The inhumane climb to Zhilung La with 20% ramps
China, asia
23.1 km
4,970 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Zhilung La! This beast of a pass tops out at a lung-busting 16,305 feet (4,970m) in the remote Tibet Autonomous Region of China. We're talking Ngari Prefecture, way out in the southeastern corner of the country.
Forget pavement; this is a raw, unadulterated dirt track. Seriously, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. And pack accordingly, because you are WAY out there. The climb gets seriously steep in sections – think gradients pushing over 20%! Those ramps are straight up covered in loose rock and scree, so be ready to lock into low gear to keep from spinning out.
The whole stretch is only about 14.35 miles (23.1 km) between Gê'gyai and the stunning Yakemi Lake, but don't let that fool you. Those miles will take over an hour to conquer thanks to the rough terrain. Oh, and a HUGE heads up: altitude sickness is a real threat up here. Know the symptoms and be prepared. Also, keep an eye on the weather because visibility can go from crystal clear to zero in seconds with fog or dust storms. It's epic, challenging, and absolutely unforgettable!
Where is it?
The inhumane climb to Zhilung La with 20% ramps is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 33.4408, 103.2610
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 23.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,970 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 33.4408, 103.2610
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