Travelling the strategic China National Highway 580

Travelling the strategic China National Highway 580

China, asia

Length

256.667 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, buckle up for a wild ride on China National Highway 580 (G580) in Xinjiang! This isn't just any road; it's a strategic route snaking through the majestic Kunlun Mountains, practically kissing Central Asia.

Opened in 2022, this fully paved beauty stretches for 256.667km (that's about 159 miles) from Hotan to Kangxiwar, taking you on a northeast-to-southwest adventure. Expect some serious elevation as you carve your way through the Hindutash via a tunnel.

Locally known as the Hotan-Kangxiwa highway, this road is a game-changer, dramatically shrinking travel time. The road includes 8915.2m of tunnels and 1.700m of bridges. Building this road was no picnic, with construction crews battling freezing temperatures and thin air.

Where is it?

Travelling the strategic China National Highway 580 is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 37.2761, 106.1886

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
256.667 km
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
37.2761, 106.1886

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