What are the most spectacular roads in China?
Stretching vast and diverse, from the shimmering coastlines of the east to the towering Himalayas in the west, China's topography is a dream canvas for some of the world's most remarkable roads. These aren't just pathways – they're odysseys narrating tales of human ingenuity, perseverance, and a deep reverence for nature.
Imagine navigating the serpentine twists of Tian Men Shan Big Gate Road, where 99 turns challenge even the most seasoned drivers. Then, marvel at the Guoliang Tunnel's sheer audacity, a pathway carved by hand into the very heart of a mountain, standing as a testament to human will and determination. Journey along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, one of the globe's highest roads, where every bend unveils vistas that seem to brush the heavens. And if you ever wished to drive to the roof of the world, the paved road to Everest Base Camp awaits, offering a communion with the mighty Himalayas like no other. Finally, for those who truly want to touch the sky, the drive to Chāmkang will elevate you to one of the world's highest motorable realms.
China's roads aren't just stretches of asphalt; they are chronicles, each kilometer whispering tales of landscapes that defy imagination and the indomitable spirit of those who've shaped them. So, gear up and let the Chinese routes enthrall your senses, taking you on a journey where legends, landscapes, and adventures converge.
A steep (11.79%) hairpinned road to Lake Gongga
Gongga Co is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.642m (15,229ft) above the sea level, located in Lhozhag County, a county of Shannnan in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, 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.
Travel guide to the top of Gele La
Gele La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.369m (14,333ft) above the sea level, located in Jomda County, in Chamdo in the eastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Lungdri La: this road is not for timid drivers
Lungdri La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.689m (15,383ft) above the sea level, located Baiyü County of far western Sichuan province, China, on the border with the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Tiejiangshan Pass is worth the white-knuckle drive
Tiejiangshan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.796m (15,734ft) above the sea level, located in Litang County, in southwest of Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China.
A very bumpy, grueling road to Yamtse La
Yamtse La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.685m (15,370ft) above the sea level, located in Kangmar County of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region, bordering India's Sikkim state to the south.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Mengkete Ancient Road
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.
A memorable road trip to Kyipogo La
Kyipogo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.054m (16,581ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary in the Xaitongmoin County of Xigazê, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
27 hairpin turns to Longshan Pass
Longshan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.542m (14,901ft) above the sea level, located in Garzê County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan, in China.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Ruro La
Ruro La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.547m (14,917ft) above the sea level, located in Zhag’yab County, Chamdo Prefecture, in Tibet.
A memorable road trip to Norchung La
Norchung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.090m (16,699ft) above the sea level, located in Coqên County in the southeast of Ngari Prefecture in the west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Driving the remote road to Ji La
Gyai La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.979m (16,335ft) above the sea level, located in Tingri County in the prefecture-level city of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Ultimate 4wd destination: Ker La
Ker La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.024m (16,482ft) above the sea level, located in Riwoche county, under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Chamdo in the northeast of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Wugeshan Pass: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Wugeshan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.351m (14,274ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Tianjun and Qilian counties, in Qinghai Province, China.
How to drive the seasonal Napa Lake Highway?
Napa Lake highway is a seasonal road located in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, in China. It’s one of the periodically flooded roads around the world.
A Once in a Lifetime Drive through Orkyi La
Orkyi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.567m (18,264ft) above the sea level, located in Kangmar County of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Travel guide to the top of Riadong La
Riadong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.005m (16,420ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Zadoi and Zhidoi counties, in Yushu Prefecture of Qinghai, in China.
Travel guide to the top of Wahusi Pass
Wahusi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.456m (14,619ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Tianjun County (Haixi Prefecture) and Qilian County (Haibei Prefecture) of Qinghai Province, in China.
Longro La is an epic road in the Himalaya
Longro La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.340m (14,238ft) above the sea level, located on the Indo-China border.
Take the Scenic Route and Discover Hei Daban
Hei Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.364m (14,317ft) above the sea level, located in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, in Zhangye Prefecture of Gansu Province, in China.
Taking on the Twists and Turns of Zhong Daban
Zhong Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.779m (12,398ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Haibei and Xining Prefectures of Qinghai in China.
The brutally steep (36%) road to Pang La in Zogong County
Pang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.221m (13,848ft) above the sea level, located in Zogong County, is a county of the Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
How To Travel The Challenging Gushuang Cliff Tunnel Road
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.
The road to Men La in the Tibet is not for the sissies
Men La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.265m (13,992ft) above the sea level, located in Zayul County, in the Nyingchi Prefecture in the southeastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Driving the curvy road to Rathi La
Rathi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.689m (15,383ft) above the sea level, located in Batang County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China.
Travel guide to the top of Tienpo La
Tienpo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.324m (14,186ft) above the sea level, located in Lhorong County of the Qamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
The road to Kharsang La isn’t an easy one
Kharsang La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.437m (14,557ft) above the sea level, located on the Indo-China border.
Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Sese La
Sese La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.474m (17,959ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and India.
A road with hundreds of turns to Fengxue Pass
Fengxue Yakou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.157m (10,357ft) above the sea level, located in Lushui county, in the Nujiang Prefecture, western Yunnan Province of China.
Road trip guide: Conquering Kanggar Tzoxe La
Kanggar Tzoxe La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.613m (18,415ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Tolung Dechen and Qüxü Counties of Lhasa Prefecture, in Tibet, China. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Travel guide to the top of Upyang Pass
Upyang Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.927m (16,164ft) above the sea level, located in the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Kashgar Prefecture in Western Xinjiang, China.
Dangjin Shankou: Navigating China's Majestic Altitudes on Road G215
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.
A Once in a Lifetime Drive through Chake La
Chake La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.338m (17,513ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Nyima and Shuanghu (Tsonyi) counties, in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
Driving the curvy road to Lenglongling Pass is for experienced drivers
Lenglongling Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.254m (13,956ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Menyuan County (in Haibei Prefecture of Qinghai province) and Sunan County (Zhangye Prefecture of Gansu province) in China.
A memorable road trip from Lakangzhen to Gong La via Bod La
Running through Lhozhag County of Shannnan, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, driving the road from Lakangzhen to Gong La is not a Sunday drive.
A memorable road trip to Hor La
Hor La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.807m (15,771ft) above the sea level, located in the Shannan prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
More than 100 hairpin turns to Sangbu La
Sangbu La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.287m (17,345ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and Bhutan.
Travel guide to the top of Peacock Mountain Pass
Kongque Shan Yakou (Peacock Mountain Pass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.891m (12,765ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Nujiang and Dêqên Prefectures, in Yunnan Province, China.
Gydzhen Pass: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Gydzhen Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.988m (13,083ft) above the sea level, located in Akto County, in Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.