21 hairpin bends on the Zig-zag road of Sichuan
China, asia
1.8 km
646 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Deep in southwest China's Sichuan province, a twisty, cliff-hugging marvel awaits.
Hidden within the breathtaking Bashan Grand Canyon in northeast Sichuan, this mostly-paved road is not for the faint of heart. Clocking in at just 1.11 miles (1.8km), don't let the distance fool you. This climb is intense!
Picture this: 21 hairpin turns, one right after the other, clinging to the side of a cliff. These turns are so tight and narrow that you might need to do a little back-and-forth maneuvering to navigate them.
Starting at 2,119 feet (646m) above sea level, you'll ascend to a whopping 3,326 feet (1,014m), gaining 1,207 feet (368 meters) in elevation. That's an average gradient of over 20%! Get ready for stunning views, but keep your eyes on the road—this is a drive you won't forget!
Where is it?
21 hairpin bends on the Zig-zag road of Sichuan is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 34.9069, 101.9554
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 1.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 646 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 34.9069, 101.9554
Related Roads in asia
hardTravel guide to the top of Gyu La
🇮🇳 India
Okay, fellow adventurers, buckle up for Gyu La! This insane mountain pass clocks in at a staggering 14,927 feet in the Indian Himalayas, specifically in Jammu and Kashmir. You'll find it snaking through the Chang-Chemno range on the Lukumg-Phobrang-Chartse Road. It's about 48 miles of pure adrenaline. Now, this isn't your Sunday drive. Expect lots of tight twists, hairpin turns, and sections where the road seriously narrows. Even seasoned drivers will be kept on their toes. If your travel buddies get carsick easily, maybe pack some ginger! The road gets pretty steep in places, hitting a 6% grade. Factor in the altitude, potential for altitude sickness, unpredictable mountain weather, and you've got a truly epic, if challenging, ride.
moderateHow long is the Sidu River Bridge?
🇨🇳 China
Okay, road trippers, listen up! If you ever find yourself in China's Hubei Province, specifically Badong County, you HAVE to check out the Sidu River Bridge. Seriously, this thing is mind-blowing. Opened back in 2009, it's a cable-stayed bridge that stretches for a whopping 4,009 feet, connecting some seriously mountainous terrain. But the real kicker? The bridge deck soars 1,627 feet above the Sidu River! Can you believe it? That's so high, you could fit Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower underneath! Trust me, the views are absolutely epic. Word has it they even used rockets to get the initial cable across the gap, which just adds to the whole "wow" factor. If you are at all scared of heights, prepare yourself - but it's a must-see for any adventurous traveler!
hardA road trip to Marim La is truly epic
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Marim La! This beast of a pass straddles the border between China and Nepal, clocking in at a staggering 18,024 feet! We're talking Himalayas-level views here, connecting Nepal's Dolpa District with Tibet's Zhongba County. The road? Let's just say it's "rustic." Think unpaved, relentlessly challenging, and completely off-limits during the winter months. You'll need a seriously capable 4x4 with plenty of clearance. Landslides and flash floods are common party crashers. Seriously, this isn't a Sunday drive – one wrong move and you're in trouble. Expect some seriously steep sections with gradients hitting 14%. But hey, the views... totally worth the adrenaline rush, right?
extremeA memorable road trip to Imja Khola
🇳🇵 Nepal
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I'm about to tell you about one seriously mind-blowing ride: Imja Khola, a glacial "road" carved into the side of Mount Everest itself! We're talking the Nepalese Cukung Valley, way up in the Taplejung District of Koshi Province. I mean, we're talking 5,156m (that's 16,916ft!). Back in '73, a group of Spanish daredevils on tricked-out Bultaco Sherpa bikes actually hauled themselves and their bikes up this icy beast, with the help of 55 Sherpas and aeronautical gas (seriously). It was brutal, I'm talking snow, insane inclines, and air so thin you could barely breathe. Think about it: conquering a glacier on a motorcycle. This road, if you can even call it that, is a testament to human grit and a serious dose of crazy. Sadly, the Nepalese government later closed the area to motorized vehicles. Still, just knowing it's there is enough to get the heart pumping, right?