
When was the Mingyue Gorge Ancient Plank Road built?
China, asia
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hard
Year-round
Hey fellow travelers! Let me tell you about this incredible place: Mingyue Gorge in Guangyuan City, Sichuan, China. It's like stepping back in time on the Jianmen Shu Road Scenic Tourist Line!
This ancient plank road was a game-changer, connecting the region for everyday life and, you know, important military stuff. We're talking ancient civilizations carving paths into cliffs – seriously impressive engineering from the Shu Han Dynasty!
Think of it as Sichuan's northern gateway, linking up to Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. It's been known by a bunch of names throughout history (even an Emperor gave it a shout-out!), but locals still call it by its original name.
What makes it so special? Picture this: towering cliffs on both sides, with the mighty Jialing River carving its way through the gorge far below. This place was tough to navigate!
For centuries, they built and rebuilt routes here, earning it the nickname "China’s Road Traffic Museum." You've got everything from the super old Pre-Qin Dynasty Plank Road to the Jialing River Waterway, a crazy "Bird Path," an ancient postal route, and even a modern railway line.
Good news for your rental – cars are restricted to protect the site, but you can still explore the gorge. They've restored the plank road and added awesome viewpoints, so you can soak in the views of this incredible ancient Chinese cliff road. It's a must-see!
Related Roads in asia
Georgian Military Highway
🇬🇪 Georgia
# The Georgian Military Highway: A Journey Through the Caucasus Ready for one of the most epic road trips in the world? The Georgian Military Highway stretches a solid 212 kilometers from Tbilisi straight through the heart of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, landing you in Russia's Vladikavkaz. This isn't just any mountain road—we're talking about a route that's been connecting cultures and trading goods for thousands of years. The real drama happens at Jvari Pass, sitting pretty at 2,379 meters where you'll be surrounded by jaw-dropping peaks that tower above 5,000 meters. Honestly, the scenery is almost too much to take in. You've got the medieval charm of Ananuri fortress overlooking the Aragvi River, the adrenaline-pumping Gudauri ski resort clinging to cliff edges, and then there's the show-stopper: the ethereal Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 meters with the iconic Mount Kazbek (5,047m) looming in the background like something out of a dream. The Russians completely transformed this road back in the early 1800s, turning an ancient trade route into the engineered marvel you see today. It's inspired everyone from Pushkin to Lermontov—those heavy hitters couldn't resist writing about it. And here's the thing: it's still the only land crossing between Georgia and Russia, making it not just scenic, but genuinely important.
hardHow long is the road from Tinizi to Bianlongduo?
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for a wild ride from Tinizi to Bianlongduo in Tibet's Xaitongmoin County! This 20.4km stretch is not for the faint of heart. Think unpaved, high-altitude heaven (or hell, depending on your perspective). Seriously, don't even think about attempting this in your sedan. You'll need a high-clearance 4x4 to survive the journey. Speaking of journey, get ready for a relentless series of around 29 hairpin turns and some seriously steep inclines. Give yourself about an hour to tackle this beast, assuming you don't stop to catch your breath (which you probably will). And that brings me to the elevation: this road tops out at a staggering 5,362m (17,591ft) above sea level! The air gets thin up there, so watch out for altitude sickness. Also, be warned: this route is generally snowed in from late October until late June or early July. So plan your trip accordingly! You have been warned!
moderateEla Shankou: enjoy a drive among the clouds
🇨🇳 China
Ela Shankou is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.502m (14,770ft) above the sea levele, located in Xinghai County, in the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in the east-central part of Qinghai Province, People's Republic of China. Set high in the Tibetan plateau, the road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called G214 Highway. Always check the weather forecast before you start your journey: adverse conditions are common. Expect strong winds. The pass has been bypassed by the scenic G0613 (Gongyu Expy Toll Road). The pass is 110 km (68 miles) long, running from Wenquan Town to Hekazhen. It features steep sections, hitting a 10% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. There are hot springs just below the pass. Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson Travel guide to the top of Peacock Mountain Pass Driving the wild Tingri-Penjixiang road Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateWhy is Khyber Pass so famous?
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Khyber Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,070m (3,510ft) above sea level, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The road through the pass is the main route between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Why is Khyber Pass so famous? Located in the northwestern region of the country, the pass is the most northerly and important of the passes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It has long been a significant trade and invasion route. Well-known invasions of the area have been predominantly through the pass. It is the scene of various historic battles and one of the routes once known as “the Silk Road”. The area between Peshawar and Afghanistan is known as the tribal lands. Is it safe to go to Khyber Pass? Traveling to this area is not recommended, as the area is not safe. A place where tribal warlords ruled. Here neither the police nor the Pakistani army have any jurisdiction whatsoever. At the top of the pass is the town of Landi Kotal, famous for smuggling everything from consumer electronics to AK-47s. Attractions for the truly intrepid tourist include weapons factories and hashish warehouses. Alongside the dusty road are corrugated metal rooftop storefronts. Here it isn't milk powder nor water they sell. Here, t hey sell wholesale weaponry. AK-47s by the dozen, or maybe a single pistol for a single job. Grenades, mortars, not a problem. Discounts available. Next door it’s a different kind of merchandise. Hashish by the ounce, kilo, or bale. Opium for export and cocaine for retail. The pass is clearly far too dangerous for most. How long is Khyber Pass? Set high on the northeastern part of the Spin Ghar mountains, the road to the summit is completely paved. It’s called N5 Torkham Highway, part of the . The pass is 32.0 km (19.88 miles) long running east-west from Shalkani to the border of Afghanistan. Road trip guide: Conquering Nathia Gali in Pakistan Pir Chinasi is a frighteningly narrow road in Pakistan Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.