How To Travel The Challenging Gushuang Cliff Tunnel Road
China, asia
33.8 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for the Gushuang Cliff Tunnel Road! You'll find this defiant drive snaking through Gulin County in the southern reaches of Sichuan Province, China. Trust me, it lives up to its reputation as one of China's most famous tunnel roads.
Clocking in at 33.8 km (21 miles) between Gulin and Shuangsha, this isn’t your average Sunday drive. Picture this: a super narrow path that's basically a one-car-only zone. You might recognize it from the movie "Hands Up," which filmed some scenes here.
Built in the early 1980s through the Xinyan Gorge, this road is a testament to human grit. It was carved by hand using explosives and hammers. Legend has it that 20 or 30 people died during the construction of the tunnel.
Where is it?
How To Travel The Challenging Gushuang Cliff Tunnel Road is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 33.3897, 101.0177
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 33.8 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 33.3897, 101.0177
Related Roads in asia
extremeThe Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Huahu Cliff tunnel road
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Let's talk about the Huahu Cliff tunnel road – a total hidden gem carved into the Taihang Mountains in Pingshun County, Shanxi Province, China. Seriously, this is one of those legendary Chinese tunnel roads you HAVE to experience. It's also known as Jinyu No.56 Highway and this paved road stretches for 22 kilometers from Pingshun to Linzhou, clinging to a crazy-high cliffside. You'll wind your way through seven seriously tight tunnels. This road was built by hand in the 80s, and it's not for the faint of heart. Expect a wild ride with views that'll drop your jaw (along with a thousand-meter drop-off, so, yeah!). The turns are steep and endless, the scenery is stunning, but keep an eye out for potential rockslides, especially when it's raining. It's become a tourist spot, not just for getting from A to B, but for the thrill of the drive and those epic vistas!
extremeAdventure along the wild road to Wari La Pass
🇮🇳 India
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up! We're heading to Wari La, a beast of a mountain pass clinging to the heights of Jammu and Kashmir in northern India. Clocking in at a staggering 17,427 feet, this is one of India's highest roads, so get ready for some seriously thin air! Snaking through the Nubra Valley, northeast of Ladakh, this isn’t your average Sunday drive. Think hairpin turns galore, and a road surface that's seen better days – expect some patchy pavement and broken tarmac thrown in for good measure. If you get queasy easily, pop a motion sickness pill! Out here, you're pretty much on your own, so be prepared for some serious solitude. Keep an eye out for water crossings (thanks, melting snow!), which can range from a harmless puddle to something a bit more…intense, depending on the season and time of day. Heads up: Wari La is usually snowed in from late October to late June/early July, so plan accordingly. And watch out for those stray dogs! Cell service is spotty, so download those offline maps. The pass itself stretches for about 38.7 miles between Sakti and Agham. If you're coming from Agham, prepare for a long, slow grind in your lowest gear. The south side is a series of relentless zigzags that seem to take forever. Don't expect much in the way of signage either. The only marker you'll find is the prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Just a friendly reminder: High altitude + low oxygen = potential health risks, so take it easy. While 4x4 SUVs can technically handle the road, most travelers prefer bikes (or even motorbikes) for maximum maneuverability and a truly unforgettable experience. Get ready for views that will blow your mind!
moderateThe road with 64 switchbacks to Pang La
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up because Pang La Pass in Tibet is calling your name! Officially known as Gawu La (or Geu La), this crazy-paved road tops out at a whopping 5,205 meters (17,076 feet). You'll find it nestled in Tingri County, part of Xigazê, right in the heart of the Himalayas. Get ready for Zhufeng Road! This route, heading to Everest Base Camp, is a 48.9 km (30.38 miles) thrill ride connecting the G318 to Zhaxizongxiang. And speaking of rides… hope you like switchbacks! There are a wild 64 hairpin turns on the south side and 41 on the north, towards the Friendship Highway. It's a steady climb of over 1000m, and while some sections get a little feisty with a 5.8% gradient, it's nothing your trusty steed can't handle. The reward? Seriously breathtaking panoramic views of the entire Himalayan range. Plus, you're only about 90km from Rongbuk Monastery, practically Everest's front yard. Don't forget to snap a pic at the summit cairn, piled high with offerings and prayer flags flapping in the wind. Trust me, crossing this pass is the kind of epic experience you'll never forget!
hardG7 Expressway: The World's Longest Desert Expressway
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: the G7 Expressway. Seriously, it’s the planet's longest desert highway, cutting right through the heart of northern and northwestern China! This beast of a road, officially the G7 Beijing–Ürümqi Expressway, links Beijing to Ürümqi way out in the northwest Xinjiang region. We're talking a 2,540-kilometer (1,580-mile) adventure, folks! Opened in 2017, it's more than just a road; it's a game-changer for the region, unlocking access to all sorts of cool mineral resources and making it easier for travelers to explore. Now, building this thing was no walk in the park. Imagine dealing with constant sandstorms, brutal heat, and barely any water. The landscape? Epic. You'll be cruising through deserts like the Gobi, one of the biggest and baddest deserts on Earth. Buckle up for stunning, desolate beauty!