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.

Dza La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.690m (15,384ft) above the sea level, located in Yushu City County, Yushu Prefecture of Qinghai Province, in China

Galongla Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 3,771m (12,372ft) above the sea level located in southwestern Tibet's Nyingchi Prefecture, in China.

Kura La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.105m (16,748ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Chenjiayuan Hanging Highway is the name of a challenging mountain road located in Lingchuan County in Shanxi Province, in China. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Located in Ngari Prefecture, in the central part of Tibet, in China, the 203 Provincial Road (S203) is a very challenging and scenic trip in the middle of nowhere. 

Yangi Daban is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.899m (19,353ft) above the sea level, located in the northwestern part of Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, in China. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Quanshui Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 5.137m (16,853ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, north-east of the Himalayas, in the People's Republic of China.

Galong Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.296m (14,094ft) above the sea level, located in the Nyingchi Prefecture in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

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.

Located in China, the Qinghai-Tibet Highway is one of the highest highways in the world, with an average elevation of above 4,000 meters.

Buduo La is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.825m (19,110ft) above the sea level, located in Zanda County, in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, near the Indian border. It’s one of the highest roads on Earth.

Shan Da Ban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.257m (17,247ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China. 

Crossing the Koshbel Duban is like driving through a desert made of ice and rock. At 4,279m (14,038ft) above sea level, this pass in southwestern Xinjiang is a critical point on the legendary China National Highway 219 (G219). Also known as the Tibet-Xinjiang Highway, this is one of the highest paved roads on the planet. It’s a place where the horizon never ends, the oxygen is scarce, and the wind blows so hard it feels like it’s trying to push your vehicle off the plateau.

Lanak La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,495m (18,028ft) above sea level, situated in the disputed Aksai Chin region. This pass sits on the territorial line between India (Ladakh) and China (Tibet), making it one of the most politically sensitive and geographically isolated mountain crossings in the world.

Bayanka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.950m (16,236ft) above the sea level, located in Madoi county of Qinghai province, in China.

Lame La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,832m (15,853ft) above sea level, located in Ngari Prefecture of China.

Zǔsōng La (also known as Ouerji La) is an extreme high-altitude mountain pass at an elevation of 5,775m (18,946ft) above sea level, located in Coqên County, within the Ngari Prefecture of Tibet, China. Situated in the Gangdise Mountains on the Tibetan Plateau, it ranks as one of the highest motorable roads in the world. Driving this unpaved route requires a specialized 4WD vehicle and a strict oxygen-management protocol for the crew.

Cha Cang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.810m (15,780ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Sha Zi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.717m (15,475ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

The 218 Country Road (County Road 218 or S218) is a famously rugged high mountain road located in the southern Tibet Autonomous Region of China, offering one of the most challenging drives in the Tibetan/Nepalese Himalayas. This unpaved, high-altitude journey traverses the remote Ra Chu Valley and demands maximum preparedness from all travelers.

The X716 (716 County Road) is an epic high mountain road located in the Ngari Prefecture of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It is one of the most remote and challenging unpaved routes in the country, designed only for those prepared to handle extreme altitudes and a total lack of modern facilities.

Tucked away in Wuxi County, in People's Republic of China, the defiant Yunguichuan Cliff sky road is a marvel of engineering dug out by hand.

Longga La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.159m (16,925ft) above the sea level, located in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme south west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

The X701 County Road is one of the most demanding high-altitude routes in the world, located in the Ngari Prefecture of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Running for 425 km (264 miles), this unpaved corridor is a logistical challenge that tops out at the Lawoche La pass, reaching a staggering elevation of 5,387m (17,673ft) above sea level.

Sing La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.914m (16,122ft) above sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Kudi Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.312m (10,866ft) above the sea level, locared in Kargilik County, in southwest of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.

Jerko La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.832m (15,853ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, in the People's Republic of China. Great views of mountains all around. Many nomads and yaks.

West Taiji Nai´er Lake (Xitai Jiner Lake) is a beautiful two-color lake located in Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai, in China.

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

Samye La is a high mountain pass at a staggering elevation of 5,486 m (17,998 ft) above sea level, located in Zhongba County, within the Xigazê Prefecture of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Standing near the 5,500m mark, it is one of the highest navigable points in the world.

Laerdun Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,723m (8,933ft) above sea level, located in the northwestern part of China.

Dajia Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 5.247m (17,214ft) above the sea level, located in the Shigatse Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

S201 Provincial Road is a high mountain road located in Zayü County, in the southeast of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Chola Shan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.920m (16,141ft) above the sea level, located in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, an autonomous prefecture of northwestern Sichuan, in China.

The Nilung La is an extreme high-altitude mountain pass in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Reaching an elevation of 5,730m (18,799ft), it is one of the highest roads in the world. The road, also known as Zulung La or Zulang La, is a totally unpaved military track that connects Naiwuse with Nerbole. Driving at this altitude is a high-risk operation that requires a vehicle specifically prepared for extreme low-pressure environments and a driver experienced in high-altitude desert logistics.

Yak La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.357m (14,294ft) above the sea level, located in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in the northwest of Yunnan province, China.

Gyandrak is a high mountain monastery at an elevation of 5.090m (16,699ft) above the sea level, located in Purang County of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Tun Jun La is an international high-altitude mountain pass at an elevation of 4,976m (16,325ft) above sea level, situated on the border between India and China. Located in the Kumaun Himalayas and the Ngari Prefecture of Tibet, the pass is served by an unpaved military road. This route is a critical tactical corridor and is strictly closed to foreigners. Logistically, the road is only suitable for specialized 4x4 vehicles due to the extreme altitude, steep gradients, and the total absence of civilian infrastructure along the 19.5 km transit.

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. 

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