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.

Located in China's Hunan Provence, the Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road (also called the Tianmen Winding Mountain Road) is a picturesque strip of tarmac over shear cliff faces and some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth.

Kyapsang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.886m (19,311ft) above sea level located in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China. It’s one of the World's highest motorable roads. 

Wuxi's Token Stone Road is a very defiant and thrilling drive located in the Chongqing region of China. 1st gear only. Due its narrowness, it is impossible to turn back.

Tanggu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.231m (17,162ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, China. 

Kamba La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,852 m (15,915 ft) above sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. Do not take this drive if you have respiratory problems or any type of heart condition.

China opened on 24 October 2018 its latest megaproject, the world's longest sea bridge: the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, also known as HKZMB or HZMB. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges of the world.

Located in the northwest of Yunnan province, China, the Jinshajiang Bridge is said to be the world's largest span suspension bridge.

Stretching across the north and northwest regions of China, the G7 Expressway is renowned as the world’s longest highway through the desert.

The Lipulekh Pass is an international high mountain crossing at an elevation of 5,099m (16,729ft) above sea level, situated on the border between India (Uttarakhand) and China (Tibet). The Dharchula-Lipulekh Road, completed in 2020, is a strategic extension of the Pithoragarh-Tawaghat-Ghatiabagarh route. This 25.9 km sector is a high-altitude military corridor that requires navigating extreme vertical gains and 61 sharp hairpin turns in one of the most rugged environments of the Himalayas.

Located in the southwestern part of China, Heaven's Road is a cliff-side motorway filled with hairpin turns and steep bends. Climbing from 2,050 feet to 3,855 feet above sea level, it features an astonishing 45 hairpins. It’s best to avoid if you're prone to car sickness.

Located in Shawan County, China, Anjihai Grand Canyon is said to be one of the most scenic spots in the region. If you're afraid of heights, it’s probably best to keep your eyes forward.

Karo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,010 m (16,500 ft) above sea level, located in the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Shibanhe Cliff Road is the name of a difficult mountain road located in Hezhang County of Bijie City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Jang Rang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,793 m (19,005 ft) above sea level, located in Zanda County of Ngari Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It's one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Aizhai Winding Road is a very scenic drive located in the mountainous Hunan province of China. The road leads from Aizhai township up to the Aizhai bridge, offering spectacular views as you drive.

Balang Shan La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,485m (14,714ft) above sea level, located in the Sichuan Province of China.

Nathu La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.310m (14,140ft) above sea level, located at the Indo-China border.

It happened in China. Flying cars and vans leaping into the air at a busy junction. Three cars mysteriously get lifted into the air and then dropped.

Lalung La (5,050m) and Nyalam Tong La (5,150m) are two high mountain passes in the Tibet Autonomous Region that mark one of the most dramatic geographical transitions on Earth. Together, they form the final high-altitude barrier on the Friendship Highway before the road plunges toward the Nepalese border.

Old Kunyi Road is one of the most challenging drives in China. Known as Yiliang 68 Dao Guai, the road is said to feature 68 hairpin turns, with a sharp turn every few meters. It’s one of the most winding roads in the country. From above, it resembles a massive dragon, twisting through the mountains. It’s also among the most hairpinned roads in the world.

Located in Ganluo County, Sichuan Province, in China, the Jinkou Grand Canyon Scenic Road is said to be one of the most scenic roads of the country.

Tàibái Shān is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,766m (9,074ft) above sea level, located in Mei County of Baoji, in the western part of Shaanxi province, China.

Chiragsaldi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,980 meters (16,338 feet) above sea level, located in the Kunlun Mountains, in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China.

Mayum La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,225m (17,142ft) above sea level, located in Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

The Lhasa-Nyingchi Highway, the longest high-grade highway in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, is one of the most spectacular drives in the world.

Gorun La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,690m (18,667ft) above sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Lo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,578m (18,300ft) above sea level, located in Ngamring County, a county of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Nujiang River Road is a high-exposure shelf-road located in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan province, China. Running alongside the Nujiang River (also known as the Salween River), this 99.5 km route is a technical feat of engineering, having been carved into vertical cliffs primarily through manual labor. While recently paved, the road remains one of the most volatile logistical corridors in the region due to its extreme proximity to unstable rock faces and the high-discharge river below.

Qieshan La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,392m (17,690ft) above sea level, located in Tibet, north-east of the Himalayas, in the People's Republic of China.

Bodpo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,774m (18,943ft) above sea level, located in the extreme west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It's one of the world's highest motorable roads.

The Provincial Road 303 (S303) is one of the most technically demanding high-mountain routes in the eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Spanning 709 km (440 miles), this highway connects the G214 Road in Suonacun (Baxoi County, Chamdo) with the China National Highway 317 near Bulong Town. Driving the S303 is a test of mechanical endurance, as the road runs entirely above 4,200 meters, where the lack of oxygen impacts both engine combustion and human physiology.

Kirgizjangal Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,950m (16,240ft) above sea level, located in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

Located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, in China, Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world.

Milarepa’s Footprint is a sacred rock imprint located at an elevation of 5,235m (17,175ft) above sea level, located near the southern face of Mount Kailash in Tibet.

Satsum La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,350m (17,552ft) above sea level, located in Tibet, northeast of the Himalayas, in the People's Republic of China.

Located in Southwest China’s Tibet autonomous region, the Mi La Mountain Tunnel is one of the world’s highest vehicular tunnels at an average altitude of 4.752m (15,590ft) above the sea level.

Dungda La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,090 m (16,699 ft) above sea level, located in Chamdo, in the eastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Mount Davis is a mountain peak at an elevation of 269m (883ft) above sea level, located on Hong Kong Island, in China. It is an old military site with many war ruins, including five gun emplacements, ammunition stores, and accommodation buildings.

Located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, the Tasha ancient road is a very challenging drive.

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