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.
Shangshang La: The technical 24-hairpin unpaved climb in Tibet
Shangshang La is an extreme high-mountain pass at an elevation of 5,228 meters (17,152 ft) above sea level, located in Cona County, within the Shannan Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The road through the pass is a technical 30-kilometer unpaved track that connects the settlements of Changda and Jisong. The physical reality of this route involves managing 24 tight hairpin turns on a raw gravel surface where the extreme altitude causes a massive drop in engine torque and the thin air makes cooling the motor a critical logistical challenge.
Taking on the Twists and Turns of Shenxianchi 28 U-turns road
Located in the Jiuzhaigou county of Sichuan, in China, Shenxianchi 28 U-turns is the name of a very defiant drive featuring 28 hairpin turns.
Driving the steep road to Dangbe La
Dangbe La is a high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 5,183m (17,004ft) above sea level. It is located in Xaitongmoin County (also known as Zhetongmön), within the Xigazê Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. Situated northwest of Shigatse, this pass crosses a rugged and isolated section of the Tibetan Plateau.
Is the unpaved road to Nyema La in Tibet dangerous?
Nyema La is an extreme high-mountain pass reaching a staggering elevation of 5,481m (17,982ft) above sea level in the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Serving as a primary access route for the Luobusa (Luobusazhen) mine, the road is a brutal industrial track designed for heavy-duty mining machinery. At nearly 5,500 meters, this is one of the highest motorable points on the planet, where the combination of oxygen deprivation and a punishing rocky surface makes it a high-stakes journey for any driver.
X710: enjoy a road among the clouds
710 County Road is a high mountain road located in Ngari Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
How to drive the 4x4 road to Kanda Shan Pass?
Kanda Shan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.656m (15,275ft) above sea level, located in Nangqên County of the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Driving the X603 to Mada La: A high-altitude journey through Tibet
The X603 (County Road 603) is a formidable high mountain road located in Nyima County, within the Nagqu prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. This remote route is a true test of endurance for both drivers and machinery, as it runs entirely at an elevation of over 4,500 meters above sea level through the desolate beauty of the Tibetan Plateau.
Jiabo Co
Jiabo Co is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.774m (15,662ft) above the sea level, located in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Jiangxia Wall Hung Road is recommended for drivers with strong nerves only
Jiangxia Wall Hung Road is the name of a very defiant drive located in Hui County, in the southeast of Gansu Province, in China. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.
How to drive the high-altitude track to Mihman Yoli Pass?
Mihman Yoli Pass is an international high mountain crossing at an elevation of 4,787m (15,705ft) above sea level, situated on the border between Afghanistan (Badakhshan Province) and China (Xinjiang). Located within the Wakhan Corridor Nature Refuge, the pass links the remote north-eastern panhandle of Afghanistan with the Kashgar Prefecture. Logistically, this is a restricted and high-risk sector where the road consists of an unpaved, steep track that is only accessible during a narrow window from July to September.
Haxilegen La is an otherworldly drive
Haxilegen Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.538m (11,607ft) above the sea level, located in Nilka County, within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Before you enter the tunnel, there is a panoramic terrace.
Driving from Qusum to Diyag: The 147km gauntlet of the Transhimalaya
Located in the heart of the Transhimalaya, the remote route connecting Qusum and Diyag is one of the most grueling high-altitude transits in Southern Tibet. Stretching for 147 km (91 miles) through the rugged landscapes of Shannan and Ngari Prefectures, this unpaved road is a relentless sequence of six mountain passes, all exceeding 4,500 meters. It is a journey where the isolation is absolute, and the vertical scale of the peaks demands a level of mechanical preparation and driver focus that few other roads on the plateau require.
Penma La: a rough and bumpy road
Penma La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.321m (17,457ft) above the sea level, located in Ngamring County, a county of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.
Driving the remote road to Trel La
Trel La, also known as Tsay La, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,441m (17,851ft) above sea level. It is located on the border between Nagarzê and Lhozhag counties, in the southeastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. This remote mountain pass crosses the rugged Himalayan range and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and the scenic Lake Langbu.
S217 Road: Driving the remote 315km route through Sichuan and Qinghai
The S217 Provincial Road is a high-altitude paved route crossing the rugged border between Sichuan and Qinghai provinces in Western China. Stretching for 315 km (195 miles), this road connects Xiewuzhen (Chindu County) with Manigangezhen (Dêgê County), offering a deep dive into the remote pastoral landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau.
Driving the road to Zixia Palace with 49 dizzying hairpin bends
Zixia Palace is a stunning building at an elevation of 3.245m (10,646ft) above the sea level, located in Dongchuan District, in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China. It’s a road that combines thrills, excitement and beauty.
Laozhong Line
Laozhong Line is a very exciting mountain drive in northeastern Gansu province, People's Republic of China. The average gradient is 8.78%.
