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.

Jelep La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,434m (14,547ft) above sea level, located on the border of India and China.

Located in western Hubei's Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, in central China's Hubei Province, the Sky Road is a marvel of engineering.

Beijing is the oldest inhabited city in the world and the city capital of the biggest country in the world, China. Given its 3000-year history, you will be mesmerized at how rich the culture and tradition are in the city.

The Cho La Mountain Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 4.378m (14,363ft) above sea level, located in the Cho La Mountains of western Sichuan Province, in China.

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

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. 

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.

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.

Kamba La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,852 m (15,915 ft) above 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.

Stretching across the north and northwest regions of China, the G7 Expressway is renowned as the world’s longest highway through the desert.

Jang Rang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,793 m (19,005 ft) above sea level, located in Zanda County of Ngari Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It's one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Located in the southwestern part of China, Heaven's Road is a cliff-side motorway filled with hairpin turns and steep bends. Climbing from 2,050 feet to 3,855 feet above sea level, it features an astonishing 45 hairpins. It’s best to avoid if you're prone to car sickness.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Karo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,010 m (16,500 ft) above sea level, located in the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Aizhai Winding Road is a very scenic drive located in the mountainous Hunan province of China. The road leads from Aizhai township up to the Aizhai bridge, offering spectacular views as you drive.

Balang Shan La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,485m (14,714ft) above sea level, located in the Sichuan Province of China.

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.

Mayum La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,225m (17,142ft) above sea level, located in Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Tàibái Shān is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,766m (9,074ft) above sea level, located in Mei County of Baoji, in the western part of Shaanxi province, China.

Old Kunyi Road is one of the most challenging drives in China. Known as Yiliang 68 Dao Guai, the road is said to feature 68 hairpin turns, with a sharp turn every few meters. It’s one of the most winding roads in the country. From above, it resembles a massive dragon, twisting through the mountains. It’s also among the most hairpinned roads in the world.

Chiragsaldi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,980 meters (16,338 feet) above sea level, located in the Kunlun Mountains, in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China.

Gorun La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,690m (18,667ft) above sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Lo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,578m (18,300ft) above sea level, located in Ngamring County, a county of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Lalung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,050m (16,570ft) above sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

The new Lhasa-Nyingchi Highway, the longest high-grade highway in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, is one of the most spectacular drives in the world.

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

Located in Ganluo County, Sichuan Province, in China, the Jinkou Grand Canyon Scenic Road is said to be one of the most scenic roads of the country.

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.

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