What are the most spectacular roads in China?
Being the world's third-largest country by land area, China offers more than 500 brutal driving experiences, with some of the most challenging drives worldwide, including mountain roads, flooding roads or many records, as the World's Longest Traffic Jam: A 100km, 12-Day Standstill in August 2010, when the country witnessed the creation of the mother of all traffic jams, an epic event that unfolded over 12 agonizing days. The country is located in East Asia and covers 9.6 million square kilometers. It borders 14 countries and hosts mountains, plateaus, deserts, and plains.
The country hosts some of the most spectacular roads in the world, as Tian Men Shan Big Gate, the road with 99 turns. From its construction in 1998 to the thrilling 11-kilometer journey, the drive promises an unforgettable experience; Guoliang Tunnel, dug through the side of a mountain by hand is another challenging drive in the country. Built in the early 1970s, it has been dubbed as the road that does not tolerate any mistakes. It’s one of the most famous Chinese tunnel roads. And for those not scared of heights, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is one of the world's highest roads.
Y773 is an otherworldly road
773 Country Road is a high mountain road located in Ngari Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
Taking on the Twists and Turns of Shenxianchi 28 U-turns road
Located in the Jiuzhaigou county of Sichuan, in China, Shenxianchi 28 U-turns is the name of a very defiant drive featuring 28 hairpin turns.
Dare to drive the dangerous Shel La
Shel La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.904m (16,089ft) above the sea level, located in Dêngqên County, in the east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.
Haitar Pass is a drive worth taking
Haitar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.882m (12,736ft) above the sea level, located in Gangca County of northeastern Qinghai province, on the northern shore of Qinghai Lake, in China.
Things to Know Before Driving Through Mada La
Mada La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.949m (16,236ft) above the sea level, located in Nyima County, the westernmost county in Nagqu, Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Kuqiong Gangri Glacier
Kuqiong Gangri (Kuoqionggangri) Glacier is the name of a glacier located in Damxung, a county of Lhasa City in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. A new gravel road to the glacier tops out at 5.606m (18,392ft) above the sea level.
Demo Pass, a winding road only for experienced drivers
Demo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.817m (15,803ft) above the sea level, located in Zayü County, in the southeast of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
234 Country Road is an awe-inspiring drive through extremely remote areas
234 Country Road is a wild drive located in Ngamring County, Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Dadongshu Pass Is Miles Of White-Knuckle Driving
Dadongshu Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.120m (13,517ft) above the sea level, located in Qilian County of Qinghai Province, part of Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in China.
Dare to drive the dangerous Dangbe La
Dangbe La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.183m (1,7004ft) above the sea level, located in Xaitongmoin County or Zhetongmön, in Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
A remote road to the summit of Trel La
Trel La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.441m (17,851ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Nagarzê and Lhozhag counties, in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.
Dare to drive the dangerous Shangla Wall Tunnel Road
Tucked away in the northwest of Henan province, in China, the dangerous Shangla Wall Tunnel Road is a marvel of engineering dug out by hand. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.
Kangbeicun-Zhangcun Road is an otherworldly drive
Located in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, near the border with Nepal, the road from Kangbeicun to Zhangcun is a challenging adventure.
214 County Road
214 County Road is an asphalted high mountain road located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, bordering Nepal.
Tremo La: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Tremo La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.705m (15,436ft) above the sea level, located on the Tibet/Bhutan border. The area was closed to residents and foreigners in 1962.
A road with 44 hairpin turns to Bangmeilong Peak
Bangmeilong Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.190m (17,027ft) above the sea level, located in Yadong County in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China, near the border with Bhutan.
A rough 4x4 road to Tianhedong Daban
Tianhedong Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.590m (18,339ft) above the sea level, located in the southwestern part of Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, in China. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Huahu Cliff tunnel road
Huahu Cliff tunnel road is the name of an awe-inspiring route through remote areas located in Pingshun County, in the southeast of Shanxi province, China. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.
Puling La, an awe-inspiring route through extremely remote areas
Puling La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.954m (16,253ft) above the sea level, located in Zanda County, in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Dongshan Tunnel: enjoy a drive among the clouds
Dongshan Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 3.850m (12,631ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Gansu and Qinghai provinces of northwest China.
Langlu La: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Langlu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.829m (15,843ft) above the sea level, located in Seni District, within the Nagqu of the Tibet Autonomous Region, southwest China.
Tratsang La: 27 hairpin turns to the summit
Tratsang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.292m (17,362ft) above the sea level, located in Gyirong County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Mihman Yoli Pass, one of the toughest tracks in the world
Mihman Yoli Pass is an international high mountain pass on the border of Afghanistan and China, at an elevation of 4.787m (15,705ft).
72 bends to the summit of Ye La
Ye La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.651m (15,259ft) above the sea level, located in Baxoi County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
A bumpy and grueling road to Regong La
Regong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.016m (16,456ft) above the sea level, located in Namling County, a county of Shigatse in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Driving the Bingchacha Road is not a piece of cake
Bingchacha Road is said to be the most primitive road in China. It’s a new stretch of the G219 national road, running from Yunnan county to Tibet.
Kanda Shan Pass is a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure
Kanda Shan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.656m (15,275ft) above the sea level, located in Nangqên County of the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the southernmost county-level division of Qinghai province, in China.
Bayi Daban, courage is required to drive to the summit
Bayi Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.366m (17,604ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Hotan County, a county in the southwest of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Rutog County, in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.
Driving the scary Z-shaped Bianshi Road
Bianshi Road is the name of a crazy drive located in Wuxi County, in People's Republic of China. 1st gear only. Due its narrowness, it is impossible to turn back.
The road to Chipchap Pass is not for the faint of heart
Chipchap Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.301m (17,391ft) above the sea level, located in the southwestern part of Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, in China.
Dare to drive the dangerous Chhatang La
Chhatang La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.674m (18,615ft) above the sea level, located on the Nepal-China border. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Jiangxia Wall Hung Road is recommended for drivers with strong nerves only
Jiangxia Wall Hung Road is the name of a very defiant drive located in Hui County, in the southeast of Gansu Province, in China. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.
A wild drive to Juetu La
Juetu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.916m (12,847ft) above sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Lamo Latse La is pure adventure
Lamo Latse La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.370m (17,618ft) above the sea level, located in Ngari Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
The road to Birukangqing La is not for the faint of heart
Birukangqing La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.288m (17,349ft) above the sea level, located in Biru County, within Nagqu of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.
Riong La: enjoy a road among the clouds
Riong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.153m (16,906ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Aba La is an otherworldly drive
Aba La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.190m (17,027ft) above the sea level, located in Seni District, within the Nagqu of the Tibet Autonomous Region, western People's Republic of China.
A very steep road (13.3%) to the top of Lata La
Lata La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.047m (13,277ft) above the sea level, located in the southern part of Gyirong County in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Wuersisan Radome Road
Located in the southwestern part of Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, in China, the road from Wuersisan to Radome is one of the highest roads of the country.