Tian Men Shan Big Gate is the road with 99 turns
China, asia
11 km
200 m
hard
Year-round
# Tianmen Mountain's Legendary 99-Turn Challenge
If you're into heart-pounding drives with seriously stunning views, the Tianmen Winding Mountain Road in northwestern Hunan Province is calling your name. This isn't your average scenic drive—it's 11 kilometers of pure adrenaline wrapped in jaw-dropping natural beauty.
Built starting in 1998 and opened to the public in 2006, this concrete ribbon of road spirals up from sea level (200m) to 1,300m, gaining over 1,000 meters of elevation in the process. And here's the kicker: there are exactly 99 hairpin turns. Yes, you read that right. Each bend is tight and unforgiving, separated from sheer cliffs by concrete barriers that'll make your knuckles go white.
Tucked inside Tianmen Mountain National Park, the road cuts through tunnels and clings to cliffsides while treating you to panoramic views of dramatic natural scenery. The vistas alone are worth the white-knuckle experience, and it's about 10 degrees cooler up top than down in Zhangjiajie city—a nice bonus after all that intense concentration.
Fair warning: this road isn't your everyday tourist route. It's mainly used for special events and is famous among daredevils looking to test their driving skills. You'll need nerves of steel, laser-sharp focus, and a willingness to take every single curve at a respectful pace.
Not feeling quite that brave? No judgment. The world's longest cableway (7,455 meters!) offers an aerial view of the entire mad road from the comfort of a cable car, plus easy access to the famous Heaven Gate rock arch and the 999 Tianan stairs at the summit.
Where is it?
Tian Men Shan Big Gate is the road with 99 turns is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 37.9587, 104.7932
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 11 km
- Max Elevation
- 200 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 37.9587, 104.7932
Related Roads in asia
extremeHow to drive the unpaved road from Qusum to Diyag in Tibet?
🇨🇳 China
Get ready for an epic adventure across the Tibetan Plateau! This 147 km (91 mile) stretch of pure, unadulterated off-road bliss connects Qusum and Diyag, two remote outposts in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. We're talking serious isolation here, linking Shannan and Ngari Prefectures through some of the wildest terrain imaginable, near the Chinese border. Forget pavement, this is a gravel and dirt rollercoaster that Mother Nature loves to play with. Expect deep ruts, loose surfaces, and seriously steep climbs. You'll need a high-clearance 4x4 to even think about tackling this beast. Budget 7-9 hours to crawl your way across – it's slow going, but totally worth it. Prepare to conquer six major mountain passes, all soaring above 4,500 meters! Brace yourself for endless twists and turns with heart-stopping exposure. The thin air at these altitudes will test both you and your engine. Be warned: sudden snowstorms are common, even in summer, and the monsoon season turns the unpaved track into an impassable mud bath.
extremeHow long is the road through Aryktoryk Pass?
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: you're in western China, basically spitting distance from Kyrgyzstan, ready to tackle the Aryktoryk Pass. We're talking serious altitude here – peaking at a lung-busting 3,468 meters (that's over 11,000 feet!). This isn’t your average Sunday drive. This 14 km stretch of wildness connects the tiny settlements of Kuoputamu and Juelege Mantala, snaking through the Pamir mountains. Forget smooth tarmac, this is an unpaved adventure. Think packed dirt, loose rocks, constant elevation changes, and hairpin turns that demand you take it slow and steady. Speaking of your ride, a high-clearance 4x4 is non-negotiable. Seriously. The terrain is rocky, washouts are possible, and you'll be thankful for the extra power on those steep climbs. There aren’t any guardrails, so keep your eyes on the prize! Now, the hazards. First up, altitude. Expect your engine to lose some serious oomph up here – we're talking a potential 30% power loss. Plus, you're completely isolated. No cell service, no gas stations, no repair shops. You need to be completely self-sufficient with fuel, water, and tools. Oh, and winter? Forget about it. Heavy snow shuts this baby down from October to May. One more thing: this is a sensitive border area, so expect military checkpoints. You'll need your permits and ID in order and be prepared for potential access restrictions. Make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape. If you are lucky enough to get permission to go it will be quite the memory, this wild ride through some of the most amazing landscape in the world.
extremeHow to get to Tsang Chok La from India?
🇮🇳 India
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! We're heading to Tsang Chok La, a crazy-high mountain pass chilling right on the border of India and China. We're talking serious altitude here – way above sea level. This legendary route links Uttarkashi in India to Zanda County in Tibet. Forget a Sunday drive – this is an unpaved, ridiculously steep Himalayan rollercoaster that will test your nerves and your vehicle. The Indian side kicks off in Pulam Sumda, a tiny village nestled in the Himalayas. The climb is about 19 km of relentless switchbacks, gaining almost 1000 meters in elevation. Word of warning: this area is super restricted, so snag those permits well in advance! Now, for the Chinese (Tibetan) side! You'll start near . It's a shorter but even steeper climb, clocking in at 12.5 km. Expect even more hairpin turns and an extra dose of narrow sections that will truly test your 4x4's low-range gearing. What makes Tsang Chok La so gnarly? Well, aside from the altitude and gazillion hairpins, the surface is loose and unforgiving. The air is so thin up here it can rob your engine of power and leave you gasping for breath. Landslides are common, and snow can shut this pass down for most of the year. Bottom line: this is strictly 4x4 territory. Come prepared for extreme cold, unpredictable weather, and zero services along the way. This is as raw and wild as it gets!
hardDriving the High Mountain Road to Totiano Pass
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Totiano Kandao, a seriously wild ride straddling the Afghanistan-Pakistan border! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a high-altitude pass topping out at 7,933 feet (2,418m). This epic route connects Kunar Province in Afghanistan with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, stretching for about 26.4 miles (42.5 km) from Dangam to Mamund. Now, let's be real: this road is NO JOKE. Think rough, unpaved terrain, a never-ending series of curves (prepare for some serious hairpin action!), super narrow stretches, and some seriously steep climbs. Oh, and did I mention the heart-stopping drop-offs? You'll definitely need a high-clearance vehicle for this beast. However, traveling to areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border carries significant risks, including ongoing security challenges, frequent violence, military operations, and the presence of militant groups. Common threats such as kidnappings and terrorism are especially prevalent in remote areas. Many regions are restricted, and even with permits, most governments strongly advise against travel. Due to these high risks, it is recommended to avoid this area altogether.