The road to Sha Zi La isn't an easy one
China, asia
24 km
4,717 m
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for Sha Zi La, a seriously high mountain pass in Tibet, China, clocking in at a dizzying 4,717m (15,475ft)! Also known as Shiquanhe Daban, it's part of the Tibet-Xinjiang Highway, a.k.a. the "Sky Road."
Think breathtaking scenery mixed with seriously inhospitable terrain. We're talking long stretches with no supplies, multiple high passes, and potentially weeks without even a basic wash! Nighttime temps can plummet to -25 degrees C (that's seriously cold!).
The route itself is long and tough, snaking through remote areas. It's windy – like, winds-coming-at-you-from-two-directions-at-once windy! The pass is located about 24km past Ali heading towards Kailash in western Tibet.
Word to the wise: check the weather forecast before you go. The high altitude means winters are brutal, with extreme cold and crazy-strong winds. Be prepared for rapid weather changes, even in summer. Truck stops are about a day's travel apart, so pack food and a sleeping bag. A tent could be a lifesaver. Monsoon season (July-August) brings heavy rains, making driving tricky.
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 24 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,717 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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