Hena Expressway: China’s Stunning "Road to Heaven"
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.
| S60 Hena Expressway Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | Guangxi, China (Border with Vietnam) |
| Length | 516 km |
| Key Feature | Baida Bridge (floating through the clouds) |
| Engineering | 31% Bridges and Tunnels |
A Masterpiece of Karst Engineering
Constructed between 2013 and 2016, the S60 was a massive technical challenge. The region is famous for its "karst" topography—steep, isolated limestone peaks and deep gorges. To maintain a constant speed limit of 100 km/h and avoid damaging the pristine environment, engineers had to build massive viaducts like the Baida Bridge, which appears to float above the mist, connecting three distinct mountain ranges.
Driving Through a Living Painting
The British press famously labeled it the "Road to Heaven" in 2017. Unlike the high-altitude, restricted roads of Tibet or Xinjiang, the Hena Expressway offers a lush, vibrant green panorama. The contrast between the azure skies, the swirling mist, and the traditional Zhuang ethnic villages along the route creates a "wonderland" effect that has made it a global internet sensation.
Tactical Travel Tip: Border Proximity
Because the S60 runs very close to the China-Vietnam border, it remains relatively unpolluted and less crowded than other major Chinese arteries. It is one of the few places where you can experience high-speed driving through untouched natural beauty, though motorists are warned: the scenery is so distracting that maintaining focus on the 100 km/h limit is the hardest part of the journey.
Pic&video: 中国街景 China Street View