How to get by car to Zizhu Temple in Tibet?

How to get by car to Zizhu Temple in Tibet?

China, asia

Length

10.7 km

Elevation

4,474 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a place for your bucket list: Zizhu Temple in Tibet's Chamdo Prefecture. We're talking SERIOUSLY high altitude here โ€“ 4,474 meters (that's almost 14,700 feet!). You'll find this incredible temple nestled in Dingqing County, eastern Tibet.

"Zizhu" means "six peaks," and it's one of the highest AND oldest monasteries in the region, a super important site for the Bon religion. This place has been around for over 300 years, and it's dedicated to Guanyin. Every year, they hold this incredible prayer ceremony with ancient Bon religious dances (which, BTW, have influenced Tibetan Buddhism).

Now, the road...get ready for an experience. From 535 Country Road, it's about 10.7 kilometers (6.6 miles) of unpaved, steep trail with a crazy amount of hairpin turns โ€“ I'm talking 40! You'll climb 852 meters, with an average gradient of almost 8%. You'll definitely need a high-clearance vehicle. Oh, and pro tip: don't even THINK about trying this in winter; it's usually impassable. The views, though? Absolutely breathtaking. Just remember, photography and videography are off-limits inside the temple, but you can freely explore. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!

Where is it?

How to get by car to Zizhu Temple in Tibet? is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 34.8519, 100.1385

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
10.7 km
Max Elevation
4,474 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
34.8519, 100.1385

Related Roads in asia

Pereval Sasivordovonhard

Pereval Sasivordovon

๐ŸŒ Uzbekistan2

Pereval Sasivordovon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.366m (11,043ft) above the sea level, located in Namangan Region in the southern part of the Fergana Valley in far eastern part of Uzbekistan. The road to the summit is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. Itโ€™s called R-124. The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting). Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. 4x4 vehicle required. Your wheels will be astounded at the wonderful views of the mountains spread out before you! They are terrible for drivers who are prone to vertigo. The road is very steep. You'll feel like leaning into the car and away from the edge. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs. The pass is usually open from May through November. How to Get to Kantubek: Exploring the Ghost Town in the Aral Sea and Its Chemical Weapons Legacy An epic enthralling road to Shakhristan Pass 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.

How to reach the Everest Base Camp?hard

How to reach the Everest Base Camp?

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China

Okay, picture this: you're in Tibet, near the Nepal border, about to tackle a road that leads to Everest Base Camp โ€“ the north side, that is! We're talking about Zhufeng Road, located within the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve. This isn't just any road; it's mostly paved, a magnificent piece of engineering that takes you practically to the doorstep of the world's highest mountain. The asphalt ends at Zhufeng Base Camp Parking Lot, a lofty 5,017m (16,459ft) above sea level, with just the final 5.4km unpaved. This road follows the historic route, the very same one Mallory & Irvine pioneered. It's a 98.7 km (61.32 miles) stretch from the G318 highway, climbing to a peak of 5,205m (17,076ft). You'll want to factor in about 2.5 to 4 hours to drive it without stopping, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop. Speaking of weather, keep an eye on the forecast. Even though heavy snow isn't common, you're still in the Himalayas at a serious altitude. Oh, and a heads-up: you'll need a permit from the Chinese government to visit the North Base Camp. Is it worth it? Absolutely! The views of Everest's north face are incredible. The scenery is next-level โ€“ think mixed forests, wildflower meadows, glaciers, rivers, and mind-blowing mountain vistas. Plus, the road itself is a thrill, boasting hundreds of hairpin turns that frame unbelievable views of Shisha Pangma, Cho Oyu, Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse. For scenery junkies, this is one of the coolest drives on the planet! Just watch out for those 64 switchbacks near Pang La!

Lamzo La, a winding road only for experienced drivershard

Lamzo La, a winding road only for experienced drivers

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India

Okay, adventure junkies, let's talk Lamzo La! Nestled way up in the Chang-Chemno range of northern India's Leh District, this mountain pass sits at a staggering 16,112 feet! You might also hear it called Porandu Pass or Cholung La. The road, officially Lukumg-Phobrang-Chartse Road, is actually paved, stretching for about 48 miles. Sounds easy, right? Think again! This route is a real rollercoaster, full of twists, turns, and narrow sections that'll test your driving skills. If your travel buddies get carsick easily, maybe skip this one. Expect some seriously steep sections โ€“ gradients can hit 6%! Factor in the altitude (hello, altitude sickness!), unpredictable weather, and the sheer remoteness of it all, and you've got yourself a challenging, unforgettable drive. The views? Absolutely epic. The experience? Totally worth it for the seasoned traveler.

214 County Roadextreme

214 County Road

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China

Okay, picture this: You're cruising along in Tibet, right on the border with Nepal, ready for an epic adventure! You hop off the G318 onto County Road 214, and BAM, you're in for 87.6 km of high-altitude asphalt. Fair warning: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Winter snow can shut things down in a heartbeat, so check conditions before you go. But trust me, it's worth it! Youโ€™re in Nyalam County, smack-dab on the Tibetan Plateau, and the views are insane. Think shimmering lakes like Paiku Co, Langqiang Co, and Baikumai Co, spread out beneath you. Now, let's talk altitude. We're talking a lung-busting 4,926 meters (that's 16,161 feet!) at the highest point. The air gets thin, and even your car might feel it! Most people start feeling the altitude sickness kick in way lower, around 2,500 meters. And the climb? It's seriously steep in places, hitting a max grade of 13.3% as you summit the Lata La. But the views are SO worth it!