By MOOK Scenic Spots Family (compiled and reported)
Mainland China has vast and diverse terrain, and to overcome geographical challenges, the "Sky Road" was born. The Ya'an-Xichang Expressway in central and southern Sichuan Province is 240 kilometers long, with a vertical drop from the bridge base to the road surface of up to 220 meters, earning it the nickname "Highway in the Clouds."
The Ya'an-Xichang Expressway has a vertical drop of 220 meters from the ground, hence its nickname "Highway in the Clouds." (Photo / roadman)
The Ya'an-Xichang Expressway is the section of the G5 Beijing–Kunming Expressway (Beijing to Kunming) within Sichuan Province, hailed as the most extraordinary engineering feat in highway construction history.
The varying and complex terrain along the route posed significant challenges for construction. (Photo / roadman)
The expressway climbs from the edge of the Sichuan Basin toward the mountain range, crossing water systems such as the Qingyi River, Dadu River, and Anning River, as well as 12 seismic fault zones. With continuous mountain ranges and treacherous terrain offering almost no flat land, the route is formed by ultra-high viaducts and a total of 25 tunnels spanning 41 kilometers.
The Ya'an-Xichang Highway after heavy snow looks like a fairytale scene. (Photo / Baidu Baike)
One of the bridges built to adapt to the terrain is the "Ganhaizi" Bridge, located in Shimian County in central Sichuan Province. Shaped like a roller coaster track, it is 1,811 meters long and 24.5 meters wide, with the highest pier reaching 110 meters.
The scenery along the route is richly varied, winding through endless green mountains. (Photo / roll.sohu)
Another bridge, the "Labajin Special" Bridge, is 1,106 meters long, with a height from the base to the road surface of 220 meters — equivalent to a 73-story building. That’s why this Ya’an–Xichang Expressway is likened to a "Highway in the Clouds."
The Ya'an-Xichang Highway in winter appears like a dreamlike fairyland. (Photo / Baidu Baike)
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