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.

Lungdri La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,689m (15,383ft) above sea level, located in Baiyü County, in the far western part of Sichuan Province, China. Situated directly on the border with the Tibet Autonomous Region, this pass is one of the most technically demanding unpaved routes in the region, requiring maximum concentration and a high-performance vehicle.

Shimo Co is a glacial lake at an elevation of 5,070m (16,633ft) above sea level, located in Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Dongu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.944m (16,220ft) above the sea level, located in the Namling County of Shigatse in the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.

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.

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.

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.

Drongu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.929m (16,171ft) above the sea level, located in Sa'gya County, under the prefecture-level city of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Located in Zogong County of the Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, 564 Country Road (Y564) is the name of a defiant road through the mountains with many deep drop offs.

Phenpogo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.086m (16,686ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Chengguan and Lhünzhub districts, in Lhasa City Prefecture, in Tibet, China.

Men La is a high mountain pass situated at an elevation of 4,265m (13,992ft) above sea level. It is located in Zayul County, within the Nyingchi Prefecture of the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region in China. This remote pass is part of the rugged landscape that characterizes the border regions of southeastern Tibet, where high altitudes and steep terrain are the norm.

Lach La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.731m (15,521ft) above the sea level, located in Nangqên County, the southernmost county-level division of Qinghai province, in China.

Chepzi Observation Post is a military facility at an elevation of 4.835m (15,862ft) above the sea level, located in Zanda County, Ngari Prefecture, Tibet.

Galaga Yakou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.504m (14,776ft) above the sea level, located in Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province of China.

Gora La is an international high mountain pass located on the border of India and China.

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.

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.

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.

Hor La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,807m (15,771ft) above sea level, located in the Shannan Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

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.

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.

Ye La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.041m (16,538ft) above sea level, located in Nagarzê County of Shannan Prefecture, in Tibet, China.

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.

Rathi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.689m (15,383ft) above sea level, located in Batang County, within the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan, China. Also known as Rato La, this pass is a key transit point in the rugged mountains of western Sichuan.

Racaka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.641m (15,226ft) above the sea level, located in Riwoche, a county of the prefecture-level city of Chamdo in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

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.

Teganaqik Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.778m (12,395ft) above the sea level, located in Akto County within the Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.

Hei Daban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,364m (14,317ft) above sea level, located in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County in China.

Kongpo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.327m (17,477ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Nang County (Nyingtri Prefecture) and Lhünzê County (Shannan Prefecture) in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

Kazi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.439m (14,563ft) above the sea level, located in Litang, in southwest of Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gydzhen Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,988m (13,083ft) above sea level, located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. It offers a remote route through the Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, near the border with Tajikistan.

Chuka La (also known as Quka La) is an extreme high-mountain pass at an elevation of 5,318m (17,447ft) above sea level, located in Zhongba County, within the Shigatse Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Tucked away in the rugged Godong Gangri range, this unpaved track is one of the most remote and oxygen-deprived routes in western China, offering a true test for high-altitude explorers.

The Mingyue Gorge Ancient Plank Road is located in Chaotian District, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, China. It sits at the entrance of the Jialing River Valley and marks the starting point of the Jianmen Shu Road Scenic Tourist Line. Once a crucial transportation route, this ancient road was carved into cliffs to connect the region, playing a vital role in both daily life and military strategy. It’s one of the most famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Lugu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.065m (16,617ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Qonggyai and Zhanang counties of Shannan in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Karu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.063m (16,610ft) above the sea level, located in Comai County, a county of Shannan, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

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.

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