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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Samye La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.486 m (17,998ft) above the sea level, located in Zhongba County, Xigazê Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. 

716 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). 

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. 

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

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.

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.

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. 

Rezang La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.199m (17,057ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Located in Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, in southeastern Chongqing, China, Blade Sky Road is the name of a very defiant road.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Budrang La pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.912m (16,115ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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