Taking on the Twists and Turns to Xila Daban

Taking on the Twists and Turns to Xila Daban

China, asia

Length

99.7 km

Elevation

5,292 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Xila Daban in western Tibet is calling your name, if you're brave enough. This beast of a mountain pass tops out at a staggering 17,362 feet! Picture this: You're in Zanda County, Ngari Prefecture, China, tackling almost 62 miles of pure, unadulterated, UNPAVED road.

Yeah, you read that right - no smooth sailing here! We're talking steep climbs, with gradients hitting 7% in sections. The road is pretty narrow too, so keep your wits about you. Oh, and definitely keep an eye on the weather forecast - things can change in a heartbeat up here.

The route runs between Qipu Jilie (near the Indian border) and Menduo. A heads up though, amenities are scarce! Forget electricity, fancy toilets, or readily available medical help. But hey, who needs those when you've got bragging rights for conquering Xila Daban, right? Get ready for epic views and a true off-the-grid experience!

Where is it?

Taking on the Twists and Turns to Xila Daban is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 35.0400, 107.7080

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
99.7 km
Max Elevation
5,292 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
35.0400, 107.7080

Related Roads in asia

Dochu Lahard

Dochu La

🇧🇹 Bhutan

Dochu La Pass in Bhutan's Thimphu District is a MUST-SEE, sitting pretty at 3,126m (10,255ft) above sea level. Get ready for a winding, paved climb! The Thimphu-Punakha Highway throws hundreds of turns at you as you ascend. The air gets thin, so be prepared if you're prone to altitude sickness – that 2,500-2,800 meter mark can hit you hard. Engines can struggle with the lack of oxygen, too. At the top, you'll find 108 chortens, built as a memorial to Bhutanese soldiers. And the views? Absolutely breathtaking! You get a full 360-degree panorama of the Himalayas. Winter days are particularly magical when the snow-capped peaks create an incredible backdrop. Keep an eye on the weather, though – this road can close quickly. High winds are common year-round. Luckily, there's a cute little restaurant nearby to warm up after you soak in the scenery! It's a favorite stop for those traveling between Thimphu and Punakha.

Driving the Scenic Shigi-Ikoma Skyline through Mount Ikomamoderate

Driving the Scenic Shigi-Ikoma Skyline through Mount Ikoma

🇯🇵 Japan

Cruising the Shigi-Ikoma Skyline in Japan is like riding a roller coaster through pure scenic bliss! This toll road hugs the ridges of Mount Ikoma and Mount Shigi, right in the heart of the Kongo-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park straddling Nara and Osaka prefectures. Clocking in at about 21 km (13 miles), this fully paved road is not for the faint of heart; some sections boast a wild 24% gradient. You'll climb to a peak elevation of 642 meters (2,106 feet) on Mount Ikoma. Keep in mind, this route is usually open from 6:30 AM to either 11:00 PM (Nov-Feb) or midnight (Mar-Oct), but double-check because bad weather can shut things down. And sorry, no motorcycles allowed! But the views? Absolutely worth it. The Shigi-Ikoma Skyline is famous as the "Mecca of Night View" for a reason. Pull over at the observation points to soak in panoramic vistas of Osaka and Nara. Don't miss the Yuhi (“Sunset”) Parking Lot near the Shotenguchi Toll Booth for incredible sunsets. On a clear day, you might even glimpse the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Kansai International Airport way off in the distance. For the ultimate view, head to Skyland Ikoma, the amusement park at the summit of Mount Ikoma. When the lights twinkle at night, it's like looking down into a giant jewelry box!

Shativankhard

Shativank

🌍 Armenia

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're in Armenia's Vayots Dzor Province and craving something truly off the beaten path, you HAVE to check out Shativank Monastery. This ancient, fortified church is seriously cool, and getting there is half the fun (and the challenge!). We're talking about Shativank Road, snaking its way up through the stunning Yeghegis Valley. Now, fair warning: this isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. It's gravel, it's rocky, it's bumpy, and at times downright tippy! Think serious 4x4 territory, and definitely not for the faint of heart (or those scared of heights – it's STEEP!). Winter? Forget about it – impassable is the name of the game. Starting near Shatin (cute village, mountain goat spotting!), it's only about 6km to the top, but those kilometers pack a punch. You'll climb to a hefty 1,651m (5,416ft) above sea level. The views? Epic! The monastery itself? Sadly, it's on the verge of collapse – crumbling cobblestones and scattered stones everywhere. But that just adds to the haunting beauty, right? Make sure you have an experienced driver because wet conditions can turn that already challenging road into a muddy slip-n-slide! If you're up for a truly unique experience, and an adventure that'll test your driving skills, Shativank is calling your name.

How long is Moldo Ashuu Pass?hard

How long is Moldo Ashuu Pass?

🌍 Kyrgyzstan

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Moldo-Ashuu Pass in Kyrgyzstan's Naryn Region is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking about a wild 45.6 km (28.33 miles) stretch of unpaved road climbing to a whopping 3,346m (10,977ft) above sea level! Picture this: hairpin turns (nine of them!), hugging the Kurtka River canyon, as you make your way from Kara-Oi toward the stunning Son-Kul lake. Seriously, a 4x4 is basically mandatory. Word to the wise: plan your trip carefully. This Tian Shan mountain pass is usually snowed in from November to March, and even summer can bring surprise snowstorms (pack layers!). Fog can also roll in, turning visibility to nil. But trust me, the views are SO worth it. Once you conquer those serpentines, the summit rewards you with insane panoramic vistas. Think winding roads below, the sprawling Naryn Valley, jagged mountain ranges, and even snow-dusted peaks. It's a photographer's dream! Pine-covered slopes add a final touch of magic to this must-see Kyrgyz adventure.