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.
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 the sea level, located at the Indo-China border.
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 5.793m (19,005ft) above the sea level located in the Shannan Prefecture of Tibet, an autonomous region of China on the northern side of the Himalayas. It's one of the world's highest motorable roads.
45 hairpin turns on the Chinese Heaven's Road
Located on south-western China's, the Road to Heaven is a cliff-side motorway full of hairpin turns and steep bends. There are sheer drops virtually along the entire route and enough hairpins to make a whirling dervish dizzy. Elevating from 2,050 feet to 3,855 feet above the sea level, it has an astonishingly 45 hairpins.
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.
Aizhai Winding Road: you'll feel like you are driving in the sky
Aizhai Winding Road is a very scenic drive in the mountainous Hunan province of China. This road leads from Aizhai township up to the Aizhai bridge.
A journey on the legendary Balang Shan Pass
Balang Shan La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.500m (14,760ft) above the sea level, located in the Sichuan province of China. The pass is traversed by an extreme high mountain road called 303 Provincial Road.
Karo La: enjoy a road among the clouds
Karo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.010m (16,500ft) above the sea level, located in the south-east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.
G7 Expressway is the world's longest desert expressway
Stretching across the north and northwest of China the G7 Expressway is said to be the world’s longest highway across the desert.
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.
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 the sea level, located in Tibet, north-east of the Himalayas, in the People's Republic of China.
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.
The road to Anjihai Grand Canyon is said to be the scary of scaries
Located in Shawan county, China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Anjihai Grand Canyon is said to be one of the most scenic spots of the region. If you're afraid of heights, it's probably best to keep your eyes forward.
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.
Driving to Lo La, one of the highest roads in the world
Lo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.578m (18,300ft) above the sea level, located in Ngamring County, a county of Xigazê in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It’sone of the highest motorable roads of the world.
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 the sea level, located in the Qinling Range, in the south west of Shaanxi Province, China.
A hairpinned road to Chiragsaldi Pass
Chiragsaldi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.980m (16,338ft) above the sea level, located in the Kunlun Mountains, in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.
Conquering the hairpinned Old Kunyi Road
Old Kunyi Road is one of the most challenging drives in China. It features 26 hairpin turns in just over 2.1 km long. It’s one of the famous hairpinned roads in the world.
Gorun La, a difficult road to the summit
Gorun La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.690m (18,667ft) above the sea level, located in Qusum County in the Shannan Prefecture of Tibet, in China. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.
Jinshajiang Bridge, 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.
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.
Arniko Highway: One mistake, game over
The infamous Arniko Highway is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. It provides Nepal’s overland link with Tibet and China. "One mistake, game over".
Lalung La: a high mountain road to the summit
Lalung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.050m (16,570ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, 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 the sea level, located in Zanda County, in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It's one of the world's highest motorable roads.
A wild road to Satsum La
Satsum La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.350m (17,552ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, north-east of the Himalayas, in the People's Republic of China.
Travelling through the steep Mount Davis Path
Mount Davis Path is a paved route climbing up to Mount Davis the westernmost hill on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, at an elevation of 269m (883ft) above the sea level.
Kirgizjangal Pass, a drive you'll never forget
Kirgizjangal Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,950m (16,240ft) above the sea level, located in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.
Travelling the defiant Nujiang River Road
Located in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of the Yunnan province in China, Nujiang River Road is one of the most scenic yet challenging roads in the world. It is a dangerous road built on cliff, completely by hand work.
Breathtaking scenery on the road to Nyalam Tong La
Nyalam Tong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.150m (16,900ft) above the sea level, in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
A brutal unpaved road to Shiquanhe Observatory
The Shiquanhe Observatory is an optical observatory at an elevation of 5.100m (16,700ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
The road to Mount Kailash is not for the sissies
Mount Kailash is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.235m (17,175ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Driving through Tiger Leaping Gorge is not for the sissies
Located in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan, Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world.
A paved border road to Kulma Pass in the Pamir Mountains
Kulma Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,362m (14,311ft) above sea level, located on the border of China and Tajikistan.
Driving the wild 303 Provincial Road
303 Provincial Road is an extreme high mountain road located in the eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China. S303 runs entirely over the 4.200m above the sea level. The drive is simply terrible, with a notorius lack of oxygen that tests the organisms and a high degree of steepness. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters.
Karakoram Highway: The Highest Paved International Road and Eighth Wonder of the World
The Karakoram Highway (informally known as the KKH) is said to be the highest paved international road in the world, running between Western China and Pakistan. It's the road to paradise for those who love exploring the mountains, offering a once-in-a-lifetime road trip for adventure lovers.
The disastrous road to Bum La in the Himalaya
Bum La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.508m (14,790ft) above sea level, located on the Indo-China border. The road through the pass has disastrous conditions, and only 4wd vehicles with competent drivers are allowed.
The mountain road to Najia in Tibet
Najia is a high mountain town at an elevation of 5.154m (16,909ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Tielong Pass: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Tielong Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.200m (17,060ft) above the sea level, located in Rutog County in far western Tibet, in the People's Republic of China.
Driving the scenic yet challenging Yunnan-Tibet Highway
Running along the Hengduan Mountains, in China, the Yunnan-Tibet Highway is a very scenic drive. The road is 702-kilometer-long.
Dungda La, an absolute must for road lovers
Dungda La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.090m (16,699ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.