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.

Dariga Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,602m (11,817ft) above sea level, located in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, in the southeast of Haidong Prefecture, China.

Tagu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,978m (16,332ft) above sea level, located in Drongpa County of Shigatse Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, and western toilets are rare to find.

Located in Jammu and Kashmir, in India, the challenging Lalung Valley Road is one of the highest roads on Earth, ending at 5,803m (19,038ft) above sea level.

Jizha La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,561m (18,244ft) above sea level, located in Lhozhag County of Shannan, in China. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Kora La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,621m (15,160ft) above sea level, located in the Mustang District of Nepal.

Jianan Natural Cave Road is a narrow, winding passage built inside a natural cave in Changshun County, Guizhou Province, China. This section of Tongzu Road was expanded to improve access for local villagers. It’s one of the few roads in the world that runs through a cave.

Pen La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,273m (17,299ft) above sea level, located in Cona County, in China.

The Mingyue Gorge Ancient Plank Road is located in Chaotian District, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, China. It sits at the entrance of the Jialing River Valley and marks the starting point of the Jianmen Shu Road Scenic Tourist Line. Once a crucial transportation route, this ancient road was carved into cliffs to connect the region, playing a vital role in both daily life and military strategy. It’s one of the most famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Me La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,179m (16,991ft) above sea level, located in Lhozhag County of Shannan, in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Beishan Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,485m (11,433ft) above sea level, located in Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, or in short Huzhu County, an autonomous county under the jurisdiction of the prefecture-level city of Haidong, in China.

Lachin La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,826m (15,833ft) above sea level, located in the east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Tsurphu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,302 m (17,395 ft) above sea level, located in Lhasa City in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Nampa La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,460m (17,913ft) above sea level, located on the border of Doilungdêqên District and Qüxü County, Lhasa Prefecture, Tibet.

Dzamba La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,901m (16,079ft) above sea level, located in Batang County, Sichuan Province, China.

Zong Co is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4,976m (16,325ft) above sea level, located in Dinggyê County of Xigazê city in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Aryktoryk Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,468 meters (11,377 feet) above sea level, located in Wuqia County, Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, of Xinjiang in China.

Nyadong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,224m (17,139ft) above sea level, located in the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Tartkul Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,900m (12,795ft) above sea level, located on the border of China and Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Dungurama is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,100m (13,451ft) above sea level, marking the border between China and Kyrgyzstan.

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