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.

The County Road 787 is a high-altitude unpaved corridor located in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Spanning 139 km (86 miles), this north-south route connects the X711 road with the China National Highway 219. Driving this track involves operating at a sustained elevation of over 5,000m, reaching a maximum summit of 5,518m (18,103ft). It is one of the highest roads in the country.

Huoshaoyun is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.765m (18,914ft) above the sea level, located in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China, in the northwest of the country. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Located between Henan and Lingchuan counties, in Shanxi Province, China, the Xiya Valley Hanging Tunnel is a marvel of engineering dug out by hand. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

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. 

Michen La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.162m (16,935ft) above the sea level, located in Sog County in the Nagqu Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

Qinwang Winding Road is the name of a breathtaking drive in the prefecture-level city of Xingtai, in the southern part of Hebei province, China. This winding asphalted road will make you excited and dizzy.

Changlung Pangtung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.647m (18,526ft) above sea level, located in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China, in the northwest of the country. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Sobiya La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.084m (16,679ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

The Tiankong Xian is a high-altitude military and logistical road located in the southwestern part of the Hotan Prefecture, within the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China. This 69.2 km (43 miles) corridor is officially one of the highest roads in the country, crossing several passes exceeding 5,400 meters above sea level.

The Jie La is a high mountain pass located in the Himalayan range of Tibet, reaching an elevation of 4,936m (16,194ft) above sea level. The road to the summit is fully paved and forms part of the China National Highway 219 (G219). Spanning 31 km between Dingjiu and Dongjian in Ngamring County, this sector requires sustained operation at extreme altitudes, where oxygen levels are significantly reduced and weather conditions can compromise vehicle traction in minutes.

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.

Zezhang pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.541m (18,179ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, an autonomous region of China on the northern side of the Himalayas. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Bedel Pass (Pereval Bedel) is an international high mountain crossing at an elevation of 4,093m (13,428ft) above sea level, situated in the Tian Shan Mountains on the border between Kyrgyzstan (Issyk-Kul Region) and China (Xinjiang). Logistically, this is a restricted military zone and the border is currently closed to civilian transit. The access consists of a grueling 62 km gravel track that requires a heavy-duty 4x4 vehicle and specific border zone permits (propusk) to enter the sector.

Zimei Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.557m (14,950ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China. The road encompasses miles of stunning views through twisty hair pin corners, high elevations and steep grades.

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.

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.

Deep in the heart of Ningqiang County, in China's north-western Shaanxi province, the road to Xifanggoucun stands as a testament to human determination. Tucked away in the formidable Daba Mountains, this terrifying mountain drive is one of the most remarkable tunnel roads in China, literally hanging approximately 3,000ft high above the valley floor.

Budrang La is a high-altitude mountain pass at an elevation of 4,912m (16,115ft) above sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Part of the Provincial Road 306 (S306), the drive is a grueling 86.5 km transit that tests the limits of vehicle aspiration and driver endurance in one of the most isolated regions of the Himalayas.

Situated on the high-altitude boundary between the provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai, Ngamba La (also known as Anba La) is a significant mountain pass reaching an elevation of 4,583m (15,036ft) above sea level. This pass serves as a strategic gateway on the Tibetan Plateau, connecting the remote pastoral landscapes of both provinces through a demanding high-mountain environment.

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.

Yaha Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.641m (15,226ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China. Its many twists, turns and narrows can pose a challenge to even the most experienced drivers. The road is not easy, though. Up, down, right, left all the time.

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.

Lamar La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.916m (16,128ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Lapche La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.933m (16,184ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and Nepal.

County Road 711 (X711) is a high-altitude mountain road located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Known for its extreme isolation and brutal conditions, it is one of the highest roads in the country, constantly challenging drivers with altitudes that rarely drop below 4,500 meters.  

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.

The S202 Road is a critical high-mountain highway located in the southeastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Spanning 224 km (139 miles), this fully paved route serves as a north-south corridor between Shannan (Lhoka) and Cona, situated north of the Line of Actual Control near the India-Tibet border.

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.

Shuangping Cliff Road, also known locally as Cliff Heaven Road (端公岩), is a highly challenging and historically significant tunnel route located in the Kaizhou District of Chongqing Municipality, China. This paved road is one of the country's famous 'tunnel roads' (Guoliang style), known for its sheer vertical exposure and the incredible effort required for its construction.

Located in SW China's Sichuan, a challenging mountain road features 21-consecutive-hairpin-bends built on a cliff.

Fenghuo Pass (also known as Fenghuoshan) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,961m (16,276ft) above sea level, located in the Tanggula Mountains of the Tibetan Plateau. Traversed by the Qinghai-Tibet Highway (G109), it is a critical logistical link where the road does not drop below 5,000m for a continuous 80km stretch toward the next pass. This is one of the most technically demanding paved sectors in China due to extreme permafrost instability.

Jang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.262m (17,263ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Gyirong and Saga counties, in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. 

Chishui Cliff road is the name of a very challenging drive, located 200 meters above the Chishui River canyon in Xuyong County, in the southeast of Sichuan Province, China. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

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. 

234 Country Road is a wild drive located in Ngamring County, Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

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

At an elevation of 4,569m (14,990ft) above sea level, Muri La is a major mountain pass located in the northwestern part of Sichuan Province, China. Also known as Zogqen Pass, it stands as a critical high-altitude hurdle on the paved S217 road, connecting the remote regions of Derge and Yushu across the Tibetan Plateau.

Located in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, the 705 County Road (X705) is a high mountain road running entirely over 4,000m for about 60km. If you do choose this route, please check up-to-date information.

Ye La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.651m (15,259ft) above the sea level, located in Baxoi County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

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