Is the Road to Dri La Unpaved?
China, asia
28.7 km
4,734 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Dri La! This beast of a mountain pass clocks in at a whopping 4,734m (that's 15,531ft!), so get ready for some serious altitude. You'll find it nestled in the Karub District of Qamdo, deep in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Forget pavement; this baby is all dirt! Officially known as the 504 road, the 28.7 km (17.83 miles) stretch from Ruobaxiang to Karuozhen (connecting to the G214) is not for the faint of heart. We're talking narrow stretches, crazy steep climbs, nerve-wracking drop-offs, and hairpin turns galore – try 25 of 'em! Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. Oh, and did I mention the snow? Winter here turns this adventure into a potentially slippery situation. But hey, the views are totally worth it...if you dare to look!
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 28.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,734 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in asia
moderateDaxuenshan Pass
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Da Xue Shan Pass in northwestern Yunnan, China! This beast sits at a whopping 4,337m (14,229ft), so be prepared for some serious altitude. You'll find this gem, also known as Da Xue Shan Pass, along Provincial Road 217 (S217), about 140km north of Shangri La on the way to Litang. Word of warning: this isn't your Sunday drive. The road's gravel, rocky, and can get pretty bumpy, so a 4x4 is HIGHLY recommended. And if you're not a fan of heights, maybe skip this one. It's a steep climb, and wet weather turns the road into a muddy challenge. But, oh, the views! You'll wind through vast pine forests surrounded by stunning rocky mountains. Just be aware that heavy mist rolls in frequently, making visibility a real issue. So, common sense prevails – avoid this pass in bad weather. Trust me, the scenery is worth waiting for a clear day!
hardIs Gänja La paved?
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Gänja La, also called Gaenja La, is calling your name from the heart of Tibet. We're talking a whopping 4,775m (15,666ft) of pure, unadulterated altitude in Drongpa County, Shigatse Prefecture. Yep, China's Tibet Autonomous Region doesn't mess around! This isn't your Sunday drive. The Tibet-Xinjiang Highway, nicknamed the "Sky Road," is where you'll find yourself firmly planted above 5,000m. The good news? It's paved. The catch? It's seriously challenging. Think breathtaking landscapes mixed with a brutal reality check. We're talking vast stretches without food or water for potentially hundreds of kilometers. Forget showers – you might not even get a chance to wash for weeks. And those nighttime temps? Brace yourselves for -25°C or even lower. This 48.3 km (30 miles) journey between Zhaci Village and Zhuzhucun will throw everything it has at you, including multiple passes at 5,000, 4,000, and 3,000 meters. Acclimatize, or it could be a very bad time. But hey, if you're up for an epic, unforgettable adventure, Gänja La awaits!
easyNational Highway 15 is a very popular drive among tourists in Pakistan
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Get ready for an epic road trip on National Highway 15 (N-15) in northern Pakistan! This beauty straddles the line between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, serving up some serious scenery. Think classic Pakistani mountain road vibes – hills on one side, dramatic valleys (khuds) on the other. For the most part, the road is paved and wide enough for any vehicle. You can cruise this route, stretching 226 km (140 miles) from Mansehra to Chilas (where it meets the legendary Karakoram Highway N-35). It's a handy shortcut if you're looking to bypass the N-35. The N-15 is a massive hit with tourists heading to Naran and its stunning surroundings. Trust me, Naran is picture-perfect, drawing crowds of trekkers, photographers, and nature lovers. Budget about 7-8 hours to drive it straight, but you'll probably want to stop for photos! Keep in mind, this is a high-altitude route, peaking at 4,179m (13,710ft) at Babusar Pass. Winter brings heavy snow, making it impassable. Plan your trip for the warmer months to fully enjoy this incredible drive!
extremeWhere is Kok Jar Pass?
🌍 Tajikistan
Kok Jar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,807m (12,490ft) above sea level, located in the Kūhistoni Badakhshon Autonomous Region of Tajikistan. The road may be impassable at times, even for 4×4 vehicles. Where is Kok Jar Pass? The pass, also known as Kok Jar, is located in the eastern part of the country within the Bartang Valley, one of the most remote and rugged areas in the already desolate Pamir Mountains. Can I Drive to Kok Jar Pass? Running through an indescribably rugged area, the unpaved road to the summit demands 100% concentration. The route is almost never fully passable by vehicles, as it is frequently washed away by floods and landslides. Large boulders block parts of the road, and some sections are completely washed out. Is Kok Jar Pass Open in Winter? Set high in the Pamir Mountains, heavy snowfall in winter can lead to landslides and avalanches. The road is impassable during the winter months and is generally not snow-free until late June, or even July in some years. How Challenging is the Road to Kok Jar Pass? The road through the pass, known as the Bartang Highway, can be impassable at times, even for 4×4 vehicles. The path is extremely narrow, with terrifyingly close canyon depths, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead can be exhausting. In some places, the road is hair-raisingly narrow, with deep escarpments looming nearby. This route is not suitable for regular cars. Where Does the Road to Kok Jar Pass Start and End? The pass connects the village of Ghudara, a decently sized village at the end of the Bartang Valley, with Shurali, a small town known for its geoglyphs—an ancient solar calendar made of large stones. Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson Pic: Nodir Tursun-Zade How to Get to Murghab, One of the Highest Towns Accessible by Car on Earth The formidable Khaburabot Pass is traversed by the Pamir Highway 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.