Sanxia Expressway 4K HDR - China's Engineering Marvel Along the Yangtze Golden Waterway

On this trip, we'll be driving along a dramatic canyon highway beside the Yangtze River's Golden Waterway: the Sanxia Expressway. Our journey begins in eastern Zigui County, in China’s Hubei Province. Located upstream of the Xiling Gorge, this area is surrounded by towering mountains, where the Yangtze winds its way through steep canyon walls. Leaving town, we follow National Highway G348 downstream. The road clings to the mountainside, running side by side with the river, before we transition onto the Sanxia Expressway—an important route built during the era of the Three Gorges Project. Also known as the Three Gorges Project Highway, this road was constructed to support the building of the Three Gorges Dam. It threads through long tunnel systems, spans deep ravines, and curves around sheer cliffs, transforming what was once an isolated and treacherous stretch of the Yangtze Gorge into a vital transportation corridor. This is more than just a highway—it's a piece of modern engineering history. As the only fast land route to the Three Gorges Dam, the road remained closed to the public for 18 years, earning the nickname “The Mysterious Sky Road.” During that time, it carried materials and equipment for one of the largest infrastructure projects in the world. Today, it is open to everyone, offering drivers the rare chance to experience a canyon road carved into one of China's most iconic landscapes. After passing through a series of tunnels, the light shifts constantly between shadow and sun. Gradually, the canyon begins to widen, and the skyline of a modern city appears ahead. The expressway leads us out of the gorge and into Yichang, Hubei. Yichang is known as the gateway to the Three Gorges and a key city along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Here, the mountains soften, the river broadens, and the dramatic canyon scenery meets the energy of an evolving urban center. Throughout this drive, what we witness is not only breathtaking scenery, but also the powerful intersection of natural landscapes and modern Chinese engineering. Hope you enjoy this journey along the Yangtze's Golden Waterway.