Chang La
| Chang La | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Elevation | 5,360 m (17,585 ft) |
| Traversed by | Road from Indus Valley to Pangong Lake |
| Location | Ladakh, India |
| Range | Himalayas |
| Coordinates | 34°02′49″N 77°55′50″E / 34.04704°N 77.93054°E |
  Location of Chang La in Ladakh  Chang La (India) | |
Chang La is a high mountain pass in Ladakh at an elevation of 5,360 m (17,590 ft) in the Greater Himalaya between Leh and the Shyok River valley.[1][2] The Chang La, on Leh to Pangong Lake road,[3] lies on the Leh-Karu-Sakti-Zingral-Chang La-Durbuk-Tangtse-Pangong Lake motorable road. Karu, which lies on Leh-Manali NH-3, connects Chang La and Pangong Lake to Leh and the rest of India. In September 2021, BRO opened another alternate motorable asphalt road between Zingral and Tangtse via Ke La pass (5,669.28 m or 18,600.0 ft) and Taruk (also spelled Tharuk).[4][5]
Chang La is approached from Zingral village by a steeply climbing asphalt road which requires careful driving. The stretch of 10–15 km road on either side of Chang La becomes loose dirt and slush after the winter and requires regular maintenance. During the summer months specifically the tourist season, small streams appear across the road, making the climb a challenge for bikers. The descent from Chang La towards Tangtse or Darbuk is again very steep. Doctors advise not staying at the top for more than 20–25 minutes as it may cause altitude sickness.
Etymology
[edit]Chang La literally means "Southern Pass" ("Chang" = South, "La" = Pass) in the Tibetic language of Ladakhi.[6][7]
Geography
[edit]The Changla pass is the main gateway for the Nubra region. The small town of Tangste is one of the nearest settlements.[3] Zingral is the nearest habitation.
DRDO research station
[edit]
The world's highest research station, established by the Defence Research and Development Organisation is functional at Chang La situated at the height of 5,384 metres (17,664 ft).[3]
Gallery
[edit]-
Chang La with prayer flags -
Chang La, Tea Point, everyone is welcome -
Chang La, Ladakh in 2013
See also
[edit]- India-China Border Roads
- Transport and tourism in Ladakh
- List of mountain passes of India
- List of mountains in India
References
[edit]- ^ GeoNames. "Chang La Pass". Retrieved 17 June 2009.
- ^ Jina, Prem Singh (31 August 1998). Ladakh: The Land & The People. India: Indus Publishing. pp. 25–26. ISBN 978-81-7387-057-6.
- ^ a b c Service, Tribune News. "At 17,500 ft, world's highest research station becomes functional in Ladakh". Tribuneindia News Service.
- ^ "World's highest motorable road at 18600 ft inaugurated in Ladakh". The News Minute. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ "MP Ladakh inaugurates road connecting Zingral to Tharuk, Tangtse". Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh. Govt of Ladakh. 1 September 2021. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Changla Pass". www.jktdc.co.in. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
- ^ "Chang La – Gateway to Pangong and Guardian of the Cold → History of Chang La – Gateway to Pangong and Guardian of the Cold". ColorStays. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
External links
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