
Where is Najia?
China, asia
16.7 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for an adventure to Najia, one of the highest towns on Earth accessible by car, nestled way up in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China!
Getting there is half the thrill. You'll be starting from a paved road before hitting a completely unpaved stretch of about 16.7 km (10.37 miles). This isn't just any dirt track; it's one of the highest roads in the entire country, taking you up towards Wenquan Daban.
Keep in mind that the weather in this part of Tibet is no joke. Expect seriously strong winds, and even in summer, you could experience a huge temperature swing – think a pleasant 20°C during the day plummeting to a freezing -10°C at night. July and August can bring days of non-stop rain, and snow isn't out of the question!
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 16.7 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
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