ROADTRIPS are one of the best ways to see the world from the grassroots level. This time we are taking a look at eight provincial highways perfect for taking a long drive, each with its own distinctive and stunning scenery, where you’ll lose yourself in the surroundings, stumble upon the unexpected and possibly blank on where you’re ultimately headed. Each highway links one beautiful part of the country with another, and at least one is bound to melt your heart, so bring a friend or your family along and hit the road.

Xinjiang 101 Provincial Highway

This highway was originally built as a national defense highway in the 1960s in preparation for war and natural disasters, a role which has gradually been forgotten  in the current era of peace. However, it’s definitely a sacred road for shutterbugs with all the extraordinary scenery that you would expect from Xinjiang including deserts, river valleys, alpine forests, gorges, grassy meadows and snow.

Driving along the 101 Provincial Highway from Liuhuanggou Town toward the west, you will enter the Seven-Color Mountain Valley. Accompanied by this natural beauty, this section between K33 and K36 is the most colorful stretch of the highway. The valley spans 120 kilometers from the east to the west and 12 kilometers from the south to the north. It is located in an earthquake-prone area and has been affected by wind erosion. A jumble of differently colored rocks and loess deposits form magnificent valley scenery. In the horizon, each mountain has a unique shape, borrowing its form from the shapes of such creatures as camels, lions, tigers and monkeys. There are even caves. Sometimes you can see the river water flowing through the valley bottom in a torrential flood.

In different hues of red, orange, yellow, green and cyan, this breathtaking painted landscape is sure to steal your heart once you see it with your own eyes.

The 101 Provincial Highway will also lead you to Ziniquan Town, which is nicknamed “the Alps in Xinjiang.” On the way there, you’ll run into a small picturesque lake, mountains covered in snow, green hills and red earth, which together form a beautiful panorama.

Down the road, you will bump into Lujiao Gulf Meadow, which is one of the best meadows at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountain. The best part of the meadow starts from the Jingou River Valley and stretches 32 kilometers westwards. The view is super nice, especially in summertime when you can see blue flowers dotting the grasslands and herds of cattle and sheep grazing around.

The meadows are where red deer live and reproduce. Huge numbers of red deer shed their antlers once a year, leaving behind a large number of  discarded horns in nearby mountain streams or at the water’s edge at lakes, hence giving rise to the name “Lujiao Gulf Meadow,” which means “deer antler gulf meadow.”

Next on the highway comes the world’s most colorful canyon, the Anjihai Grand Canyon. Also known as the Hongshan (Red Mountain) Grand Canyon, this canyon sitting at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains looks like a colorful ribbon carved into the earth. It is an impressive natural wonder comprised of steep cliffs, jagged rocks and vibrantly colored stones.

Keep driving along the provincial highway and you will reach the final destination: Bayingou Pasture. Covering a total area of 3,600 square kilometers and with snow-peaked mountains, green grassland, cattle and sheep, this pasture is a display of magnificent scenery.

The highway starts from the Xishan Mountain Farm in Urumqi in the east and stretches to Kuersale of Duku Highway in the west.

Best time for driving: Late May to June

Note: Along the highway there are many hazardous features like mountains, valleys and bumpy roads. Drive with caution.

244 Provincial Highway in GD

It is widely accepted that the most beautiful part of Guangdong lies in its northern area. The 244 Provincial Highway connects numerous country fields, Hakka round houses, watchtowers, ancient pagodas and farm houses. The highway will lead you to glorious autumn views rarely seen in Guangdong, including golden ginkgo trees and red maple leaves.

Meiguan Ancient Post Road in Shaoguan is one of the stops along the highway. Located on the boundary of Dayu County of Jiangxi Province and Nanxiong City of Shaoguan, Meiguan Ancient Post Road was first built in the Qin (221-206 B.C.) and Han (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) dynasties. In order to promote trade communication, the Tang (618-907) Court constructed the post road, a passage trod by merchants from Jiangxi and Guangdong.

Today, after some 2,000 years, the ancient post road is still kept intact. December or January is the best time to visit Meiguan, as it is the time when the florescence of plum blossoms prevails all over the hills and dales.

You can also indulge yourself in the autumn beauty of Ginkgo Biloba at Maozifeng Forest Farm. Nicknamed “the Jiuzhaigou Valley of North Guangdong,” the forest farm is located in Nanxiong City, Guangdong Province and covers an area of 2,925 hectares.

The Natural oxygen bar Chebaling National Nature Reserve Park is also along the highway. Located between Shixing and Quannan counties, the Chebaling National Nature Reserve Park is an ideal spot for embracing nature.  Driving through, you will also reach Yunji Mountain with a spectacular view of a sea of clouds and mountains covered by red maple leaves. The main peak of the mountain rises more than 1,400 meters above sea level

The highway starts from Zhuji Village in Nanxiong, Shaoguan and reaches Yunji Mountain in Xinfeng County. The route’s length is about 300 kilometers.

Best time for driving: December to January

(Chen Xiaochun)