Dras, or Drass, is a small township situated near Kargil, on the road to Srinagar. Dras is widely recognised as the second coldest inhabited place in the world and is popularly known as 'The Gateway to Ladakh'. The small town is situated at a height of 3230 metres. During winters, mercury level in the Dras region can plummet to as low as - 45 degree Celsius.