Driving the road to Hongqi Daban is not a piece of cake

Driving the road to Hongqi Daban is not a piece of cake

China, asia

Length

40.3 km

Elevation

5,694 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Hongqi Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.694m (18,681ft) above the sea level, located in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China, in the northwest of the country. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Set high in the Chang-Chemno Range, the winding road to the summit is totally unpaved. 4x4 vehicles only. The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 10% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at SS19 road, the ascent is 40.3 km (25 miles) long. Due to the high elevations and exposure, the road is subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes. Facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, western toilets etc. are rare to find.Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson

Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Where is it?

Driving the road to Hongqi Daban is not a piece of cake is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 36.0898, 99.8981

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
40.3 km
Max Elevation
5,694 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
36.0898, 99.8981

Related Roads in asia

Driving one of the world's highest motorable roads to Lajiong Laextreme

Driving one of the world's highest motorable roads to Lajiong La

🇨🇳 China

Okay, buckle up, adventure-seekers! We're heading to Lajiong La, a mind-blowing mountain pass in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Seriously, this spot in Coqên County, Ngari Prefecture, sits at a staggering 5,830m (that's 19,127ft!) altitude. Get ready for a wild ride on this unpaved road—think loose rocks, broken surfaces, and heart-stopping drop-offs. You'll definitely want a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle this beast. Starting from the S206 road, you've got about 36.8 km (22.86 miles) of pure, unadulterated adventure ahead, with some seriously steep sections hitting a 16% gradient. The views? Absolutely epic. You're perched high in the Himalayas, in western Tibet. The best part is that Lajiong La is open to anyone in Tibet without special permits. Just be warned: winter can be brutal, with those icy winds making the journey almost impassable. This is a road trip for the books!

Where is Balang Shan Pass?hard

Where is Balang Shan Pass?

🇨🇳 China

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Balang Shan Pass is a beast of a road reaching a whopping 14,714 feet in elevation. You'll find it straddling three counties, with the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve to the east and the stunning Siguniang Mountain Scenic Area to the west. Locals sometimes call the top of the pass "the mountain of strange willows," and trust me, the views are worth stopping for, especially to the west, where you'll find snow-capped peaks. The original road, now the Former 303 Provincial Road, stretches for 16.65 miles of pure adrenaline. Be prepared for super steep sections surrounded by incredible scenery. But a word of caution: rain, snow, and landslides can make this road a real challenge, and closures are common. The road is winding, and steep. Thankfully, the tunnel has bypassed the most gnarly sections, saving drivers tons of time. But even with the tunnel, Balang Shan Pass is still worth experiencing for its diverse landscapes, including alpine flowstone slopes.

Driving the road to Altyn-Arashan is not a piece of cakeextreme

Driving the road to Altyn-Arashan is not a piece of cake

🌍 Kyrgyzstan

Okay, picture this: you're in Kyrgyzstan, itching for adventure, and someone whispers the name "Altyn-Arashan." This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a wild 16.7 km (10.37 miles) trek starting near Teploklyuchenka that'll have your heart pumping and your 4x4 begging for mercy. Why? Because this "road" to the alpine meadow, nestled at 2,528m (8,293ft) in the Ak-Suu District, is no joke. It's bumpy. Like, really bumpy. Think gnarly, unpaved, and seriously steep climbs that gain you 682 meters in elevation. We're talking a 4.08% average gradient – not for the faint of heart! Expect a solid 2-3 hours of white-knuckle driving (without stops!) as you crawl along the Arashan River gorge. This isn't a race; it's a test of your off-road skills. Word to the wise: This path can be snowed in well into summer, so plan accordingly. But if you make it? You'll be rewarded with stunning scenery and a mountaintop resort where you can soak it all in. This road's a beast, but the views are worth every bump and jolt!

Driving the extreme road to Gyandro La: A 5,147m mountain pass with 62 hairpin turnsextreme

Driving the extreme road to Gyandro La: A 5,147m mountain pass with 62 hairpin turns

🇨🇳 China

Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Gyandro La, clocking in at a sky-scraping 5,147m (16,886ft), sits nestled between Lhünzê and Cona counties in Tibet's Shannan Prefecture. We're talking seriously remote, folks—right in the heart of the Himalayas. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking 46.6 km of pure, unadulterated, unpaved road snaking its way from Yonggaerding to Lenong through a wild, isolated landscape. Forget smooth tarmac! It's all rugged dirt and gravel here, so you'll definitely want a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle the uneven terrain. Hold on tight, because the climb is packed with a mind-blowing **62 hairpin turns**! Seriously, they're jammed so close together, you'll need all your focus and patience to navigate them. The gradient hits a maximum of **8%** in places, and while that might not sound insane, remember you're doing it all above 5,000 meters. The air is thin, making it tough on both you and your engine. Altitude sickness is a real risk, so be prepared! Resources are scarce out here. Come ready to be self-sufficient and prepared for unpredictable weather. Speaking of weather, always check the forecast before you go. This road is generally only passable in summer, as winter snow turns it into a no-go zone.