X710: enjoy a road among the clouds
China, asia
197 km
4.7 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Ever dreamed of conquering the roof of the world? Then buckle up and point your 4x4 towards 710 County Road in the Ngari Prefecture of Tibet! Forget pavement, this baby is all dirt, all the time. Seriously, you *need* a 4x4, and forget about it in the winter – it's a no-go.
We're talking serious altitude here, folks. The entire road sits above 15,400 feet! That means thin air, a lung-busting climb, and potentially some nasty altitude sickness if you're not acclimatized. Trust me, take it easy on arrival or you might be seeing more of the inside of your tent than the incredible scenery.
Speaking of scenery, the views of Jiuma and Kongburong lakes are absolutely breathtaking. And for a good chunk of the journey, you'll be hugging the shores of the Senge Zangbu river - epic!
This north-south route stretches for a whopping 122 miles (197 km), kicking off near the village of Gê'gyai and heading towards X716. The highest point? A dizzying 17,631 feet (5,374m) above sea level! Get ready to feel on top of the world… literally. Oh, and keep an eye out for Yakexia Snow Mountain – it's a stunner! This road isn't for the faint of heart, but the views? Totally worth it.
Where is it?
X710: enjoy a road among the clouds is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 36.9080, 103.9513
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 197 km
- Max Elevation
- 4.7 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 36.9080, 103.9513
Related Roads in asia
moderateChalus Road
🇮🇷 Iran
# The Chalus Road: Iran's Most Thrilling Mountain Drive Want to experience one of Iran's most epic road trips? The Chalus Road is your answer. This 190-kilometer highway stretches from Tehran straight to the Caspian Sea town of Chalus, and it's an absolute game-changer for anyone craving dramatic scenery and serious elevation changes. The route takes you on a wild ride through the Alborz Mountains, climbing past 3,000 meters before plunging back down through some seriously gorgeous terrain. Built way back in the 1930s under Reza Shah, this road has become the go-to escape route for Tehranis looking to ditch the capital and hit the coast—especially on weekends when the whole city seems to be heading north. What makes this drive truly special are the engineering feats scattered throughout: tunnels, bridges, and viaducts carved ingeniously into the mountainside. And the scenery? Absolutely unreal. You'll start in the arid, dusty brown landscape near Tehran, then watch it transform completely as you ascend. Suddenly you're surrounded by the lush Hyrcanian forests—an ancient UNESCO-protected ecosystem that feels like stepping into another dimension entirely. Ancient beech and oak trees create this misty green canopy overhead that's genuinely magical. The contrast between the dry southern slopes and these verdant northern forests hits you hard and makes the whole journey feel like you're crossing into a completely different world.
extremeWhere is Omar Pass?
🌍 Azerbaijan
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Ömər Aşırımı, also known as Omar Pass, is a seriously epic mountain pass that tops out at a lung-busting 3,252 meters (10,669 feet) in Azerbaijan's Ganja-Gazakh region. You'll find it snaking through Goygol National Park, a wild stretch between the Kalbajar and Goygol districts in the western part of the country. Heads up: this place has a history. The battle for Omar Pass back in the winter of 1993-94 was intense. Now, about the road itself – it's completely unpaved, a rugged beast known as the R19. They are working on improving it with some new tunnels, but don't expect a smooth ride just yet. This journey demands respect – skilled navigation is a must! The weather can be brutal, with snowstorms, gale-force winds, thick fog, and the ever-present danger of black ice and avalanches. This isn't a quick zip through the countryside, either. We're talking about a 75.4 km (46.85 miles) trek from Goygol (the capital of Goygol District) in the north down to Yanşaq (in Kalbajar District). The scenery is incredible, though. When should you go? Only attempt this in a 4x4 during good weather. Ideally, aim for mid-July through the end of August. This route cuts through the Lesser Caucasus, and trust me, it's a ride you won't soon forget!
hardJonbulak Ashuu
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Let's talk about the Jonbulak Ashuu pass in Kyrgyzstan's Tian Shan mountains. We're talking serious altitude here: 3,018 meters (that's 9,901 feet!). The road's gravel, but generally in decent shape, which is a relief, right? Just be warned, this baby is usually snowed in from November to March, so plan accordingly. The climb? Intense! The air gets seriously thin, which is a punch in the lungs, and the steepness is no joke. Heads up, altitude sickness can kick in above 2,500 meters, so be prepared to take it slow and steady. But hey, think of the bragging rights – and the views!
hardIs the road to Mount Korek paved?
🌍 Iraq
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're kicking around the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, specifically in the Erbil province, you HAVE to check out Mount Korek. This bad boy tops out at a cool 2,103m (6,899ft). The journey up, via the Korek Mountain Road, starts in Khalifan and stretches for about 20km (12.42 miles) through the stunning Zagros Mountains. Now, the road is mostly paved, but don't get too comfy! The last few kilometers are a wild ride: unpaved, seriously steep, and with some pretty intense drop-offs. Seriously, you'll want a 4x4 for this part! Expect about 30 hairpin turns and some seriously steep climbs. We're talking an elevation gain of 1.422 meters with an average gradient of 7.11%. Oh, and pro tip: this road is usually a no-go in the winter (December to March) thanks to heavy snowfall. Up top, you'll find the remains of the Erbil Observatory, a relic from the '70s that got caught in the crossfire of the Iran-Iraq War. But the real prize? Unforgettable views stretching as far as the eye can see!