
Travel Guide to Gongnaisi Daban in the Tian Shan Mountains
China, asia
42.7 km
3,066 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright adventure seekers, buckle up for Gongnaisi Daban, a seriously high mountain pass chilling at 3,066m (10,059ft) on the border between Hejing and Xinyuan counties in Xinjiang, China!
This beauty's nestled in the heart of the Tian Shan Mountains and you'll get there via the G218 national road. It's paved, but fair warning, it can get a bit rough near the top thanks to weather, heavy trucks, and not much upkeep.
Also known as Aiken Daban, this pass clocks in at 42.7 km (26.53 miles) of pure driving bliss running from Gongnaisixiang to Haersala. Prepare for hairpin turns galore, and scenery that'll knock your socks off – think fairy tale grasslands, lush forests, and an ovoo formation greeting you near the summit.
Heads up, this pass is usually open year-round, but Mother Nature can throw curveballs from November to May with snowfall and heavy rain causing temporary closures. Also, expect traffic! Keep an eye on the safety signs and stick to that 30 km/h speed limit on the twisty bits.
Where is it?
Travel Guide to Gongnaisi Daban in the Tian Shan Mountains is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 35.2917, 103.8421
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 42.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,066 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 35.2917, 103.8421
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