Maryan Pass: Scaling the Heights of China's Kunlun Mountain Range
China, asia
29.5 km
4,347 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Maryan Pass in western Xinjiang, China! This beast of a pass tops out at a whopping 4,347 meters (that's 14,261 feet!). You'll find it nestled in the Kunlun mountains, not far from Maeryangxiang village.
The 29.5 km (18.33 miles) unpaved road winds between Wenhong in the south and Pagoda Shi'aile up north, serving up some serious hairpin turns and lung-busting climbs – we're talking gradients hitting 20% in places! If you're not a fan of heights, be warned: some sections might make your palms sweat.
And listen up: winter turns this road into a slippery, snowy challenge. Definitely check the weather before you go, because things can get wild up there, fast!
Where is it?
Maryan Pass: Scaling the Heights of China's Kunlun Mountain Range is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 37.4166, 105.6113
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 29.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,347 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 37.4166, 105.6113
Related Roads in asia
easyHow long is Maaleh Gilboa Road?
🌍 Israel
Maaleh Gilboa Road (667 Road) is a very scenic drive located in the Northern District of Israel. How long is Maaleh Gilboa Road? Running along the mountain ridge, the fully paved road is also known as Gilboa Scenic Road. It’s 27.6 km (17.14 miles) long running north-southeast from Yizre'el (in the Jezreel Valley near Afula) to Sdei Trumot (in the Beit She'an Valley). Is Maaleh Gilboa Road worth it? Located on the northeast end of the ridge of the Samarian hills in the country, the road tops out by Mount Barkan, at 475m (1,558ft) above the sea level. The road follows the ridges of Mount Gilboa providing amazing scenic views and stop-offs. The Maaleh Gilboa road leads to the nondescript village of Maaleh Gilboa. However, this road offers wide vistas across the eastern Jezreel Valley. The War of Armageddon will be fought as described in the Bible in this valley. As the road winds slowly up into the Gilboa Mountains, you can see the broad expanse of the valley up to the southern reaches of the Sea of Galilee. Much of the history of the Bible after the sojourn of the Hebrew tribes as told in the Books of Moses took place in or around these hills and the broad valley below. So, the view from the road may be of greatest interest to Christians and Jews but as so much history that still affects the world took place here, it should be of interest to all travelers in the Middle East. Driving the technical off-road track through HaMakhtesh HaGadol 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.
hardWhere is Tsola La?
🇨🇳 China
Tsola La, also known as Yulong La or Tso La, is a seriously high mountain pass sitting pretty at 4,553m (that’s a whopping 14,937ft!) in Lhatse County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet. Think of it as your gateway on the legendary route to the Himalayas. You’ll find this beauty in the western part of Lhatse. It's part of the China National Highway 318 (G318), which is basically the main artery connecting the heart of the Tibetan plateau to those incredible high-altitude valleys leading toward Everest and the Nepal border. This stretch is about 32.8 km (20.3 miles) long, running east to west. The road is paved and pretty well maintained, which is good news. While the slopes aren't crazy steep, it's a long and tough haul. You're driving through super remote, treeless landscapes where the weather can change on a dime. At that altitude, Tsola La is often the first major test for travelers heading west from Shigatse. It’s a crucial spot to get used to the altitude before tackling those 5,000m+ giants like Gyatso La. The views from the top? Seriously breathtaking. Think vast, desert-like mountains and an endless, brilliant blue sky. Word of warning: because it's so high up, the pass is usually snowed in from October to June. And be prepared for some serious wind at the summit – it whips right through those prayer flags! Even though the road's paved, remember you're in the middle of nowhere. Stock up on supplies, make sure your vehicle is in top shape, and be ready for some extreme cold and low oxygen levels.
hardDriving through the unpaved Hormuz Island Loop Road
🇮🇷 Iran
Okay wanderlusters, picture this: you're cruising along the Hormuz Island loop in southern Iran, right in the heart of the Persian Gulf. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking about a roughly 21-kilometer gravel track that hugs the entire island. "Arid" doesn't even begin to cover it – this place is dry, dusty, and seriously remote, so pack accordingly! Leave your low-rider at home, because this route is strictly for high-clearance vehicles and experienced drivers who aren't afraid of a little bump and grind. But trust me, if you're up for the challenge, the otherworldly scenery is SO worth it! Think Martian landscapes meeting the turquoise waters of the Gulf. It's a photographer's dream (and a driver's test!).
moderateWhere is Kulma Pass?
🇨🇳 China
Ready for an adventure? Kulma Pass, straddling the China-Tajikistan border, hits a staggering 4,362 meters (14,311 feet) – talk about breathtaking views (and maybe a little breathlessness!). Also known as Qolma Pass or Karasu Pass, this route connects Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region with China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region. The road, part of Asian Highway AH66, stretches for 113 kilometers (70 miles) between Kalasu Port in China and... well, Tajikistan. It’s mostly paved, making it a smoother ride than you might expect for such a remote locale. Keep in mind, this isn't a year-round jaunt. Kulma Pass is typically open only from the 16th to the 30th of each month, between May and November. Nestled in the Pamir Mountains, expect seriously cold temperatures. But hey, since 2017, travelers report smooth crossings!