Drive across Tekhar La
China, asia
709 km
4.2 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Tekhar La is calling your name. This beast of a mountain pass sits way up high in Tibet, China, clocking in at a staggering 14,685 feet above sea level. We're talking Banbar County in the Chamdo Prefecture.
This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. You're looking at 709 km of mostly paved (but seriously degraded) road that clings to the mountainside above 13,800 feet. Think hairpin turns galore, super steep inclines, and views of snow-capped peaks that'll take your breath away – if the altitude doesn’t first!
But hold on, there's more. Be prepared for rough patches, unlit tunnels with dripping water (yikes!), and the occasional speeding truck barreling around a blind corner. Mother Nature also likes to keep things interesting with frequent flooding, landslides, and road damage. This pass, stretching 37.7 km from Lhorong towards Kangshazhen, can shut down without warning. So, buckle up, keep your eyes peeled, and get ready for an unforgettable (and maybe slightly terrifying) ride!
Where is it?
Drive across Tekhar La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 30.4495, 102.6491
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 709 km
- Max Elevation
- 4.2 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 30.4495, 102.6491
Related Roads in asia
moderateDeyang La
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies, because Deyang La Pass in Tibet is not for the faint of heart! We're talking serious altitude here: 17,654 feet above sea level in Maizhokunggar County, Lhasa. Yeah, that's high. The road itself? Think rocky, think gravelly, and think BIG, SHARP rocks just waiting to shred your tires. You'll need to be a master of maneuvering to avoid damage. Seriously, if you’ve got a heart condition or breathing issues, maybe sit this one out. We're talking high clearance vehicles *only*, skid plates a must, and differential lockers are your best friend. Leave the stock vehicles at home, people! Oh, and did I mention the weather? Prepare for anything! This area is known for its crazy-strong winds and the kind of rapid weather changes that'll make your head spin. Even in summer, you could be facing a blizzard! And winter? Brutal. It's a mine road too. But hey, if you're up for the challenge, the views are supposed to be incredible. Just remember to pack layers, check your tire pressure, and maybe say a little prayer before you hit the gas. This is one wild ride on the S305!
extremeWhen was the Mughal Road built?
🇮🇳 India
The Mughal Road in Jammu and Kashmir, northern India, is a wild ride you won't soon forget. Originally a Mughal emperor's route from the 16th century, this road has been rebuilt and improved, but it remains a proper adventure. This east-west route clocks in at about 82 km (51 miles), connecting Bafliaz in the Poonch district with Shopian in the Kashmir valley. Expect mostly paved roads, but don't be fooled – this is no Sunday drive. Think curves, hairpin turns, and seriously steep drop-offs. Reaching a dizzying 3,485 m (11,433 ft) above sea level in the Pir Panjal Range, this road is often buried in snow during winter. Remember to bring your vehicle and personal identification, as you'll need to register along the way. It's a real treat to drive, with far less traffic than other routes. Plus, you'll spot historic Mughal sites dotted along the way. Just remember to breathe, take it slow, and soak in the views.
extremeChina's Engineering Marvels: Driving The 23 Most Daring Tunnel Roads
🇨🇳 China
# China's Mind-Bending Cliff Roads: A Journey Into Daring Engineering China boasts some of the world's most jaw-dropping tunnel and cliff roads, carved straight through impossible terrain. In isolated spots like the Taihang Mountains, entire villages were once completely cut off from the outside world—accessible only by treacherous footpaths. Rather than wait for help, locals took matters into their own hands, literally hammering tunnels through solid rock to break free from isolation. Head to Henan Province and you'll find some of China's most famous cliff roads. The winding passages and tight openings make for an adrenaline-pumping drive that'll test your nerves. Each road tells a different story—of communities refusing to stay isolated, sheer determination, and the incredible risks people took to carve out lifelines to civilization. ## The Famous Ones You've Heard About One standout took five years for villagers to build. Today it's become a tourism hotspot, complete with family-run inns and a widened road. The tunnel stretches 700 meters with two passages—5 meters high and 4 meters wide. For sheer terror, check out the county's most notoriously dangerous option. This beast climbs from 1,000 to 1,300 meters elevation through a series of passages. At 1.6 kilometers long, it features six tiny tunnels and usually shuts down when winter hits. **Xiya Valley Hanging Tunnel** took 30 years of backbreaking work. The road spirals along a cliff face with windows carved along the way for views (and ventilation, probably). After the government stepped in during 2003, they paved the gravel with concrete. **Chen Family Hanging Tunnel** sits near a reservoir with a waterfall right at the exit—pretty spectacular, if you can enjoy views while navigating a narrow highway. It's one of the widest and most accessible cliff roads around, though coal trucks clog it regularly and the dust inside can be intense. **Jingdi Village Hanging Tunnel** took six years to complete and stretches 2 kilometers through the mountain with several hairpin turns inside. ## The Southwest Stunners The **Lanying Cliff Road** in Wuxi County carves through the southern slopes of the Daba Mountains. Built in 2001, this 1.2-kilometer paved route drops down a cliff face and remains the only link connecting Lanying village to the outside world. **Shibanhe Cliff Road** near Guizhou's Bijie City is a concrete beauty—470 meters long and 4.5 meters wide. Before 2000, villagers here only had a sketchy footpath called "Ladder Rock." They built this to finally connect with the rest of civilization. The **old Hongtiguan Tunnel Road** in Shanxi is seriously steep—a heart-pounding 30-degree incline with five cliff tunnels stacked 200 meters apart. Back in 1968, 800 villagers dug this out with primitive tools in what sounds like absolute madness. **Jingdi Hanging Tunnel** is another Shanxi classic. Starting in 1985, villagers spent 15 years chiseling through rock with basic hand tools. The 1.526-kilometer drive ranges from 6 to 10 meters wide—but