The road to Xia Quepu Lake is not for the faint of heart

The road to Xia Quepu Lake is not for the faint of heart

China, asia

Length

29.3 km

Elevation

4,918 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Xia Quepu, a glacial lake chilling way up high in Tibet's Kangmar County at a staggering 4,918m (16,135ft)!

This isn't your Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved, so a 4x4 is a must. You're heading into serious wilderness, so forget about finding fancy amenities – think remote, raw, and real. Keep a close eye on the weather; conditions can change on a dime.

Trust me, though, the views are worth it! The road winds its way past the majestic Masang Kang peak, and the scenery is simply breathtaking. Starting from the S204, it's a 29.3 km climb, gaining 647m in elevation. Some sections are seriously steep, hitting a max gradient of 14%!

And here's a little bonus: The road continues past the lake's northern shore and will take you into Bhutan, crossing a pass that soars to 5,400m (17,716ft).

Where is it?

The road to Xia Quepu Lake is not for the faint of heart is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 38.8624, 104.4042

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
29.3 km
Max Elevation
4,918 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
38.8624, 104.4042

Related Roads in asia

Navigating the Terrain: Journey to Siyah Kamar Peakmoderate

Navigating the Terrain: Journey to Siyah Kamar Peak

🇮🇷 Iran

Okay, thrill-seekers, let's talk Siyah Kamar in the Alborz Mountains of Iran! This peak soars to 3,335 meters (that's 10,941 feet!), making it one of the highest roads in the country. Picture this: you're cruising on a 4.7 km (about 3 miles) unpaved road in northwestern Iran, not far from the west of ... with most regular cars able to make the journey! You'll climb 333 meters, averaging a 7% gradient. Keep your eyes peeled as you get higher, because the scenery is unreal. When you finally reach the top, you'll find some cool, abandoned buildings! Word to the wise: this route is typically snowed in from late October until late June or early July, so plan your trip accordingly!

Monda La is one of the highest paved roads on Earthextreme

Monda La is one of the highest paved roads on Earth

🇨🇳 China

Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Monda La! This insane mountain pass sits way up high in the Tibet Autonomous Region, clocking in at a staggering 17,742 feet above sea level. You'll find it in Nagarzê County on the southern Tibetan Plateau, snaking along the G219 Highway. And get this – it’s paved with CONCRETE! Paved in 2015, so it's relatively new. This 15-mile stretch of road climbs like crazy from Longzha to Zharixiang. Expect a seriously steep ascent with around 18 hairpin turns that will have your engine working overtime. Some corners hit a gradient of 14-15%, so be prepared. Heads up, though: we're talking serious altitude here. The air is thin, the weather can be extreme, and conditions can be brutal. Usually, you won't be able to get through from October to June. Plus, keep an eye out for the Xiya Valley Hanging Tunnel dug out by hand!

A paved road to the summit of Kudi Passhard

A paved road to the summit of Kudi Pass

🇨🇳 China

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Kudi Daban! This epic mountain pass clocks in at a whopping 3,312 meters (that's 10,866 feet!) high in the Kargilik County of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. You'll find it along the 219 National Road, also called the Tibet-Xinjiang Highway. Construction started way back in 1951, finally wrapping up in 1957. The whole thing was paved as recently as 2013. This "Sky Road," as the Chinese call it, will have you cruising at altitudes over 5,000m, so be aware of altitude sickness! And if you're not a fan of heights, maybe focus on the incredible views ahead instead of looking down. Get ready for some wild scenery on this unforgettable ride!

Mount Spitakasarmoderate

Mount Spitakasar

🌍 Armenia

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're heading to Armenia's Ararat Province and craving an off-road adventure, put Mount Spitakasar on your radar. This volcanic giant tops out at a cool 3,255 meters (that's 10,679 feet!), making it one of Armenia's highest drivable points. Nestled in the Geghama Mountains, the road to the summit is a proper off-road challenge. Think gravel, rocks, and plenty of bumps to keep you on your toes. A 4x4 is a MUST. Word to the wise: this route is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. Also, keep an eye on the sky – thunderstorms can quickly turn a manageable track into a 4x4-only nightmare (or worse, impassable!). But if you time it right, you'll be rewarded with some seriously epic views.