
Shuangping Cliff Road (Cliff Heaven Road): Driving China's Hand-Dug Tunnel
China, asia
N/A
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Kaizhou District of Chongqing, China, when you stumble upon Shuangping Cliff Road – or as the locals call it, "Cliff Heaven Road"! This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a mind-blowing tunnel road carved right into the side of a 1,500-meter cliff!
Before this road existed, life in Shuangping was seriously cut off. Imagine a grueling four-hour climb down an 800-meter cliff just to get anywhere! So, back in '97, the villagers took matters into their own hands, literally building a road to connect themselves to the world. It's a total testament to their grit! Later, in 2011, the government stepped in to help make it safer and accessible year-round.
Now, about the drive itself: hold on tight! The road gets super narrow, so you'll need all your focus. Think hairpin turns, a serious vertical drop-off, and tunnels carved by hand. The views? Absolutely epic – if you dare to look! Just remember to take it slow, especially in the tunnels where visibility can be tricky. This road is a wild mix of stunning scenery, heart-pumping drops, and a healthy dose of "did that really just happen?" You’ve been warned!
Where is it?
Shuangping Cliff Road (Cliff Heaven Road): Driving China's Hand-Dug Tunnel is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 38.8652, 102.7465
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 38.8652, 102.7465
Related Roads in asia
hardIs Jebel Al Mebrah harder than Mortirolo and Angliru?
🌍 Arabian Peninsula
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Jebel Al Mebrah (aka Jabal Yibir) in the UAE's Hajar Mountains! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking 17.15 km (10.6 miles) of serious climbing that'll test your mettle, like tackling Europe's toughest climbs but with added desert heat. Forget lush Alpine scenery, think raw, rugged beauty. The final 6km are brutal, averaging 12% with spikes hitting 18%! Trust me, your engine and brakes will be screaming. You'll climb to 1,527m – making it the highest peak entirely *within* the UAE, towering over even Jebel Hafeet. The views of the Musandam Peninsula and Northern Emirates? Simply epic! Expect the summit to be refreshingly cooler – around 15 degrees Celsius less than down below. Now, the road itself... let's just say it's seen better days. Flash floods and rain have taken their toll, so keep your eyes peeled for debris and cracks. It’s a winding, hairpin-filled beast that demands respect. The average gradient is around 8%, but don’t be fooled! The first section lulls you in with a 7% grade, then BAM! You’re hit with relentless 10-12% inclines. Heads up: you can't actually reach the very top. There's a military base and telecommunications tower up there, so access is restricted to around 1,300m. But even that drive is worth it for the mind-blowing views. Be prepared for security checks and bring your ID.
hardWhere does Prithvi Highway start and end?
🇳🇵 Nepal
Prithvi Highway, situated in Nepal, is a notoriously challenging road. Known for its hazardous conditions, it poses risks to drivers navigating its twists and turns. Where does Prithvi Highway start and end? Tucked away in the western part of the country, the road is 175km (109 miles) long, running east-west from Naubise (near Kathmandu, the capital of the country) to Pokhara (the capital of Gandaki Province and a tourist city famous for the views of the Himalayan range and lakes). The highway is named after King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Around 8,000 vehicles ply the road daily. Is the Prithvi Highway paved? Completed in 1974, the road (H04) is mostly paved but in bad condition. However, being a landslide-prone and heavily congested highway, a few sections of the road are mostly unpaved with roughness and undulation, turning dusty in the dry season and becoming muddy when it rains. Broken by earthquakes and heavy trucks, the road has so much traffic of buses and trucks. Ruthless driving and dangerous overtakings are other concerns. How long does it take to drive the Prithvi Highway? To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 5 and 7 hours. T he scenery along the road is dramatic, following a series of deep river valleys, passing ancient stone villages, cascading rice terraces, rocky gorges, and roaring rapids crossed by precarious suspension bridges. Its dramatic views come at a potentially high cost. In addition to beautiful views of the Himalayas, you will see vehicles that have ended up in the river chasms. Arniko Highway: One mistake, game over Driving the amazing BP Highway in Nepal Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeWhat’s at the summit of Mount Santo Tomas?
🇵🇭 Philippines
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! We're heading to Mount Santo Tomas in the Philippines' Luzon Island. This stratovolcano boasts some serious views, and to get there, you'll tackle a fully paved road – but hold on, it's not your average smooth cruise! This road is skinny, seriously skinny, and incredibly steep. Think "hold-your-breath" narrow. We're talking about a roughly 8 km climb, gaining a whopping 1,400 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 17%, with some spots hitting a crazy 25%! Now, for the kicker: as you wind your way up, the left side is a sheer drop-off, so stay focused! Back in the day, this climb would have been insane. Even now, with the safety barriers in place, you may still find your palms sweating. The summit itself is like a tech hub, with communications and broadcasting relay stations taking advantage of that sweet elevation.
hardMedo La: a new military road on the Chinese-Indian border
🇮🇳 India
Alright thrill-seekers, buckle up for Medo La! This border-crossing beauty sits way up high at a staggering 19,406 feet, straddling China and India. We're talking one of the planet's highest motorable roads, folks! The road itself? Well, it’s mostly paved, but don't get too comfy – it quickly turns to a rough unpaved track. Military access only, so leave the sedan at home and grab your 4x4. The ascent is brutal, a real lung-buster thanks to the crazy altitude. Seriously, the air is THIN. Oh, and did I mention it's steep? Finished in 2021, Medo La links Sikkim in India with Kamba County in Tibet. Getting permission to tackle this one is a mission in itself, even for locals, as it's in a super-sensitive area near the Indian border. Get ready for an isolated adventure unlike any other!