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.

Tucked away in northwestern Hunan Province of China, Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road is the name of an extraordinary drive on the limit with 99 turns and steep parts.

Located in the northwest of Henan province, in China, Guoliang Tunnel is famous for its dangerous location and difficult construction. Built in the early 1970’s, it’s one of the most famous Chinese tunnel roads.

The mother of all traffic jams was created in China on August 14, 2010.  It lasted 12 days with a huge car panorama that stretched for more than 62 miles (100 km). A mini-economy of overpriced food, water, and cigarettes sprang up instantly.

Burma Road was a very important road during the WW2 linking Lashio, in eastern Burma (now Myanmar), with Kunming, in Yunnan province, China.

Sichuan-Tibet Highway is the name of a high-elevation road located in China. None-the-less it’s a regular route for truck drivers heading to the roof of the world.

Located in the Kashgar region of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China, the Panlong Ancient Road is not for the faint of heart or anyone prone to motion sickness.

Located near Qinglong town in Guizhou Province, 24-Zig Road is the name of a curvy mountain road, with 24 hairpin turns. It’s one of the famous hairpinned roads in the world. The road was built by the Chinese during WWII to transport supplies to help resist the Japanese invasion.

China-Nepal Highway is the name of a very scenic drive on the Tibetan Plateau. It’s regarded as one of the best overland journeys on Earth.

High altitude, thin, freezing dry air; intense harsh sunlight, galeforce winds with sub-zero windchill for hundreds and hundreds of kilometres. China National Highway 219 (G219) is a true adventure.

Located in Xuan'en County of southwestern Hubei province, in People's Republic of China, the Shiziguan floating bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Located in the northwestern part of Hunan Province, China, Heaven's Gate is one of China’s most famous landmarks.

Located in the Guzhao district of Hubei province, in central China, Over-Water Highway is the name of a motorway completely built over water. It’s one of the world’s most scenic drives.

China National Highway 318 (G318) is a challenging road running from Shanghai to Zhangmu, the westernmost border with Nepal. It is said to be the longest highway in China.

Located in Yongxiu County, in northern Jiangxi province of People's Republic of China, a road built across Poyang Lake is flooded every year. It’s one of the periodically flooded roads around the world.

Located in Southeast Asia, China is the world's third largest country, after Russia and Canada. China's mountains are a major feature of its physical geography with mountains, plateaus and hills accounting for about 65 percent of the country's landmass.

Shipki La is an international high mountain pass and border post on the India-China border, at an elevation of 3.954m (12,972ft) above the sea level. The border is no longer open for non-residents.

Gyatso La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.220m (17,125ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Dubbed as the highway above the clouds, the Tianlongshan Highway is a marvel of engineering located in Jinyuan District, in the prefecture-level city of Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province, North China.

Tuen Mun Road is a very congested highway located in Hong Kong. It links Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan. Local folklore says it’s haunted by the ghosts of those who have been killed while traveling it. It's one of the Top Haunted Roads in the world.

Located in the eastern coastal region of China, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge spans across the Hangzhou Bay and is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. At 36 kilometers (23 miles) long and 14 meters (46 feet) wide, the bridge is the longest ocean-crossing bridge.

Torugart Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.752m (12,310ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and China. 

China, with its expansive landscapes, not only showcases nature's grandeur but also stands as a testament to human resilience and innovation. In the towering Taihang Mountains, certain remote villages were nearly cut off from the rest of the world, guarded by imposing cliffs and mountains. To reach these enclaves, one had to traverse treacherous, narrow paths. Yet, with sheer determination and ingenuity, some villagers carved tunnels through mountains, creating pathways that were less daunting but intricately winding.

Sidu River Bridge is located in Badong County of the Hubei Province of China. It opened in November 2009 and was the world’s highest bridge, rising more than 1,500 feet in the air. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Located in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Tarim Desert Road is the name of a paved road running across Taklamakan, China’s largest desert.

Located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, the Mount Everest Base Camp is at an elevation of 5.157m (16,919ft) above the sea level. The road to the base camp is a magnificent feat of engineering. It’s mostly paved.

Pang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.205m (17,076ft) above the sea level, located in Tingri County, under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Erkeshtam Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.838m (9,311ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and China. This is a popular border crossing for travelers journeying across Central Asia.

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

Located in Wuxi County, in China, the infamous Lanying Cliff Road is an awesome path carved out of the mountains. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

China National Highway 217 (G217) is a challenging road located in southwest Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, in the northwestern part of China.

Suge La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.453m (17,890ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Nyêmo and Damxung counties, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

Lajiong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.830m (19,127ft) above the sea level located in Coqên County, in the Ngari Prefecture, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It's one of the highest motorable roads in the world.

The Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway ranks among the most congested roads on Earth. While the road is fully paved and boasts up to 50 lanes in some sections, post-holiday traffic is notoriously challenging.

Khunjerab Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.706m (15,439ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Pakistan and China. It is said to be the highest border-crossing in the world. It’s the highest point on the Karakoram Highway.

Nestled within the quiet confines of eastern China's Henan Province, the Kunshan Tunnel Road stands as a testament to ingenuity, representing a prominent chapter in China's tunnel roads.

Chāmkang is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.953m (19,530ft) above the sea level, located on the border between Xinjiang and Tibet autonomous regions of China. It’s probably the world's highest motorable road. 

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