expect traffic jams, since everyone wants to experience this picturesque nightmare. ## The Epic Long-Distance Routes **Huilong-Hanging Tunnel** in Henan's Taihang Mountains stretches 8 kilometers along a cliff edge, linking Henan and Shanxi provinces. Narrow and totally paved, it's a white-knuckle masterpiece. **Youzhuda Grand Canyon Wall Road** hugs the cliffs above the Yongding River in Hebei. It transitions from smooth asphalt to gravel inside the tunnel—definitely keeps you on your toes. The road to **Xifanggoucun** in Shaanxi hangs about 3,000 feet above ground in the Daba Mountain. Built between 2000 and 2006, this 6-kilometer concrete ribbon is the only way villagers get in and out. **Xiaguo Wall Road** in Hebei was carved in the 1970s above the Xiagou Reservoir. At 560 meters, it's shorter but just as intense. **Chenjiayuan Hanging Highway** was built from 1990 to 1993 specifically for coal transport through the Taihang Mountains. **Chishui Cliff Road** might be the most creative. Built over 10 years with hammers and picks, villagers in Xuyong County created this canyon-edge route. To reach Yunnan, you'd drive the cliff road then actually take a boat across the river. ## Hidden Gems & Smaller Wonders **Shangla Wall Tunnel Road** in Henan (built 1975-1977) is just 162 meters but features eight window openings—pure hand-hewn engineering. **Qiwangzhai Wall Tunnel Road**, also in Henan's Taihang Mountains, runs 600 meters through a series of windows and offers killer views of a scenic bridge. **Shuangping Cliff Road** sits on a 1,500-meter-high cliff. Dug by hand in 1997, it was upgraded with government support in 2011. The 595-meter paved route literally keeps an entire community connected. **Huahu Cliff Tunnel Road** (also called Jinyu No.56 Highway) stretches 22 kilometers from Pingshun to Linzhou through seven narrow tunnels. Watch out for rockslides and avoid rainy seasons. **Xialondong Cliff Tunnel Road** in Hunan is a hidden gem—1 kilometer total with 200 meters tunneled straight through the mountain. Built in the 1960s-70s, recent improvements added tunnel lighting and a lookout platform. **Jiangxia Wall Hung Road** in Gansu was hand-carved in the 1970s with simple tools. The windows offer spectacular views of the Yongning River below. **Gushuang Cliff Tunnel Road** in Sichuan is a beast: 33.8 kilometers carved through the Xinyan Gorge starting in the early 1980s. This one's got a dark history—legend says 20-30 people died during construction. ## The Ancient Classic The **Mingyue Gorge Ancient Plank Road** in Sichuan is legitimately historic—carved over 2,300 years ago. Once critical for trade and military movement between provinces, it's now known as "China's Road Traffic Museum." After earthquake damage in 2016, restoration efforts improved it, though only tour buses are allowed these days (no private vehicles).
extremeHow long is the Makran Coastal Highway?
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Running along Pakistan's Arabian Sea coastline, the Makran Coastal Highway is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world How long is the Makran Coastal Highway? The road, officially known as National Highway 10 (N10), is totally paved. It’s 683 km (424 miles) long, running from Karachi in Sindh province (the largest city in Pakistan) and extending to Gwadar (a strategically important port city in Balochistan province). It then continues further westward, connecting several other towns and cities along the coast, including Ormara and Pasni, before reaching the border with Iran. How challenging is the Makran Coastal Highway? While the highway provides essential connectivity, it also presents challenges due to its remote and isolated location, harsh climate conditions, and limited infrastructure development. The road tops out at 323m (1,059ft) above sea level, by The road is pretty defiant, cut through often impossible terrain. It is narrow and often steep. The region is prone to extreme weather events, including cyclones and flash floods, which can affect road conditions and safety. Additionally, the highway passes through sparsely populated areas with limited access to services such as fuel stations and rest stops, making it important for travelers to plan their journey carefully and ensure they have adequate provisions. Is the Makran Coastal Highway worth it? Running along the southwestern coastline of the country, particularly in the province of Balochistan, it offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea, with picturesque landscapes featuring rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and rocky terrain. Travelers often appreciate the natural beauty along the route, making it a popular destination for tourists, particularly those interested in coastal scenery and marine activities. Despite its challenges, the Makran Coastal Highway has significant tourism potential due to its scenic beauty and unique coastal landscape. Efforts to promote tourism along the route have been made to attract visitors and boost economic activity in the region. Tourists can explore attractions such as pristine beaches, fishing villages, historical sites, and cultural landmarks along the coastline. When was the Makran Coastal Highway built? Construction of the road, also known as Balochistan Coastal Highway, started in 2002 and was completed by 14 December 2004. It follows a route once taken by Alexander the Great's army. Over the years, there have been efforts to improve and upgrade the Makran Coastal Highway to enhance its safety, accessibility, and efficiency. These efforts include road maintenance, construction of bridges and tunnels, and implementation of safety measures to mitigate risks associated with natural disasters and accidents. Why is the Makran Coastal Highway very important? The road is truly a symbol of pride for all Pakistanis. Previously, there was a muddy track linking Karachi with the town of Gwadar. The construction of the road was essential to the development of the port of Gwadar. The highway serves as a vital transportation artery, facilitating trade, commerce, and travel between various regions in Pakistan, as well as with neighboring countries such as Iran and Afghanistan. It plays a crucial role in connecting Gwadar Port, which is a key component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), to the rest of the country. Pic: http://www.tresbohemes.com/2015/05/makran-coastal-highway/ A truly outstanding 4x4 adventure to Gholleh Siah Sang Driving a military road to the summit of Qandil Mountain 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.