Aerial Journey Through Kunlun Mountains: Navigating Yuzhu Peak's Challenging Terrain

Explore the challenging Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau routes, navigating Yuzhu Peak's breathtaking landscapes and highway adventures with expert insights.

Snowy mountain peaks rising above arid desert valley with long highway stretching into distance
Panoramic aerial view of the rugged Kunlun Mountains and Yuzhu Peak, marking the crossing point of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. This drone capture reveals the challenging terrain of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, with its notorious potholes and high-altitude (4,800m) driving conditions.

Once you enter the Kunlun Mountains, you've effectively crossed the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Golmud is just a two-hour drive away. The Qinghai-Tibet Highway is pockmarked with potholes, testing both drivers and vehicles to their limits, but there aren't many steep climbs. If you're used to the 4,800-meter altitude and keep a safe following distance with steady speed, making the return trip isn't too difficult. Unlike these, Highways 317 and 318 have endless twisting roads. Add reckless truck convoys to the mix, and they become downright dangerous.