When was Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge built?
Japan, asia
30 km
45 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising down Highway 414 from Tokyo, heading towards the Izu Peninsula's hot springs, when BAM! You stumble upon the mind-blowing Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge. This isn't your average overpass; it's a double spiral of pure architectural genius, built in 1982. Think giant serpent, gracefully coiling between mountainsides.
It's the only way to descend into the valley because the slopes are just too steep for a normal road. As you drive its 80-meter diameter loops, you'll climb or descend a full 147 feet (45 meters), feeling like you're suspended in mid-air. The panoramic views are absolutely stunning, but keep your eyes on the road. This corkscrew requires careful navigation – a slow and steady 30 km/h to be exact, which gives you more time to take in the views anyway! Definitely a must-see landmark and a thrill for any driver!
Road Details
- Country
- Japan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 30 km
- Max Elevation
- 45 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in asia
extremeTunnel Roads in China
🇨🇳 China
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?
moderateHow To Travel The Qinwang Winding Road
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because Qinwang Winding Road in Xingtai, China, is about to blow your mind (and maybe make you a little carsick)! Picture this: you're cruising through the southern part of Hebei province, weaving through the gorgeous Taihang Mountains. The road, a ribbon of smooth asphalt, dances around Qinwang Lake (yep, it used to be Dongshiling reservoir), about 40 km from Shahe City. Seriously, this road is *all* curves. We're talking switchbacks galore and pigtails that loop-de-loop all over themselves! Built right between two mountains, it's a climber, twisting and turning to gain elevation like nobody's business. Fair warning: if you're prone to motion sickness, maybe pack some ginger ale! But the views? Totally worth it.
moderateDriving to Mount Batu Brinchang the highest paved road of Malaysia
🌍 Malaysia
Okay, picture this: Malaysia's highest paved road, leading to the summit of Mount Batu Brinchang at a cool 2,016 meters (6,614 feet). You'll find this gem nestled in the Cameron Highlands, right on the border between Pahang and Perak states. The road, Federal Route 432, clocks in at just 6.7 km (4.2 miles) from Kea Farm, but trust me, it's an adventure. This isn't your average Sunday drive; you'll want your car in tip-top shape and your wits about you. Honk around those blind corners – it's practically a one-way road, and U-turns? Forget about it! There are parts where you might wonder what you've gotten yourself into. But the payoff? Totally worth it. At the top, you're greeted by a lookout tower offering panoramic views. Heights not your thing? No sweat, skip the tower. Rainy days call for extra caution, especially for newbies – landslides are a real possibility, and those slopes get slick. Expect gradients from 5% to 10%, then ramping up to a steep 20% near the Gunung Irau camping site. That’s why it’s only 20 km/h. The climb to the summit will take about half an hour. Perched high in the Titiwangsa Range, Mount Batu Brinchang is popular year-round. The weather's noticeably cooler than in Tanah Rata, and at the summit, besides the views, you'll find a micro-station. The observation tower gives tourists an amazing view of the Titiwangsa Mountains. Ready for an unforgettable drive?
moderateIs the road to Ye La paved?
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Tibet, you HAVE to conquer Ye La. This beast of a mountain pass sits way up high in Nagarzê County, Shannan Prefecture, clocking in at a whopping 5,041m (16,538ft) above sea level. The good news? The whole thing is paved! It's part of the S207 Qiangluo Road, so you won't be battling any dirt tracks. But don't get complacent – this drive is no walk in the park. Think super steep sections and more hairpin turns than you can count! Oh, and did I mention the altitude? The air gets thin up here, so be smart and take it easy to avoid altitude sickness. The 37.3 km (23.17 miles) stretch of road (running north-south from Pubanang to Zha Nagqu) winds along the gorgeous Pu Moyongcuo lake, so keep your eyes peeled for some seriously epic scenery. Seriously, prepare for mind-blowing views, a sense of freedom you won't find anywhere else, and lungfuls of that crisp Tibetan air!