The Devil's Ladder on the Sky Road: Conquering the 1500-Meter Drop of the Nujiang 72 Turns

A Masterpiece of Engineering on the G318

Located deep within the wrinkles of the Hengduan Mountains in Basu County, Chamdo, lies one of the most visually arresting and physically demanding sections of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (G318): the Nujiang 72 Turns (also known as the "99 Bends of the Sky Road" or "Yela Mountain 72 Turns"),. This is not merely a scenic spot but a legendary stretch of road that tests the nerves of every driver passing through. Spanning approximately 12 kilometers, the road snakes down from the Yela Mountain Pass at an altitude of 4,658 meters to the banks of the Nu River at 3,100 meters, creating a dizzying vertical drop of over 1,500 meters,. Looking down from the observation deck at the pass, the road appears like a giant gray ribbon carelessly dropped onto the rugged brown mountains, folding back and forth in a relentless zigzag pattern known as "Z-shaped" bends, creating a "Devil's Ladder" that connects the high plateau to the deep canyon below,.

A Geological and Visual Spectacle

1.The visual impact of the: Nujiang 72 Turns is profound. It showcases a dramatic contrast between the high-altitude barrenness and the river valley environment. At the top, the Yela Mountain Pass is often windblown and desolate, offering panoramic views of the rugged, treeless mountain folds that characterize the tectonic activity of the region,. As you descend, the vegetation changes, and the roar of the Nu River (Salween) grows louder. The canyon walls are steep and imposing, often devoid of greenery, exposing raw rock and soil that glow under the plateau sun. This landscape is a testament to the powerful geological forces of the "Three Parallel Rivers" region, where mountains were squeezed and rivers carved deep gashes into the earth,.

A Testament to the "Two Roads" Spirit

Historically, this section represents a monumental chapter in the construction of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Built in the 1950s by the People's Liberation Army, this road was carved out of "forbidden zones" where birds struggled to fly and monkeys dared not cross. It stands as a living monument to the "Two Roads Spirit" (referring to the Sichuan-Tibet and Qinghai-Tibet highways), symbolizing the determination to conquer nature to connect the frontier with the interior,. For decades, it has served as a vital lifeline for materials and personnel entering Tibet. Today, while the road surface has been paved with asphalt and safety barriers installed, the sheer scale of the engineering feat and the historical weight of the path remain palpable to every traveler,.

The Thrill of the Drive

For self-driving enthusiasts, cyclists, and motorcyclists, traversing the Nujiang 72 Turns is a rite of passage. The drive involves navigating continuous hairpin turns while managing a steep descent, requiring constant braking and complete concentration,. The experience is a blend of adrenaline and awe, often described as "body in hell, eyes in heaven." Upon reaching the bottom, travelers are greeted by the roaring Nu River and the iconic Nujiang Bridge, a critical choke point that guards the throat of the canyon. The journey through this section is not just about moving from point A to point B; it is an immersive lesson in geography, history, and the resilience of the human spirit,.