
If you love to drive, you'll love the road to Yarto Drak La
China, asia
N/A
5,038 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for Yarto Drak La, a wild ride high in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China! We're talking a whopping 5,038 meters (16,528 feet) above sea level, so be prepared for that altitude!
You'll find this beauty in Qusum County, snaking along the S202 Road. The good news is, it's fully paved, so no off-roading nightmares. The not-so-good news? It's remote, winding through desolate valleys. Keep an eye out for Shobo La to the south.
Speaking of challenges, altitude sickness is a real risk here, so take it slow and stay hydrated. And when winter hits, expect snow and slippery conditions. But the scenery? Totally worth it! You're cruising through the fertile Yarlung Valley, connecting Shannan (Lhoka) with Cona, passing the small, serene Zhalacuo lake at the summit. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for Yarlha Shampo, a majestic 6636m peak where legend says the first Tibetan king descended from the heavens. Seriously epic views!
Where is it?
If you love to drive, you'll love the road to Yarto Drak La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 34.9638, 108.4474
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Max Elevation
- 5,038 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 34.9638, 108.4474
Related Roads in asia
extremeDriving the infamous Taroko Gorge Road in Taiwan
🇹🇼 Taiwan
# Taroko Gorge Road: Taiwan's Thrilling Mountain Marvel Hidden in Hualien County on Taiwan's east coast lies Taroko Gorge, a jaw-dropping canyon carved right through the heart of Taroko National Park. The name itself—meaning "magnificent and splendid" in the Truku aboriginal language—perfectly captures what you'll experience driving through here. The Zhongbu Cross-island Highway stretches 118 km (73.32 miles) of completely paved road running east-west from Xincheng Township to Ren'ai. It's a bonafide engineering marvel, meticulously carved through solid rock to connect Taiwan's east and west coasts. Recently, engineers have added extra tunnels to keep traffic safe while preserving those stunning viewpoints. Here's the thing though: this road is *tight*. Picture a single lane barely wide enough for one bus to squeeze through, while tour coaches, scooters, cars, and pedestrians all jostle for space. You'll navigate countless blind hairpin turns, dart through dozens of unlit single-lane tunnels, and gaze down at the Liwu River hundreds of meters below. It's both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. Mother Nature doesn't make things easier. Typhoon season brings torrential rains (up to 1200 mm annually) that trigger rockfalls and landslides. The region experiences about three to four tropical cyclones yearly, and the gorge's marble and gneiss walls are vulnerable to seismic activity. During severe weather, sections close completely—sometimes for hours or days. The road's history is equally dramatic. Before the 1950s, only a footpath existed. When Chiang Kai-shek envisioned connecting Taiwan east to west through the Central Range, Nationalist Army soldiers built this route in just four years (1956–1960), opening to traffic on May 9, 1960—at tremendous human cost. **Planning Your Drive?** This route demands respect. Get a pre-trip vehicle tune-up focusing on brakes, transmission fluid, tires, and cooling systems. Pack extra water, food, repair tools, and first aid supplies. Tell someone your route and expected arrival time. When driving, downshift on descents to ease brake strain, use light tapping instead of hard braking, and brake *before* hairpin turns for better control. Keep your eyes sharp on road signs—the views are incredible, but your attention belongs on the road. Only experienced, cautious drivers should attempt this route. Yes, it's risky, but for those ready for the challenge, Taroko Gorge Road offers an unforgettable adventure through one of Asia's most spectacular landscapes.
extremeWho built the road to Xifanggoucun?
