Chure Chu Valley Road: Driving the 4 high passes in southeastern Tibet
The Chure Chu Valley Road is a high-altitude mountain route running along the Chure Chu-Xia Chu river valley in the Shannan Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Connecting Lhozhag and Comai counties, the unpaved track climbs over four distinct mountain passes, topping out at 4,412 meters on Shong La.
| Road facts: Chure Chu Valley Road | |
|---|---|
| Location | Shannan Prefecture, Tibet (China) |
| Length | 71.6 km (44.49 miles) between Lhozhag and Comai |
| Maximum Elevation | 4,412 m (14,475 ft) at Shong La |
| Mountain Passes | Ba La (3,668m), Gyal La (3,875m), Dsa Khar La (3,908m), Shong La (4,412m) |
| Surface | Unpaved loose gravel, dirt, and rock track |
| Vehicle Requirement | High-clearance 4WD mandatory |
Where is the Chure Chu Valley Road located?
The road follows the Chure Chu-Xia Chu river basin in Shannan Prefecture, straddling the border area between Lhozhag County and Comai County in southeastern Tibet. The track carves through steep, arid valley slopes and high Himalayan foothills.
Is the Chure Chu Valley Road paved?
No. The entire 71.6-kilometer route is completely unpaved, consisting of loose gravel, coarse stones, and dirt. The roadbed forms a narrow shelf-track along cliff faces, featuring single-lane bottlenecks without guardrails or outer protective barriers.
What passes exist on the Chure Chu Valley Road?
The route crosses four sequential mountain passes along its 71.6-kilometer distance: Ba La at 3,668 meters, Gyal La at 3,875 meters, Dsa Khar La at 3,908 meters, and Shong La at 4,412 meters.
Is the Chure Chu Valley Road open in winter?
No. Heavy winter snowpack and freezing temperatures block the higher passes—particularly Shong La at 4,412 meters—closing the unpaved corridor to vehicular traffic from late autumn until spring clearance operations.
Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson
Pic: p. pc高手