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.

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.

Ilfsu Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.858m (15,938ft) above the sea level, located in the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Kashgar Prefecture in Western Xinjiang, China.

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.

Sangbu La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.287m (17,345ft) above sea level, located on the border of China and Bhutan.

Wakhjir Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.836m (15,866ft) above sea level, located on the border of Afghanistan and China. China has finished building a military road to the pass.

Zaka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.920m (16,141ft) above the sea level, located in Nyima County of the prefecture-level city of Nagqu, Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic 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.

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. 

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.

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.

Yaksang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.894m (16,056ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Comai and Qonggyai counties of Shannan in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

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.

Chaguola is a military outpost at an elevation of 5.261m (17,260ft) above the sea level, located in Yadong County of the Tibet region of China, part of its Shigatse Prefecture.

Tra La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.046m (13,274ft) above the sea level, located in the Samzhubzê District of the prefecture-level city of Shigatse, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the China.

Lagen La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.259m (17,253ft) above sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

Karkang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.785m (15,698ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Qusum and Lhünzê counties, in Shannan Prefecture, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Tuzanchi is an international high mountain peak with an elevation of 4.893m (16,053ft) above sea level, situated on the border between China and Tajikistan.

Tayeparva La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.497m (18,034ft) above the sea level, located in Zhongba County of Shigatse Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Dagchu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.894m (16,056ft) above the sea level, located in Rutog County, Ngari Prefecture of Tibet, in China.

Chure Chu Valley Road is a very scenic yet demanding drive located in the Shannan prefecture in the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Shakaleb La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.143m (16,873ft) above the sea level, located in the Comai County of Shannan, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Driving from Tinizi to Bianlongduo, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, is a challenging high mountain experience.

Tso-Le Road is a very scenic drive located in the heart of Cona County, in Shannan Prefecture of China.

Lamaling Shankou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.993m (13,100ft) above sea level, located on the border of Zoigê and Jiuzhaigou counties, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, in China.

Sangchi Shan Yakou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.061m (13,323ft) above sea level, located in Jigzhi County, Golog Prefecture, Qinghai Province of China.

Jimu Gong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,483m (17,988ft) above sea level. It's located on the boundary between Lhozag and Cona counties in the Shannan Prefecture of Tibet, China.

Zongguo Monastery is a high mountain Buddhist temple at an elevation of 4,196m (13,766ft) above sea level, located in Nangqên County, Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province of China.

Pereval Nayzatash is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.134m (13,562ft) above sea level, located in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan.

Tsekne La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5057m (16,591ft) above sea level, located on the border of Baqên County, Tibet, and Zadoi County, Qinghai Province, in China.

Kaindı is an international high mountain peak with an elevation of 4,915m (16,125ft) above sea level, situated on the border between China and Tajikistan.

Baima Shan Yakou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,363m (14,314ft) above sea level, located in Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China.

Imis La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,290m (17,355ft) above sea level, situated on the border of India and China. It is one of the major passes over the main Himalayan Range and ranks among the highest roads in the country.

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.

Dri La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,734m (15,531ft) above sea level, located in Karub District of Qamdo, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Soge La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.732m (15,524ft) above sea level, located in Drongpa County of Shigatse Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Dawagenzha Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,862m (12,670ft) above sea level, located in Baoxing County, under the administration of Ya'an City, in Sichuan Province, China.

Tagu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,978m (16,332ft) above sea level, located in Drongpa County of Shigatse Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, and western toilets are rare to find.

Gänja La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.775m (15,666ft) above sea level, located in Drongpa County of Shigatse Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Jizha La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,561m (18,244ft) above sea level, located in Lhozhag County of Shannan, in China. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

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