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.
Yak La
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.
How to drive through the Jie La pass on the G219?
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.
Driving to Zezhang La: A 5.541m high-altitude mission in Shigatse
Zezhang La is an extreme high-mountain pass at an elevation of 5,541 meters (18,179 ft) above sea level, located in Ngamring County, within the Shigatse Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Cutting through the upper ridges of the Himalayas, the unpaved mountain track is one of the highest mountain roads of China.
Gyandrak Monastery
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.
Monda La is one of the highest paved roads on Earth
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.
Thaga La is an adventure track you will never forget
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.
Sobiya La
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 road to Zimei Pass will take your breath away
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.
Travelling the strategic China National Highway 580
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.
How To Travel The Qinwang Winding Road
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.
A road trip on the Lapche La pass is truly epic
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.
Wanzhang Cliff Highway is for experienced drivers only
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 road to Michen La isn’t an easy one
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.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the S307 Provincial Road
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.
Driving the S306 to Budrang La: 80 hairpins on the Tibetan plateau
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.
Travel guide to the top of Mobdi La
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.
Shuangping Cliff Road (Cliff Heaven Road): Driving China's Hand-Dug Tunnel
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.
Ngamba La: Driving the high-altitude border between Qinghai and Sichuan
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.
Yaha Pass
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.
Road to Sepu Kangri: a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure
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.
Dare to drive the dangerous 711 County Road
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.
Get behind the wheels for Guangzhou Green Tunnel Road
Guangzhou Green Tunnel Road is a very scenic tunnel, with open windows on the top, located in Guangzhou, the capital and the largest city of Guangdong province in China.
How to drive the G109 road through the frozen Fenghuo Pass?
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.
Lamar La
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.
Driving the S202 Road: The 224km High-Altitude Corridor in Tibet
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.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Chishui Cliff road
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.
How to drive the unpaved road to Shugu La
Shugu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.478m (17,972ft) above sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, in People's Republic of China.
21 hairpin bends on the Zig-zag road of Sichuan
Located in SW China's Sichuan, a challenging mountain road features 21-consecutive-hairpin-bends built on a cliff.
Driving the steep Yangtianshan Panshan Road in Shandong
The Yangtianshan Panshan Road, also known as the Jiulong Pan, is a spectacular but technical mountain passage located within the Yangtianshan Natural Scenic Area in Linqu County, Shandong Province, China. This short, 3.5-kilometer stretch of asphalt is a masterpiece of vertical engineering, designed to scale the steep slopes of the Shandong Peninsula. It is defined by its twelve tight hairpin turns and a maximum gradient of 13%, making it a high-load environment where the physical reality of continuous climbing tests the torque of any vehicle and the focus of every driver.
234 Country Road is an awe-inspiring drive through extremely remote areas
234 Country Road is a wild drive located in Ngamring County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
S304 is an unforgettable journey in Tibet
304 Provincial Road is a very scenic mountain road located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
How to drive the 705 County Road (X705) in Tibet?
The 705 County Road (X705) is a high-altitude mountain highway located in Zanda County, Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The route has a total length of 114 km, with a continuous 60-kilometer sector that runs entirely above an elevation of 4,000 meters.
A winding road with 41 switchbacks to Xiaochaomen Mountain
Xiaochaomen is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.320m (4,330ft) above sea level, located in Xianfeng County, in People's Republic of China.
72 bends to the summit of Ye La
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.
An Explorer's Guide to Jang La
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.
Langla La is an epic climb in the Tibet
Langla La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.538m (14,888ft) above the sea level, located in the Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Driving the G214 to Hung La: A 4,237m mountain pass in Tibet
Hung La is a high-altitude mountain pass reaching an elevation of 4,237m (13,900ft) above sea level. Located in Markam County, within the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, the pass is a critical sector of the 214 National Road (G214), also known as the Tibet-Yunnan Highway.
A road with 90 hairpin turns to Tinki La
Tinki La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.222m (17,132ft) above the sea level, located in Dinggyê County in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Muri La: Driving the steep Zogqen Pass in Sichuan
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.