Driving the most spectacular roads of China

Stretching vast and diverse, from the shimmering coastlines of the east to the towering Himalayas in the west, China's topography is a dream canvas for some of the world's most remarkable roads. These aren't just pathways – they're odysseys narrating tales of human ingenuity, perseverance, and a deep reverence for nature.

Imagine navigating the serpentine twists of Tian Men Shan Big Gate Road, where 99 turns challenge even the most seasoned drivers. Then, marvel at the Guoliang Tunnel's sheer audacity, a pathway carved by hand into the very heart of a mountain, standing as a testament to human will and determination. Journey along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, one of the globe's highest roads, where every bend unveils vistas that seem to brush the heavens. And if you ever wished to drive to the roof of the world, the paved road to Everest Base Camp awaits, offering a communion with the mighty Himalayas like no other. Finally, for those who truly want to touch the sky, the drive to Chāmkang will elevate you to one of the world's highest motorable realms.

China's roads aren't just stretches of asphalt; they are chronicles, each kilometer whispering tales of landscapes that defy imagination and the indomitable spirit of those who've shaped them. So, gear up and let the Chinese routes enthrall your senses, taking you on a journey where legends, landscapes, and adventures converge.

Quanshui Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 5.137m (16,853ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, north-east of the Himalayas, in the People's Republic of China.

S207 Provincial Route is a high mountain road located in the Ngari Prefecture, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Bongru La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.838m (19,153ft) above the sea level, located in the Ngari Prefecture of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Kiu La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.711m (18,736ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Ane La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.370m (17,618ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. 

Located in the prefecture-level city of Xinxiang, in Henan Province, China, the Huilong-Hanging Tunnel is a very challenging road. Be careful: this road is not for the sissies. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Bayanka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.950m (16,236ft) above the sea level, located in Madoi county of Qinghai province, in China.

Galong Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.296m (14,094ft) above the sea level, located in the Nyingchi Prefecture in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Kǒng Táng Lā is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.251m (17,227ft) above the sea level, located in Nyalam County of China’s Tibet autonomous region.

Located in Ngari Prefecture, in the central part of Tibet, in China, the 203 Provincial Road (S203) is a very challenging and scenic trip in the middle of nowhere. 

Niti La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.086m (16,686ft) located on the border of India and China.

Kura La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.105m (16,748ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

 Short ice road linking Heihe, a city of northern Heilongjiang province, in China and Blagoveshchensk, a city of Amur Oblast, in Russia. This seasonal road opens every winter in the frozen Amur River.

Samye La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.486 m (17,998ft) above the sea level, located in Zhongba County, Xigazê Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. 

Qizil Dawān is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.317m (17,444ft) above the sea level, located in the southwestern part of Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, in China. 

Galongla Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 3,771m (12,372ft) above the sea level located in southwestern Tibet's Nyingchi Prefecture, in China.

Longga La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.159m (16,925ft) above the sea level, located in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme south west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

Lanak La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.495m (18,028ft) above the sea level, located on the disputed region of Aksai Chin, on the border of India and China.

Koshbel Duban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.279m (14,038ft) above the sea level, located in southwestern Xinjiang, an autonomous region in western China.

Located in Huailai county, in northwestern Hebei province, in China, the Youzhuda Grand Canyon Wall Road is a very challenging drive. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Shan Da Ban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.257m (17,247ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China. 

Cha Cang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.810m (15,780ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Mob La Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.802m (15,754ft) above the sea level located in the eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The pass is traversed by an extreme high mountain called 303 Provincial Road which runs entirely over the 4.200m above the sea level. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters.

701 County Road (X701) is a high mountain road located in the Ngari Prefecture of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Lawoche La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.387m (17,673ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China. 

Jerko La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.832m (15,853ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, in the People's Republic of China. Great views of mountains all around. Many nomads and yaks.

Located in Shanxi province, Pingshun county, in China, the infamous Jingdi Hanging Tunnel is a very exciting drive surrounded by high mountains. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Rezang La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.199m (17,057ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. 

Lame La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.832m (15,853ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, in the People's Republic of China.

The 317 National Road is one of the most adventurous journeys in the world. The trip takes you through vast, open landscapes with majestic peaks in the heart of western China. The highway is infamously known for the bad driving surfaces and sharp mountain hairpin bends.

Kungzhag La is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.780m (18,963ft) above the sea level, located on the Indian (Sikkim) and Chinese (Tibet) border. It’s one of the World's highest motorable roads.

Located in China, the Qinghai-Tibet Highway is one of the highest highways in the world, with an average elevation of above 4,000 meters.

Buduo La is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.825m (19,110ft) above the sea level, located in Zanda County, in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, near the Indian border. It’s one of the highest roads on Earth.

Hongshi Highway is a very defiant drive located in Shiping County, in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in the southern part of the Yunnan province of China.

Sobiya La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.084m (16,679ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Khungyami La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.844m (19,173ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and India. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Ngamba La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.583m (15,036ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, in China.

Sha Zi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.717m (15,475ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Sing La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.914m (16,122ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.