Just under 7 miles long, and comprising of 99 turns, this is Tianmen Mountain Winding road-- also known as the Heaven-Linking highway. It rises 1,100 meters in this short distance and looks.....amazing.
We're treated to our fair share of great roads here in Southern California, but this, with switchback after switchback, at least one overpass, and what look like cinder blocks instead of a guard rail, is a sight to behold. The road was complete in seven years at a cost of $13.2 million. And, according to our source, "The whole project is full of extreme hardship, it represents the combined work of all the wisdom and efforts of staff in order to winding detour through the natural barrier of the mountain cliffs and become the best in the world wonders of the road."
Wonder if there's a climb record on it yet? Pastrana, we're looking at you here.
rsholland says:
12:24 PM, 09/10/10
I've seen those images before. Yes, that is one incredible road.
rsholland says:
12:28 PM, 09/10/10
Here are a couple of videos, one showing the road; and both showing a hole in the mountain is which they fly airplanes through. Amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb1nIIFbEHY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu8S5vn6ShI
insideliner says:
01:46 PM, 09/10/10
Too bad you probably get a visit from the deathbus for speeding.
felonious says:
02:11 PM, 09/10/10
Cool road, but I bet there's a very good chance you'll get stuck behind a very slow moving bus right at the start, and never find a way around until the top.
brn says:
03:49 PM, 09/10/10
It's an impressive road, but it's not what I'd call the "best driving road". I'm pretty sure I don't want to drive on that road.
rsholland says:
05:43 PM, 09/10/10
^ I agree. The so-called road barrier that lines the outer edge of the road look to be deadly if hit.
oldno7 says:
12:48 AM, 09/12/10
Driving road, dying road. Same difference.