Zholpel La, an awe-inspiring road through remote areas
China, asia
62 km
4,615 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Zholpel La in eastern Tibet! This beast of a mountain pass hits an altitude of 4,615m (15,141ft) – that's seriously high! You'll find it in the Qamdo district, smack-dab in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
The road? Let's just say it's "rustic." We're talking unpaved, rough-and-tumble terrain along the G317 (China National Highway 317, or Sichuan-Tibet highway Northern Route). It’s a 62 km (38 mile) stretch running from Bindaxiang to Eluozhen.
Nestled in the Tannyaintangoin Mountains, Zholpel La – also called Zhu Jiao La or Trugu La – used to be a real nail-biter. Thankfully, the infamous Zhu Jiao La Tunnel now bypasses the most intense section. Get ready for some stunning scenery!
Where is it?
Zholpel La, an awe-inspiring road through remote areas is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 35.6516, 103.8905
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 62 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,615 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 35.6516, 103.8905
Related Roads in asia
hardIs the road to Kichik-Alay Pass unpaved?
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Deep in the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan, you'll find Pereval Kichik-Alay, a sky-high mountain pass topping out at a whopping 4,140m (13,582ft). Seriously, this is one of the highest roads in the whole country! Forget smooth asphalt; this is a rough and rugged mining road, so a 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential. Expect some seriously steep climbs and keep in mind that winter makes this route impassable. The adventure begins in Tura-Chita, and from there, it's a 36.7 km (22.8 miles) climb to the top. You'll gain 1,784m in elevation, which translates to an average gradient of 4.86%. Fair warning: the eastern side of the summit ends at a working coal mine, and you'll be sharing the road with plenty of trucks. But hey, the views are totally worth it!
moderateHere's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Erkeshtam Pass
🇨🇳 China
Welcome to Erkeshtam Pass, a thrilling border crossing nestled high in the mountains at 2,838m (9,311ft) above sea level where Kyrgyzstan shakes hands with China! This legendary pass connects Sary-Tash, Kyrgyzstan to Ulugqat, China, carving its way through the heart of Central Asia. You'll be cruising on smooth, paved roads (A371 in Kyrgyzstan, S309 in China). The road's in great shape on both sides, assuming the weather cooperates, and the Chinese side is freshly rebuilt. This pass is a bustling hub year-round. Be warned: the Kyrgyz and Chinese border posts are almost 10 km apart, and strolling between them is a no-go. Remember, Kyrgyz vehicles aren't allowed to cross, so you'll need to switch to a Chinese ride at the border. The border is only open during the day, and it slams shut on weekends and holidays, so time your trip wisely. Expect anywhere from 1 to 3 hours to clear customs, and prepare for potentially gruff immigration officials.
hardHow to get by car to Zizhu Temple in Tibet?
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a place for your bucket list: Zizhu Temple in Tibet's Chamdo Prefecture. We're talking SERIOUSLY high altitude here – 4,474 meters (that's almost 14,700 feet!). You'll find this incredible temple nestled in Dingqing County, eastern Tibet. "Zizhu" means "six peaks," and it's one of the highest AND oldest monasteries in the region, a super important site for the Bon religion. This place has been around for over 300 years, and it's dedicated to Guanyin. Every year, they hold this incredible prayer ceremony with ancient Bon religious dances (which, BTW, have influenced Tibetan Buddhism). Now, the road...get ready for an experience. From 535 Country Road, it's about 10.7 kilometers (6.6 miles) of unpaved, steep trail with a crazy amount of hairpin turns – I'm talking 40! You'll climb 852 meters, with an average gradient of almost 8%. You'll definitely need a high-clearance vehicle. Oh, and pro tip: don't even THINK about trying this in winter; it's usually impassable. The views, though? Absolutely breathtaking. Just remember, photography and videography are off-limits inside the temple, but you can freely explore. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!
moderateDare to drive the dangerous Kotal-e Lashkar Rah
🌍 Afghanistan
Kotal-e Lashkar Rah is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.934m (9,625ft) above the sea level, located in Ghor Province, in central Afghanistan. The winding mountain road to the summit is unpaved. It’s called Asian Highway 77 (AH77), a main road running from Jabal Saraj, Afghanistan to Mary, Turkmenistan. 4x4 vehicle recommended after rains. The area is very remote. Open to traffic throughout the year, the road may be closed for short periods in winter when the weather is bad. The pass is 115 km (71.45 miles) long running west-east from Chaghcharān, also called Firozkoh, on the southern side of the Hari River, to Lal wa Sarjangal, also called La'l Wa Sar Jangal or simply Lal. Facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, western toilets etc. are rare to find. Travel guide to the top of Pereval Torbulak Navigating Shah Mansoor Pass, Afghanistan's Majestic Heights 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.