Is the road over Dariga Pass paved?
China, asia
N/A
3,602 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Dariga Pass, also called Dalijia Yakou by the locals, is calling your name in the Haidong Prefecture of China! Tucked away in Qinghai Province, this legendary pass punches through the mighty Qilian mountain range at a whopping 11,817 feet. Think dramatic alpine meadows and jagged limestone peaks—this is central China at its finest!
For ages, this route has been THE way to get around, south of Lanzhou. While a super convenient tunnel now handles most of the traffic, the original mountain road? Still there, still epic, and still ready to test your mettle.
We're talking a fully paved, concrete ribbon of pure adrenaline, stretching from to . But don't let the pavement fool you—this baby boasts over 60 hairpin turns! The road just clings to the mountainside, giving you insane bird's-eye views.
Yeah, it'll take you longer than the tunnel, but trust me, it's worth it for the breathtaking scenery. Just keep in mind you're playing in high-altitude territory. Expect sudden weather changes, that thinner air, and a drive you won't soon forget. If you live for technical driving and mind-blowing views, the "60 bends" of Dariga Pass are calling your name.
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Max Elevation
- 3,602 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in asia
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🇨🇳 China
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extremeWhere is Chugyu La?
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Chugyu La is a crazy-high mountain pass in Tibet's Tingri County, smack-dab in the Himalayas. You're looking at serious elevation here. Think glacial valleys and being surrounded by the incredible Qomolangma National Nature Preserve. Now, the road... let's call it "rustic." It's about 17km (10.6 miles) of totally unpaved, rugged mountain track that claws its way up. We're talking super-steep sections, hitting a max gradient of 25%! Translation: you NEED a high-clearance 4x4 and some serious horsepower to tackle this beast. The loose gravel and that insane incline will test your driving skills, not to mention the altitude zapping your energy. You'll crawl along, connecting a couple of tiny settlements. But trust me, the reward is SO worth it. The views from the top are mind-blowing. On a clear day, BAM! There's Mount Everest (Qomolangma) in all its glory, towering over everything. You get this unreal panoramic view of the whole Everest massif, including that epic North Face, plus glaciers galore. It's a vista you won't forget anytime soon!
hardHow long is the road to Kigunaru Pass?
🇨🇳 China
Kigunaru Pass (also known as Yeban Xian) is an extreme high-altitude mountain pass at an elevation of 5,407m (17,739ft) above sea level, located in Rutog County, within the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Reaching such an altitude puts this track among the highest motorable routes in the world, crossing a desolate and oxygen-thin landscape in western China. The drive is a serious expedition that requires full self-sufficiency. At over 5,400 meters, atmospheric pressure is roughly half of what it is at sea level. This leads to a severe loss of engine power—often exceeding 40-50% for naturally aspirated engines—and puts immense strain on the vehicle’s cooling and fuel systems. Travelers must be prepared for extreme isolation, as there is no medical aid, electricity, or mechanical support for hundreds of kilometers. Road facts: Kigunaru Pass (Yeban Xian) 25.1 km (15.59 miles) Unpaved / Primitive Track How long is the road to Kigunaru Pass? and spans 25.1 km (15.59 miles) to reach the summit. While the average gradient is 4.21% , the profile is highly irregular. Drivers will face sudden, brutal ramps where the maximum gradient hits 11% . On unpaved surfaces at this altitude, maintaining traction on 11% slopes is extremely difficult; low-range gears and high-torque 4x4 vehicles are essential to avoid stalling or losing momentum in the loose Himalayan scree. Is the road to Kigunaru Pass open year-round? Due to its extreme elevation, the road to is impassable for the majority of the year. Heavy snow and permafrost conditions typically close the track from late October through late June or early July. Even during the short summer window, the "Yeban Xian" road remains unpredictable. Rapid weather changes can bring blizzards or freezing rain in minutes. The unpaved surface can turn into a muddy trap or be blocked by rockfalls, making it mandatory to check for up-to-date local information before attempting the climb. What are the driving risks at 5,407 meters? Driving at 5,407m involves risks that go beyond the road surface. Altitude sickness (AMS) is a real threat to drivers, and the mechanical reliability of the vehicle is pushed to the limit. The 1,059-meter elevation gain over the 25.1 km stretch requires a cooling system in perfect condition, as engines run hotter in thin air. There is no infrastructure in Rutog County for travelers—no western toilets, no running water, and no fuel stations. Total preparation, including carrying extra oxygen, satellite communication, and enough fuel for the return journey, is the only way to safely navigate this remote Tibetan frontier. Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson Dare to drive the dangerous Debo La 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.