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.

Western Sichuan Small

Ring Line

The beauty of Sichuan Province lies in its western part. Western Sichuan Small Ring Line is always described by travel enthusiasts as “paradise for your eyes and hell for your body” due to its stunning sceneries and tough road conditions. If you want to travel through western Sichuan but don’t want to tire yourself out, then Western Sichuan Small Ring Line should be a nice option.

Galloping along this route, you will encounter Mount Siguniang, the “Alps in the East.” Mount Siguniang, meaning “Four Girls Mountain” or “Four Sisters Mountain,” is the highest peak of western China’s Qionglai Mountains. It encompasses four continuous peaks, with the main peak reaching 6,250 meters above sea level.

Later you will find Danba Tibetan Villages, which feature numerous Tibetan-style stockade houses and watchtowers. The watchtowers in Danba vary in height from 16 to 35 meters. They stand in knots on hillsides or alone on the tops of undulating hills.

Driving along the route, you will eventually reach a paradise for shutterbugs: Xinduqiao Town. The peaceful Tibetan town in west Sichuan is a characteristic place to visit and good for photography.

Then you will get lost in the Scenic Spot of Kangding Love Song (Mugecuo), which is endowed with a breathtaking view. Mugecuo is the largest alpine lake among regions located 2,000 meters or higher above sea level in Sichuan. The scenic area is famous for its fantastic springs, alpine lakes, primeval forests, grasslands and snowy mountains.

Best time for driving: May, late October and mid-November

Yunnan Degong Highway

Only 98.2 kilometers long, Degong Highway goes through three rivers and will lead to the sceneries of four different seasons, including snowy mountains, forests, flower fields and villages.

Driving along Degong Highway, you will thrill at a world geographical miracle where you can see three rivers that flow out parallel to each other from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the south but never converge. The three parallel rivers are Jinsha River, Nujiang River and Lancang River. This is the 29th project of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage in China, Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas.

You will also see Biluo Snow Mountain, home to many waterfalls and lakes, hence the nickname of “mountain of tens of thousands of waterfalls and thousands of lakes.”

Later, standing in front of Meili Snow Mountain, you will be amazed by its grand and sacred beauty. Known for its views, which are some of the best in Yunnan Province, Meili Snow Mountain boasts numerous snow-clad ridges and peaks, 13 of which exceed 6,000 meters above sea level. The most splendid view is of the Kawagebo Peak, the highest in Yunnan Province at about 6,740 meters. It is still a virgin peak, for no one has ever reached the top.

Keep driving and you will enter a mundane paradise — Bingzhongluo Town — which sits deep in the Nu-jiang Grand Canyon. Reputed as “a Heaven of Peace and Happiness,” it is the most beautiful place in the Nujiang Grand Canyon. Here you will find the Tea Horse Road of Millennium, the roaring Nujiang River running among the steep cliffs and deep valley, splendid temples, tranquil villages, thick forests, and towering snow-capped mountains.

Degong Highway starts from the east bank of the Lancang River in Yunling Village and reaches Shanda Village of Pengdang Township in Gongshan County.

Best time for driving: from June to November

Taihang Sky Road South in

Henan Province

Taihang Mountain is a highlight of Henan Province, with the southern side of Taihang Mountain giving captivating views along Taihang Sky Road.

Traveling along the sky road, you will see the imposing Wanxian Mountain. The scenic area consists of four scenic sites including Guoliang Village, which is known for being a shooting place for many films, the beautifully secluded mountain village of Nanping, the heavenly paradise-on-earth of Luojie Village, and Sanhu Lake, which is revered in Taoism.

You will experience a surge of adrenaline while driving along the most precipitous road in the world, the hanging highway of Guoliang, and wow at the majesty of the Taihang Grand Canyon, one of “China’s 10 best grand canyons.” In this scenic area, thousands of peaks contending for beauty, strange and unique topography and geomorphology, together with rare animals and plants resources, make the Taihang Grand Canyon one of the most wonderful natural sceneries.

Best time for driving: from June to November

(Chen Xiaochun)