Cliff-hugging road drives tourism to remote village

A canyon road in Southwest China's Chongqing — that's all it took to stop millions of people mid-scroll. What pushed it into the global spotlight? A repost from Elon Musk on X.

The road in question is the Lanying Cliff Road in Chongqing's Wuxi county. It stretches just over a kilometer, clinging to a near-vertical cliff face — less than three meters wide in places — with a vertiginous drop of 1,500 meters on one side.

It all started when a Chinese blogger shared a video showcasing Tesla's "full self-driving" system navigating the treacherous thoroughfare.

Musk retweeted it.

Within a single day, the clip amassed more than 32 million views.

While the self-driving tech was impressive, it was the road it traversed that stole the show.

"How on earth is that road done?" one user asked. Another put it even more plainly: "More than the Tesla, hats off to whoever built this road."

Perched above the Lanying Grand Canyon, the road has been celebrated as the most beautiful cliffside road in China.

But beauty comes at a price, and for years, the residents of the nearby Zhoujiaping village lived in profound isolation, trapped by geography and reliant on the mountains for survival. With no connecting road, any trip for basic necessities meant a trek that took at least 13 hours each way over precarious mountain terrain.

The road wasn't built by heavy machinery or grand engineering firms. It was painstakingly carved by the villagers themselves, using traditional steel drills and hammers. The work took more than four years.

When the road was finally completed in 2005, the villagers had carved a "road to prosperity" along the sheer cliff face. By the time the road was built, only 83 people still lived in the village.

"On the day this road was fully opened, people cried," said Yang Zhihan, one of the road's construction leaders. "We no longer had to cross mountains to make a living."

In recent years, the county of Wuxi in Chongqing has leaned into its dramatic landscapes, vitalizing rural areas by harnessing rich ecological and cultural resources.

The Lanying Grand Canyon is now a national 3A-level scenic spot, with the cliff road as its breathtaking centerpiece.

A turning point came in 2008, when the local government paved the roads and added essential infrastructure: a visitor center, viewing platforms, hiking trails, stalls for local agricultural products, restrooms and parking lots. What was once a forgotten corner of rural China has been reimagined as a comprehensive cultural and tourism destination.

"Last year, I traveled this route with two friends, and at one point, the car had to reverse while turning because there wasn't enough space. The driver's foot slipped, and we almost couldn't brake in time. It felt like everyone in the car saw their ancestors flash before their eyes," joked 21-year-old Zhang Lyu, a tourist from Shaoguan, South China's Guangdong province.

Wang Kunbo, a 39-year-old tourist who traveled with his family by car from Taiyuan, the capital of North China's Shanxi province, said on Tuesday, "The cliff road is indeed narrow, but there are passing points (at regular intervals) and several viewing platforms to enjoy the absolutely stunning scenery."

Zhou Xuqing, an official of Lanying township, said that Zhoujiaping has seen significant economic growth as a result of tourism, with locals opening 12 farm stays that, combined, generate more than 3 million yuan ($441,264) in annual revenue. Every villager's annual income has increased by an average of 5,000 yuan.

Wuxi's dramatic terrain also has another selling point: It's a proving ground for car manufacturers and professional testing organizations. Standout routes include the Ninggang Road in Ningchang township, with 106 hairpin turns, and the Lingpaishi Road in Dahe township, notorious for its 18 consecutive switchback turns. If a vehicle can handle these roads, it can handle almost anything.

If you go

How to get there: Driving is recommended. Keep a map or GPS handy, as signage may be limited. Start from downtown Wuxi county and travel along Wushen Road until reaching the Tongcheng township junction. Head toward the Lanying Grand Canyon scenic area for panoramic views.

Best time to go: Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather and clearest views. Consider overnight stays in nearby towns or guesthouses. Book in advance, especially during peak seasons.

Safety first: The cliff road is steep and narrow. Drive carefully and, when leaving your vehicle, wear sturdy shoes to ensure a solid footing. Check weather conditions and travel advisories before leaving your accommodations.