How to get by car to Zizhu Temple in Tibet?
China, asia
10.7 km
4,474 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a place for your bucket list: Zizhu Temple in Tibet's Chamdo Prefecture. We're talking SERIOUSLY high altitude here – 4,474 meters (that's almost 14,700 feet!). You'll find this incredible temple nestled in Dingqing County, eastern Tibet.
"Zizhu" means "six peaks," and it's one of the highest AND oldest monasteries in the region, a super important site for the Bon religion. This place has been around for over 300 years, and it's dedicated to Guanyin. Every year, they hold this incredible prayer ceremony with ancient Bon religious dances (which, BTW, have influenced Tibetan Buddhism).
Now, the road...get ready for an experience. From 535 Country Road, it's about 10.7 kilometers (6.6 miles) of unpaved, steep trail with a crazy amount of hairpin turns – I'm talking 40! You'll climb 852 meters, with an average gradient of almost 8%. You'll definitely need a high-clearance vehicle. Oh, and pro tip: don't even THINK about trying this in winter; it's usually impassable. The views, though? Absolutely breathtaking. Just remember, photography and videography are off-limits inside the temple, but you can freely explore. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!
Where is it?
How to get by car to Zizhu Temple in Tibet? is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 34.8519, 100.1385
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 10.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,474 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 34.8519, 100.1385
Related Roads in asia
extremeDriving the wild Yamda La
🇳🇵 Nepal
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Yamda La Pass in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal is calling your name! Situated at a whopping 13,077 feet (3.986m), this ain't your average Sunday drive. We're talking the Kaligandaki Road Corridor, a rough-and-tumble path carved out by the Nepal Army. Picture this: a mostly unpaved, seriously steep climb that’ll put your 4x4 (and your lungs) to the test. Oxygen? What oxygen? The air gets thin up here, especially since many start feeling altitude sickness lower down. This route isn't just about the thrill; it's a gateway between Kagbeni (a riverside village) and the Chinese border. But be warned: Mother Nature throws some serious curveballs. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are real threats, and icy patches lurk around every corner. Winter? Forget about it – this pass is usually a no-go. But hey, if you're prepared for the ultimate off-the-beaten-path experience, Yamda La delivers unparalleled, rugged beauty. Just pack your courage (and maybe an oxygen tank).
hardThe Ultimate Road Trip To Suge La Pass in Tibet
🇨🇳 China
# Suge La Pass: Tibet's Breathtaking High-Altitude Route Nestled in Tibet's Nyenchen Dangla Mountains, Suge La is a serious mountain pass sitting at a lung-busting 5,453m (17,890ft). You'll find it straddling the border between Nyêmo and Damxung counties, where the landscape gets wild and remote. The adventure itself is a solid 170 km (105 mile) stretch of Provincial Road 304 (S304), connecting Yangbajain on Highway 109 to the G318 Tibet-Sichuan highway near Dazhuka. Here's the thing: while the unpaved dirt road is surprisingly well-maintained and definitely passable for regular cars when conditions are dry, this isn't your casual afternoon cruise. The real challenge isn't the road surface—it's the oxygen-starved air that'll have your engine gasping as much as you are. Some sections climb close to 10% grade, nothing insanely steep by high-altitude standards, but definitely felt at this elevation. The pass itself is a bit underwhelming—relatively flat and tucked into the mountainsides. Pro tip: climb a bit higher for the real views. The showstopper is Qiongmo Kangri, a spectacular glacial peak towering at 7,048m (23,123ft). It's absolutely massive and dominates the entire landscape around you. Bottom line? This is doable for most vehicles in good weather, but come prepared for altitude effects, unpredictable mountain conditions, and one seriously epic experience.
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering the 562 Country Road
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Country Road 562 in Tibet's Chamdo Prefecture! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a full-on, unpaved, 19.2 km (11.93 miles) stretch of pure, unadulterated mountain road connecting Highway 214 to the tiny village of Gaiwa, nestled along the Nujiang River. Get ready for hairpin turns and blind corners that will test your driving skills, and an elevation that climbs to a whopping 4,287m (14,064ft). Seriously, bring your 4x4 and leave your lead foot at home. This isn't a race, it's an experience. Take your time, soak in the views, and prepare to be amazed by the rugged beauty of Tibet!
extremeEshima Ohashi Bridge: Japan's Roller Coaster Road Over Lake Nakaumi
🇯🇵 Japan
# The Eshima Ohashi Bridge: Japan's Ultimate Adrenaline Rush Ever dreamed of driving a roller coaster? Welcome to the Eshima Ohashi Bridge in Tottori Prefecture, Western Japan—a gravity-defying engineering marvel that'll make your palms sweat and your heart race. Stretching across Lake Nakaumi for about a mile, this beast of a bridge connects Sakaiminato and Yatsukacho Eshima in the Chūgoku region. Built between 1997 and 2004, it was designed with one ambitious goal: let massive cargo ships sail underneath without breaking a sweat. Spoiler alert: the architects *nailed* it, but at what cost to our nerves? Here's where it gets wild. The bridge rises at a jaw-dropping 5.1 percent gradient on the Tottori side and 6.1 percent on the Shimane side—making it arguably the steepest bridge on the planet. When you photograph it head-on, it genuinely looks like you're about to drive straight into the clouds. In reality, the gradual ascent is less terrifying than it appears, but that doesn't stop drivers from white-knuckling their steering wheels. The numbers are impressive: 1.7 kilometers long, 11.3 meters wide, 44.7 meters tall, with a main span of 250 meters. It's a two-lane concrete highway and the largest rigid frame bridge in Japan. It even scored a starring role in a Daihatsu car commercial, which tells you everything you need to know about its showstopping presence. This isn't just infrastructure—it's an unforgettable driving experience that'll make you feel like you're conquering the sky.