Driving the most beautiful Spiral Highway of Shanxi

Driving the most beautiful Spiral Highway of Shanxi

China, asia

Length

276 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Cruising through Zezhou County, in southeast Shanxi, China? Buckle up, because National Highway 207 has a wild twist! This isn't just a road, it's a 27.6 km (17.14 mile) long engineering marvel designed to tame those crazy inclines.

Imagine spiraling up over 600 meters! The Tupo Bridge does exactly that, looping around like a helix to gain elevation quickly. Think super steep hillsides needed a solution – this is it! It's a relatively new section, opened in 2019 after a multi-year project designed to make this former "bottleneck" section a smooth, if slightly dizzying, ride. Get ready for views and some serious curves!

Where is it?

Driving the most beautiful Spiral Highway of Shanxi is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 39.3541, 105.2946

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
276 km
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
39.3541, 105.2946

Related Roads in asia

Driving the winding road to the top of Babusar Passextreme

Driving the winding road to the top of Babusar Pass

🇵🇰 Pakistan

# Babusar Pass: Pakistan's Ultimate Mountain Drive Ready for one of the world's most insanely twisty roads? Babusar Pass sits at a jaw-dropping 4,179m (13,710ft) on the border between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, connecting the stunning Kaghan Valley to Chilas via the Karakoram Highway. It's just 80 km from Naran, and trust us—the scenery gets progressively more epic the closer you get. The recently paved road to the summit (called Babusar Top) is wide enough for all vehicles, but it's a proper mountain road with a classic setup: towering hillside on one side, jaw-dropping drops on the other. Part of the historic National Highway 15 (N-15), this 226 km stretch runs from Mansehra to Chilas and was originally built by the British. Fair warning though: this pass has a serious reputation. Brake failure is the leading cause of accidents here, so get your vehicle's brakes, exhaust, and heater checked before you go. The turns get sharper and steeper as you climb, and the slopes are genuinely among the most dangerous on the planet. When you hit the top, you'll find a stunning stony minaret marking the highest point. On clear days, Nanga Parbat (26,660 ft) dominates the northeastern horizon, while snow-capped Kashmir peaks glitter to the right. The view down the twisting ribbon of road below is absolutely surreal—you're literally above the clouds. Summer (July-September) is your best bet for access, though heavy rain is common. Winter shuts things down completely, and don't plan on crossing after 5 PM—security stops traffic after dark. Grab supplies in Naran before heading up; there's nothing at the top. Check with the local PTDC office or field officers before you go—local intel is invaluable here.

A memorable road trip to Kyipogo Lamoderate

A memorable road trip to Kyipogo La

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Kyipogo La is calling your name, and it's a beast of a mountain pass sitting way up high at 5,054m (16,581ft). You'll find this beast straddling the border in Xaitongmoin County of Xigazê, deep in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Forget smooth tarmac – we're talking pure, unadulterated, unpaved action here. Seriously, if you're not in a high-clearance vehicle (4-wheel drive highly recommended!), you might as well turn back now. This 11.4 km (7.08 mile) stretch runs east-east from Zhawo to Zexuxiang, and it'll take you about 35-45 minutes of solid driving, conditions permitting. Speaking of which, keep a hawk's eye on the weather forecast – things can turn gnarly up here in a heartbeat. But hey, if you're after views and bragging rights, Kyipogo La delivers!

Kelok 9hard

Kelok 9

🌍 Indonesia

Indonesia is calling, and you NEED to add these roads to your itinerary! First up, get ready for Kelok 9, a twisty-turny masterpiece near Payakumbuh in West Sumatra. "Kelok" literally means curve, and boy, does this road deliver! Prepare for some serious adrenaline as you conquer its hairpin turns. Built on the path of an old, super-narrow road, Kelok 9 cuts through lush green hills, snaking between the White Water Reservation and the Harau Canyon – both total must-sees. It stretches for about 19 kilometers, connecting the regions of West Sumatra and Riau. Then, there's the Jalan Lintas Tengah Sumatra, another gem. This road sweeps across 39 kilometers, linking Jambi and West Sumatra. Think gorgeous hills and valleys bathed in that iconic Indonesian green. Just keep an eye out – it's had a few landslide issues in the past, so stay aware of your surroundings.

The road to Michen La isn’t an easy oneextreme

The road to Michen La isn’t an easy one

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Michen La Pass in Tibet is calling your name! We're talking serious altitude here—a whopping 16,935 feet (5,162m) above sea level. Find it nestled in Sog County, part of Nagqu Prefecture. The road up, 627 County Road (Y627), is a real beast – 38 miles (62km) of winding challenge running from Sechangxiang to Gamuxiang. Picture this: you’re hugging a cliff face, a little creek bubbling alongside you, as you climb, climb, climb into the sky. Fair warning: the air is thin, and the weather can be brutal. This isn't a Sunday drive, folks. But the views? Totally worth the effort. Just remember to take it slow, respect the altitude, and soak in the epic scenery. You'll be telling stories about this one for years.