What are the most spectacular roads in 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.

Set high in the Cho La Mountains, in western Sichuan Province, China, the Cho La Mountain Tunnel is at an average altitude of 4.378m (14,363ft) above the sea level.

Kyapsang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.886m (19,311ft) above the sea level located in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China, in the northwest of the country. It’s one of the World's highest motorable roads.

Mana Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,626m (18,458ft) above sea level, located on the border of India and China. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Tanggu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.231m (17,162ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, China. 

Kamba La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.852m (15,915ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. Do not take this drive if you have respiratory problems or any type of heart condition.

Lipulekh Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.099m (16,729ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border.

Nathu La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.310m (14,140ft) above the sea level, located at the Indo-China border.

Jang Rang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.793m (19,005ft) above the sea level located in the Shannan Prefecture of Tibet, an autonomous region of China on the northern side of the Himalayas. It's one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Located on south-western China's, the Road to Heaven is a cliff-side motorway full of hairpin turns and steep bends. There are sheer drops virtually along the entire route and enough hairpins to make a whirling dervish dizzy. Elevating from 2,050 feet to 3,855 feet above the sea level, it has an astonishingly 45 hairpins.

It happened in China. Flying cars and vans leaping into the air at a busy junction. Three cars mysteriously get lifted into the air and then dropped.

Aizhai Winding Road is a very scenic drive in the mountainous Hunan province of China. This road leads from Aizhai township up to the Aizhai bridge.

Balang Shan La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.500m (14,760ft) above the sea level, located in the Sichuan province of China. The pass is traversed by an extreme high mountain road called 303 Provincial Road.

Karo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.010m (16,500ft) above the sea level, located in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.

Stretching across the north and northwest of China the G7 Expressway is said to be the world’s longest highway across the desert.

China opened on 24 October 2018 its latest megaproject, the world's longest sea bridge: the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, also known as HKZMB or HZMB. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges of the world.

Mayum La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.225m (17,142ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, north-east of the Himalayas, in the People's Republic of China.

Located in China's Hunan Provence, the Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road (also called the Tianmen Winding Mountain Road) is a picturesque strip of tarmac over shear cliff faces and some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth.

Located in Shawan county, China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Anjihai Grand Canyon is said to be one of the most scenic spots of the region. If you're afraid of heights, it's probably best to keep your eyes forward.

Shibanhe Cliff Road is the name of a difficult mountain road located in Hezhang county of Bijie City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Lo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.578m (18,300ft) above the sea level, located in Ngamring County, a county of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It’sone of the highest motorable roads of the world.

Tàibái Shān is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.766m (9,074ft) above the sea level, located in the Qinling Range, in the south west of Shaanxi Province, China.

Chiragsaldi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.980m (16,338ft) above the sea level, located in the Kunlun Mountains, in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

Old Kunyi Road is one of the most challenging drives in China. It features 26 hairpin turns in just over 2.1 km long. It’s one of the famous hairpinned roads in the world.

Gorun La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.690m (18,667ft) above the sea level, located in Qusum County in the Shannan Prefecture of Tibet, in China. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Located in the northwest of Yunnan province, China, the Jinshajiang Bridge is said to be the world's largest span suspension bridge.

Qieshan La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,392m (17,690ft) above sea level, located in Tibet, north-east of the Himalayas, in the People's Republic of China.

The infamous Arniko Highway is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. It provides Nepal’s overland link with Tibet and China. "One mistake, game over".

Lalung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.050m (16,570ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Bodpo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.774m (18,943ft) above the sea level, located in Zanda County, in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It's one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Satsum La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.350m (17,552ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, north-east of the Himalayas, in the People's Republic of China.

Mount Davis Path is a paved route climbing up to Mount Davis the westernmost hill on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, at an elevation of 269m (883ft) above the sea level.

Kirgizjangal Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,950m (16,240ft) above the sea level, located in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

Located in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of the Yunnan province in China, Nujiang River Road is one of the most scenic yet challenging roads in the world. It is a dangerous road built on cliff, completely by hand work.

Nyalam Tong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.150m (16,900ft) above the sea level, in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

The Shiquanhe Observatory is an optical observatory at an elevation of 5.100m (16,700ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Mount Kailash is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.235m (17,175ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

Located in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan, Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world.

Kulma Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,362m (14,311ft) above sea level, located on the border of China and Tajikistan.

303 Provincial Road is an extreme high mountain road located in the eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China. S303 runs entirely over the 4.200m above the sea level. The drive is simply terrible, with a notorius lack of oxygen that tests the organisms and a high degree of steepness. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters.

Seguridad de la página de inicio

Drive Us to Your Road!

We have cataloged over 13,000 roads, but we're always looking for more. Have you traveled a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to submit your road story, and we'll feature it on dangerousroads.org!