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.

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.

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.

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.

Pereval Bedel is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.093m (13,428ft) above the sea level, located on the border between Kyrgyzstan and China.

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.

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.

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.

S202 is the name of a high mountain road located in the southeastern part of Tibet Autonomous Region in People's Republic of China.

Fenghuo Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.961m (16,276ft) above the sea level, located in the Tanggula Mountains, a mountain range in the central part of the Tibetan Plateau in the People's Republic of China. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

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. 

Muri La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.569m (14,990ft) above the sea level, located in northwestern Sichuan province, in China.

Located in Ningqiang County of Shaanxi province, in north-west China, the road to Xifanggoucun is a scary mountain drive carved by residents of a rural village, hanging approximately 3,000ft high above ground. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

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.

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

X120 is a high mountain road located in northwestern Sichuan province, in China. The road is very steep, with hundreds of hairpin turns.

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.

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

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.

Hung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.237m (13,900ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.

Serkhyem La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.567m (14,983ft) above the sea level, located in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in China.

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. 

Hongqi Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.694m (18,681ft) 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.

Kulun Shanku is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.785m (15,698ft) above the sea level, located in the Qinghai province of the People's Republic of China, in the northwest of the country.

Mount Haiz is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.648m (15,249ft) above the sea level, located in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China.

Kyungang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,341m (17,522ft) above sea level, located in Xinjiang Province of China.

Lhamonyin Ri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.226m (17,145ft) above the sea level, located in Gyaca County in Shannan Prefecture (Lhoka) of Tibet, in China. Due to the high altitude and extreme weather you should prepare well before.

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.

Simi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.364m (14,317ft) above the sea level, located in Gyantse County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Zhonglong Highway is a very scenic drive in the heart of Xigazê Prefecture in western Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

S305 is a high mountain road located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

Ngajuk La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.470m (14,665ft) above the sea level, located in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in China.

Deyang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.381m (17,654ft) above the sea level, located in Lhasa prefecture-level city in Maizhokunggar County in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

Tuer Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.633m (15,200ft) above the sea level, located in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China.

Wuyishan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.721m (15,488ft) above the sea level, located in western Sichuan Province, China.

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