
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
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