
The road to Xia Quepu Lake is not for the faint of heart
China, asia
29.3 km
4,918 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Xia Quepu, a glacial lake chilling way up high in Tibet's Kangmar County at a staggering 4,918m (16,135ft)!
This isn't your Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved, so a 4x4 is a must. You're heading into serious wilderness, so forget about finding fancy amenities – think remote, raw, and real. Keep a close eye on the weather; conditions can change on a dime.
Trust me, though, the views are worth it! The road winds its way past the majestic Masang Kang peak, and the scenery is simply breathtaking. Starting from the S204, it's a 29.3 km climb, gaining 647m in elevation. Some sections are seriously steep, hitting a max gradient of 14%!
And here's a little bonus: The road continues past the lake's northern shore and will take you into Bhutan, crossing a pass that soars to 5,400m (17,716ft).
Where is it?
The road to Xia Quepu Lake is not for the faint of heart is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 38.8624, 104.4042
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 29.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,918 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 38.8624, 104.4042
Related Roads in asia
hardIs the road to Kichik-Alay Pass unpaved?
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Deep in the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan, you'll find Pereval Kichik-Alay, a sky-high mountain pass topping out at a whopping 4,140m (13,582ft). Seriously, this is one of the highest roads in the whole country! Forget smooth asphalt; this is a rough and rugged mining road, so a 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential. Expect some seriously steep climbs and keep in mind that winter makes this route impassable. The adventure begins in Tura-Chita, and from there, it's a 36.7 km (22.8 miles) climb to the top. You'll gain 1,784m in elevation, which translates to an average gradient of 4.86%. Fair warning: the eastern side of the summit ends at a working coal mine, and you'll be sharing the road with plenty of trucks. But hey, the views are totally worth it!
moderateMana La: everything you need to know about this famed road
🇮🇳 India
Get ready for an adventure at Mana Pass, a staggering 18,458 feet high, straddling the India-China border! Tucked way up in the Himalayas, this spot, also known as Māna La, Chirbitya, or Dungri La, links India (Uttarakhand) and Tibet within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Fair warning: this isn't a drive for the faint of heart (or lungs!). Landslides are a real risk. The Indian side is a mix of decent gravel and dirt, with some pavement thrown in, built for the military. Word is, they're widening it to two lanes by 2026-2027. You can reach the pass by heading north from India National Highway 7. The Chinese side? Newly built, and a bit of a mystery in terms of road conditions. Expect snow to shut things down from late October to late June/early July. Here's the kicker: it's not open to the public. A regular permit won't cut it. You'll need special permissions from the police, army, and court – and even then, the army can still say no. Mostly, it's just the Army and ITBP using it to supply border posts. Getting a tourist permit is super rare. But hey, if you manage it, you'll witness views very few get to see!
hardIs the road to Mount Korek paved?
🌍 Iraq
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're kicking around the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, specifically in the Erbil province, you HAVE to check out Mount Korek. This bad boy tops out at a cool 2,103m (6,899ft). The journey up, via the Korek Mountain Road, starts in Khalifan and stretches for about 20km (12.42 miles) through the stunning Zagros Mountains. Now, the road is mostly paved, but don't get too comfy! The last few kilometers are a wild ride: unpaved, seriously steep, and with some pretty intense drop-offs. Seriously, you'll want a 4x4 for this part! Expect about 30 hairpin turns and some seriously steep climbs. We're talking an elevation gain of 1.422 meters with an average gradient of 7.11%. Oh, and pro tip: this road is usually a no-go in the winter (December to March) thanks to heavy snowfall. Up top, you'll find the remains of the Erbil Observatory, a relic from the '70s that got caught in the crossfire of the Iran-Iraq War. But the real prize? Unforgettable views stretching as far as the eye can see!
hardAn epic enthralling road to Yixula Pass
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up for Yixula Pass, a wild ride through southeastern Tibet! Sitting pretty at 15,567 feet, this beast is located in Zayü County, Nyingchi Prefecture, and they aren't kidding when they call it "The most primitive road in China." We're talking the Bingchacha Line, folks, stretching between Chawalong and Zayu. Forget smooth sailing, this route is mostly unpaved and throws everything at you: mud, sneaky quicksand patches on loose slopes, seriously exposed cliff edges, and weather that can change on a dime. Daylight driving is a must, skip this one at night! But, oh the views! You'll be snaking through insane snow-capped mountain scenery. This road is famous for its stunning beauty. Expect year-round access (though snow lingers!), and you absolutely need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle it. Watch out for falling rocks – seriously, keep your eyes peeled. And if heights aren't your thing, maybe focus on the road ahead!