If you love to drive, you’ll love the Kubaky Pass road
Kyrgyzstan, asia
N/A
2,168 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're cruising around the Issyk-Kul Region in Kyrgyzstan and craving a little elevation, you HAVE to check out Kubaky Pass.
This baby climbs to a cool 2,168 meters (that's 7,112 feet!). The road is in pretty sweet shape - all paved, so no need to worry about crazy off-roading. Think of it as a nifty shortcut on the A-365, heading north to south.
Fair warning, there are some sections that get pretty steep (we're talking up to a 6% grade!), so make sure your engine is ready to rumble.
The pass is generally open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter. A bit of snow can close it down temporarily, so plan accordingly! Get ready for some epic views!
Road Details
- Country
- Kyrgyzstan
- Continent
- asia
- Max Elevation
- 2,168 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in asia
hardHow to get by car to Latong La?
🇧🇹 Bhutan
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits on Latong La! This beauty sits way up high in the Mongar District of Bhutan, clocking in at 2,750m (9,022ft). The Bumthang-Ura Highway (aka PNH1) is paved, but let's be real, it's seen better days (think rough patches and even some gravel surprises!). It's a 256km (159 miles) rollercoaster from Chamkhar to Trashigang, and prepare for a workout — this road is steep with a never-ending series of curves, including tons of hairpin turns, and it gets super narrow in spots. The scenery, though? Totally worth it! You'll be cruising through dense Rhododendron forests, keep an eye out for monkeys, and listen to the incredible sounds of the jungle. Plus, prayer flags line the route, adding to the magic. Heads up: Latong La, nestled in the Black Mountains, can get hit with heavy snowfall and close for a day or two in winter. Oddly enough, by April and May, the snow's usually gone, but the summit is often shrouded in mist. Just part of the adventure, right?
extreme205 Provincial Road is an epic enthralling drive
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Provincial Road 205 in Tibet is calling your name... if you dare! This isn't your Sunday drive; we're talking about one of the planet's highest roads, topping out at a staggering 5,488m (18,005ft). Yep, you'll be gasping for air along with the views. Spanning 472 km across the northern Tibetan plateau, connecting Sangsangzhen (off G219) and Nyima (off S301), this route is almost entirely above 4,200m. Think rugged, think remote, think 4x4 only! The unpaved surface can be seriously rough in places. Mother Nature throws some serious curveballs here. Wind can be fierce, and temperatures fluctuate wildly. Even in summer, be prepared for daytime highs of 20°C to plummet to -10°C at night. July and August bring relentless rain (or even snow!), and landslides can make sections completely impassable. The road is often underwater and severely damaged by rain. What makes it worthwhile? The epic scenery, especially those glacial lakes! Keep an eye out for Dangqiong Co and Tangra Yumco (Tibet's deepest lake). But be warned: extreme high mountain passes and dodgy conditions along the lakes mean this route isn't for the faint of heart. This route can be closed anytime.
hardAn Unforgettable Drive to Jamgang La
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just conquered Jamgang La (aka Simi La, Dehra Compass, Zullekang, or Kang La—take your pick!), and you NEED to add this to your bucket list. Located in Tibet's Shigatse Prefecture, high in the Lapshi Gangri range, this beast of a pass tops out at a staggering 5,257m (17,247ft). Forget smooth asphalt; we're talking pure, unadulterated dirt track. Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential. And pro tip: scope out the weather report beforehand. This area is known for wild conditions, and when the snow starts falling, things get sketchy, fast. The 41.3 km (25.66 mile) route kicks off near Naisha, off the G318 Road, and winds its way up, up, up to Lapchi. Get ready for some seriously steep climbs, with gradients hitting a maximum of 15% in places. While you're up there, don't miss Milarepa’s cave, a major Buddhist pilgrimage spot, and the Phelgyeling monastery. Trust me, even the most stunning photos can't capture the sheer beauty and raw adventure of this drive. The 210 Provincial Road and its surroundings are a must see!
hardTanggu La is one of the China's top drives
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Tanggu La! This beast of a mountain pass climbs to a lung-busting 17,162 feet (5,231m) in the heart of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, China. Nestled within the Tanggula Mountains on the Tibetan Plateau, you might also hear it called Dang La, Tanggula, or Tanggu. You'll cruise it on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway (G109), that epic road linking Beijing and Lhasa. Get this – for a solid 80km after Tanggu La, you won't drop below 5,000m! This incredible highway stretches for 3,901 km, winding its way from Beijing, through cities like Datong, Yinchuan, Xining, and Golmud, before swinging southwest towards Lhasa. Word to the wise: the weather here is a total wildcard. Sunny skies can morph into heavy snowfall in a heartbeat. But hey, at the summit, you're rewarded with mind-blowing views of endless plains. Just brace yourself for that infamous, bone-chilling wind!