
Is the road to Ye La paved?
China, asia
37.3 km
5,041 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Tibet, you HAVE to conquer Ye La. This beast of a mountain pass sits way up high in Nagarzê County, Shannan Prefecture, clocking in at a whopping 5,041m (16,538ft) above sea level.
The good news? The whole thing is paved! It's part of the S207 Qiangluo Road, so you won't be battling any dirt tracks. But don't get complacent – this drive is no walk in the park. Think super steep sections and more hairpin turns than you can count! Oh, and did I mention the altitude? The air gets thin up here, so be smart and take it easy to avoid altitude sickness.
The 37.3 km (23.17 miles) stretch of road (running north-south from Pubanang to Zha Nagqu) winds along the gorgeous Pu Moyongcuo lake, so keep your eyes peeled for some seriously epic scenery. Seriously, prepare for mind-blowing views, a sense of freedom you won't find anywhere else, and lungfuls of that crisp Tibetan air!
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 37.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,041 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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