Where is Balang Shan Pass?
China, asia
26.8 km
4,485 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Balang Shan Pass is a beast of a road reaching a whopping 14,714 feet in elevation. You'll find it straddling three counties, with the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve to the east and the stunning Siguniang Mountain Scenic Area to the west.
Locals sometimes call the top of the pass "the mountain of strange willows," and trust me, the views are worth stopping for, especially to the west, where you'll find snow-capped peaks.
The original road, now the Former 303 Provincial Road, stretches for 16.65 miles of pure adrenaline. Be prepared for super steep sections surrounded by incredible scenery. But a word of caution: rain, snow, and landslides can make this road a real challenge, and closures are common. The road is winding, and steep.
Thankfully, the tunnel has bypassed the most gnarly sections, saving drivers tons of time. But even with the tunnel, Balang Shan Pass is still worth experiencing for its diverse landscapes, including alpine flowstone slopes.
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 26.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,485 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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