow, winding sections, the prayer flags fluttering everywhere, roadside monasteries tucked into mountainsides, and pristine forests at every turn. Honestly, this isn't just a drive—it's a cultural immersion. You're traveling through the very landscape where the concept of Gross National Happiness was born, which says everything you need to know about this magical place.
extremeKangbeicun-Zhangcun Road is an otherworldly drive
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're in southwest China, near Nepal, and craving a serious off-road experience, check out the wild route from Kangbeicun to Zhangcun. This 60km (37-ish miles) stretch is totally unpaved, so ditch the sedan and grab a 4x4. Seriously, you'll need it. Weather can be a beast, so be prepared for anything. The road winds like crazy, I'm talking around 100 hairpin turns! It's a real mountain climb, so yeah, oxygen is kinda scarce. The road can get pretty steep, and you'll be hitting some high mountain passes, topping out at a breathtaking 5,432m (that's over 17,800 feet!). Get ready for some incredible views – if you can catch your breath, that is!
hardHow challenging is the climb from Langtongcun?
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: You're in eastern Tibet, Dêngqên County to be exact, ready to tackle Lachin La. This isn't just any mountain pass; it's a lung-busting climb that tops out at a serious altitude above sea level, south of the Dak Chu Valley near Dêngqên town. This road? It's mostly paved, but don't let that fool you. The landscape is unrelenting, forcing the road skyward with brutally steep inclines. Your engine is already gasping for air at nearly 5,000 meters, and then you throw in gradients in the double digits? Buckle up, because Lachin La is a true test of skill and endurance. From Langtongcun to the summit, it's a climb, packed with a massive elevation gain. That's an average gradient of over 10%, with some sections spiking way higher. Think constant gear changes and hawk-eye monitoring of your engine temp. And those curves! Tight switchbacks are everywhere, carving their way up. Driving up, you'll notice the distinct lack of safety barriers on many sections, giving you a thrilling, if slightly terrifying, view straight down into the valley below. Before heading down, seriously check those brakes! That constant 10% grade can overheat them fast, so engine braking is your friend. Weather here is a wild card. Expect sudden snow, even in summer, turning that pavement into an ice rink. Winter? Forget about it. The pass is often snowed under for weeks. And let's not forget the altitude – AMS is a real risk. Acclimatize before you even think about starting the climb. Oh, and one more thing: there's absolutely nothing out here. No gas, no mechanics, no help of any kind between Dêngqên town and the summit. Pack extra everything – fuel, water, warm layers. Lachin La is a jaw-dropping drive with insane views of the eastern Tibetan ranges, but it demands respect. Push yourself or your ride too hard, and you'll regret it.