Zhamo Highway Rainforest Section
扎墨公路
The road to Medog descends from Galongla Snow Mountain to subtropical rainforest. The Eight Hairpin Bends, the 52K cascades, and the banana forest at 80K are essential stops along the way.
The Zhamo Highway (G559) runs about 117 km from Zhamu Town in Bomi to Medog County. It passes through the Galongla Tunnel and then descends through the Eight Hairpin Bends, a series of switchbacks. Elevation drops from over 4,000 meters to about 1,100 meters. In a single day, you pass through snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests, and finally a rainforest tangled with banana plants and vines.
Common stops include the three-tier cascades at 52K, the banana-forest rainforest section near 80K, and the Lindo Big Bend.
You must apply in advance for a border-defense permit. The road is restricted by license plate number on alternating days (in recent years, even-numbered plates have entered and odd-numbered plates have exited). Night travel is prohibited. Check the local traffic notices for current rules. Watch for rockfalls and landslides during the rainy season.
Opening hours
Open to traffic per traffic regulations (no night access)
Nearby sights
- Damu Lhoba Ethnic Township
- Mirage Viewpoint (Medog)
- Medog Town
- Rinchenpung Monastery
- Medog Monba-Lhoba Heritage Museum
- Dexing Cane Net Bridge
- Guoguotang Great Bend
- Beibeng & Xirang Village