Tienpo La: Driving the abandoned S303 mountain pass in Tibet
China, asia
23.5 km
4,324 m
extreme
Year-round
Deep in the heart of Tibet, in Lhorong County, lies Tienpo La—a mountain pass reaching a dizzying 4,324m (14,186ft). This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a forgotten stretch of the old S303 Provincial Road, now mostly bypassed in favor of smoother routes. Find it northeast of Malizhen (coordinates 30.88972, 96.28916), clinging to the edge of the Nujiang River valley.
Think of it as a monument to Himalayan road-building madness. Today, this isn't a highway, but a ghost road for serious off-road adventurers. Forget pavement. This track is pure, unadulterated challenge. We're talking loose shale, deep ruts, and mud pits that laugh in the face of rain. Anything less than a high-clearance 4x4 is asking for trouble.
Want the ultimate off-the-beaten-path Tibetan experience? This is it. Remember, you'll need permits and a guide (mandatory in Tibet), and even then, many guides might balk at this section of the old S303 unless you specifically request it and they deem it safe.
Picture this: 23.5 km (14.6 miles) of unadulterated engineering insanity, connecting Xiayicun to Baili. A relentless climb featuring 28 hairpin turns that'll have you questioning your sanity. Some sections hit a staggering 30% gradient, pushing your low-range gears and engine cooling to their absolute limits.
Snow is a real possibility, making things incredibly treacherous. Forget guardrails – the drops into the Nujiang valley are sheer and unforgiving. Info on current conditions is scarce, so scouting ahead is crucial. This is a truly "forgotten" road, where a breakdown could leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Where is it?
Tienpo La: Driving the abandoned S303 mountain pass in Tibet is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 30.8897, 96.2892
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 23.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,324 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 30.8897, 96.2892
Related Roads in asia
moderateWhat are the best 5 roads in Malaysia?
🌍 Malaysia
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! Malaysia's got some seriously amazing drives, and I'm here to spill the tea on a few. First up, the **Karak Highway**. This baby cuts through the Banjaran Titiwangsa mountains for 60 km of pure driving bliss. We're talking winding tarmac, hills, valleys, the works! Most of it's a comfy two or three lanes, so you can really get some speed going. It's a total fave with Malaysian car enthusiasts, and the fun starts right after the Gombak toll. If you're feeling adventurous, ditch the highway for the B-roads – think Bukit Tinggi or Genting Highlands. These are tighter, more technical, but SO rewarding when you nail those corners. Then there's **Bukit Putus** in Negeri Sembilan. This old-school road is only about 7 km long, but it's PACKED with tight corners and hairpin bends. The speed limit's a chill 90 km/h, and the whole area is covered in lush green jungle. Early morning drives here are seriously refreshing, but it can get a bit spooky with how quiet it is, so maybe grab a buddy or two before you go. If you love a good challenge and want to see what your car can *really* do, this is your spot. Next on the list: **Kuala Klawang**. Located in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, this route is a weekend hot spot for group drives. It's got stunning views, including a stop at the Semenyih Dam. Compared to Bukit Putus, this road is steeper, with around 400 turns spread over 50 km of smooth road. Weekends can be busy with car clubs, bikers, and cyclists, so keep your eyes peeled! If you're heading to Cameron Highlands, skip the usual route and take the **Simpang Pulai** road. It's a bit of a secret gem, especially popular with drivers from the north. This one's a bit more modern and less claustrophobic than Genting, with wider lanes and a more open feel. At about 80 km, it'll take you around 1 hour 40 minutes to get to Cameron Highlands, and it's known as a safer option than the old Tapah route. Last but definitely not least, we have the legendary **Ulu Yam** route. Seriously, if you're a petrolhead in Malaysia, you HAVE to drive this one. It's super close to Kuala Lumpur, so it's perfect for a weekend blast. Starting near Batu Caves, you're immediately hit with fast corners, steep hills, and blind spots that keep you on your toes. The scenery is amazing, especially the views of Batu Dam. After a short stint in Ulu Yam town, you're back in the twisties, eventually ending up at a bridge overlooking the dam – the perfect spot for a photo op! There's also a lookout point just five minutes further that gives you panoramic views of the whole area. Trust me, this drive is an absolute classic for a reason!
extremeWho built the road to Xifanggoucun?
