
Where is Taibai Mountain?
China, asia
19.5 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, so you HAVE to check out this crazy mountain pass in China's Shaanxi province! We're talking seriously high elevation, so be prepared for some thinner air! It's smack-dab in the middle of the country, right in the Taibai Mountain National Forest Park. There's a massive parking lot at the top – perfect for soaking in the views.
The good news? It's paved! The not-so-good news? Get ready for a nail-biting 19.5 km (12.11 miles) of narrow, super-steep road absolutely packed with buses! This drive isn't for the timid, trust me. The road is rife with switchbacks. The trick? Hug that guardrail on the cliff edge and crank the wheel hard when you hit those bends. But seriously, the scenery is totally worth the white knuckles!
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 19.5 km
- Difficulty
- hard
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