Road trip guide: Conquering the Kuqiong Gangri Glacier
Kuqiong Gangri (Kuoqionggangri) is a high-mountain glacier located in Damxung, a county of Lhasa City in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Where is Kuqiong Gangri Glacier?
The glacier is located west of Lhasa, in the southern part of the country. It is one of the world's three largest land glaciers.
When was the road to Kuqiong Gangri Glacier built?
In April 2021, a gravel road was opened to public, reaching an elevation of 5.606m (18,392ft) above sea level.
Is the road to Kuqiong Gangri Glacier unpaved?
The unrestrained road to the glacier is totally unpaved. It was opened for tourists visiting the area. A 4x4 vehicle is required. The ecological environment on both sides of the road has not been damaged, and if you are lucky, you can see a lot of wild animals.
How defiant is the road to Kuqiong Gangri Glacier?
The road is pretty challenging: it’s very curvy with 17 hairpin turns. It is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness. It is pretty steep, hitting an 11% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps.
How long is the road to Kuqiong Gangri Glacier?
Starting at S304 road, the ascent is 11km (6.83 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 680 meters. The average gradient is 6.18%.
Is the road to Kuqiong Gangri Glacier open year-round?
This road is usually impassable from late October through late June or early July (depending on snow). The road is icy all year long, so pay attention to safety.
Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson
Pic&video: 用青春去旅行 官方频道