Driving the scary Blade Sky Road with cliffs on both sides
China, asia
230 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in southeastern Chongqing, China, way up in Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County. You're about to tackle Blade Sky Road, a seriously wild stretch of concrete clinging to Qiyao Mountain, about 230 km from Chongqing City.
Locals call it "the back of a knife," and they aren't kidding. We're talking crazy cliffs on both sides and a 600+ meter vertical drop! Driving feels like balancing on a curved saber blade.
This 3km (1.86 miles) route snakes from the S202 up to Xiaofengmen, right in the heart of the mountains. Apparently, Wind Energy Group built it to reach their mountaintop windmills. Now, it's a total hotspot for drivers and photographers chasing that epic view. The scenery is unbelievable!
Where is it?
Driving the scary Blade Sky Road with cliffs on both sides is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 35.4163, 106.5593
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 230 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 35.4163, 106.5593
Related Roads in asia
moderateDongshan Tunnel: enjoy a drive among the clouds
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! We're heading to the Dongshan Tunnel, a crazy-high mountain passageway straddling the Gansu and Qinghai provinces in wild northwest China. Picture this: You're cruising along a perfectly paved road, right through the heart of the Qilian Mountains. This tunnel punches through at a whopping 3,850 meters (that's 12,631 feet!) above sea level. At 3,639 meters long, this tunnel shortcut saves you from a HUGE detour along the old G213 (Suqi Highway). We're talking about chopping off over 400 kilometers and FIVE HOURS of driving! Completed in early 2021, this wasn't exactly an easy project. Think harsh weather, thin air, and seriously rugged terrain. But hey, they did it, and now we get to drive through! Get ready for some seriously stunning mountain scenery, a testament to human ingenuity, and bragging rights for conquering one seriously high road.
hardIs the road to Riverston Peak paved?
🌍 Sri Lanka
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Riverston Peak in Sri Lanka's Central Province is calling your name! The road to the top is paved, but let's be real, it's seen better days. Think potholes galore and super tight hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes. It's manageable in most cars (skip the massive trucks, though!), but a 4x4 would definitely make the ride smoother. The journey clocks in at roughly 12 km, climbing about 700 meters. That's an average gradient of around 6%, not too crazy but enough to feel it! Pro tip: Avoid weekends like the plague – it's packed with locals, making it hard to soak in the views. And a heads up, the weather here has a mind of its own. Rain can roll in anytime, and the wind? Intense! Especially in the evenings when the fog can get super thick. So, is it worth the trek? Absolutely! You're cruising through the northern part of the Knuckles Mountain Range, and the views are seriously epic. There's even a viewpoint about halfway up that offers panoramic vistas on clear days. The summit itself is home to a transmission tower and unbeatable views of the valley. Trust me, your Instagram feed will thank you.
extremeWhere does the road to Gyandro La run?
🇨🇳 China
Gyandro La, straddling Lhünzê and Cona counties in Tibet's Shannan Prefecture, is a Himalayan beast of a pass, topping out at a lung-busting 5,147m (16,886ft)! This is hardcore 4x4 territory, deep in the southern region. **Road Lowdown:** * **Location:** Shannan Prefecture, Tibet – seriously remote! * **Surface:** Forget smooth tarmac; it's all unpaved, baby. Think rugged dirt and gravel, so 4x4 is a MUST. * **Difficulty:** Extreme! Altitude and hairpin turns galore. * **Route:** Basically a south-north spine connecting a settlement, snaking through an untouched part of the Eastern Himalayas near the border. The road to the top isn't just rough; it's a rollercoaster of **62 hairpin turns**, all crammed tightly together. Talk about testing your steering skills! And the climb? Some sections hit an 8% gradient. Sounds tame, right? Try doing that over 5,000 meters where the air is so thin it feels like you're breathing through a straw. Your engine will be screaming! Is it dangerous? You bet! The altitude can mess with you, and you're far from any services. You need to be totally self-sufficient and ready for anything. Best time to go? Summer is your window. Winter snow turns this pass into an impassable, icy nightmare. And ALWAYS check the weather before you go. Mountain weather is no joke.
hardHashaatin Davaa: courage is required to drive to the summit
🌍 Mongolia
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Hashaatin Davaa in western Mongolia is calling your name. We're talking about a wild and scenic ride on Asian Highway 4 (AH4), clocking in at 2,545m (8,349 ft) above sea level. This isn’t your Sunday drive, folks. The entire 139 km (86 miles) from Tolbo to Khovd is unpaved. Think rugged landscapes, steep, unexpected turns, and enough bumps to rattle your fillings loose! A 4x4 isn’t just recommended; it’s essential. But oh, the views! Imagine snow-capped mountains towering on either side as you crawl along this challenging track. Some sections are smooth sailing, while others are seriously rough. Word to the wise: check that weather forecast before you go; conditions here can turn nasty in a heartbeat. It’s a long haul, but trust me, the dramatic scenery is totally worth it.