Xiagete Wall Road: A Nerve-Wracking Cliff Drive in Guizhou
Xiagete Wall Road is one of the most heart-stopping cliffside tracks in Southern China. Located in Shuicheng County, within the rugged Guizhou Province, this narrow path skirts the border with Yunnan and offers a driving experience that is not for the faint of heart.
Where is Xiagete Wall Road?
The road is carved into the vertical limestone cliffs of the Beipan River Valley. This region is famous for its deep canyons and karst mountains, creating some of the most dramatic—and dangerous—driving conditions in the country.
Xiagete Wall Road Facts
The Gateway to the World's Highest Bridge
The primary reason for the road's notoriety is its proximity to the Duge Bridge (Beipanjiang Bridge). Rising 565 meters (1,854 ft) above the river, it is one of the highest bridges in the world. While the bridge is a masterpiece of modern engineering, the Xiagete Wall Road represents the old, perilous way of navigating these vertical landscapes.
Driving Challenges: 2 Meters of Terror
This is a primitive cliff road with several extreme hazards:
- Width: The track is less than 2 meters wide in several sections. Passing an oncoming vehicle is nearly impossible and requires expert reversing skills on the edge of a precipice.
- Drop-offs: There are no guardrails. The road offers terrifyingly direct views of the Beipan River hundreds of meters below.
- Rockfall Risk: The unstable karst cliffs pose a constant threat of rockslides, especially after heavy rain.
- Restrictions: The road is strictly closed to heavy vehicles and is only navigable by small passenger cars or local motorcycles.
Survival Tips for the Xiagete Wall Road
If you choose to drive this route, proceed with extreme caution. The road is unpaved and can become dangerously slippery when wet. It is highly recommended to check local weather conditions, as fog in the Beipan Valley can reduce visibility to near zero, making the narrow cliff edge invisible.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez
Pic&video: 贵州李俊 Guizhou Li Jun