The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Xialondong Cliff Tunnel Road
China, asia
1 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, road trip lovers, listen up! Tucked away in the remote Huayuan County of Hunan Province, China, awaits the Xialondong Cliff Tunnel Road – a seriously inspiring drive and a total hidden gem.
This fully paved path clings to a high cliff on the western edge of the province, stretching for about a kilometer with 200 meters burrowing right through a mountain in a cool tunnel!
Heads up: this road was carved back in the '60s and '70s, so it's narrow! Take it slow, and keep your fingers crossed you don't meet anyone coming the other way. The tunnel itself is something special, with window-like openings every few meters cut right into the rock face. Keep an eye out for potential rockslides and maybe skip it during the rainy season, just to be safe.
But honestly, the views alone make this detour worth it! Recent improvements like lights inside the tunnel and a scenic lookout point make it even better. This road itself has become a tourist attraction and it's easy to see why. Get ready for some seriously breathtaking views along X710 – it's like driving amongst the clouds!
Where is it?
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Xialondong Cliff Tunnel Road is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 36.7902, 101.7393
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 1 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 36.7902, 101.7393
Related Roads in asia
easyIs Hon Giao Pass the most beautiful pass in Vietnam?
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Vietnam on the Hon Giao Pass, also known as Khanh Le, Long Lanh, or Omega Pass - locals call it all sorts of things! This beauty straddles the Khánh Hòa and Lâm Đồng provinces, right in that sweet spot of the South Central Coast. We're talking a fully paved road that twists and turns like a coiled serpent, so buckle up if you get carsick easily! It's a 132 km (82 miles) rollercoaster connecting Nha Trang, that vibrant beach city, to the mountain charm of Đà Lạt. Clocking in at 1,645m (5,396ft) above sea level, prepare for epic views as you snake through mountains, dense forests, and past cascading waterfalls. Trust me, your camera roll will thank you later! Just keep your eyes on the road; it's all about enjoying the ride, one curve at a time.
hardUltimate 4wd destination: Chyupa La
🇮🇳 India
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Chyupa La! This high-altitude pass sits way up in the Ladakh region of India, clocking in at a whopping 14,514 feet. You'll find it tucked away in the Leh district, just waiting to test your mettle. Forget smooth asphalt – this route is all about that rugged, unpaved life. Expect a seriously winding climb with switchbacks galore. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one, because the road gets steep and rocky, with potholes that'll swallow your tires. Your journey starts in the tiny mountain village of Yulchung, and from there, it's a straight shot into the heart of the Zanskar range. This climb is only for the summer months, but the views more than make up for the challenge. Get ready for incredible sights, like hanging icefalls clinging to the cliffs! Chyupa La is a true mountain experience.
extremeWhere is the Tra La pass?
🇨🇳 China
Tra La Pass, sitting pretty at 4,046m (13,274ft), is nestled in the Samzhubzê District of Shigatse, Tibet. Find it around 29.15114, 88.6215 on your GPS. This beauty is a key spot along the Friendship Highway, linking Central Tibet with Nepal. You'll find it on China National Highway 318 (G318), also known as the Friendship Highway, specifically between Gyamcoxung and Gêding. This stretch is a vital artery, one of the main routes heading west towards Nepal (Gyirong or Zhangmu). The whole 60 km section is smooth sailing, all paved with asphalt! It's kept in pretty good shape because it's a major national highway. That being said, being so high up, the road can get a little beat up with the rapid temperature changes, so keep an eye out for cracks. Plus, watch for those big trucks, this highway is a busy one! Speaking of that 60 km (37 miles), it's surprisingly gentle. Unlike some of its Himalayan neighbors, Tra La Pass is relatively flat, with gradients rarely going over 3-5%. No crazy switchbacks or narrow bits here, so most vehicles can handle it just fine. The real challenge is the altitude and those strong crosswinds. Good news, though! Tra La is usually open year-round. Since it's not *super* high (just over 4,000m), it doesn't get snowed in as much as some other passes. Still, keep an eye on the weather in winter (December to March), as heavy snow or black ice can cause short closures.
hardWhere is Badawi Pass?
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Badawi Pass! Nestled way up in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, this beast of a mountain pass sits at a whopping 3,523m (11,558ft). You'll find it in the northwestern part of the country, acting as a wild link between Upper Dir District and the Utror & Kalam valleys. Clocking in at 42.7 km (26.53 miles) of pure, unadulterated off-road goodness, the Utrar-Dir Road (as it's also known) is not for the casual driver. Forget pavement – we're talking a totally unpaved, rugged climb to the summit, also called Do Teer Pass, Badgoi Pass, or Badogai Pass! Seriously, this road demands respect. A 4x4 with high clearance is a must, and a healthy dose of bravery wouldn't hurt either. The trail gets seriously steep in places, hitting gradients of up to 29 percent! Hairpin curves and stomach-dropping cliffs? Oh yeah, they're part of the fun. But the views from the top, marked by the iconic two-faced hill overlooking both the Swat and Dir Kohistan sides, are absolutely worth it. Just a heads up: this high-altitude pass, straddling the border between Kumrat and Kalam Valleys, is usually snowed in and impassable from November to June. Plan your trip accordingly!