Where is Chong Ashuu Pass?

Where is Chong Ashuu Pass?

Kyrgyzstan, asia

Length

98.2 km

Elevation

4,011 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You HAVE to add Chong Ashuu Pass to your Kyrgyzstan road trip itinerary. Perched high in the Tian Shan mountains of the Issyk-Kul region, near the borders of Kazakhstan and China, this baby tops out at a whopping 4,011m (13,159ft)!

Known locally as Pereval Chonashu, this section of the A364 is a 98.2 km (61 miles) stretch of unpaved road winding from Enilchek to Ak-Bulun. While the surface is generally in good shape, a 4x4 is your best bet. Don't worry, you don't need anything too extreme, and you'll definitely see plenty of heavy transport trucks along the way.

Just a heads-up: winter brings heavy snowfall, making the road impassable. But during the warmer months, get ready for stunning mountain views!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Kyrgyzstan
Continent
asia
Length
98.2 km
Max Elevation
4,011 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in asia

Lungnak Lamoderate

Lungnak La

🇮🇳 India

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Lungnak La, nestled high in Sikkim's Chopta Valley, India, is not your average Sunday drive. We're talking a lung-busting 5,084 meters (16,679 feet) above sea level, practically spitting distance from the India-China border. Picture this: a rough and rugged gravel track, rocky and bumpy as all get out. One wrong move, and things could get hairy fast. The views, though? Absolutely breathtaking. Think stark, Tibetan-plateau-esque landscapes with limited vegetation – a raw, untamed beauty. Be warned, Chopta Valley has restricted entry for international visitors; you may need to arrange a pass. And the road? It’s a fickle beast, often closed from October through June, thanks to the weather. Scope out the terrain before you fully commit, because conditions can change in a heartbeat. You'll definitely need a 4x4 and nerves of steel! This demanding climb requires serious skill, patience, and a healthy respect for heights. Take it slow and steady; altitude sickness is real! Don't go running a marathon when you arrive; soak it all in with some deep breaths and slow movements. Trust me, the views are worth the effort.

Leh-Manali Highwayextreme

Leh-Manali Highway

🇮🇳 India

# The Leh-Manali Highway: India's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure Want to tackle one of the world's most epic road trips? The Leh-Manali Highway is calling. This 479-kilometer beast winds through the Indian Himalayas, connecting the vibrant town of Manali in Himachal Pradesh to the stunning high-altitude landscape of Leh in Ladakh. Fair warning: you'll be breathing thin air the entire time, with multiple passes topping out above 4,000 meters—and the king of them all, Tanglang La, sitting at a whopping 5,328 meters. Plan on two full days of driving if you want to actually enjoy the views (and let your body adjust to the elevation). But honestly? The ride is worth every hair-raising moment. You'll cruise through an alien landscape of barren peaks, high-altitude desert, and endless plateaus that'll make you feel like you've left Earth. Now, let's talk reality. This isn't a highway in the traditional sense. You'll find smooth asphalt in some sections, then suddenly you're grinding through rough dirt tracks that've been hammered by river erosion and snowmelt. Add river crossings where the road literally just fords through mountain streams, sketchy loose-gravel switchbacks on near-vertical mountainsides, and the constant threat of altitude sickness, and you've got yourself a proper adventure. The road's only passable from June through September—mother nature calls the shots here. During those months, the highway becomes a pilgrimage site for motorcycle enthusiasts and overlanders worldwide, earning its legendary status as one of the ultimate bucket-list rides. Along the journey, you'll discover ancient Buddhist monasteries, remote nomadic settlements, and the breathtaking Pangong Lake. The newer Atal Tunnel (opened in 2020) has been a game-changer, making access slightly easier and pushing the season a bit longer.

The road to Paye Lake: some turns are enough to raise your hairhard

The road to Paye Lake: some turns are enough to raise your hair

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Okay, adventure junkies, let's talk about Siri Paye, a stunning high-altitude lake chilling at 3,025m (that's 9,924ft!) in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Getting there? Buckle up. The road's mostly unpaved – think rugged, narrow, and seriously steep. We're talking hair-raising turns that'll test your nerves. Newbies, maybe sit this one out. This is 4x4 territory, folks. The climb kicks off in Kiwai, at 1,502m. From there, it’s a 13.8 km (8.57 mile) push, gaining a massive 1,556 meters (5,105 feet) in elevation. That’s an average gradient of 11.2%, but some sections crank up to 15%! Word to the wise: the higher you go, the narrower and steeper things get. Heads up! Bad weather's a no-go. Heavy rain or snow can trigger landslides and avalanches. Even without those, expect heavy rainfall, hail, and the odd thunderstorm. Monsoon winds bring buckets of rain and hail, and the nights get chilly, so pack warm layers. Winter? Forget about it – the whole valley's under a blanket of snow. But the payoff? Seriously epic. Siri Paye is nestled in the Kaghan Valley, surrounded by green mountains, snow-capped peaks, and an oh-so-peaceful vibe. It's natural beauty that'll soothe your soul.

The inhumane climb to Changlashan Pass with 37% rampshard

The inhumane climb to Changlashan Pass with 37% ramps

🇨🇳 China

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Changlashan Pass in Qinghai, China – bordering Tibet – is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive. Forget pavement; we're talking 8.5 miles of pure, unadulterated, unpaved adventure, climbing to a whopping 15,446 feet above sea level! Picture this: hundreds of curves snaking up the mountain, some so steep they hit a 37% gradient! You'll be gasping for air as you conquer this beast (altitude sickness is real, so be prepared!). While the shiny S309 highway offers an easier route between Yushu and Zadoi, this old pass, running from Shisu Station to Longmada, is where the magic happens. Think epic, isolated views that the boring highway crowd will only dream of. This is 4x4 territory, folks. If you're craving a real challenge and views that'll blow your mind, Changlashan Pass is your ultimate off-road Shangri-La. Just be ready for some seriously intense driving!