It is among the most dangerous of highways in Nepal due to extremely steep slopes on each side of the road from Barabise onwards; massive landslides and bus plunges[3] are not uncommon, especially after rains.

At the Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge, it connects with China National Highway 318 to Lhasa, and eventually to Shanghai.

A road junction at Lamidanda, around 12 km from Dhulikhel, leads to Palanchowk where Palanchok Bhagawati Temple is situated.

About five minutes' drive beyond the town of Panchkhal a dirt road takes off to the left, giving access to the Helambu region.

About 8 km later the highway touches Dolaghat, a thriving town at the confluence of the Indravati and the Sun Kosi rivers and the departure point for many rafting trips.

The remaining part to the Nepal border village of Kodari the road runs alongside the Sun Kosi[4] with extremely steep Himalayan mountainsides that are very prone to landslides during and immediately after rains (including the monsoon).