Dare to drive the dangerous Shel La in Tibet
Shel La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,904 m (16,089 ft) above sea level, located in Dêngqên County, Chamdo City, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Hongjing Road is a drive worth taking in Beijing province
Hongjing Road is a very curvy mountain road located in Fangshan District, in the southwest of Beijing province, in China.
Is the S217 road to Zagashershar Pass in Sichuan paved?
Reaching the Zagashershar Pass is a brutal climb into the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan. At 4,130m (13,549ft) above sea level, this high mountain gap is a gateway to the remote wilderness of Western China. While the road has been recently paved, the smooth surface is a trap for the unwary; the combination of extreme altitude, vertical drops, and sudden visibility loss makes the S217 one of the most demanding drives in the region.
Haitar Pass is a drive worth taking
Haitar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.882m (12,736ft) above the sea level, located in Gangca County of northeastern Qinghai province, on the northern shore of Qinghai Lake, in China.
Demo Pass, a winding road only for experienced drivers
Demo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.817m (15,803ft) above the sea level, located in Zayü County, in the southeast of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
583 Country Road: only for experienced drivers
583 Country Road is a high mountain road located in the Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Y773 is an otherworldly road
773 Country Road is a high mountain road located in Ngari Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
How to drive the 238m Niujiaoyan chain bridge in Guizhou?
The Niujiaoyan chain bridge is a technical engineering marvel located in Sinan County, Tongren City, within the Guizhou Province of China. Straddling the Wujiang River, this suspension structure is a critical logistical link, located 50 km from Sinan County and 260 km from the provincial capital, Guiyang. Known for its lack of central piers and extreme flexibility, it is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Bunggar La: A high-altitude mining track in the heart of Tibet
Bunggar La is a high-altitude pass that tests the mechanical limits of any vehicle. Reaching an elevation of 5,228m (17,152ft) above sea level in the Tibet Autonomous Region, this 12.8km track is a vital link for the region's mining operations. Located between Maizhokunggar and Lhari counties, the road is far from a scenic mountain drive; it is a working route where the loose surface and extreme gradients are secondary to the challenge of sharing the narrow path with heavy industrial traffic.
The Most Dangerous Roads in Taihang Mountains
The Taihang Mountains form a mountain range along the eastern edge of the Loess Plateau in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Shanxi, and Hebei. Extending 400 kilometers from north to south, the range boasts an average elevation of 1500 to 2000 meters.
Kagye La is recommended for drivers with strong nerves
Kagye La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.814m (15,793ft) above sea level, located in Karuo District of Qamdo, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Jiabuxi La
Jiabuxi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.705m (18,717ft) above the sea level, located in Zhongba County of Xigazê Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
How dangerous is the 5,570m high Wuersisan Radome Road in China?
The Wuersisan Radome Road is one of the highest and most restricted vehicle tracks on Earth, reaching a staggering elevation of 5,570m (18,274ft) above sea level. Located in the southwestern part of Hotan Prefecture, in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, this unpaved route cuts through the heart of the Aksai Chin, a high-altitude desert on the disputed border between China and India. This is a 277-kilometer journey through a sensitive military zone where the extreme altitude, the lack of infrastructure, and the geopolitical tension make it one of the highest mountain roads of China.
Tro La, a curvy road only for experienced drivers
Tro La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.390m (17,683ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Lhari and Gongbo’gyamda counties in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
214 County Road
214 County Road is an asphalted high mountain road located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, bordering Nepal.
Driving the high-altitude G317 Highway through Langlu La in Tibet
Langlu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,829m (15,843ft) above sea level, located in the Seni District of Nagqu, within the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The pass is traversed by the China National Highway 317 (G317), also known as the Northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
How difficult is the unpaved 4x4 road to Dolo La in Tibet?
Dolo La is a high mountain pass reaching an extreme elevation of 4,857m (15,935ft) above sea level in the Xigazê Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Sitting on the boundary between Ngamring and Lhatse counties, the pass is a critical but primitive link between the Yarlung Zangbo and Duoxiong Zangbo valleys. This is a high-altitude desert journey where the lack of pavement and the brutal atmospheric conditions turn a 20 km climb into a grueling test of vehicle endurance and driver patience.
A very steep road (13.3%) to the top of Lata La
Lata La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.047m (13,277ft) above the sea level, located in the southern part of Gyirong County in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Tsola La: The 4,500m Threshold of the Friendship Highway
Tsola La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,553m (14,937ft) above sea level, located in Lhatse County, Shigatse Prefecture. Situated in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, it serves as a critical transition point on the legendary route toward the Himalayas.
Driving the wild Road to Ma La
Ma La is a high mountain pass located in Nyalam County, within the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Situated on the vast Tibetan Plateau, this road connects the town of Gyirong with the stunning Paiku Co lake. It is a remote high-altitude driving route that demands full concentration and a capable vehicle.
Zhanailakashan Pass
Zhanailakashan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.760m (15,616ft) above the sea level, located in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in southern Qinghai province, China.
The road to Churi Meri La, a chillout in high mountains
Churi Meri La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,507m (14,786ft) above sea level, located in Nangqên County, in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in China.