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.

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. 

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.

701 County Road (X701) is a high mountain road located in the Ngari Prefecture of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mob La Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.802m (15,754ft) above the sea level located in the eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The pass is traversed by an extreme high mountain called 303 Provincial Road which runs entirely over the 4.200m above the sea level. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Lawoche La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.387m (17,673ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China. 

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

Nilung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.730m (18,799ft) above the sea level, located in the Ngari Prefecture, in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Rezang La, also known as Rechin La, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,199m (17,057ft) above sea level, located on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between Indian-administered Ladakh and the Chinese-administered Spanggur Lake basin. 

Tun Jun La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.976m (16,325ft) above the sea level, located on the border of India and China.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

787 County Road is a high mountain road located in Ngari Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. There is a real risk of AMS (altitude-mountain-sickness) and death due to Pulmonary Edema and Cerebral Edema. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

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. 

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

Hongpinshan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.621m (18,441ft) above the sea level, located in the southwestern part of Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, in China. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Jie La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.936m (16,194ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ngamba La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.583m (15,036ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, in China.

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