New Changlung La is a winding road only for experienced drivers
China, asia
50 km
5,590 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for New Changlung La in Xinjiang, China! This ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking about a wild, unpaved military road soaring to a mind-blowing 18,339 feet! Seriously, you'll be breathing thin air up here.
Tucked away in the northwestern corner of China, close to the Indian border, this 31-mile stretch of rugged terrain demands a 4x4 and a serious sense of adventure. Forget smooth tarmac – this is raw, untamed China at its finest. Expect stunning, stark scenery and bragging rights for days. Just remember, this is a purely military road, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready for some seriously epic views.
Where is it?
New Changlung La is a winding road only for experienced drivers is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 33.4602, 101.2776
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 50 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,590 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 33.4602, 101.2776
Related Roads in asia
extremeWhen was the road through Taldyk Pass built?
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan, heading for the legendary Taldyk Pass. Perched at a whopping 3,615m (11,860ft), this beauty is part of the iconic M41, aka the Pamir Highway. The pass stretches for about 25km (15.5 miles) between Ak-Bosogo and Sary-Tash, and yeah, it's paved, which is a bonus! But don't get too comfy. This road is no joke. You'll be wrestling with some seriously steep inclines and navigating 14 hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. The last few kilometers really crank up the intensity, hitting almost an 8% gradient. Word to the wise: winter here is no joke, and this pass can be super dangerous. You might even spot the ghostly remains of trucks that didn't quite make it, tumbling down the cliffs. Despite the challenges, Taldyk Pass stays open all year round, which is pretty wild considering its altitude. Get ready for some unreal views high in the Alai Mountain Range!
hardDare to drive the dangerous Shibanhe Cliff Road
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: you're in southwest China's Guizhou Province, heart of Hezhang County in Bijie City. You're about to experience the Shibanhe Cliff Road – one of those crazy tunnel roads the Chinese are famous for! This isn't just any road trip; it's carved into the cliff face of Chuangou Dayan. Before the year 2000, Shibanhe village was cut off, only reachable by a crazy narrow footpath called "Ladder Rock". Can you imagine? Then, the villagers decided they'd had enough and started blasting their way to connection. Now, those once-isolated villages are a tourist hot spot, all thanks to their insane "wall-mounted roads." But don't think it's a Sunday drive! This concrete ribbon stretches for 470 meters between Chuangou and Yueliangdongcun and clocks in at just 4.5 meters wide, so leave the RV at home. But the views? Absolutely killer. The "windows" carved into the cliff offer some of the most stunning scenery you'll ever see.
extremeDriving the cliff Jingdi Hanging Tunnel to Shenlongwan Village
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up for the Jingdi Hanging Tunnel in China's Shanxi province! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture this: you're snaking through the Northern Taihang Mountains on a paved road, but wait, it's carved *into* a mountain. Seriously! This epic tunnel connects the tiny village of Shenlongwan to the rest of the world. Before this road, villagers faced a grueling six-hour trek through treacherous paths, or risked life and limb on a near-vertical pass. Now, it's a key route *and* a major tourist spot. Locals started carving this thing out in 1985 with basically hand tools, and it took them 15 years to finish. The views are incredible, but be warned: traffic jams are super common. The tunnel itself is about 1.5 km long and varies in width from 6-10 meters, and height from 4-5 meters. Oh, and did I mention you're hundreds of meters from both the mountain top and the valley floor? Yeah, a little nerve-wracking! The scenery is unreal, and you'll be supporting a community that literally carved its own path to prosperity!
hardJonbulak Ashuu
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Let's talk about the Jonbulak Ashuu pass in Kyrgyzstan's Tian Shan mountains. We're talking serious altitude here: 3,018 meters (that's 9,901 feet!). The road's gravel, but generally in decent shape, which is a relief, right? Just be warned, this baby is usually snowed in from November to March, so plan accordingly. The climb? Intense! The air gets seriously thin, which is a punch in the lungs, and the steepness is no joke. Heads up, altitude sickness can kick in above 2,500 meters, so be prepared to take it slow and steady. But hey, think of the bragging rights – and the views!