
Driving the road to Zixia Palace with 49 dizzying hairpin bends
China, asia
5 km
3,245 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Yunnan Province, China, Dongchuan District to be exact. You're heading up Guniu Mountain on a wild adventure to Zixia Palace, a mind-blowing building perched way up at 3,245m (10,646ft)!
The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. It's a totally unpaved, 5km (3.10 mile) rollercoaster that climbs a staggering 1,000 meters. Buckle up for 49 hairpin turns and some seriously steep sections hitting a 20% gradient! The road starts at Dongchuan Wangjiaqing Village.
Most cars can handle it, but be prepared for a bumpy ride! Keep an eye out for a gate that might block the way. But trust me, the views from the top are absolutely worth it. Imagine yourself surrounded by breathtaking scenery – a reward for conquering this thrilling, challenging, and beautiful climb!
Where is it?
Driving the road to Zixia Palace with 49 dizzying hairpin bends is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 33.8884, 105.4620
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 5 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,245 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 33.8884, 105.4620
Related Roads in asia
hardThe road to Baboon Top isn’t an easy one
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Baboon Top, aka Babun Gali, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, is calling your name! This crazy high mountain pass punches in at a whopping 3,695m (12,122ft) above sea level, nestled right in the heart of the rugged Baboon Valley. Forget smooth sailing – this 34km (21.12 miles) dirt track from Seri to Keran is a wild ride. We're talking super narrow sections, water crossings, hairpin turns galore, and a whole lotta rocks. Oh, and did I mention the stomach-churning drop-offs? Definitely bring your 4x4! Seriously, this road is STEEP, with some sections hitting a wild 19% gradient. Budget 3-4 hours to conquer this beast without rushing, and aim for a visit between April and early September, before the heavy snow shuts it down. Trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment!
moderateKarmir Pass
🌍 Armenia
Hey adventurers! Ready for a wild ride through Armenia? Let me tell you about Karmir Pass, sitting pretty high up in the Gegharkunik Province, close to the Azerbaijan border at 2,184m (7,165ft). You'll cruise along the H30, a paved road, and the surface is generally pretty decent. Keep your eyes peeled as you hug the lake's edge – you'll spot some seriously cool, rusty relics from abandoned Soviet-era projects. It's like a trip back in time! But here's the thing: the weather up here is a total drama queen. One minute you're basking in autumn sunshine, the next you're in a winter wonderland with snow-covered mountains and hills shimmering like a million diamonds. Seriously, be prepared for anything!
hardWhere is Nakole?
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Nakole Pass in Coqên County, China! We're talking SERIOUSLY high – think air so thin your engine (and lungs) will be gasping. This isn't your Sunday drive. Nestled way out in western Tibet, southeast of Ngari Prefecture, you'll find this gem tucked between the Gangdise and Kunlun ranges. Imagine a desolate, high-altitude desert dotted with salt lakes and the occasional nomad. Epic scenery? Absolutely. Easy drive? Not so much. The "road" (and I use that term loosely) is about 56 miles of pure, unadulterated gravel and rocky track. We're talking 4x4 HIGH-CLEARANCE territory. Seriously, you’ll need your navigation A-game, because in some parts, the path just…vanishes. You'll be hugging the shore of Gyesar Tso, a massive lake shimmering at over 16,000 feet. Breathtaking! Now, timing is everything. This pass is pretty much a no-go outside of July to September. Think blizzards, ice, and general "nope" conditions the rest of the year. Oh, and pro-tip: bring everything you need. Zero facilities (fuel, medical – nada) for that 56 mile stretch. Basically, you, your ride, and some of the most extreme scenery on Earth. Are you in?
hardAvoid the road through Kyrk-Kyz Pass
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Kyrk-Kyz Pass in eastern Kyrgyzstan's Naryn Province is calling your name, but be warned – this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a heart-pounding climb to 10,570 feet (3,222m) of pure, unadulterated thrill! This rugged, unpaved path, also called Pereval Kyrk-Kyz, connects Kyzyl-Oi (on the A-367) and Toluk. Forget your low-riders, you'll need a 4x4 beast with high clearance to even think about tackling this one. ATVs are an option for the truly daring! Now, I'm not going to sugarcoat it: this road is seriously risky. Rockslides are a major hazard, and conditions can change in a heartbeat. Honestly, avoiding it altogether is solid advice! But... if you're the kind of traveler who lives for the edge, make sure you NEVER go it alone. Winter unleashes its full fury here. Expect to be blown away by the gorgeous scenery – rolling hills, lush pastures, and glimpses of nomadic life with yurts dotting the landscape. Just remember to respect the danger and be prepared for anything!