Longga La

Longga La

China, asia

Length

13.1 km

Elevation

4.559 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Longga La is a seriously high mountain pass in the Ngari Prefecture of Tibet, China, topping out at a staggering 5,159m (16,925ft) above sea level!

The road to the summit is paved, so that's a plus. But don't let that fool you – this isn't a Sunday drive!

Up here, the weather can turn on a dime. Expect strong winds, freezing temperatures, and even snow, even in summer. Road closures due to bad weather are common. Ice and snow can make things tricky. Take it slow and steady! If you have respiratory issues or heart problems, maybe skip this one. And definitely no babies under 4 months, the altitude is no joke. The climb is steep, about 13.1km long from the 219 National Road at 4,559m above sea level. You'll gain 600 meters in elevation, with an average gradient of 4.58% and a fun 16 hairpin turns.

Despite the challenges, the views are incredible. Definitely a road for those seeking a serious adventure!

Where is it?

Longga La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 34.0638, 101.0389

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
13.1 km
Max Elevation
4.559 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
34.0638, 101.0389

Related Roads in asia

How challenging is the road from the G314 to Gaijieke?extreme

How challenging is the road from the G314 to Gaijieke?

🇨🇳 China

Deep in western Xinjiang, in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, lies the insane Ilfsu Pass (or Gaijiake Daban, as the locals call it). This isn't your average Sunday drive. This remote crossing, near Pakistan and Tajikistan, is a strategic border route sitting at a lung-busting elevation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime drive for those hitting the Karakoram's western edge. You'll be seriously off-grid here in a land of extreme landscapes and, yes, political sensitivities. Military checkpoints are common, so triple-check your Kashgar permits! Okay, so how gnarly is it? The road to the top is about 35km, clawing its way west-to-east off the paved G314 (Karakoram Highway). Forget asphalt; think loose scree, sand, and rocks that are just waiting to shred your tires. Seriously, a high-clearance, 4x4 is non-negotiable. The real kicker? Twenty-five hairpin turns stacked one after the other, zigzagging up the mountain. Expect ultra-steep climbs where traction is a constant battle. And, at that altitude, your engine is going to feel the thin air. Low gear is your best friend through those switchbacks. Oh, and did I mention there are zero safety barriers? This is cliff-edge driving that demands your full attention. Altitude sickness is a real threat up here near 4,900 meters! Spend some time acclimatizing in Taxkorgan (3,090m) *before* you even think about this drive. Headache or nausea? Turn around *immediately*. Oxygen is a smart addition to your kit. The weather? Unpredictable doesn't even begin to cover it. Even in summer, temps can plummet below freezing, and a sudden snow squall can turn those dusty hairpins into a treacherous ice rink. There's no water, no help, and no facilities. Pack double spares, recovery gear, and enough fuel for a thirsty climb. The Ilfsu Pass is a wild, unforgettable challenge, but it demands respect for the Pamir plateau's raw power.

A wild unpaved road to Lal Haz Peakmoderate

A wild unpaved road to Lal Haz Peak

🇮🇷 Iran

Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Lal Haz Peak in Iran's Mazandaran Province! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a whopping 3,375m (11,072ft) climb to one of the highest roads in the country. Located way up in northern Iran, this 35km (21.7 mile) dirt track stretches from the village of Haft Tanan near Larijan, east to Kherem (or Khorram, if you prefer). Forget smooth tarmac; you'll need a trusty 4x4 to tackle this bad boy. But trust me, the views are worth it! Picture this: rugged, unpaved road winding through nomadic villages, surrounded by towering mountain peaks. It's a photographer's dream! Just remember to watch your step - this high-altitude adventure isn't for the faint of heart.

How long is the road through Chun La?extreme

How long is the road through Chun La?

🇨🇳 China

Get ready for Chun La, a seriously epic mountain pass in Tibet's Nyingchi Prefecture! Part of the legendary Chacha Highway (aka the Bingchacha Line), this is raw, untamed overland travel at its finest – think Yunnan to southeastern Tibet, but way more hardcore. We're talking pure, unadulterated off-road, stretching between Murub and Kaidag. Forget pavement, this is mud, scree, and maybe a little quicksand thrown in for good measure. Maintenance? Non-existent. The real test comes with a 14 km stretch packed with 23 hairpin turns that’ll make your head spin. The road's basically carved into the side of unstable slopes, so expect a constantly shifting track with deep ruts and the occasional boulder surprise from above. Think you can tackle Chun La in winter? Think again! Perpetual snow patches and crazy high-altitude ice mean it’s a seriously dicey proposition. Even in summer, a rogue storm can turn those steep climbs into a muddy nightmare. Tire chains and recovery gear are absolute musts. So, what's the worst that can happen? Geological instability and thin air, my friends. Sections of “rolling stone” slopes can turn into a trap after it rains, and those cliffs are long, unprotected, and the road is often just wide enough for one vehicle. Oh, and at 4,500 meters, your engine's gonna lose about 30% of its power, making those steep, muddy hairpins a real challenge. Keep your eyes peeled for falling rocks – they're everywhere after seismic activity or bad weather. Heads up: you're on your own out here. There's zero fuel, repair shops, or medical help between Murub and Kaidag. Pack at least two spare tires, a high-lift jack, and seriously consider rolling with a convoy of at least two vehicles. And make sure your cooling system is in top shape because that sustained low-gear climb will put it to the ultimate test.

Stranded Survival: A Mini-Economy Emerges Amid Hunger and Thirstmoderate

Stranded Survival: A Mini-Economy Emerges Amid Hunger and Thirst

🇨🇳 China

Okay, buckle up for a wild ride on China National Highway 110! Picture this: August 2010, and you're smack-dab in the middle of the *longest* traffic jam ever recorded – a whopping 62 miles of standstill! We're talking days on end between Hebei and Inner Mongolia, surrounded by thousands of other weary travelers. Forget roadside rest stops; this was a whole new level of "roughing it." Think makeshift shelters, instant noodles going for crazy prices, and water costing ten times its worth! What caused this madness? Not an accident or some natural disaster – just too many vehicles at once, especially those heavy construction trucks headed to Beijing (ironically to *fix* congestion!). The pace? Try crawling along at less than a mile *per day*. It's a slow-motion travel experience that will have you questioning your life choices... but hey, at least you'll have a story to tell!