
How long is Tian Men Shan Big Gate Road?
China, asia
11 km
200 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready for the ride of your life on Tian Men Shan Big Gate Road in China's Tianmen Mountain National Park! Picture this: a twisting, turning ribbon of concrete carved into the mountainside, boasting a mind-blowing 99 bends. Built starting in '98, this 11-kilometer (that's about 6.8 miles) adventure climbs from a mere 200m to a breathtaking 1,300m above sea level.
But here's the thing, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking tight hairpin turns, those concrete blocks keeping you from tumbling down steep drops! The road is narrow, winding, and, outside of special events, not generally open to public traffic.
At the summit, you'll discover Heaven's Gate, a natural rock arch that's seriously Instagram-worthy. Feeling energetic? Conquer the 999 Tianan Stairs leading to the peak. Be warned the mountain air is crisp; expect it to be about 10 degrees cooler than down in Zhangjiajie city.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! The scenery is stunning, with cliffs and nature all around. Not a confident driver? No problem! Hop on the world's longest cableway – it stretches over 7,455 meters and climbs 1,279 meters in elevation, offering an unreal bird's-eye view of the road you almost braved!
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 11 km
- Max Elevation
- 200 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in asia
hardShashi La is a winding road for experienced drivers only
🇮🇳 India
Alright adventure junkies, buckle up for Shashi La in the Aryan valley of Ladakh, India! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking a seriously high mountain pass topping out at 4,264m (13,989ft)! The Shashila Road is a wild 35.1 km stretch of unpaved road running from Lalung to Hagnis. You'll want a 4x4 for this one — it gets steep (maxing out around 10%!) and pretty narrow in places. Budget at least 3 hours to conquer this beast, the road conditions will keep you on your toes! The views? Totally worth it! Think breathtaking vistas of the Pakistan border, the majestic Nun Kun range to the southwest, the towering Karakoram ranges to the north, and the Kashmir ranges to the west. Seriously epic. Starting in Lalung, you'll climb 9.5km, gaining 529 meters at an average gradient of 5.56%. If you're coming from Hagnis, prepare for a 25.6km ascent, climbing 1,079 meters at a more mellow 4.21% gradient. Get ready for the ride of your life!
moderateTake the Scenic Route and Discover Shobo La
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Shobo La, a seriously sky-high mountain pass sitting pretty at 5,119m (that's 16,794ft!) in Tibet's Shannan region. This isn't your average Sunday drive. You'll find Shobo La in Qusum County, a county under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Shannan. The road, running 224 km (139 miles) from Shannan (Lhoka) to Cona, north of the disputed India-Tibet border, is paved. And while it's fairly straight, prepare for some seriously steep sections that'll test your engine. Located south of , Shobo La marks the highest point along this route. Keep a close eye on the weather, as conditions can change in a heartbeat up here. Set aside 6-7 hours for a non-stop drive to fully soak in the views (and catch your breath!).
hardDriving Hayama 2nd Tunnel through a cave
🇯🇵 Japan
Okayama Prefecture, Japan, holds a secret! Just northwest of Nariwacho Hayama in Takahashi City, you'll find Prefectural Road 300 snaking along the Shimaki River in the Wazan Gorge. But this isn't your average road trip, because here, you actually drive *through* a cave! Hayama 2nd Tunnel isn't your typical, man-made tunnel. It's a limestone cave carved out by the Shimaki River over eons. Once much bigger, the river whittled it down, but the entrance was just begging for a road. They raised the ceiling to fit cars, and voila! Now, a word of warning: this tunnel is SHORT (max height 2.5 meters), and NARROW. Think one car at a time, so forget about bringing your RV. Plus, it's completely unlit, so proceed with caution! The road is paved, thankfully, but those tight squeezes and pitch-black conditions definitely add an element of adventure. Dug out by hand about a century ago, you can still see the chisel marks in the walls. It's a seriously cool peek into the past. Because of the narrowness and blind turns, honk your horn before entering. Definitely not suitable for larger vehicles! This is a quiet rural road, but weekends can bring more curious visitors, so keep an eye out. You can park a car or two at the north entrance. Honestly, exploring on foot is the safest (and coolest) way to experience this incredible spot!
extremeDriving the hairpinned N6 Road to Aqabat Thirah in Yemen
🌍 Arabian Peninsula
# Aqabat Thirah: Yemen's Wildest Mountain Pass Ready for one of the most intense driving experiences on the planet? Welcome to Aqabat Thirah, a jaw-dropping mountain pass that sits 2,283 meters (7,490 feet) above sea level in Yemen. Also called Lawdar Pass because of its proximity to the town of Lawdar, this route straddles the border between Al Bayda' and Abyan Governorates in the southwestern region. The 49.7-kilometer (30.88-mile) stretch runs north-south from Al Ayn to Owen Al-Down on the fully paved N6 highway. But here's where things get serious: this road is absolutely packed with 34 sharp switchbacks and relentless hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills and nerves in equal measure. Steep grades and constant curves make every kilometer an adrenaline rush. Stick to daylight driving on this one—nighttime conditions are a hard pass. The mountain terrain demands respect and full visibility. **Fair warning though:** Yemen is currently experiencing unpredictable security situations, and most governments strongly advise against traveling there at all. If you're already in the country, seriously consider leaving. No road, no matter how legendary, is worth compromising your safety.