More than 100 hairpin turns on the road to Taibai Mountain
China, asia
19.5 km
2,766 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the heart of China's Shaanxi province, nestled within the stunning Taibai Mountain National Forest Park, awaits the legendary Tàibái Shān pass. We're talking a whopping 2,766 meters (that's over 9,000 feet!) above sea level.
The road? Paved, thankfully, but don't let that fool you. This isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture this: narrow roads, seriously steep inclines, and hairpin turns galore—we're talking a full 100 of those bad boys. Oh, and did I mention the tour buses that frequent this route? It's not for the faint of heart, folks. Trust me, you'll want to hug that guardrail on the cliff side before whipping that steering wheel around each curve.
This incredible stretch of road winds for about 19.5 kilometers (a little over 12 miles) from Man'Gou to Dongcha. At the summit, you'll find a spacious parking lot where you can catch your breath and soak in the panoramic views of the Qinling Range. Seriously, the scenery alone is worth the white-knuckle drive. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Where is it?
More than 100 hairpin turns on the road to Taibai Mountain is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 37.7194, 108.4256
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 19.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,766 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 37.7194, 108.4256
Related Roads in asia
hardHow to Travel the Duku Highway to Laerdun Daban?
🇨🇳 China
Get ready for the ride of your life on the Laerdun Daban pass! This incredible route winds its way up to 2,723m (8,933ft) in northwestern China, linking Xinyuan County and Hejing County. Also called Tuilan Sala Daban, this section of the Duku Highway (G217) is entirely paved, though watch out for gravel in landslide-prone spots. This 42.7 km (26.53 mile) stretch is an engineering marvel, packed with over 30 hairpin turns that will test your driving skills. But the views! Oh, the views! Expect to be surrounded by clouds, mist, and the stunning beauty of green plateau meadows, lush pine forests, and majestic mountains. The whole area is unreal. The Duku Highway is typically open from June to the end of September due to snow, so plan accordingly. July and August are peak season, so be prepared for more traffic. Keep an eye out for landslides and rockfalls, especially during bad weather. The speed limit is 40 km/h overall, dropping to 30 km/h on curves. Heads up: the road generally has specific entry hours. Except for the section from Nalati to Bayinbuluke (Laerdun Daban), which has no time limit, the entire route is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nighttime restrictions are in place, prohibiting entry into the mountainous area from 21:00 to 9:00 am. Important stuff to know: the entire highway is accessible to vehicles with seven seats or less. However, trailers are not allowed, and the height limit for RVs is 4.5 meters. Also, there are no service stations on the winding mountain road, so fill up in Nalati Town or Bayinbuluke Town before you hit the mountains. You also need to pack all your supplies in advance, as there are no stores along the way.
hardThe road to Kalmak Ashuu Pass has taxed the nerves of more than a few drivers
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Let me tell you about Pereval Kalmakashu, a seriously epic mountain pass chilling way up in Kyrgyzstan's Naryn province. We're talking 3,446 meters (that's 11,305 feet!) above sea level. This isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. Situated in the Tian Shan mountains, you're gonna need a 4x4 beast to tackle this unpaved path. The views? Incredible. The challenge? Real. Oh, and heads up: this area is infamous for its crazy-thick fog. Seriously, visibility can drop to practically zero in an instant. Plan your trip wisely; this pass is usually snowed in from November to March. Even in July, you might encounter snowdrifts, so pack layers! The road itself? Get ready for endless hairpin turns and a relentlessly steep climb. It's one of four passes that will take you to the stunning Son-Kul Lake. Trust me, the views are worth the white-knuckle drive!
easyIs the road to Kyagar Tso lake open in winter?
🇮🇳 India
Okay, adventure seekers, picture this: Kyagar Tso, a tiny, shimmering saline lake shimmering at a dizzying 4,705 meters (that's 15,436 feet!) in the remote Ladakh region of northern India. Think incredible isolation! The road itself is a 103-kilometer (64-mile) north-south adventure from Sumdo to Chumur, snaking through the stunning but desolate Changthang Plateau. Talk about off-the-beaten-path! The entire area is pretty much closed in winter due to the altitude and extreme cold, with access mainly during summer. Even then, brace yourself for freezing nights! You'll be tackling some seriously high passes: get ready for Taglang La (4,859 meters/15,941 feet), Kyamaru La (4,960 meters/16,273 feet), and Hor La (4,924 meters/16,154 feet). The road is paved, which is a bonus. The views? Absolutely breathtaking in the Rupshu Valley. Just a heads up: This is a seriously remote area. Fuel up beforehand as you won't find a petrol station anywhere near here. Electricity, medical aid, and all those little creature comforts we take for granted back home? Rare as hen's teeth! Your reward? Reaching Korzok (or Karzok), one of the highest towns on earth!
hardHow difficult is the climb from Zhuodu to Rong La?
🇨🇳 China
Deep in eastern Tibet's Dêngqên County lies Rong La, a beast of a mountain pass that'll test your mettle and your machine! We're talking serious elevation here. This is Himalayan engineering at its rawest, a road carved into a near-vertical mountainside. The climb itself is a rollercoaster of adrenaline. Located somewhere around those coordinates, the road demands respect. Think thin air, choking dust, and views that might just make your stomach flip. Vertigo sufferers, you've been warned! So, Zhuodu to Rong La... how hard can it be? Buckle up for about 6.4 kilometers of pure mountain madness, clawing your way up 447 meters. Forget gentle slopes – this is a relentless staircase of 22 hairpin bends, some so tight you'll be doing a multi-point turn even in a 4x4. The surface? Forget pavement. It's all loose dirt and crushed stone, turning into a brown-out zone in dry weather. High clearance 4x4s are essential, not just for traction but to straddle the deep ruts that form on those tight switchbacks. And remember, this is Tibet – going it alone requires paperwork and a guide. Up here, your engine's gonna be gasping for air. Expect to spend most of your time in first or second gear. Keep an eye on that engine temperature – cooling systems don't work as well up here. Dust is the enemy! Protect your air intake and pack a spare filter. There's nothing up on Rong La – no gas, no snacks, nada. You're in the wild, where the weather can turn on a dime. Be self-sufficient! Pack recovery gear, water, and check your brakes because the descent is just as brutal as the climb. Rong La is unforgettable but unforgiving – make sure you and your vehicle are up to the challenge.