What are the most spectacular roads in China?

Stretching vast and diverse, from the shimmering coastlines of the east to the towering Himalayas in the west, China's topography is a dream canvas for some of the world's most remarkable roads. These aren't just pathways – they're odysseys narrating tales of human ingenuity, perseverance, and a deep reverence for nature.

Imagine navigating the serpentine twists of Tian Men Shan Big Gate Road, where 99 turns challenge even the most seasoned drivers. Then, marvel at the Guoliang Tunnel's sheer audacity, a pathway carved by hand into the very heart of a mountain, standing as a testament to human will and determination. Journey along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, one of the globe's highest roads, where every bend unveils vistas that seem to brush the heavens. And if you ever wished to drive to the roof of the world, the paved road to Everest Base Camp awaits, offering a communion with the mighty Himalayas like no other. Finally, for those who truly want to touch the sky, the drive to Chāmkang will elevate you to one of the world's highest motorable realms.

China's roads aren't just stretches of asphalt; they are chronicles, each kilometer whispering tales of landscapes that defy imagination and the indomitable spirit of those who've shaped them. So, gear up and let the Chinese routes enthrall your senses, taking you on a journey where legends, landscapes, and adventures converge.

 Short ice road linking Heihe, a city of northern Heilongjiang province, in China and Blagoveshchensk, a city of Amur Oblast, in Russia. This seasonal road opens every winter in the frozen Amur River.

Qizil Dawān is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.317m (17,444ft) above the sea level, located in the southwestern part of Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, in China. 

Samye La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.486 m (17,998ft) above the sea level, located in Zhongba County, Xigazê Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. 

Galongla Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 3,771m (12,372ft) above the sea level located in southwestern Tibet's Nyingchi Prefecture, in China.

Lanak La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.495m (18,028ft) above the sea level, located on the disputed region of Aksai Chin, on the border of India and China.

Located in Huailai county, in northwestern Hebei province, in China, the Youzhuda Grand Canyon Wall Road is a very challenging drive. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Longga La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.159m (16,925ft) above the sea level, located in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme south west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

Koshbel Duban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.279m (14,038ft) above the sea level, located in southwestern Xinjiang, an autonomous region in western China.

Shan Da Ban is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.257m (17,247ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China. 

Cha Cang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.810m (15,780ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Mob La Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.802m (15,754ft) above the sea level located in the eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The pass is traversed by an extreme high mountain called 303 Provincial Road which runs entirely over the 4.200m above the sea level. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters.

701 County Road (X701) is a high mountain road located in the Ngari Prefecture of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Located in Shanxi province, Pingshun county, in China, the infamous Jingdi Hanging Tunnel is a very exciting drive surrounded by high mountains. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Lawoche La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.387m (17,673ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China. 

Hongshi Highway is a very defiant drive located in Shiping County, in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in the southern part of the Yunnan province of China.

Jerko La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.832m (15,853ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, in the People's Republic of China. Great views of mountains all around. Many nomads and yaks.

Rezang La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.199m (17,057ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. 

Lame La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.832m (15,853ft) above the sea level, located in Tibet, in the People's Republic of China.

The 317 National Road is one of the most adventurous journeys in the world. The trip takes you through vast, open landscapes with majestic peaks in the heart of western China. The highway is infamously known for the bad driving surfaces and sharp mountain hairpin bends.

Located in China, the Qinghai-Tibet Highway is one of the highest highways in the world, with an average elevation of above 4,000 meters.

Buduo La is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.825m (19,110ft) above the sea level, located in Zanda County, in the Ngari Prefecture to the extreme west of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, near the Indian border. It’s one of the highest roads on Earth.

Kungzhag La is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.780m (18,963ft) above the sea level, located on the Indian (Sikkim) and Chinese (Tibet) border. It’s one of the World's highest motorable roads.

Khungyami La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.844m (19,173ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and India. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Sobiya La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.084m (16,679ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Sha Zi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.717m (15,475ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Sing La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.914m (16,122ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Ngamba La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.583m (15,036ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, in China.

The Budrang La pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.912m (16,115ft) above the sea level, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Xiaguo Wall Road is the name of a challenging mountain road located in the prefecture-level city of Xingtai, in the southern part of Hebei province, China. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

Yak La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.357m (14,294ft) above the sea level, located in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in the northwest of Yunnan province, China.

Dajia Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 5.247m (17,214ft) above the sea level, located in the Shigatse Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Gyandrak is a high mountain monastery at an elevation of 5.090m (16,699ft) above the sea level, located in Purang County of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Jie La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.936m (16,194ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Tun Jun La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.976m (16,325ft) above the sea level, located on the border of India and China.

716 County Road is a high mountain road located in Ngari Prefecture in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. There is a real risk of AMS (altitude-mountain-sickness). 

Chenjiayuan Hanging Highway is the name of a challenging mountain road located in Lingchuan County in Shanxi Province, in China. It’s one of the famous Chinese tunnel roads.

X120 is a high mountain road located in northwestern Sichuan province, in China. The road is very steep, with hundreds of hairpin turns.

Lamar La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.916m (16,128ft) above the sea level, located in the Himalayan mountain range, in Tibet, China.

Nilung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.730m (18,799ft) above the sea level, located in the Ngari Prefecture, in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

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