What are the most spectacular roads in China?

Located in the eastern part of Asia, and bordering 14 countries, China covers 9.6 million square kilometers. It’s the world's third-largest country by land area and it hosts more than 500 brutal driving experiences, listed as the most spectacular roads in the world. Due to its size and difficult geography, featuring mountains, plateaus, deserts, and plains, it has scenic, mountainous, and even flooding roads. It also holds many records, such as the world's longest traffic jam: a 100 km, 12-day standstill that occurred in August 2010, when the country witnessed the mother of all traffic jams.

When travelling to China, you can’t miss the infamous Tian Men Shan Big Gate, a road with 99 turns, built in 1998, that offers a thrilling 11-kilometer journey; or the iconic Guoliang Tunnel, which was dug through the side of a mountain by hand. Built in the early 1970s it is one of the most famous Chinese tunnel roads. It’s also worth driving the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, one of the world's highest roads.

And if you like challenging mountain roads situated at high elevations, remember to check out our list with the highest roads in China, where you’ll find real gems, such as Chāmkang, a mountain pass at 5.953m (19,530ft) above sea level.

Ali CMB Polarization Telescope (AliCPT) is a ground-based CMB observatory at an elevation of 5.176m (16,981ft) above the sea level, located in Gar County in the Ngari Prefecture of the western Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Hongpinshan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.621m (18,441ft) 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 challenging S307 Provincial Road is an absolute must for road lovers. Located in Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, if you love to drive, you will love it.

Kheriya ancient road is the name of a 4x4 unforgettable adventure through the infamous Kunlun Mountains in Tibet, China.

Monda La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.408m (17,742ft) above the sea level, located in the Nagarzê County of the Tibet Autonomous Region. 

Sepu Kangri is a high mountain peak located in Biru County, within Nagqu of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China. A minor gravel road north of the peak climbs up to 4.751m (15,587ft) above the sea level.

Guangzhou Green Tunnel Road is the name of a very scenic tunnel with open windows on the top located in Guangzhou, the capital and the largest city f Guangdong province in southern China.

Ligpaishi Zigzag Road is a very defiant drive located in the Chongqing region of China.

Serkhyem La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.567m (14,983ft) above the sea level, located in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in China.

Ngajuk La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.470m (14,665ft) above the sea level, located in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in China.

Kulun Shanku is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.785m (15,698ft) above the sea level, located in the Qinghai province of the People's Republic of China, in the northwest of the country.

Mobdi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.788m (18,989ft) above the sea level, located on the border between Xinjiang and Tibet autonomous regions of China. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Lhamonyin Ri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.226m (17,145ft) above the sea level, located in Gyaca County in Shannan Prefecture (Lhoka) of Tibet, in China. Due to the high altitude and extreme weather you should prepare well before.

Muri La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.569m (14,990ft) above the sea level, located in northwestern Sichuan province, in China.

Tuer Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.633m (15,200ft) above the sea level, located in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China.

Located in Hefeng County, in the southwestern part of Hubei province, People's Republic of China, Wanzhang Cliff Highway is the name of a very dangerous drive. Along the way you’ll have to deal with some dangerous drop offs. One mistake can have serious consequences.

Pereval Bedel is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.093m (13,428ft) above the sea level, located on the border between Kyrgyzstan and China.

China National Highway 580 (G580) is the name of a strategic mountain road located in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China, in the northwest of the country, close to Central Asia.

Thaga La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.411m (17,752ft) above the sea level, located in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, near the Indian border. 

S305 is a high mountain road located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

Wuyishan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.721m (15,488ft) above the sea level, located in western Sichuan Province, China.

Hung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.237m (13,900ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.

Deyang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.381m (17,654ft) above the sea level, located in Lhasa prefecture-level city in Maizhokunggar County in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

Tientsuwa Shan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.455m (14,616ft) above the sea level, located in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in China.

Shugu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.478m (17,972ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. 

304 Provincial Road is a very scenic mountain road located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Mount Haiz is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.648m (15,249ft) above the sea level, located in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China.

Da Xue Shan pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.337m (14,229ft) above the sea level, located in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in northwestern Yunnan province, China.

Zha La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.832m (15,853ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Buze La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.418m (17,775ft) above the sea level, located in southern Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the heart of the Tibetan/Nepalese Himalayas.

Kyungang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,341m (17,522ft) above sea level, located in Xinjiang Province of China.

Tinki La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.222m (17,132ft) above the sea level, located in Dinggyê County in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

Par La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.578m (18,300ft) above the sea level, located in Zhongba County of Xigazê Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

711 County Road (X711) is a high mountain road located in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. There is a real risk of AMS (altitude-mountain-sickness). It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Hongqi Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.694m (18,681ft) above the sea level, located in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China, in the northwest of the country. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Located in Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, in southeastern Chongqing, China, Blade Sky Road is the name of a very defiant road.

Tra La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.479m (17,975ft) above the sea level, located in Xaitongmoin County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Located in Ningqiang County of Shaanxi province, in north-west China, the road to Xifanggoucun is a scary mountain drive carved by residents of a rural village, hanging approximately 3,000ft high above ground. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Shuangping Cliff Road is the name of a very challenging drive located in Kaizhou District of China. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

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