
Where is Zhawa La?
China, asia
73 km
5,021 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, fellow adventurers, buckle up for Zhawa La in Sichuan, China! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture this: you're in western Garzê, tackling a mountain pass that climbs to a staggering 16,473 feet.
Forget smooth sailing – this road is a beast. We're talking countless hairpin turns and nerve-wrackingly narrow stretches. But hey, that's what makes it an adventure, right?
Good news, though! A new (ish) paved road opened up a few years back, carving a path north of the actual pass. This scenic route stretches for 45.36 miles, connecting Batang to Gemu.
Don't get too comfy, though. Even with the pavement, it's still a demanding drive, topping out at around 16,148 feet. But trust me, the panoramic views are worth every white-knuckle moment. Expect steep inclines, endless curves, and landscapes that'll leave you breathless.
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 73 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,021 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in asia
hardDriving the road to Zixia Palace with 49 dizzying hairpin bends
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: you're in Yunnan Province, China, Dongchuan District to be exact. You're heading up Guniu Mountain on a wild adventure to Zixia Palace, a mind-blowing building perched way up at 3,245m (10,646ft)! The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. It's a totally unpaved, 5km (3.10 mile) rollercoaster that climbs a staggering 1,000 meters. Buckle up for 49 hairpin turns and some seriously steep sections hitting a 20% gradient! The road starts at Dongchuan Wangjiaqing Village. Most cars can handle it, but be prepared for a bumpy ride! Keep an eye out for a gate that might block the way. But trust me, the views from the top are absolutely worth it. Imagine yourself surrounded by breathtaking scenery – a reward for conquering this thrilling, challenging, and beautiful climb!
hardWhere is Wakan Village?
🌍 Arabian Peninsula
Okay, picture this: you're in northern Oman, ready for an adventure to Wakan Village. This mountain hideaway, sitting pretty at 1,402m (4,599ft), is all about incredible terraced gardens. Seriously, it's like stepping into a postcard! Just a heads up, you'll need a 4x4 to get there. Wakan is tucked away right on the border between the Al Batinah South and Ad Dakhiliyah regions. Why make the trek? Think lush orchards bursting with pomegranates, apricots, peaches, and dates. Unlike most of Oman's scorching landscape, Wakan's got a sweet climate, with mild summers and winters that actually get chilly – thanks to the altitude! The road to Wakan Village? It's a 32.3km (20.07 miles) ride from Mahalil on the Wadi Mistal Road, and it's an experience! Most of the route got a major upgrade in the 2020s, so it's paved. But, the last 4km are still unpaved, so that 4WD with low range is crucial. Expect a bumpy, winding track with hairpin turns right before you reach the village. There's a small parking area when you arrive. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery!
moderateWhat is the Khasab Coastal Road?
🌍 Arabian Peninsula
Khasab Coastal Road is a very scenic drive, offering rugged coastal views, located at the tip of the Musandam Peninsula by the Strait of Hormuz, in Oman. What is the Khasab Coastal Road? Surrounded by the northern mountains of the Western Hajar Range, the road, also known as 02 Road, is totally paved running along the peninsula. Built in 2019, the road runs along the edge, with rock walls on one side and the ocean on the other side. To build this road, massive cuts had to be made in the rock walls comprising of thickly bedded to massive limestones. As a result, the street runs along steep and sometimes vertical rock cliffs of up to several hundred meters height- which in turn leads to a massive risk of falling rocks for road traffic. Before the coastal road was built, access to the area was almost impossible by land. How long is the Khasab Coastal Road? 44.0 km (27.34 miles) long running north-south from Khasab (a port city on northern Oman’s Musandam Peninsula) to Tibat, near the UAE border. It is advisable to drive slowly due to the windy nature of the route. It is ideal for motorcyclists, because traffic is often sparse. This route follows the coast around the entire tip of the Arabian Peninsula, snaking its way through jagged mountainsides that overlook the sea. Is the Khasab Coastal Road worth it? The road hugs the Oman coastline and offers very scenic views. Plan 1 hour to complete the remarkable drive without stops, although you may want to block out extra time to stop, take photos and explore the region it passes through. Along the way you’ll have plenty opportunities to stop and soak up your surroundings. The road is lovely, with bays, harbors, mosques, forts, and beaches. Remember the area has very hot and humid summers and mild winters. Car Rental Logistics: Autonomy and Movement on Dubai’s Roads 5 Tips To Rent a Luxury Car in Dubai Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateDongshan Tunnel: enjoy a drive among the clouds
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! We're heading to the Dongshan Tunnel, a crazy-high mountain passageway straddling the Gansu and Qinghai provinces in wild northwest China. Picture this: You're cruising along a perfectly paved road, right through the heart of the Qilian Mountains. This tunnel punches through at a whopping 3,850 meters (that's 12,631 feet!) above sea level. At 3,639 meters long, this tunnel shortcut saves you from a HUGE detour along the old G213 (Suqi Highway). We're talking about chopping off over 400 kilometers and FIVE HOURS of driving! Completed in early 2021, this wasn't exactly an easy project. Think harsh weather, thin air, and seriously rugged terrain. But hey, they did it, and now we get to drive through! Get ready for some seriously stunning mountain scenery, a testament to human ingenuity, and bragging rights for conquering one seriously high road.