Why was the Kunshan Tunnel Road built?

Why was the Kunshan Tunnel Road built?

China, asia

Length

1.6 km

Elevation

1,300 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Let's talk about the Kunshan Tunnel Road in China's Henan Province. This isn't just a road; it's an epic tale etched into the Taihang Mountains. Picture this: a village, Kunshan, tucked away in the peaks, once only reachable by a sketchy cliffside path and some seriously steep stone steps. So, the villagers decided to DIY a road—by hand!

The result? A 1.6 km rollercoaster through the mountains, complete with not one, but SIX tunnels! And get this: they carved windows right into the cliff face – originally to toss out the rock debris during construction! Elevation-wise, you're cruising between 1,000 and 1,300 meters above sea level.

Now, when should you go? Aim for May to November. Winter can be a no-go thanks to snowfall. While the Guoliang Tunnel might get more buzz, Kunshan is longer and arguably more challenging. The government spruced it up in 2009, connecting the Wangmang Mountains Scenic Area entrance to Kunshan Village a few clicks north. Get ready for some incredible views, but keep your eyes on the road – this is one wild ride!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
China
Continent
asia
Length
1.6 km
Max Elevation
1,300 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in asia

The Road to Chitral Gol National Park: How to get there by car?extreme

The Road to Chitral Gol National Park: How to get there by car?

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Hey adventure junkies! Ready for a wild ride into the Pakistani Himalayas? I'm talking about the road to Chitral Gol National Park, tucked away in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. This isn't just a drive; it's an *expedition*! Starting from Chitral town, you'll climb into the heart of the Hindu Kush, reaching a dizzying 2,940m (that's 9,645ft!). The park itself is a haven for wildlife – keep your eyes peeled for the majestic Markhor and maybe even a snow leopard prowling through the oak and pine forests. Clocking in at just 15 km (9.3 miles), don't let the short distance fool you. This route is a *slow* burn. Think narrow, *seriously* steep, and absolutely NO guardrails separating you from some stomach-churning vertical drops. You'll need serious 4x4 skills and a high-clearance vehicle to even attempt this beast. Forget about services – you're entering raw, untamed wilderness. Be warned: expect snow to shut it down from September to May, and during the rainy season, the dirt track transforms into a treacherous mud bath prone to washouts. Your reward? Reaching Birmoghlasht, the old summer palace of the local ruler. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to mind-blowing panoramic views of Tirich Mir, the highest peak in the Hindu Kush, soaring to a staggering 7,708m.

Dag Mountain Roadmoderate

Dag Mountain Road

🇮🇷 Iran

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to the Dag mountain range road in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. Get ready for 16.1 km of pure adrenaline as you wind your way up a seriously steep asphalt road. Think hairpin turns and breathtaking views! You'll be climbing to a whopping 1,946 meters above sea level, so be prepared for some serious elevation. The road surface is paved, but it might be pretty rugged in places, so keep your eyes peeled. But trust me, the stunning scenery is worth the white-knuckle ride. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!

Where is Ala-Bel Pass?easy

Where is Ala-Bel Pass?

🌍 Kyrgyzstan

Alright, buckle up, adventure awaits! We're heading to the Ala-Bel Pass, a sky-high wonder sitting pretty at 10,416 feet above sea level. You'll find this beauty straddling the border between regions in northern Kyrgyzstan – it's basically the highway connecting the country's two biggest cities. The road's mostly paved, part of the E011 route, making for a smooth-ish ride. Don't worry, you won't be tackling crazy steep inclines here; it's all gentle ups and downs. Picture this: snow-capped mountains surrounding you in winter, straight out of a fairy tale. And when the flowers bloom? Forget about it – the views are absolutely unreal. This epic stretch runs for about 85 miles through the Ala-Bel mountain range. We're talking a journey from Toktogul (in the Jalal-Abad Region) to Sosnovka (in the Chüy Region). And get this, the mighty Naryn River flows right alongside the road, adding to the already jaw-dropping scenery. Plus, you'll cruise across the spectacular Naryn River bridge. Seriously, camera ready!

Kolli Hills is the road with 70 hairpin turnsextreme

Kolli Hills is the road with 70 hairpin turns

🇮🇳 India

Get ready for an epic ride on the Kolli Hills Road (MDR181) in Tamil Nadu, South India! This mountain road, nestled in the Kolli Malai range, is not for the faint of heart. Spanning about 47 km from Kalappanaickenpatti, you'll be twisting and turning through 70 hairpin bends that lead you up to Kolli Malai, also known as 'the mountains of death.' Don't let the name scare you, though – it's an exhilarating experience! The road's pretty smooth until you hit around the 25th hairpin, then it gets a little rough with potholes and patches. Some bends are so tight, it's a one-vehicle-at-a-time kind of situation. But hey, the views are worth it! Imagine gazing out at the plains below and being surrounded by lush green tropical forests. This ghat road, connecting the Western and Eastern Ghats, was built back in British times. While most of the road is decent, watch out for those rough patches near the hairpin bends. Those 70 bends are numbered, by the way! You can visit year-round, except maybe in January when it gets a bit chilly up there. And while you're there, check out the Agaya Gangai waterfalls and the Shiva temple. Starting near Karavalli at 238 meters above sea level, you'll climb 960 meters over 20.4 km, ending up in Solakkadu at 1,198 meters. That's an average gradient of 4.70%. Get ready for some steep sections!