The road to Anjihai Grand Canyon is said to be the scary of scaries
China, asia
30 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Hidden away in Shawan County, China, is the mind-blowing Anjihai Grand Canyon, also known as the Hongshan (Red Mountain) Grand Canyon. Seriously, this place is a photographer's dream!
Picture this: you're in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, staring down into a canyon carved by the Anjihai River. We're talking about a 30-kilometer-long gash in the earth, plunging a staggering 400 meters deep. At points, it’s only two or three meters wide! Expect sheer cliffs, jagged rocks, and stones bursting with color.
Getting there is an adventure in itself. This unpaved road snakes along the northern base of the Tianshan Mountains and it is NOT for the faint of heart. I'm talking precipices, hanging cliffs, and a max speed of 40 km/h. Newbies, maybe sit this one out.
The views from the top of the canyon are insane! But heads up, it’s a serious drop. And just to keep things interesting, the road dead-ends at the edge of the mountain, right above a mine. This one is for those who like to live life on the edge!
Where is it?
The road to Anjihai Grand Canyon is said to be the scary of scaries is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 34.8576, 106.0838
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 30 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 34.8576, 106.0838
Related Roads in asia
moderateHaizi Pass: enjoy a road among the clouds
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up, road trippers, because Haizi La is calling your name! This insane mountain pass tops out at a lung-busting 15,383 feet in western Sichuan, China. We're talking Batang County in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture – seriously remote and stunning. You'll be cruising along the legendary G318, the Tibet-Sichuan highway, and thankfully, it's all paved. "Haizi" means "lakes," and legend has it there are over a thousand of them scattered around Haizi Mountain. Think lunar landscape meets shimmering alpine pools. The pass itself stretches for about 33 miles between Dedaxiang and Henixiang, so settle in for the ride. At the summit, there's a little bar (score!) and a viewing platform on the left, offering panoramic views of the breathtaking Sisters Lakes. Seriously, the blue hues of these lakes against the stark landscape will blow your mind.
hardA curvy road to the summit of Chen-ne La
🇨🇳 China
Okay, fellow adventurers, buckle up for Chen-ne La! This beast of a pass sits way up high in Shannan, Tibet, clocking in at a cool 16,656 feet above sea level. You'll find it tucked away in Sangri County, near the sacred Odegungyel mountain. Forget pavement – this is a raw, rugged 4x4 adventure. Get ready for a twisting, turning climb with hundreds of bends as you snake your way up the valley north of the Yarlung Tsangpo river. Starting in Duiquguo, it's a seriously steep 10 km climb, gaining a whopping 922 meters in elevation with an average gradient of over 9%. Hold on tight for 40 hairpin turns! But the views? Totally worth it. You'll pass five stunning lakes and be surrounded by towering peaks. And at the top, you'll find Cuomoqing, a small but beautiful oval lake nestled amongst the hills. Trust me, the scenery is off the charts.
hardWhere is Imis La?
🇮🇳 India
Okay, so Imis La is this crazy-high mountain pass perched right on the border of Jammu and Kashmir in India and the western Tibet Autonomous Region of China. We're talking serious altitude here! From the top, the views are absolutely epic, a total feast for the eyes. Getting there is part of the adventure though – you'll need to traverse the Shansha Bridge. The road leading to the summit stretches for about 17 kilometers (around 10.5 miles), but keep in mind, due to the extreme conditions, the road to the top is entirely inaccessible to foreigners. Definitely a trek for the well-prepared and those in the know!
moderateDriving the Scenic Shigi-Ikoma Skyline through Mount Ikoma
🇯🇵 Japan
Cruising the Shigi-Ikoma Skyline in Japan is like riding a roller coaster through pure scenic bliss! This toll road hugs the ridges of Mount Ikoma and Mount Shigi, right in the heart of the Kongo-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park straddling Nara and Osaka prefectures. Clocking in at about 21 km (13 miles), this fully paved road is not for the faint of heart; some sections boast a wild 24% gradient. You'll climb to a peak elevation of 642 meters (2,106 feet) on Mount Ikoma. Keep in mind, this route is usually open from 6:30 AM to either 11:00 PM (Nov-Feb) or midnight (Mar-Oct), but double-check because bad weather can shut things down. And sorry, no motorcycles allowed! But the views? Absolutely worth it. The Shigi-Ikoma Skyline is famous as the "Mecca of Night View" for a reason. Pull over at the observation points to soak in panoramic vistas of Osaka and Nara. Don't miss the Yuhi (“Sunset”) Parking Lot near the Shotenguchi Toll Booth for incredible sunsets. On a clear day, you might even glimpse the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Kansai International Airport way off in the distance. For the ultimate view, head to Skyland Ikoma, the amusement park at the summit of Mount Ikoma. When the lights twinkle at night, it's like looking down into a giant jewelry box!