NATURE'S WONDERLAND

China's wide range of diverse landscapes has given rise to roads that are destinations in themselves for the breathtaking views on offer. The following 10 roads take visitors through worlds of wonder, thrill, fantasy and grandeur.

Taihang Mountains Highway

The tunnel road hangs on a cliff wall high in the Taihang Mountains in Central China's Henan province. It runs 1.2 kilometers and is 5 meters high and 4 meters wide. One of the known tunnel roads in China, it has windows of various sizes and shapes. It is said that drivers should not be distracted or they could make fatal mistakes. The precipitous Taihang Mountains were not ideal for developing spiralling roads, so locals dug tunnels instead. It took villagers about five years to build the tunnel, which offers an adrenaline-pumping journey, with its twists, turns and dips in unpredictable places. Seen from inside the tunnel road, the outside world looks like a landscape painting.

Tarim Basin Highway

For those who dream of crossing the Taklimakan Desert, the highway in Tarim Basin in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is possibly the best option. It crisscrosses the desert from north to south and puts one in surroundings that might be expected in a movie about another planet. Drivers can enjoy exotic desert landscapes along the road that are often covered in sand and where barely any human settlement is visible. It usually takes about 5 hours to travel across the desert.

China's Route 66

The route runs in Zhangbei county, Zhangjiakou, North China's Hebei province. It is an important passageway linking the northern frontier scenic area to the grasslands of the county. Seen from on high, the route resembles a dragon meandering among the mountains. It's an ideal route for self-driving travelers to take in the vast stretches of grasslands. People can feast their eyes on the winding rivers, mountains, deep valleys, tiered farmland and flower blossoms, as well as cattle feeding in the meadows.

Sichuan-Tibet Highway

It's a beautiful yet dangerous road that runs more than 2,000 km from Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province all the way to Lhasa in the Tibet autonomous region. The picturesque sceneries along the road have never failed to draw daredevil travelers on wheels, especially professional photographers. Vast plains give way to steep mountains, as one moves along the highway. Deep valleys, seas of blossoms and crystal glaciers take turns to greet travelers who will also be baffled by the intense weather, which quickly switches from warm spring to cold winter.

National Highway 213

The road runs from Northwest China's Gansu province across Southwest China's Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces and is embellished with natural beauty. It was a key transportation route after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. In Gansu, one can savor Yellow River elements in Lanzhou, a water reservoir in Yongjing county, as well as the combination of grassland view and Tibetan Buddhism in Gannan Tibet autonomous prefecture along the road. Well-known scenic spots, such as UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Huanglong Scenic Area and the Historic Interest Area and Jiuzhaigou Valley are within easy reach along the road.

Aizhai Mountain Road

This is in Central China's Hunan province, where the road can make one feel like one is "driving in the sky". It is built on steep mountains with 13 hairpin bends. One can see an old stone bridge about three quarters of the way up. At the top of the road is the spectacular Aizhai bridge between two tunnels above the Dehang Canyon. The bridge is said to be the world's highest and longest tunnel-to-tunnel suspension bridge, which has greatly shortened travel time between Hunan's capital Changsha and Chongqing.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway

The highway has long been considered a heaven for self-driving travelers. It stretches more than 1,900 km from Xining, capital of Qinghai province, to Tibet. One might have to overcome the change of altitude on the road that is mostly 4,000 meters above sea level. The Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Mountains, Tuotuo River and vast grasslands jump into view as one drives across the plateau landscape. The highway reaches its apex at Tanggula Pass, which is more than 5,200 meters high. This road also goes to Lhasa. It is not just an experience of enjoying stunning views but also serves as a balm for the soul.

Tianmenshan Winding Road

The road runs through the Tianmen Mountain National Park in Zhangjiajie, Central China's Hunan province. It is incredibly narrow and winding with tunnels and has 99 turns for drivers to tackle. It spirals rapidly upward from 200 to 1,300 meters above sea level, resembling a dragon ascending the mountains. The precarious landscape has cast a spell on extreme enthusiasts. Besides the thrill of driving, one can fully appreciate the magnificent view of the Tianmen Mountain and get a bird's eye view of nature's wonder in Zhangjiajie.

24-Bend Road

The road twists its way with 24 switchbacks up a mountain in Qinglong county, Guizhou province. Each bend is anchored by a numbered way marker. During World War II, international supplies were sent through the road every month to Chongqing to fight the Japanese invaders. One can feel the forest spinning around as the car spirals up the road, which today also serves as a shortcut for locals living on the mountain top. A military cemetery can be seen at the top of the graveled road, which offers a stunning view of the surrounding mountains and gorges.

Duku Highway

This not only has beautiful natural landscapes in Xinjiang but also gives a taste of ethnic culture. It runs 561 km, connecting northern and southern Xinjiang. It takes drivers through lofty mountains and deep canyons and offers sights of ethnic minority settlements. The best time to travel is from May to September. Throughout the journey, rocks of different kinds and various periods are worth a closer look, as well as the vast Gobi Desert, alpine tunnels and lakes, modern glaciers, beautiful forests and grasslands.