Twenty-Four Turns Anti-Japanese War Highway

Scenic Area Introduction

Twenty-Four Turns Anti-Japanese War Highway is not only a national AAAA-level tourist attraction but also a living historical monument. Constructed between 1935 and 1936, this wartime highway is renowned for its breathtaking 24 S-shaped bends carved into a steep slope of approximately 60 degrees. It earned the title “China's Lifeline of the War of Resistance.” During World War II, serving as the vital transportation artery for the China-Burma-India Theater, it shouldered the critical mission of transporting 15,000 tons of international aid supplies to China each month. Cumulatively delivering 450,000 tons of strategic materials, it remained the lifeline sustaining the Eastern Front. Today, it is designated as a National Key Cultural Heritage Site, its story a global narrative of courage, cooperation, and resilience.

This approximately 4-kilometer-long road spans a mere 350 meters in straight-line distance from base to summit, yet conquers a 250-meter vertical ascent—a marvel in global highway engineering history. As you ascend in a sightseeing vehicle, the scorching friction of tires seems to mingle with the smoke of history. Each near-360-degree hairpin turn immerses you in the sheer peril of a pass where “one man can hold the pass against ten thousand.” Reaching the summit observation deck, the panoramic view reveals the 24 hairpin turns as a bronze dragon etched into the mountains—a breathtaking spectacle. Below, the Annan Exhibition Hall houses yellowed photographs and construction tools, silently narrating the feat of carving a lifeline into sheer cliffs by sheer human effort.

The echoes of history linger here, now transformed into a vibrant cultural destination. Annual modern events like the “Guizhou Village GT” car culture race resonate with the roar of engines, creating a fascinating harmony with the weighty past. This vividly illustrates the evolution from a “lifeline of the War of Resistance” to a “cultural tourism experience route.” You may also visit the nearby A Mei Qito Town, a 4A-rated scenic area jointly built by relocated Yi ethnic groups. Nightly bonfire gatherings and ethnic song-and-dance performances immerse you in Guizhou's vibrant cultural tapestry. This legendary highway, with its timeless allure, invites every international visitor to feel the pulse of history and experience the resilience of life.

Address

National Highway 320, Qinglong County, Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province.