More than 100 hairpin turns on the road to Taibai Mountain

More than 100 hairpin turns on the road to Taibai Mountain

China, asia

Length

19.5 km

Elevation

2,766 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the heart of China's Shaanxi province, nestled within the stunning Taibai Mountain National Forest Park, awaits the legendary Tàibái Shān pass. We're talking a whopping 2,766 meters (that's over 9,000 feet!) above sea level.

The road? Paved, thankfully, but don't let that fool you. This isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture this: narrow roads, seriously steep inclines, and hairpin turns galore—we're talking a full 100 of those bad boys. Oh, and did I mention the tour buses that frequent this route? It's not for the faint of heart, folks. Trust me, you'll want to hug that guardrail on the cliff side before whipping that steering wheel around each curve.

This incredible stretch of road winds for about 19.5 kilometers (a little over 12 miles) from Man'Gou to Dongcha. At the summit, you'll find a spacious parking lot where you can catch your breath and soak in the panoramic views of the Qinling Range. Seriously, the scenery alone is worth the white-knuckle drive. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Where is it?

More than 100 hairpin turns on the road to Taibai Mountain is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 37.7194, 108.4256

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
19.5 km
Max Elevation
2,766 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
37.7194, 108.4256

Related Roads in asia

Mi La: The Ultimate Road Trip Guidehard

Mi La: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide

🇨🇳 China

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Mi La Pass in Tibet, China! This baby climbs to a staggering 5,010m (16,437ft) above sea level. You'll find it along China National Highway 318, otherwise known as the legendary Friendship Highway heading to Nepal. The road's paved, so no need for monster truck tires, but be warned: you'll likely find it impassable from October to June thanks to the weather. The views from the top? Absolutely mind-blowing! This isn't a Sunday drive, though. It's a long haul through some seriously remote terrain, so come prepared. If you're prone to respiratory issues or have a heart condition, maybe sit this one out. The air gets seriously thin up there – we're talking significantly less oxygen than you're used to. Altitude sickness is a real risk, hitting many people way before you even reach the summit. Expect your engine to struggle, your pulse to race, and even simple movements to feel like a workout. Keep an eye on the weather; heavy mist can roll in and make things dicey. After you crest the pass, though, get ready for a visual treat! The landscape transforms into classic alpine scenery with rocky gorges and a welcome return of trees. Oh, and a heads up: these days, you can bypass the pass altogether through the Mi La Mountain tunnel!

Pereval Kum Belextreme

Pereval Kum Bel

🌍 Kyrgyzstan

Pereval Kum Bel is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.256m (10,682ft) above the sea level, located in Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan. The road to the summit is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy.  The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting). 4x4 vehicle required. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hundreds of hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs. The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. High winds blow here all year long. Even in summer you can confront with snowy days. Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson Pereval Ayrytash: The treacherous 10% gravel climb in Kyrgyzstan 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.

Is the road to Ma La paved?extreme

Is the road to Ma La paved?

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Ma La in Tibet! This ain't your average Sunday drive. We're talking remote, high-altitude driving in Nyalam County, China, connecting Gyirong with the unreal Paiku Co lake. Picture this: the vast Tibetan Plateau stretching out before you, but first, you gotta conquer this beast of a road. Forget smooth tarmac – it's all gravel, baby! And depending on the weather, that gravel can turn seriously treacherous. Oh, and did I mention we're scaling to a whopping 5,245m (17,208ft)? Yeah, altitude sickness is a real thing up here. Plus, winter brings heavy snow, so this road can be a no-go at any moment. Now, about those hairpin turns… Thirty-two of 'em! This ascent is a twisty, turny rollercoaster, demanding your full attention. Steep gradients and loose gravel mean even seasoned drivers will be put to the test. Starting from Zhongma, it’s a 17.5 km (10.8 miles) climb to the summit, gaining a massive 1,752 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 10%! Your engine's gonna be screaming, and you'll be gasping for air, but the views… oh, the VIEWS! Totally worth it (maybe after you catch your breath). Just remember to respect the mountain, bring a capable vehicle, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure.

Where is Potanin Glacier?hard

Where is Potanin Glacier?

🌍 Mongolia

Okay, so you want to see the Potanin Glacier in Mongolia? This place is seriously off the beaten path, located way out west in Bayan-Ulgii Province, inside Altai Tavan Bogd National Park – which locals call "the five sacred mounts of Altai" – right near where Mongolia, China, and Russia all meet. This isn’t your Sunday drive. The trek to the Potanin Glacier is about 14 km long and a real adventure. You’re gonna need a 4x4 and someone who knows what they’re doing behind the wheel. Expect snow until almost June and again starting in October. Even in summer, nights get seriously cold. Rain can turn the whole trail into a muddy slip-n-slide, and after a storm? Forget about it – you might be stuck for a while, even with four-wheel drive. The rainy season is typically mid-July to mid-August. Seriously, only try this with a proper 4x4. You’re heading into the middle of nowhere, so be prepared for anything. Driving a rugged ex-military jeep like a Furgon, or a Soviet-era UAZ-425 "bukhanka" is a popular choice. These things can handle anything as long as they don’t overheat! This road is a true test. You'll end up over 3,000 meters above sea level (10,000+ feet!). The scenery, though, is unreal: wild landscapes, mountains draped in glaciers, lush green valleys, and sky-high peaks. Get that camera ready. You'll see clear, icy rivers carving through the valleys, meadows exploding with wildflowers, and those snow-capped mountains towering over everything. Trust me; you’ll want to remember this.