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.
Tian Men Shan Big Gate Road, a true test
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.
Driving the northern corridors of Beijing: From the 6th Ring to Simatai
Navigating the northern logistics of Beijing involves a transition from the world's most complex radial ring system to the high-altitude challenges of the Yan Mountains. Successfully transiting the city and reaching the northern frontier at Simatai requires precise knowledge of the 6th Ring Road dynamics, plate rationing protocols, and the technical demands of the G101 mountainous corridor.
Kyapsang La is one of the World's highest motorable roads
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.
Tanggu La is one of the China's top drives
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.
Road Trip Guide: Conquering Kamba La in Tibet
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.
Crossing the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge
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.
Jinshajiang Bridge is the world's largest span suspension bridge
Located in the northwest of Yunnan province, China, the Jinshajiang Bridge is said to be the world's largest span suspension bridge.
G7 Expressway: The World's Longest Desert Expressway
Stretching across the north and northwest regions of China, the G7 Expressway is renowned as the world’s longest highway through the desert.
How to drive the Dharchula-Lipulekh Road to the Chinese border?
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.
45 Hairpin Turns on China’s Heaven's Road
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.
The road to Anjihai Grand Canyon is said to be the scary of scaries
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: enjoy a paved road among the clouds
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.
Dare to drive the dangerous Shibanhe Cliff Road
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.
Aizhai Winding Road: You'll Feel Like You Are Driving in the Sky
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.
A Brutal Road to Jang Rang La: Extremely Low Oxygen for Engine Combustion
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.
Driving the Legendary Road to Balang Shan Pass
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.
Road trip guide: Conquering Nathu La Pass in the Himalayas
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.
Cars floating off the ground in China
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 and Nyalam Tong La: The Great Himalayan Descent
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.
Conquering the hairpinned Old Kunyi Road in Yunnan Province
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.
The Jinkou Grand Canyon Scenic Road will take your breath away
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.
More than 100 hairpin turns on the road to Taibai Mountain
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.
A paved road to the summit of Mayum La
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.
A hairpinned road to Chiragsaldi Pass
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.
Lhasa-Nyingchi is the highest highway in the world
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.
What are the driving conditions on the Provincial Road 303 (S303) in Tibet?
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.
A difficult road to the summit of Gorun La
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.
Driving one of the highest roads in the world to Lo La
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.
How to drive the cliff-cut Nujiang River Road?
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.
A curvy paved road to Qieshan La
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.
The Road to Bodpo La is Not for the Faint of Heart
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.
Kirgizjangal Pass, a drive you'll never forget
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.
How to get to Tiger Leaping Gorge by car?
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.
How to get to Milarepa’s Footprint on Mount Kailash?
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.
Mi La Mountain Tunnel: enjoy a tunnel among the clouds
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.
A wild road to Satsum La 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.
How to drive the desolate Tasha Ancient Road
Located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, the Tasha ancient road is a very challenging drive.
Dungda La in Tibet Is an Absolute Must for Road Lovers
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.
Discovering Mount Davis: Military Relics on Hong Kong Island
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.