A must-experience in this lifetime! How can you miss the stunning scenery on the Lock Road?
🛤️ Lock Road, also known as 'Jiangdie Highway', is acclaimed as China's most beautiful 100 kilometers. It was once the scientific expedition route of American botanist Mr. Joseph Rock, starting from Zagulu Township in Zhuoni County, Gannan, leading to Diebu.
🌟 Today, it is renowned for its challenging nature and the magnificent scenery along the way, hailed as 'China's Route 66'. The landscapes along the way are dreamlike and fantastical, as if one is in a fairyland.
🚶♂️ From the Zhagana Tourist Center to the viewing platform, one quietly steps onto the Lock Road, a distance of about 5 kilometers.
🏞️ The mountain road winds upwards, with the altitude gradually increasing, clouds swirling around, and the temperature dropping accordingly.
📵 The mobile phone signal weakens to none, but the scenery on both sides becomes increasingly enchanting: steep stone mountains, snow lines and ice waterfalls on the mountain tops, dense coniferous forests and grasslands below, and vast grasslands and meandering rivers at the foot of the mountains, each spot is a breathtaking view.
🌈 I highly recommend that everyone take the opportunity to visit, and it will surely be worth the trip.
🐂 Along the way, we encountered several herdsmen leading their cattle and sheep up the mountain, with the distant huts looking particularly simple, yet revealing a primitive simplicity.
🏞️ As the altitude increases, the scenery outside the car window becomes even more spectacular: the magnificent views of the highland canyon seem to transport us into a game world, making it hard to believe that such beauty actually exists.
🚗 The road meanders along the mountain, with our car moving forward on the S-shaped bends.
🏔️ Reaching the viewing platform at an altitude of 3900 meters, the view in front of us is even more heart-stirring: the deep canyon extends into the distance, sunlight filters through the thick clouds, casting light on the grasslands below, creating a scene with distinct layers due to the changing light.
❄️ Despite the biting cold wind, we couldn't help but stop the car to record this unforgettable moment.
🚗 Route and road conditions:
📍 From Zhagana to Zagulu Town in Zhuoni County, the total distance is 110KM, with an estimated travel time of 5 hours.
🛤️ The first 80 kilometers are mountain roads, with some sections covered in gravel, but the overall road condition is acceptable.
🚧 The second 60 kilometers have poor road conditions, with potholes of various sizes, posing a challenge to driving skills.
🛣️ The third 46 kilometers are newly constructed, offering a more comfortable driving experience.
🏞️ ✔ Scenery:
1.📍 Along the Lock Road, the scenery is enchanting, with grasslands, forests, streams, and mountains intertwining into beautiful paintings.
2.📍 The 0~60 kilometer section has more valleys and villages, with rivers and villages under the mountains, peaceful and serene.
3.📍 The 60~80 kilometer section is a mountain road, with several parking spots set up along the way, offering excellent views, and each turn may bring a surprise.
💖 ❤ Warm tips:
①📍 📌 Lock Road is located in a remote area, and the signal may be unstable, please download maps and navigation software in advance.
②🚗 📌 The road conditions are complex, it is recommended to drive a vehicle with a higher chassis and carry a spare tire.
③🌦️ 📌 The mountain climate is unpredictable, please pay attention to the weather forecast to ensure driving safety.
④⏱️ 📌 The entire journey is over 100 kilometers, with an estimated driving time of 6 hours, and most sections have no mobile signal.
⑤🍞 📌 There are no catering services along the way, please prepare water and food in advance.
⑥🅿️ 📌 There are several viewing platforms along the way, pay attention to safe parking, and do not approach the edge of the cliff when taking photos.
⑦🚧 📌 Some sections have falling rocks and potholes, drive carefully, and be extra cautious when passing other vehicles.
⑧🚫 📌 It is not recommended for vehicles with low chassis or novice drivers to travel on this section.
⑨👷♂️ 📌 You may encounter construction crews on the road, and the road conditions are expected to improve in the future.
🏆 ❗ Although the conditions are tough, you will feel an unprecedented sense of achievement after completing the journey.