Sichuan-Tibet Highway
Crossing the region known as Kham, the extensive Sichuan–Tibet Highway connects the Sichuan capital, Chengdu, with the Tibetan capital, Lhasa. This highway is among the most dangerous roads in the world and is considered as one of the world’s deadliest roads. It’s a dangerous journey filled with switchbacks winding through high mountains.
Travelers often suffer from altitude sickness, experiencing symptoms like vomiting, due to the frequent rockslides and avalanches that plague the route.
Many Buddhist temples, as well as red-robed monks and yak herds, may be observed along the route. Thousands have lost their lives along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway since its construction in 1950–1954. That works out to an alarming rate of 7,500 fatalities per 100,000 drivers.
- Location: China and Tibet
- Length: 1,330 miles (2,140 kilometers)
- Maximum Elevation: 15,420 feet (4,700 meters)
- Dangers: Rockslides, mudslides, avalanches, hairpin turns, cliffs
Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads in the World (Deadliest Roads of 2024)
The most dangerous roads in the world, with very high places, super narrow paths, bad weather, and no safety rails. Yet, not every path is the same, with some, like the mountainous Death Road in Bolivia, the cliff-side Guoliang Tunnel Road in China, the often unpaved James Dalton Highway in Alaska, and the winding Stelvio Pass in Italy, significantly increasing the level of danger. These routes, characterized by their challenging terrain features such as mountains, cliffs, and unpaved surfaces, are among the Most Dangerous Roads in the World.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads in the World
- 1. Stelvio Pass
- 2. Ring Road (Kabul to Kandahar)
- 3. Cotahuasi Canyon Road
- 4. Taroko Gorge Road
- 5. Karakoram Highway
- 6. 99-Bend Road to Heaven
- 7. Sichuan-Tibet Highway
- 8. Kolyma Highway and Lena Highway
- 9. Guoliang Tunnel Road
- 10. Skippers Canyon Road