Riong La: enjoy a road among the clouds
China, asia
70.4 km
5,153 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Riong La Pass in Tibet is calling your name! Perched way up high at 5,153 meters (that's 16,906 feet!), this bad boy sits right on the edge of Lhari County (Nagqu) and Gongbo'gyamda County (Nyingchi City).
Forget pavement; this 70.4 km (43.74 miles) stretch from Codoi Township down to the Linla Highway is strictly off-road territory. We're talking 4x4 ONLY. Seriously. This area is REMOTE.
Expect a solid 3-4 hour drive if you're not stopping (but you'll WANT to stop for the views!). Be warned: it gets seriously steep in places, with gradients hitting up to 11%! Oh, and pro tip? Don't even THINK about attempting this from late October through late June/early July. Snow makes it impassable. Always double-check conditions before you go. Trust me; this is a trek you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
Riong La: enjoy a road among the clouds is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 38.7022, 108.5896
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 70.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,153 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 38.7022, 108.5896
Related Roads in asia
extremeCan you drive to Lowari Pass?
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Okay, buckle up, thrill-seekers, because Lowari Pass in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region is an adventure you won't soon forget! Locals call it "Hell's Road," and trust me, this winding ribbon of N45 connecting Dir and Chitral lives up to the name. At 3,118m (10,230ft), it's a relatively low pass compared to its neighbors, but don't let that fool you. Forget smooth sailing – once you hit that incline, it's all rough, unpaved dirt for a good 40km until you reach Dir. Think beauty and the beast! Weaving through tribal regions bordering Afghanistan, this road is a trucker's lifeline but a driver's test of nerve. It's steep, unbelievably narrow, and packed with hairpin bends that'll have you clinging to the cliffs. Oh, and did I mention the potential for avalanches? Yeah, those can happen without warning, especially with those towering mountains on either side. Historically, the pass is closed by snow from late November to late May. The good news? A tunnel opened in 2017 to bypass the sketchiest sections. The Lowari Tunnel, at 8.75km (5.4 mi) + 2km (1.2 mi) long, it's open 24/7, even in winter, with a speed limit of 40 kilometers.
difficultTianmen Mountain Road
🇨🇳 China
# Tianmen Mountain Road: The Road to Heaven Ready for one of the most intense drives in the world? Welcome to Tongtian Avenue, or as locals call it, "The Road to Heaven" — and trust me, this 11-kilometer stretch in Hunan Province isn't for the faint of heart. Snaking up Tianmen Mountain near Zhangjiajie, this engineering marvel climbs from 200 meters straight up to 1,300 meters, gaining elevation so fast your ears will pop. Here's what makes this road legendary: 99 hairpin bends. And no, that number isn't random — in Chinese culture, nine is sacred (representing heaven's nine palaces), so 99 feels pretty cosmic. Built in 2005 as the centerpiece of Tianmen Mountain National Park, this road was designed to challenge and impress in equal measure. Expect white-knuckle moments as your bus winds through lush subtropical forest with impossibly tight turns and steep grades that'll have you gripping your seat. (Pro tip: private vehicles aren't allowed up here — it's bus-only for good reason.) Every bend is numbered and named, and the views? Absolutely breathtaking. At the summit, you'll spot the jaw-dropping Tianmen Cave, a massive natural arch punching clean through the mountain — 131 meters high and 57 meters wide — visible all the way from Zhangjiajie below. Reach it by climbing 999 more steps if you're feeling ambitious. Not thrilled enough? The summit also features a glass skywalk suspended 1,432 meters above the valley (it's as terrifying as it sounds) and the world's longest commercial cable car ride at 7,455 meters. Car manufacturers have even staged promotional events here to show off their vehicles. Visit year-round, but expect cold, foggy conditions if you go in winter.
hardWhere is the Inunaki Tunnel?
🇯🇵 Japan
Dare to visit the Old Inunaki Tunnel in Japan? This place is notorious for its unsettling vibes and spine-chilling legends. Nestled near the Inunaki reservoir in Miyawaka, Fukuoka Prefecture, about 100 miles north of Nagasaki, this short, winding tunnel cuts through a mountain into seriously remote territory. Built back in 1949 and abandoned after a new tunnel opened in the mid-70s, it's now sealed off with concrete, thanks to its dangerous state and, well, its reputation. Locals whisper about ghostly figures, unexplained sounds, and the feeling of constant observation. Legend has it that the tunnel saw some dark days. Besides rumored construction accidents and buried workers, it's infamous for a particularly brutal murder in 1988. Add in whispers of abandoned buildings, a nearby dam where a body was found in 2000, and the myth of a lost Inunaki village beyond the tunnel, and you've got a recipe for the creepiest spot in Japan. While you can't actually enter the tunnel anymore, its eerie atmosphere and chilling backstory make it a must-see (if you dare!) for any thrill-seeking traveler. Just be prepared for a serious case of the heebie-jeebies!
extremeIs the road to Lake Saiful Muluk paved?
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Want to reach the stunning Saif ul Maluk lake, shimmering like a jewel at 3,224 meters in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa? Get ready for a wild ride! The Naran-Saiful Muluk Road is not for the faint of heart. Forget smooth pavement; this is a rugged, unpaved 9 km (5.59 miles) stretch demanding a 4x4 beast. We're talking perilous drop-offs and a stomach-churning series of 11 hairpin turns! Seriously, the road's rough condition makes it a real test. Starting in Naran, you'll climb a staggering 785 meters with sections hitting an 18% gradient. Translation: it's steep! And don't even think about attempting this from late October to late June/early July – snow makes it a no-go. Even in summer, snow is common, avalanches are a risk, and nighttime temperatures can plummet. But is it worth it? A resounding YES! The lake, nestled amongst the majestic Karakoram mountains, is breathtaking. Crystal-clear water reflects the surrounding peaks in an unreal panorama. Word of warning, boating is risky due to the unknown depth. But trust me, the views alone make this white-knuckle drive an unforgettable experience!