When Was the Sky Road Built?

When Was the Sky Road Built?

China, asia

Length

4.34 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through western Hubei, in the Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of central China. Suddenly, you stumble upon the Sky Road, a mind-blowing feat of engineering carved into the mountainside by villagers back in the '90s.

This 4.34 km (2.7 mile) stretch is not for the faint of heart! Think seriously steep drops and hairpin turns that'll have you gripping the wheel. They donโ€™t call it Heaven Road for nothing. The road clings to the jagged hills, dropping down into the valley like a jade belt snaking through the landscape.

The road surface is paved, so that's a plus, but don't let that lull you into a false sense of security. Fog loves to hug these switchbacks in spring, and winter brings snow and frost, turning those already-intense turns into something truly treacherous. Seriously, with seven massive "Z's" to navigate at high altitude, maybe skip the big lunch beforehand, unless you enjoy that queasy feeling! Thankfully, there are guard rails in place now, but this one is still a nail-biter due to its position and crazy shape. Get ready for an unforgettable drive!

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Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
4.34 km
Difficulty
extreme

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