
Take An Unforgettable Drive to Zhawa La
China, asia
73 km
5,021 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Zhawa La, also called Tsawa La, is a seriously high mountain pass sitting way up in Batang County, Sichuan Province, China. We're talking a lung-busting 5,021m (16,473ft) above sea level!
Now, the original road through the pass? Think unpaved, super twisty, and seriously narrow – a real test of your driving skills (and nerves!).
But here's the good news: a new, paved road was built a few years back, just north of the original pass. This baby stretches for 73km (45.36 miles), connecting Batang and Gemu with a westward to eastward trajectory. Don't get complacent though! This route still packs a punch with crazy steep sections, hairpin turns galore, and a summit elevation of 4,922m (16,148ft). Plus, keep an eye out for falling rocks – they’re a real hazard here.
But hey, all that effort is rewarded with absolutely jaw-dropping views of the Genyen range. Trust me, the scenery alone is worth the white-knuckle drive!
Where is it?
Take An Unforgettable Drive to Zhawa La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 36.5179, 103.7970
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 73 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,021 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 36.5179, 103.7970
Related Roads in asia
extremeThe road to the disputed Lhari Peak
🇮🇳 India
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Lhari Peak, clocking in at a whopping 15,948 feet, sits right in that contested zone between China and India, nestled in the Himalayas. This ain't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a rough, unpaved road with sixteen hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. Word to the wise: winters? Forget about it. This road's a no-go zone when the snow hits. You're gonna need a high-clearance 4x4 to even attempt this climb. Lhari translates to "holy mountain" in Tibetan, and you'll definitely feel like you're on sacred ground tackling this beast. The views are incredible, but remember you're battling altitude sickness and unpredictable weather. Oxygen is thin up here, folks, so take it slow. This route isn't for the faint of heart. This slice of paradise is currently under Indian administration as part of the Leh district, but China claims it as part of Tibet. Just keep that in mind as you soak in the incredible vistas!
hardWhere is Murghab?
🌍 Tajikistan
Murghab is a high mountain town at an elevation of 3,618m (11,869ft) above sea level, located in the Murghob District of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, in Tajikistan. It’s one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth Murghab is located south of , a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,670m (15,321ft) above sea level, on the Murghab Plateau in eastern Tajikistan. Founded by the Russians as Pamirsky Post in 1893, it was their most advanced military outpost in Central Asia. Today, it is a remote crossroads between the fading Soviet empire and the emerging power of China. Was Murghab the Highest Town in the Former Soviet Union? Yes, at this elevation, Murghab is the highest town in Tajikistan and of the former Soviet Union. It is a crucial stop for travelers, as there is no other populated settlement for hundreds of kilometers where people can stay in relatively comfortable conditions. The town is also known as Murgab. One of the local sights is a Lenin monument from Soviet times. With a population of 4,000, Murghab is the only significant town the eastern half of Gorno-Badakhshan. How to Get to Murghab, the Highest Town in Tajikistan? The road to Murghab is the historical , officially known as M41. It’s mostly paved, except in the mountain passes, and is heavily damaged in places by erosion, earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches. The road is about 300km (186 miles) long, running north-south from , an international high mountain pass at 4,292m (14,081ft) above sea level on the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border, to Rabat Sasök-Kul'. What’s the Weather Like in Murghab? Murghab, set high in the Pamir Mountains, is exposed to strong winds and rapid weather changes. Winters last from mid-September to late May, with temperatures reaching as low as -50°C (-60°F). Summers can be hot, with temperatures reaching +40°C (105°F) in July and August. The region is a high desert with little rainfall, though sudden downpours do occur. Strong winds blow year-round, and severe storms can appear suddenly. Snow can fall any day of the year, even in the valleys. Travelling Through the Defiant Kulob-Qal'ai Khumb Road Driving to Kok Jar Pass: A Road That Might Disappear Under Washouts 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.
moderateS305 road is truly an unforgettable experience in Tibet
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure awaits on the S305 in Tibet! This 413 km stretch of asphalt connects the G109 (near Nagqu) and the G318, offering a fairly straight shot through some seriously breathtaking, yet challenging, terrain. A word of caution: this isn't a drive for the faint of heart (or lungs!). We're talking serious altitude here, peaking at 5,190m (17,027ft) at Aba La. If you have any respiratory or heart issues, this might be one to skip. The elements here are no joke. Expect strong winds and wildly unpredictable weather, no matter the time of year. Pack for cold conditions and be prepared for sudden snowstorms, even in summer. The scenery is absolutely incredible, but respect the power of Mother Nature on this high-altitude route!
hardThe wild road to Tipta La
🇳🇵 Nepal
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Tipta La, a seriously epic pass straddling China and Nepal! This isn't just any border crossing; we're talking a lung-busting 5,118m (16,791ft) above sea level! Prayer flags flutter in the crisp mountain air, marking this crucial trade route high in the Himalayas. You'll be traveling between Xigazê in Tibet (China) and the Taplejung District in Nepal. Be warned: this isn't a Sunday drive. The entire route is unpaved, so a sturdy 4x4 is a must. On the Chinese side, prepare for a wild ride with around 40 hairpin turns to the top. Word on the street is that the Chinese have helped upgrade the track from the Nepali side (Olangchungola) up to the pass. The road stretches for 41km (25.47 miles) of pure, unadulterated adventure, connecting Riwu (China) and Olangchung Gola (Nepal). The views? Absolutely breathtaking, showcasing the raw beauty of both Tibet and Nepal. Just a heads up: this route is usually snowed in and impassable during the winter months.