Tunnel Roads in China
China, asia
1.6 km
5 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, buckle up, because China's got some seriously wild tunnel roads! Forget your average scenic route, we're talking about engineering marvels carved into the sides of cliffs.
First up is *the* most famous one, where an entire village worked for five years to create a 700-meter tunnel (5m high, 4m wide!). It's got two tunnels and the new road is wide enough for cars. Tourism has exploded here, so expect cute family-run inns.
Then there's the "probably most dangerous" one. This one climbs from 1,000 to 1,300 meters above sea level through six small tunnels spread across 1.6km. It's a single-lane thrill ride that's usually closed in the winter – maybe for good reason!
Next, we've got Xiya Valley's Hanging Tunnel. Villagers spent *30 years* hacking this road into existence. It spirals around the cliff face with windows offering incredible views. It's been upgraded from gravel to concrete!
Don't miss Chen Family Hanging Tunnel, where you might even spot a waterfall at the exit. This one is wider and more accessible, since it's actually part of a highway. But, it’s also a busy route for coal trucks, so prepare for traffic and dust!
Jingdi Village Hanging Tunnel took six years to build and is a lengthy 2 km with plenty of twists and turns *inside* the mountain.
The Lanying Cliff Road in Wuxi County is an awesome, narrow path carved out of the southern Daba Mountains. Paved, and 1.2km long, it's the *only* way in or out for Lanying village.
In Guizhou Province, the Shibanhe Cliff Road runs for 470 meters between Chuangou and Yueliangdongcun, and is 4.5-meters-wide. Before it, Shibanhe villagers were linked to the world by a narrow footpath.
The old Hongtiguan Tunnel Road in Pingshun County is *steep*. We're talking a 30-degree incline, with five separate tunnels cut into the cliffs. The difference in elevation between the top and bottom tunnels is 200 meters.
Another one in Pingshun County is the Jingdi Hanging Tunnel. 1.526m long and ranging from 6 to 10m wide and 4 to 5m high, it’s a scenic drive, but be prepared for traffic jams!
Then there's the Huilong-Hanging Tunnel, all 8km of it, clinging to the side of a steep cliff in the Taihang Mountains, connecting Henan and Shanxi.
The Youzhuda Grand Canyon Wall Road in Hebei province is literally excavated on the cliff face above the Yongding River, turning to gravel inside the tunnel!
The road to Xifanggoucun in Shaanxi province hangs about 3,000 feet above ground in the Daba Mountain. This 6000-metre-long (3.73-mile-long) mountain road is the *only* way in or out.
The Xiaguo Wall Road in Hebei is only 560m (0.34 miles) long, it's excavated on the cliff above the Xiagou Reservoir.
Also in the Taihang Mountains, the Chenjiayuan Hanging Highway was built from 1990 to 1993 for coal transportation.
The Chishui Cliff road in Xuyong County runs 200 meters above the Chishui River canyon. To get to Yunnan province, they had to drive the cliff road and then taking a boat to cross the river.
Up next, the Shangla Wall Tunnel Road, just 162m long, with eight "windows" carved into the rock face.
The Qiwangzhai Wall Tunnel Road is longer at 600m, is a scenic bridge leading to Qiwangzhaicun village.
Totally paved, the Shuangping Cliff Road is also known as Cliff Heaven Road or Cliff Heavenly Road. It is 595 meters long and connects Shuangping with the outside world.
In Shanxi province, the Huahu Cliff tunnel road is 22km (13.67 miles) long. Be aware of rockslides and do not drive the road on rainy seasons.
The Xialondong Cliff Tunnel Road in Hunan province is 1 kilometer long (200 meters into a tunnel).
The Jiangxia Wall Hung Road in Gansu Province offer wonderful views of the river.
The Gushuang Cliff Tunnel Road in Sichuan Province is 33.8 km (21 miles) long running through the Xinyan Gorge. It is said that 20 or 30 people died in the construction.
Finally, the Mingyue Gorge Ancient Plank Road is restricted to private vehicles, allowing only buses to traverse this dramatic, historic landscape.
So, if you're after an adrenaline rush and some unforgettable views, China's tunnel roads are calling! Just maybe rent a local driver, okay?
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 1.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 5 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in asia
extremeAn epic enthralling road to Kharsang La
🇮🇳 India
Kharsang La is a seriously epic international pass straddling the Indo-China border, clocking in at a whopping 4,437m (14,557ft)! Nestled high in the Himalayas, this route links Arunachal Pradesh in India with Cona County in Tibet. The road? Let's just say it's an adventure! It's unpaved and a rollercoaster of hairpin turns – definitely not for the faint of heart. You'll need some serious mountain driving skills. As you climb, be prepared for thinner air and maybe even a slightly grumpy vehicle. Plus, being where it is, you'll need a special permit to even attempt this journey. Hidden away in the Sumdorong Chu Valley, Kharsang La often gets snowed in, especially during the winter months when it's bone-chillingly cold. If you're hiring a ride, make absolutely sure your driver knows this area like the back of their hand and is a pro at handling snowy roads. The climb starts from Zemithang and stretches for 46km (28 miles) to the top.
hardWhere is Zhawa La?
🇨🇳 China
Alright, fellow adventurers, buckle up for Zhawa La in Sichuan, China! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture this: you're in western Garzê, tackling a mountain pass that climbs to a staggering 16,473 feet. Forget smooth sailing – this road is a beast. We're talking countless hairpin turns and nerve-wrackingly narrow stretches. But hey, that's what makes it an adventure, right? Good news, though! A new (ish) paved road opened up a few years back, carving a path north of the actual pass. This scenic route stretches for 45.36 miles, connecting Batang to Gemu. Don't get too comfy, though. Even with the pavement, it's still a demanding drive, topping out at around 16,148 feet. But trust me, the panoramic views are worth every white-knuckle moment. Expect steep inclines, endless curves, and landscapes that'll leave you breathless.
hardKaatu Bannari and Talamalai viewpoints
🇮🇳 India
Okay, Tamil Nadu road trip alert! You absolutely HAVE to check out the NH948 leading up to the Kaatu Bannari and Talamalai viewpoints. This paved road is a total stunner, winding its way up with seriously incredible views. Get ready for a workout though, this climb is NO joke! In just under 10 kilometers, you'll tackle 26 hairpin turns, making your way from around 422 meters to over 1,000 meters above sea level! That’s a pretty consistent steep grade of over 6%, with some sections hitting a whopping 10%! Be prepared to share the road, especially with trucks, but trust me, the scenery is worth the white knuckles.
extremeThe road to Anjihai Grand Canyon is said to be the scary of scaries
🇨🇳 China
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Hidden away in Shawan County, China, is the mind-blowing Anjihai Grand Canyon, also known as the Hongshan (Red Mountain) Grand Canyon. Seriously, this place is a photographer's dream! Picture this: you're in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, staring down into a canyon carved by the Anjihai River. We're talking about a 30-kilometer-long gash in the earth, plunging a staggering 400 meters deep. At points, it’s only two or three meters wide! Expect sheer cliffs, jagged rocks, and stones bursting with color. Getting there is an adventure in itself. This unpaved road snakes along the northern base of the Tianshan Mountains and it is NOT for the faint of heart. I'm talking precipices, hanging cliffs, and a max speed of 40 km/h. Newbies, maybe sit this one out. The views from the top of the canyon are insane! But heads up, it’s a serious drop. And just to keep things interesting, the road dead-ends at the edge of the mountain, right above a mine. This one is for those who like to live life on the edge!