Jueba Mountain

Jueba Mountain (also known as Jiaoba Mountain) lies in the Three Rivers (Jinsha, Lancang, and Nujiang) basin of the Hengduan Mountains, nestled between the Anjiula Mountains, the Boshula Mountains, and the Lawu Mountains. Jueba Mountain isn’t high, with the pass at a mere 3,940 meters above sea level. However, due to the deep undercutting of the Lancang River over millennia, the riverbanks are sheer cliffs, creating a desolate and rugged appearance, giving the impression of lofty mountains and deep valleys. This is one of the most dangerous sections of the Hengduan Mountains. The 30-kilometer winding road and nearly 2,000-meter elevation difference make Jueba Mountain one of the most challenging and time-consuming climbs on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. The road, which stretches along the cliffs, lacks guardrails or road signs. Many sections are carved directly into the mountainside, leaning against the cliffs above and dangling from the abyss below. Although the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is known for its natural dangers, there are actually only a few, such as the Pailong, Tongmai, and Nujiang natural barriers. Compared with these famous natural dangers, Jueba Mountain is indeed not well-known. Only those who have experienced it in person will know that this unknown natural danger is just as daunting as the other famous ones.