Driving the defiant road from Qusum to Diyag
Tucked away on the border between Shannan and Ngari Prefectures, in Tibet, China, a high mountain road running from Qusum to Diyag is a defiant adventure.
The road is totally unpaved. It’s 147 km (91 miles) long running from Qusum (in Qusum County in the Shannan Prefecture) to Diyag (in Zanda County in the Ngari Prefecture). To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 7 and 9 hours. This road offers jaw-dropping views, unparalleled freedom, and lots of fresh air.
A 4x4 vehicle is required. The road is pretty steep, hitting a 6% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, western toilets etc. are rare to find. The road climbs up six defiant mountain passes through never ending turns: Shiring La, at 5.166m (16,948ft) above the sea level; Rangmik at 5.083m (16,676ft) above the sea level; Riupukyong La, at 4.694m (15,400ft) above the sea level; Kharam La, at 4.657m (15,278ft) asl; Mandang La, at 4.611m (15,127ft) asl and Bau La, at 4.577m (15,016ft).
Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson