
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
Related Roads in asia
easyIs National Highway 15 in Pakistan paved?
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Get ready for an epic road trip on National Highway 15 (N-15), snaking along the border of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan! This mainly paved highway is perfect for all vehicles, offering stunning mountain views with hills on one side and deep valleys on the other - classic Pakistani scenery! Clocking in at 226 km (140 miles), it runs from Mansehra to Chilas and is a popular shortcut around the N-35. You'll be sharing the road with loads of tourists heading to the seriously gorgeous Naran, a magnet for trekkers, photographers, and nature lovers. Budget about 7-8 hours for the drive if you're not stopping (but you'll want to!). Heads up: this route hits a lofty 4,179m (13,710ft) above sea level, so it's usually closed in winter due to heavy snow. Plan your adventure accordingly!
hardHow long is Kandovan Pass?
🇮🇷 Iran
Hey thrill-seekers! Get ready for an epic adventure on the Kandovan Pass, a sky-high route straddling the Alborz and Mazandaran provinces of Iran. This isn't just any road; we're talking about soaring to a breathtaking 2,989m (9,806ft)! Wind your way through the heart of the Central Alborz mountains on this 12.1 km (7.51 miles) stretch, also known as the Kandevān Pass. While it's mostly unpaved, most cars can handle it, so no need to leave your trusty ride behind. Prepare to be mesmerized by the views as you snake between the Karaj and Chālūs rivers. This road, nestled in northwestern Iran, is a real challenge, with gradients hitting up to 8% on some ramps. Expect tons of twists, turns, and narrow sections that'll keep your adrenaline pumping. Just a heads up: Mother Nature calls the shots here. This pass is usually snowed in from late October until late June or early July. For those looking for a smoother ride, the infamous Kandovan Tunnel bypasses this pass. The tunnel is a key part of the Chalus Road, one of Iran's busiest and most scenic routes, built way back in the late 1930s.
moderate234 Country Road is an awe-inspiring drive through extremely remote areas
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a killer off-road experience for you in Ngamring County, Tibet. Get ready to rumble on 234 Country Road! Forget pavement, this baby's all dirt – 78.7 km (48.90 miles) of pure, unadulterated off-road bliss. You'll need an SUV for this one, trust me. It snakes north-south from Cazê (that's on 231 Country Road) up to China National Highway 219, cutting through Amuxiongxiang. Think sweet curves and mind-blowing views, especially of the majestic Tobtsenpa Ri mountain. Oh, and did I mention it peaks at a lung-busting 5.492m (18,018ft)? Yeah, this road isn't for the faint of heart, but the views are totally worth the climb!
extremeKarakoram Highway is the highest paved international road and Eighth Wonder of the World
🇵🇰 Pakistan
# The Karakoram Highway: The Ultimate Mountain Adventure If you're dreaming of the ultimate high-altitude road trip, the Karakoram Highway (KKH) is calling your name. This legendary 1,300 km stretch connects Western China to Pakistan, earning its reputation as the world's highest paved international road—and trust me, every kilometer lives up to the hype. Starting in Hassan Abdal near Islamabad, the KKH winds through disputed Kashmir all the way to Kashgar in China's Xinjiang province. The Pakistani section stretches 887 km, while the Chinese portion adds another 413 km of pure mountain magic. You can tackle most of this beast year-round, though the show-stopping Khunjerab Pass (sitting at a dizzying 4,693 meters) only opens from May through December. Winter's brutal snowfall and summer's monsoon rains can occasionally shut things down, so timing is everything. This road's history is nothing short of epic—construction took 27 grueling years (1959-1986), and tragically, nearly 900 workers lost their lives during its creation. But the payoff? You're literally driving along ancient Silk Road pathways through the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush ranges. The views of K2 alone will take your breath away (literally, given the altitude). Here's the real talk: this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking hairpin curves, sheer drops of hundreds of meters, zero guardrails, and treacherous terrain that laughs in the face of rockfalls, floods, and earthquakes. You absolutely need a solid 4x4—no exceptions. The road narrows to single-vehicle passages where you'll genuinely need to wait for oncoming traffic. One wrong move and it's game over. Recent upgrades have helped—like the incredible 24 km tunnel system built around Attabad Lake in 2015, a $275 million engineering marvel. Still, this remains one of the scariest roads on the planet, especially if you're altitude-sensitive or easily spooked by stomach-dropping drops. The sweet spot to visit? Spring or early autumn. Bundle up your courage, heed weather alerts, take every precaution seriously, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure through some of Earth's most spectacular—and unforgiving—landscape.