Dabanshan Pass: Driving the old mountain road and the G227 tunnel
China, asia
9 km
3,944 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through China's Qinghai Province, right on the border of Haibei and Xining Prefectures, smack-dab in the Qilian Mountains. You're on the G227, an ancient Silk Road route, heading for Dabanshan Pass!
This place is seriously high, peaking at almost 4,000 meters! Back in the day, getting to the top meant tackling a crazy 9 km mountain road. We're talking hairpin turns, steep climbs – a real challenge. They even built a tunnel to avoid the worst of it. Now you can choose: zoom through the tunnel or brave the original scenic road.
That old road? It's a beast! Seven tight switchbacks, crazy gradients. But if you're up for an adventure, it's still open! You'll find Silk Road memorials at the summit, even a Marco Polo statue. Pretty cool, right?
If you just need to get through, the 1.6 km tunnel's the way to go. It's a toll road, but it skips the super-hairy parts. Coming down from the tunnel, stop at the lookout point. Local vendors are there, and the views? Epic high-altitude landscapes as far as the eye can see.
Heads up, though: winter hits hard. Usually, the pass is snowed in from late October to late June. The tunnel helps, but even it can close when the snow's too heavy. When it opens depends on the weather and how fast the snow melts.
Where is it?
Dabanshan Pass: Driving the old mountain road and the G227 tunnel is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 35.8065, 106.7519
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 9 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,944 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 35.8065, 106.7519
Related Roads in asia
extremeHow high is Jabal Al Jais?
🌍 Arabian Peninsula
Jabal Al Jais: UAE's highest peak, but way more than just tall! This baby hits a staggering 1,925m (6,315ft) above sea level and the road to get there? Epic. You'll find this beauty tucked away in the Al Hajar Mountains, right on the border between the UAE and Oman. The Jebel Jais Mountain Road clocks in at around 20 km (12 mi) of pure driving bliss. Now, hold on tight, because this road throws eight hairpin turns and more curves than you can count at you! You’re carving through this insane, rocky landscape the whole time. At first, it's a two-lane highway showing off views for days. But then, BAM! You're plunged into a canyon, hugging a dried-up riverbed with massive cliffs providing shade. Once you're near the top, there's plenty of parking, places to grab a bite, and restrooms. And a viewing platform is there to soak in the panoramic views. Past a security checkpoint, you can check out the world's longest zip-line, a cell tower, and event spaces. While the paved road doesn’t *quite* make it to the tippy-top 1,925-meter peak, you can get super close. Just be warned: the last 4.8km is unpaved and can be tricky. Trust me, this drive is worth every second. There are viewing points everywhere, each offering a totally unique view. Seriously, park and take it all in. Oh, and pro-tip: it gets COLD up there. Think 10-13ºC cooler than down below. It’s the perfect escape from the desert heat.
moderateTro La, a curvy road only for experienced drivers
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! Tro La Pass in Tibet is calling your name! This insane, totally unpaved road tops out at a whopping 5,390m (17,683ft), straddling the border of Lhari and Gongbo’gyamda counties. Think serious curves and breathtaking views south of Artsa Tso (Jia Naiyucuo lake). It's also sometimes called Cho La Pass. Word on the street is there's even an alternate route on the east side. A 4x4 is pretty much a must-have for this trek! This north-south route connects Tongguocun to the S302 Provincial Road and is seriously remote. You're looking at a summer-only window, as snow usually keeps it blocked until late June or even July. Forget about luxuries – electricity, running water, and Western toilets are practically mythical creatures up here! But hey, who needs all that when you've got views like these?
hardTiejiangshan Pass is worth the white-knuckle drive
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventurers, listen up! I just tackled Tiejiangshan Pass (aka Blacksmith Mountain Pass) in Litang County, Sichuan, China, and WOW. This paved road climbs to a staggering 15,734 feet (4,796m) above sea level, making it a true high-altitude experience. Get ready for a wild ride because this road is a serious rollercoaster! We're talking hairpin turns galore as you wind your way up. And the views? Absolutely breathtaking! Gaze west, and you'll be rewarded with stunning vistas of the Genyen Massif. Be prepared for some seriously steep sections. There are ramps where the gradient hits a whopping 26%! Starting from the G318, the climb stretches for about 18.5 miles (29.8km), gaining 3,625 feet (1.105 meters) in elevation. It's a leg-burner for sure, with an average gradient of 3.70%.
extremePereval Terek
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just tackled Pereval Terek in Kyrgyzstan's Talas Region, and WOW. This high mountain pass tops out at a whopping 3,374 meters (11,069 feet)! The road? Let's just say it's an experience. Think gravel, dust, bumps… the whole shebang. It’s steep, like REALLY steep. If you're not a fan of heights, this might test you – those dropoffs are no joke! But seriously, the views are insane. Mountains as far as the eye can see! Just take it slow, watch for hairpin curves, and you’ll be golden. Usually, you can get through from May to November. But trust me, this is one of the wildest, most unforgettable drives in Kyrgyzstan. Get ready for an adrenaline rush!