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.

Ode La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.468m (14,658ft) above the sea level, located in Banbar County of the Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Ngai La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.453m (14,609ft) above the sea level, located in the historical region of Kham in the eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

305 County Road (X305) is a high mountain road located on the boundary of Gonggar County and Nagarzê County, in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Pe La is an ultra-high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,136m (16,850ft) above sea level, located in Ngamring County, within the Xigazê Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. It stands as one of the highest paved mountain passes in the world, offering a smooth but breathless journey through the heart of the Himalayas.

Par La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,334m (14,219ft) above sea level, located in Kyirong County, within the Shigatse Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. This remote mountain track is known for its dramatic ridge sections and its role in connecting isolated settlements in the southwestern Himalayas.

Xia Quepu is a glacial lake at an elevation of 4.918m (16,135ft) above the sea level, located in Kangmar County of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Kawak Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.126m (16,817ft) above the sea level, located in Pishan County, within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, under the administration of the Hotan Prefecture in China.

Norgo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.256m (17,244ft) above the sea level, located in Coqên County in the southeast of Ngari Prefecture in the west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

Luanshi Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.412m (17,755ft) above the sea level, located in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China.

Ka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,805m (15,764ft) above sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Situated in a remote and barren landscape, the pass is an essential link in the high-altitude road network of western Tibet.

X607 (County Road 607) is a high mountain road located in Nyima County, Nagqu, Tibet, in China.

Gushuang Cliff Tunnel Road is the name of a very defiant drive located in Gulin County, in the south of Sichuan Province, in China. It’s one of the most famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Ruro La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,547m (14,917ft) above sea level, located in Zhag’yab County, within the Chamdo Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. This remote crossing is situated in one of the most rugged and less-traveled parts of eastern Tibet.

Nye La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,925m (16,158ft) above sea level, located in Dinggyê County, within the Xigazê prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Dangjin Shankou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.655m (11,991ft) above the sea level, located in Jiuquan, in the northwesternmost part of Gansu Province in the People's Republic of China.

Chen-ne La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,077 m (16,656 ft) above sea level, located in Shannan, in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Boi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,950m (16,240ft) above sea level, located in Cona County, within the south-eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This pass is a true test of endurance and mechanical reliability, situated in one of the most rugged and least-traveled sections of the Himalaya mountain range.

Sebseb La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.442m (17,854ft) above the sea level, located in the Ngamring County of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China. 

Xila Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.292m (17,362ft) above the sea level, located in Zanda County, in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

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.

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.

Rib La is an epic high-mountain pass reaching an elevation of 4,760m (15,616ft) above sea level, located in Lhünzê County, within the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This dangerous and narrow route is the vital link to one of the most isolated settlements in the world.

Mata La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.348m (17,545ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Comai and Cona counties, in the south of the Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.

562 Country Road is a defiant high mountain road located in Zogong County, in the Chamdo Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Lajyung La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.000m (16,404ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and Nepal.

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.

Lisuo Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.675m (15,337ft) above the sea level, located in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province of Southwest China. If you're afraid of heights, it's probably best to keep your eyes forward.

Mengkete Ancient Road is the name of a thousand-year old road located in the Xinjiang Province of China, on the boundary of Nilka County and Usu City district, in Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture.

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.

Chak La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.514m (14,809ft) above the sea level, located in Nagqu, a prefecture-level city in the north of the Chinese autonomous region of Tibet.

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.

Jangkhu La is a high-altitude mountain pass at an elevation of 4,935m (16,190ft) above sea level, located in the Seni District of Nagqu, within the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. As part of the legendary G317 (Northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway), this pass is a critical link for those driving across the vast and remote Tibetan Plateau.

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.

Maryan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,347m (14,261ft) above the sea level located in the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Kashgar Prefecture in western Xinjiang, China. This majestic pass owes its name to the nearby Maeryangxiang village.

Ljou La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.759m (15,613ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Baxoi and Riwoqê Counties,Chamdo Prefecture, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Tienpo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.324m (14,186ft) above sea level, located in Lhorong County of the Qamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Kharpo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.002m (16,410ft) above the sea level, located in Lhünzê County in the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

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.

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.

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