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.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Balagezong Mountain Road
Balagezong Mountain Road is the name of a very exciting drive located in the northwest of Shangri-la county, in Northwestern Yunnan Province of People's Republic of China.
Lawu Pass: a paved steep road to the top
Lawu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.371m (14,340ft) above the sea level, located in Markham County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Ela Shankou: enjoy a drive among the clouds
Ela Shankou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.502m (14,770ft) above the sea levele, located in Xinghai County, in the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in the east-central part of Qinghai Province, People's Republic of China.
A dusty remote track to Chuseng La
Chuseng La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.224m (17,139ft) above the sea level, located in Gêrzê County, in Ngari Prefecture in the northwest of the Tibet Autonomous Region, bordering Xinjiang to the north, southwest of China.
Rib La, an epic enthralling road
Rib La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.760m (15,616ft) above the sea level, located in Lhünzê County in the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
How To Travel The 412 County Road
412 County Road is the name of a very exciting drive in the heart of Gānnán Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in southern Gansu Province, China.
The Wild Road to Yuximolegai La
Yuximolegai Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.438m (11,279ft) above the sea level, located in Nilka County, within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The drive offers stunning mountain views everywhere.
Chak La, a Most Tricky Scenic Road
Chak La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.854m (15,925ft) above the sea level, located in Lhünzhub County, in Lhasa towards the north-east of the main center of Chengguan, Tibet, China.
Travel Guide to the top of Guza La
Guza La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.084m (16,679ft) above the sea level, located in Bomê County in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.
Ultimate 4wd destination: Sengri mountain
Sengri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.632m (15,196ft) above the sea level, located in Bayi District in Nyingchi in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
S217 Road: a chillout in high mountains
217 Provincial Road (S217) is the name of a very scenic drive located on the border between Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, in China.
Courage is required to drive to Dzi La
Dzi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.799m (15,744ft) above the sea level, located in Sêrxü County, in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the northwest of Sichuan Province, China.
Tsola La, a journey on the legendary Friendship Highway
Tsola La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.553m (14,937ft) above the sea level, located in Lhatse County, in Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
An epic road to Ka La in Tibet
Ka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.805m (15,764ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
A hairpinned road to Ganden Monastery
Ganden Monastery is a monastery at an elevation of 4.327m (14,196ft) above the sea level, located in Dagzê District, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
A paved road to the Riyue Mountain Pass
Riyue Mountain Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.529m (11,578ft) above the sea level, located in Northeastern Qinghai Province, in Western China, by the Tibetan Plateau.
Drive across Zha La pass in Tibet
Zha La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.086m (16,686ft) above sea level, located in Biru County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Zing La is a drive you'll never forget
Zing La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.936m (16,194ft) above the sea level, located in Cona County, in Shannan prefecture in southern part of Tibet Autonomous Region in People's Republic of China.
An unforgettable drive to Gola La
Gola La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.247m (17,214ft) above the sea level, located in Lhari County, within the prefecture-level city of Nagqu in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Pendang La: enjoy a road among the clouds
Pendang La is a high mountain pass, at an elevation of 4.848m (15,905ft) above the sea level, located in Xigazê Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
A rollercoaster road to Shibapan Diecai Cave
Shibapan Diecai Cave is one of the most popular attractions in Xiuwu County, in the northwest of Henan province, China, bordering Shanxi province to the north.
Zholpel La, an awe-inspiring road through remote areas
Zholpel La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.615m (15,141ft) above the sea level, located in Qamdo district, in the eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
X305, a Tibetan wild road
305 County Road (X305) is a high mountain road located on the boundary of Gonggar County and Nagarzê County, in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
A frozen road to Damne La
Damne La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.031m (16,505ft) above the sea level, located in Biru County, in Nagqu, Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Driving the breathtaking road to Lazhi La
Lazhi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.501m (14767ft) above the sea level, located in Chamdo Prefecture, on the boundary between Karuo District and Jomda County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
The road to Gang La: be ready to make room for oncoming vehicles
Gang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.824m (15,826ft) above the sea level, located in Biru County, the most populated county within Nagqu of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.
An epic enthralling road to Puti La
Puti La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.483m (14,708ft) above the sea level, located in Banbar County of the Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Chongnye La, a chillout in high mountains
Chongnye La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.478m (14,691ft) above the sea level, located in the east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.
The road to Kyi La is not for the faint of heart
Kyi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.106m (16,751ft) above the sea level, located in the Comai County of Shannan, in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Drive across Tekhar La
Tekhar La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.476m (14,685ft) above the sea level, located in Banbar County of the Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
An awe-inspiring drive to Lisuo Pass
Lisuo Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.675m (15,337ft) above the sea level, located in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province of Southwest China. If you're afraid of heights, it's probably best to keep your eyes forward.
The remote road to Dingo La is not for the faint of heart
Dingo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.047m (16,558ft) above the sea level, located in Rutog County, in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.
The road to Kharpo La is not for the sissies
Kharpo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.002m (16,410ft) above the sea level, located in Lhünzê County in the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Pongkor La, an epic enthralling road
Pongkor La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.962m (16,279ft) above the sea level, located in Gyantse County, a county of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Siyaba La, pure adventure
Siyaba La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.847m (15,902ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and Nepal.
Things to Know Before Driving to Tari La
Tari La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.521m (18,113ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Gyantse County (Xigazê) and Nagarzê County (Shannan) in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
A curvy road to the summit of Chen-ne La
Chen-ne La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.077m (16,656ft) above the sea level, located in the Sangri County of Shannan, in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Get behind the wheels for Zongbala Pass
Zongbala La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.161m (13,651ft) above the sea level, located in Markham County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Chu La is one of the gnarliest roads in Tibet
Chu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.665m (15,305ft) above the sea level, located in Zayü County in the Nyingchi Prefecture in the southeastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The road to the summit, with countless turns and twists, is said to be ‘The most primitive road in China’.