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.

The Hena Expressway (S60) is a major high-speed logistical corridor at an elevation of varying karst plateaus, located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China. Spanning 516 kilometers (320 miles), the S60 connects Hepu County to Napo County, traversing some of the most complex limestone topographies in Asia.

China is one of the most rewarding destinations for extreme driving, home to the Himalayas, the Gobi Desert, and some of the highest paved roads in the world. However, it is also the most restricted country for international overlanders. Unlike almost any other nation, you cannot simply show up at the border with your International Driving Permit and cross into Chinese territory. To drive in China, you must navigate a mountain of bureaucracy and be prepared for significant financial investment.

Qiewulida Yiding Biele Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass reaching an elevation of 4,463m (14,642ft) above sea level, located in Akto County, within the Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, China. This remote pass sits in the heart of the Pamir Mountains, a desolate and high-altitude wilderness.

Forget about your GPS or your travel plans; the Uzbel Pass is a place you will likely never see in person. Sitting at 4,685m (15,370ft) in the heart of the Pamir Mountains, this pass isn't a mountain crossing for travelers—it's a hardcore military zone on the sensitive border between China (Xinjiang) and Tajikistan. If you try to drive here, you won't find a road; you'll find a checkpoint with soldiers who won't be happy to see you.

Located in the extreme west of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Muling La is a high mountain pass reaching a staggering elevation of 5,556m (18,228ft) above sea level. Situated in Zanda County (also known as Tsamda), within the Ngari Prefecture, this pass is one of the highest and most isolated vehicle tracks in the world, cutting through a lunar-like landscape of high-altitude desert and jagged peaks.

Located in Akto County, within the Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, China, Oibalegen Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass reaching an elevation of 4,624m (15,170ft) above sea level. Situated near the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province of Tajikistan, the route is a critical unpaved road connecting the remote settlement of Chongrang with the international border.

The Kulamba Pass is a high-altitude mountain crossing located in Kargilik County (Yecheng), within the Kashgar Prefecture of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Reaching an elevation of 4,009m (13,152ft) above sea level, this unpaved track represents an extreme logistical challenge due to its vertical gain and the precarious nature of its switchbacks. Navigating this pass requires a specialized 4x4 vehicle and advanced mountain driving skills to manage the sustained torque demands and the lack of structural safety barriers.

Kuteruk Pass (also transcribed as Kuteerke) is a high-altitude mountain pass situated at an elevation of 3,365m (11,040ft) in the Kunlun Mountains, within Kargilik County, Xinjiang, China. The route serves as a critical logistical link in the Kashgar Prefecture, connecting the settlement of Xikebande in the west with Suluge Azi in the east. The road layout is defined by high-frequency switchbacks in one of the most isolated mountain ranges in Central Asia.

Located in Akto County, within the Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, China, Kuribankasi Daban (also known as Aghbai Budabel) is a high-altitude mountain pass reaching an elevation of 4,267m (13,999ft) above sea level. The pass is situated in the Pamir mountain range and serves as a military access route, with a permanent military installation located at the summit.

Dawaliangzi Pass, also known as Dawaliang, is a high-altitude mountain pass at an elevation of 4,597m (15,082ft) above sea level in Xiaojin County, Sichuan Province. The pass is a critical point on the Meihan Road (Meiwo-Hanniu), an 84 km highway that traverses the Mukekeliangzi range at peaks reaching 4,916m. This route was a key post-disaster reconstruction project following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, providing a direct tactical link between Meiwo and Hanniu townships that bypasses a previous 110 km detour through Danba County.

Tiantao Line, also known as the Taihang Bingchacha, is a high-altitude cliff road located in the Taihang Mountains, connecting Pingshun County (Shanxi) and Linzhou (Henan), China. Logistically, this 25 km route was engineered in the 1980s as a primary corridor for transporting coal from Shanxi to Anyang. Technically, it is a narrow, unpaved track carved directly into the limestone cliffs, demanding high-clearance vehicles and advanced technical driving skills.

Bairi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,556m (14,947ft) above sea level, located in Dawu County, within the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan. The route is a critical link between the high Tibetan Plateau and the lower valley settlements. Driving this section of County Road 179 requires managing a massive vertical drop that puts extreme stress on any vehicle's braking system.

The road from Chuzhig to Nyangra is a high-altitude paved corridor located in Xaitongmoin County, within the Xigazê prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Spanning 44.4 km, this technical mountain route serves as a vital logistical link situated to the east of the Lungzang La pass. The road is engineered to traverse extreme terrain, reaching a peak elevation of 5,400m (17,716ft) above sea level.

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