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.

Anwu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,602m (15,098ft) above sea level, located in the Chinese autonomous region of Tibet.

Khung La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.425m (17,798ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and Nepal.

Zong Co is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4,976m (16,325ft) above sea level, located in Dinggyê County of Xigazê city in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Me La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,179m (16,991ft) above sea level, located in Lhozhag County of Shannan, in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Pen La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,273m (17,299ft) above sea level, located in Cona County, in China.

Nampa La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,460m (17,913ft) above sea level, located on the border of Doilungdêqên District and Qüxü County, Lhasa Prefecture, Tibet.

Located in Jammu and Kashmir, in India, the challenging Lalung Valley Road is one of the highest roads on Earth, ending at 5,803m (19,038ft) above sea level.

Lachin La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,826m (15,833ft) above sea level, located in the east of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Aryktoryk Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,468 meters (11,377 feet) above sea level, located in Wuqia County, Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, of Xinjiang in China.

Dzamba La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,901m (16,079ft) above sea level, located in Batang County, Sichuan Province, China.

Kora La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,621m (15,160ft) above sea level, located in the Mustang District of Nepal.

Nyadong La is a high mountain pass situated at an elevation of 5,224m (17,139ft) above sea level in the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Located in the heart of the Himalayas, this remote pass offers some of the most dramatic and least-visited landscapes in the Xigazê Prefecture.

Tartkul Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,900m (12,795ft) above sea level, located on the border of China and Kyrgyzstan.

Over the years, the number of international students and travelers coming to China has increased. China offers many advantages to international students, opening up numerous opportunities during their studies. China is a vast country with a rich history and diverse culture. It has a wide variety of ethnicities, landmarks, languages, and historical figures.

The Huajiang Canyon Bridge is a suspension bridge located in Guizhou province, China. It crosses the Beipan River within the deep Huajiang Canyon and serves as a vital section of the Guizhou S57 (Liuzhi-Anlong Expressway).
It currently holds the world record for the highest bridge, measured by the vertical distance from the bridge deck to the water surface. The bridge was constructed to significantly improve regional transportation and stimulate economic development and tourism as part of the Chinese government’s infrastructure campaign. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Planning a road trip on China's spectacular highways requires crucial preparation regarding local laws. China's traffic regulations are specific: foreign driving permits and licenses are not valid for use in the mainland.

Pereval Dungurama is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,100m (13,451ft) above sea level, marking the border between China and Kyrgyzstan.

Nara La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.507m (14,786ft) above sea level, located in the Karnali Zone of Nepal.

The Duge Bridge (locally known as Beipanjiang Bridge Duge) is a masterpiece of modern engineering on the border between the Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in China. Rising 565 meters (1,854 ft) above the river, it was recognized by Guinness World Records as the World's Highest Bridge from its completion in 2016 until 2025. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

The Guanxing Highway (also known as the Guanxing Expressway) is a spectacular and technical toll road located in the Guizhou Province of China. Known as the "Highway in the Sky," this 160-kilometer route is celebrated for its engineering daring, winding through the complex and vertical karst mountain terrain of southwestern China.

Deep in the karst mountains of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Hena Expressway (S60) stands as a breathtaking testament to modern engineering. Dubbed by international media as "the most beautiful road in the world," this 516-kilometer marvel connects Hepu County to Napo County, winding through a landscape so surreal it looks like a traditional Chinese watercolor painting.

Located on the sensitive border between Tajikistan and China, the Kasa Irunun Beli Pass is one of the highest and most restricted mountain crossings in the world. Reaching an elevation of 4,691 meters (15,390 ft), this is not a tourist route but a strategic military road connecting high-security zones in Central Asia. Driving here tests both engine endurance and the driver’s physical limits due to the extreme lack of oxygen. With a permanent military post at the summit, navigating this pass requires more than just a 4x4; it demands total logistical preparation and respect for international border protocols. If you take on this road, be prepared for an unforgiving terrain where asphalt is non-existent and the weather can turn lethal in minutes.

Uzbel Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,685m (15,370ft) above sea level, located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of western China. Situated almost directly on the border with Tajikistan, this remote pass serves strategic military purposes.

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.

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