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.
Dare to drive the dangerous Bamtso La
Bamtso La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.465m (17,929ft) above the sea level, located on the Chinese-Indian border.
A paved road to the Riyue Mountain Pass
Riyue Mountain Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.529m (11,578ft) above the sea level, located in Northeastern Qinghai Province, in Western China, by the Tibetan Plateau.
Drive across Zha La pass in Tibet
Zha La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.086m (16,686ft) above sea level, located in Biru County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Ela Shankou: enjoy a drive among the clouds
Ela Shankou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.502m (14,770ft) above the sea levele, located in Xinghai County, in the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in the east-central part of Qinghai Province, People's Republic of China.
A rollercoaster road to Shibapan Diecai Cave
Shibapan Diecai Cave is one of the most popular attractions in Xiuwu County, in the northwest of Henan province, China, bordering Shanxi province to the north.
Lawu Pass: a paved steep road to the top
Lawu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.371m (14,340ft) above the sea level, located in Markham County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
A dusty remote track to Chuseng La
Chuseng La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.224m (17,139ft) above the sea level, located in Gêrzê County, in Ngari Prefecture in the northwest of the Tibet Autonomous Region, bordering Xinjiang to the north, southwest of China.
New Changlung La is a winding road only for experienced drivers
New Changlung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.590m (18,339ft) above the sea level, located in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
The Wild Road to Tipta La
Tipta La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.118m (16,791ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and Nepal. It’s an important trade route.
Jangkhu La is a drive worth taking
Jangkhu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.935m (16,190ft) above the sea level, located in Seni District, within the Nagqu of the Tibet Autonomous Region, southwest China.
X607, one of the highest roads in Tibet
X607 (County Road 607) is a high mountain road located in Nyima County, Nagqu, Tibet, in China.
Courage is required to drive to Dzi La
Dzi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.799m (15,744ft) above the sea level, located in Sêrxü County, in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the northwest of Sichuan Province, China.
Rib La, an epic enthralling road
Rib La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.760m (15,616ft) above the sea level, located in Lhünzê County in the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Mt. Rawobanba
Mt. Rawobanba is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.107m (13,474ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Boi La
Boi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.950m (16,240ft) above the sea level, located in Cona County, in south-eastern Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. This route is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness. The climb is terrible, with 62 sharp hairpin turns.
Travel Guide to the top of Guza La
Guza La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.084m (16,679ft) above the sea level, located in Bomê County in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.
Ultimate 4wd destination: Sengri mountain
Sengri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.632m (15,196ft) above the sea level, located in Bayi District in Nyingchi in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
An epic enthralling road to Yixula Pass
Yixula Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.745m (15,567ft) above the sea level, located in Zayü County in the Nyingchi Prefecture in the southeastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The road to the summit, with countless turns and twists, is said to be ‘The most primitive road in China’.
Things to Know Before Driving to Tari La
Tari La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.521m (18,113ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Gyantse County (Xigazê) and Nagarzê County (Shannan) in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Zing La is a drive you'll never forget
Zing La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.936m (16,194ft) above the sea level, located in Cona County, in Shannan prefecture in southern part of Tibet Autonomous Region in People's Republic of China.
Road trip guide: Conquering the 562 Country Road
562 Country Road is a defiant high mountain road located in Zogong County, in the Chamdo Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
An epic road to Ka La in Tibet
Ka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.805m (15,764ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Driving the breathtaking road to Lazhi La
Lazhi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.501m (14767ft) above the sea level, located in Chamdo Prefecture, on the boundary between Karuo District and Jomda County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Get behind the wheels for Zongbala Pass
Zongbala La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.161m (13,651ft) above the sea level, located in Markham County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
The Wild Road to Yuximolegai La
Yuximolegai Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.438m (11,279ft) above the sea level, located in Nilka County, within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The drive offers stunning mountain views everywhere.
An epic enthralling road to Puti La
Puti La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.483m (14,708ft) above the sea level, located in Banbar County of the Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Chu La is one of the gnarliest roads in Tibet
Chu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.665m (15,305ft) above the sea level, located in Zayü County in the Nyingchi Prefecture in the southeastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The road to the summit, with countless turns and twists, is said to be ‘The most primitive road in China’.
Driving the savage road to Lungkar La
Lungkar La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.645m (18,520ft) above the sea level, located in Zhongba County of Shigatse Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
A Most Tricky Scenic Drive to Gang La
Gang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.538m (14,888ft) above the sea level, located in Ngamring County, a county of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Eboling Pass: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Eboling Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.700m (12,139ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Qinghai and Gansu provinces, in the Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China.
A hairpinned road to Ganden Monastery
Ganden Monastery is a monastery at an elevation of 4.327m (14,196ft) above the sea level, located in Dagzê District, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
An unforgettable drive to Gola La
Gola La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.247m (17,214ft) above the sea level, located in Lhari County, within the prefecture-level city of Nagqu in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Chongnye La, a chillout in high mountains
Chongnye La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.478m (14,691ft) above the sea level, located in the east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.
How to Travel the Duku Highway to Laerdun Daban?
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.
Jingyangling Pass is worth the white-knuckle drive
Jingyangling Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.770m (12,368ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Qilian and Menyuan Hui counties of Qinghai Province, in the Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China.
Pendang La: enjoy a road among the clouds
Pendang La is a high mountain pass, at an elevation of 4.848m (15,905ft) above the sea level, located in Xigazê Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
Siyaba La, pure adventure
Siyaba La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.847m (15,902ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and Nepal.
Drive across Tekhar La
Tekhar La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.476m (14,685ft) above the sea level, located in Banbar County of the Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Zholpel La, an awe-inspiring road through remote areas
Zholpel La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.615m (15,141ft) above the sea level, located in Qamdo district, in the eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China.