
Dare to drive the dangerous Shangla Wall Tunnel Road
China, asia
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Get ready for an adventure! Deep in the Taihang Mountains of northwest Henan, China, lies the Shangla Wall Tunnel Road - a mind-blowing feat of human ingenuity. This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's one of those legendary Chinese tunnel roads, carved by hand by a few determined villagers.
Imagine a 162m tunnel snaking through the rock face, punctuated by eight window openings offering incredible views. Just be warned: the concrete paving has seen better days, so expect a bumpy ride on gravel with some serious potholes.
Things get interesting inside. The tunnel's pretty narrow, so if you meet another car, prepare for some tricky maneuvering! And definitely avoid this spot in winter – snow makes it impassable. The only light comes from those side windows, adding to the drama. Trust me, though, the scenery is totally worth the nail-biting drive. This incredible tunnel was built way back in the 70s (1975-1977), a testament to grit and determination.
Where is it?
Dare to drive the dangerous Shangla Wall Tunnel Road is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 35.1968, 101.8991
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 35.1968, 101.8991
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