🇨🇳 China
, in China's north-western Shaanxi province, the road to stands as a testament to human determination. Tucked away in the formidable , this terrifying mountain drive is one of the most remarkable tunnel roads in China , literally hanging approximately 3,000ft high above the valley floor. Road facts: Xifanggoucun Road Ningqiang County, Shaanxi, China ~915 m (3,000 ft) drop Cliff-hanging Tunnel Road Who built the road to Xifanggoucun? Unlike modern highways, this precarious path was constructed entirely by local residents between 2000 and 2006. For decades, Xifanggoucun village was practically isolated from the world; villagers had to climb over the mountain peaks and walk for two hours just to reach the nearest bus stop. Determined to change their fate, they carved this road out of the sheer cliffs. Today, what used to be a grueling two-hour hike is now a 10-minute drive, although the journey is far from relaxing for those behind the wheel. Is the road to Xifanggoucun paved? 6,000-meter-long road is totally paved with concrete . However, the paving does little to alleviate the fear factor. The track is extremely narrow and is totally impassable to bigger vehicles ; only small cars or motorcycles can navigate the tight squeezes. The most iconic feature of the drive are the "windows" carved into the side of the tunnels. These openings were originally made to dump debris during construction, but now they offer wonderful, yet dizzying views of the 3,000ft drop to the valley below. Why is the drive to Xifanggoucun dangerous? The drive is considered high-risk because it lacks almost all modern safety features. There are no barriers, no safety mirrors, and no lamps along the entire stretch. Driving through the hand-hewn tunnels feels like entering a cave, where the jagged ceiling is often just inches above the car roof. The transition from the dark tunnels to the bright cliff-side openings can be blinding, and the constant threat of rockfalls in the Daba Mountains adds another layer of danger. One wrong steering input on the narrow concrete surface could be fatal, as there is nothing between the tires and the abyss. What should you expect when conquering this Chinese tunnel road? Conquering the Xifanggoucun road requires absolute focus and a high tolerance for vertigo. The path is the only transportation route connecting the village to the outside world, so you might encounter local motorcycles in the most inconvenient, narrow spots. Because the road is carved into a vertical cliff, extreme care is needed during rainy weather, as water cascades directly over the tunnel openings. It is a masterpiece of folk engineering that demands respect for both the people who built it and the terrifying landscape it inhabits. Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez Get behind the wheels for Guangzhou Green Tunnel Road A road trip on the Lapche La pass is truly epic 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.
extremeHow long is the road from Ashgabat to Dashoguz?
🌍 Turkmenistan
The P-1 Highway: Ashgabat to Dashoguz – Turkmenistan's Wild Ride! So, you're thinking of hitting the P-1, huh? This isn't your average Sunday drive. Connecting the gleaming white capital of Ashgabat to the northern city of Dashoguz, this is Turkmenistan's main artery...but it's got a serious wild side. We're talking roughly of straight-shot driving through the heart of the brutal . Buckle up, buttercup! The scenery? Let's just say it's a masterclass in beige. But the real fun (or terror, depending on your perspective) lies in the "invisible" hazards lurking on the asphalt. We're talking potholes so deep they could swallow a small car, appearing out of nowhere thanks to heat haze and shifting sands. Oh, and this is *the* road to get you to the famed , about halfway through your desert adventure. Expect this trip to take anywhere from 7 to 10 hours, assuming your ride survives. The heat melts the road, creating ruts and that can destroy your suspension in a heartbeat. Fuel is king! Top up in Ashgabat because you'll find nothing for the next 300km. Seriously, pack at least 20 liters of spare fuel – especially if you are planning to see the Darvaza Crater. Now, let's talk about the locals...specifically, the four-legged kind. love wandering onto the road and, unlike sensible animals, they don't always move. Hitting one? Not a good time. Dust storms and sudden sand drifts can also appear in minutes, turning your tires into skis. Night driving? Nope. Just don't. Pitch a tent if you have to and wait for dawn. Before you even think about turning the key, get your ride thoroughly checked. Tires and tire pressure are crucial. The desert will push your engine to its limits, so make sure it can handle the heat. Two spare tires? A very, very good idea. Happy (and safe) travels!
hardA hairpinned road to Ganden Monastery
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: you're in Tibet, about 25 miles northeast of Lhasa, ready for an adventure. You're headed to Ganden Monastery, perched way up high on Wangbori Mountain at a whopping 14,196 feet! This place isn't just any monastery, it's one of the "Great Three" Gelug universities, founded way back in 1409. The road to get there? Oh, it's a total rollercoaster! Starting in the little mountain village of Jiangcuo, it's a twisty, turny climb of about 517 meters over just 7.6 kilometers. That's an average gradient of almost 7%, so buckle up! We're talking 18 hairpin turns, each one delivering even more breathtaking views of the Lhasa valley below. And don't worry, the whole thing's paved, so your ride will be smooth (ish!) as you make your way to this incredible mountaintop treasure. The scenery alone is worth the trip!