🇨🇳 China
, in China's north-western Shaanxi province, the road to stands as a testament to human determination. Tucked away in the formidable , this terrifying mountain drive is one of the most remarkable tunnel roads in China , literally hanging approximately 3,000ft high above the valley floor. Road facts: Xifanggoucun Road Ningqiang County, Shaanxi, China ~915 m (3,000 ft) drop Cliff-hanging Tunnel Road Who built the road to Xifanggoucun? Unlike modern highways, this precarious path was constructed entirely by local residents between 2000 and 2006. For decades, Xifanggoucun village was practically isolated from the world; villagers had to climb over the mountain peaks and walk for two hours just to reach the nearest bus stop. Determined to change their fate, they carved this road out of the sheer cliffs. Today, what used to be a grueling two-hour hike is now a 10-minute drive, although the journey is far from relaxing for those behind the wheel. Is the road to Xifanggoucun paved? 6,000-meter-long road is totally paved with concrete . However, the paving does little to alleviate the fear factor. The track is extremely narrow and is totally impassable to bigger vehicles ; only small cars or motorcycles can navigate the tight squeezes. The most iconic feature of the drive are the "windows" carved into the side of the tunnels. These openings were originally made to dump debris during construction, but now they offer wonderful, yet dizzying views of the 3,000ft drop to the valley below. Why is the drive to Xifanggoucun dangerous? The drive is considered high-risk because it lacks almost all modern safety features. There are no barriers, no safety mirrors, and no lamps along the entire stretch. Driving through the hand-hewn tunnels feels like entering a cave, where the jagged ceiling is often just inches above the car roof. The transition from the dark tunnels to the bright cliff-side openings can be blinding, and the constant threat of rockfalls in the Daba Mountains adds another layer of danger. One wrong steering input on the narrow concrete surface could be fatal, as there is nothing between the tires and the abyss. What should you expect when conquering this Chinese tunnel road? Conquering the Xifanggoucun road requires absolute focus and a high tolerance for vertigo. The path is the only transportation route connecting the village to the outside world, so you might encounter local motorcycles in the most inconvenient, narrow spots. Because the road is carved into a vertical cliff, extreme care is needed during rainy weather, as water cascades directly over the tunnel openings. It is a masterpiece of folk engineering that demands respect for both the people who built it and the terrifying landscape it inhabits. Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez Get behind the wheels for Guangzhou Green Tunnel Road A road trip on the Lapche La pass is truly epic 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.
extremeDabanshan Pass: Driving the old mountain road and the G227 tunnel
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through China's Qinghai Province, right on the border of Haibei and Xining Prefectures, smack-dab in the Qilian Mountains. You're on the G227, an ancient Silk Road route, heading for Dabanshan Pass! This place is seriously high, peaking at almost 4,000 meters! Back in the day, getting to the top meant tackling a crazy 9 km mountain road. We're talking hairpin turns, steep climbs – a real challenge. They even built a tunnel to avoid the worst of it. Now you can choose: zoom through the tunnel or brave the original scenic road. That old road? It's a beast! Seven tight switchbacks, crazy gradients. But if you're up for an adventure, it's still open! You'll find Silk Road memorials at the summit, even a Marco Polo statue. Pretty cool, right? If you just need to get through, the 1.6 km tunnel's the way to go. It's a toll road, but it skips the super-hairy parts. Coming down from the tunnel, stop at the lookout point. Local vendors are there, and the views? Epic high-altitude landscapes as far as the eye can see. Heads up, though: winter hits hard. Usually, the pass is snowed in from late October to late June. The tunnel helps, but even it can close when the snow's too heavy. When it opens depends on the weather and how fast the snow melts.
hardHow to get by car to Shemshak, the second largest ski area in Iran?
🇮🇷 Iran
Okay, so you're heading to Shemshak, Iran, a ski resort perched way up high at 2,600 meters (8,530 feet)! They say it's the second biggest ski area in the whole country. Built back in '58, this place is nestled in the stunning Alborz Mountains. The road in, called 425, is fully paved, so no worries there. But be warned, it's a *steep* climb with some seriously narrow bits. But hey, the views are worth it! You'll pass through some cool little towns, perfect for a pit stop. And pro tip: you absolutely HAVE to try the kebabs along the way. Seriously amazing. The road itself stretches for 52 km (32 miles), running from Kushkak in the south to Lavasan in the north. And guess what? Keep going past Shemshak, and you'll hit another awesome ski resort called Dizin. Road trip, anyone?