
Ljou La: Ascending China's Majestic Mountain Pass in Tibet
China, asia
56.6 km
4,759 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, straddling Baxoi and Riwoqê Counties, awaits Ljou La, a seriously high mountain pass soaring to a whopping 15,613 feet.
This bad boy is mostly paved and acts as a sweet shortcut connecting the G214 (just south of Riwoqê) to the S303. Think of it as your secret passage! The entire stretch runs for about 35 miles.
Now, don’t get too comfy. Ljou La will keep you on your toes with its steep climbs, tons of twists and turns, and some seriously tight hairpin bends. Budget around 3 hours to cross it, but honestly, factor in extra time for soaking in the views and maybe a yak sighting or two. If you're prone to car sickness, be warned! And heads up: winter brings snow, turning this pass into a slippery, challenging adventure. Trust me, though, the scenery is SO worth it.
Where is it?
Ljou La: Ascending China's Majestic Mountain Pass in Tibet is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 37.7140, 105.1978
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 56.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,759 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 37.7140, 105.1978
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