Kazila Mountain Pass
卡子拉山
A high mountain pass on the Ya Jiang to Lithang section of G318, at about 4,718 metres, where the winding road known as the 'Eighteen Bends of the Heavenly Road' and the gentle alpine meadows make it an essential stop for self-drivers.
Kazila Pass lies on the Yajiang-to-Lithang section of National Highway G318, at an altitude of about 4,718 metres and about 40 kilometres from Lithang county town. The mountain road climbing up from the Yajiang direction has many switchbacks, which self-drivers call the 'Eighteen Bends of the Heavenly Road.' Once you reach the pass, the view opens up. Rolling alpine meadows stretch silkily towards the horizon, dotted with yak herds and wildflowers in summer. On fine days you can see the snow peaks of Gongga Mountain in the distance. The pass has viewpoints, parking and prayer flags. It is free, and a stop of 20–40 minutes is enough. In recent years, some sections have been bypassed by the Kazila Tunnel, so if you want to see the mountain road and the pass scenery, take the old road and check road conditions before departure.
Tips: the altitude is high and the wind cold, so move slowly after getting out of the car to avoid altitude sickness. In winter and spring the road can ice over, and foggy weather reduces visibility. Drive slowly, and park away from bends.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Litang Monastery (Lithang Gompa)
- Litang
- Lithang Old Town & Thousand-Household Tibetan Village
- Tsangyang Gyatso Museum
- Zhaga Mountain
- Wuliang River Valley
- Maoya Grassland
- Tu'er Mountain