Death Contract Required! Driving China’s Brutal Cliffside Shortcut | 4K

Before driving onto this cliffside shortcut, a signed risk acknowledgment is required. That is the document behind the title’s “Death Contract”—an unsettling introduction to the temporary dirt roads ahead. Loose gravel, bends across steep mountainsides and the depths of the Yalong River Gorge define this immersive 4K drive through western Sichuan. This episode brings together three selected unpaved mountain bypasses encountered between Yajiang and the Junba area. They belong to the little-known Yajiang–Xinlong shortcut through Pubarong. The footage focuses on temporary roads built after collapses, rather than showing a continuous journey between the two county towns. The wider shortcut leaves Yajiang along County Road X037, passes through Pubarong and joins the river-valley road toward Xinlong. The route information for this journey puts the full shortcut at approximately 197 km, about 60 km shorter than the usual route. Those figures describe the complete Yajiang–Xinlong connection; the distance covered by the three sections in this episode is unknown. Here, the Hengduan mountain landscape is shaped by deeply incised valleys, steep slopes and forested ridges. Roads follow the contours of the Yalong River Gorge wherever the terrain allows. When a section fails, a temporary bypass may climb away from the original alignment and wind across the mountainside. From the driving perspective, the changing elevation and exposed valley views make the terrain behind this “shortcut” tangible. The Lianghekou hydropower reservoir is another important part of the surrounding landscape. Sections of X037 around Pubarong were rebuilt with asphalt surfacing, while subsequent reservoir-bank deformation and slope failures required emergency bypasses and further realignment. Tunnel projects have also been used to avoid damaged areas. These rough detours reflect the difficulty of maintaining transport links in a changing mountain environment. Yajiang’s Tibetan name, Yaquka, means “river mouth.” Historically an important crossing of the Yalong River, the county also preserves connections to the ancient Tea Horse Road. The surrounding Kham region is home to Tibetan villages and traditions shaped by mountain and forest life. Around Pubarong, relocated settlements such as Jiade, wild matsutake gathering and developing tourism form part of that wider story. Nearby Tianlong Lake adds reservoir waters to the gorge scenery, while Junba lies in northern Litang County near Xinlong. These places provide context for the journey; this episode concentrates on the three cliffside bypasses. In the conditions filmed, the rough temporary sections called for a capable off-road vehicle and were unsuitable for an ordinary sedan. High-quality 4K footage, with no narration and no music—just authentic driving and ambient sound. Watch on a large screen to appreciate the road surface, mountain bends and depth of the gorge. 🧭 Route Information 📍 Location: Yalong River Gorge, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China 🚩 Start: Northern Yajiang County, along County Road X037 🏁 Finish: Junba area ↗️ Direction: Generally northwest, toward Xinlong 📏 Episode distance: Unknown ⏱️ Driving time: 38 minutes 🏔️ Recorded elevation: 2,597–3,688 m 📅 Filming date: September 21 ☀️ Weather: Mostly sunny 🎬 Picture and sound: High-quality 4K footage, authentic ambient sound, no narration or music 🎞️ Episode content: Three selected unpaved cliffside mountain bypasses built after road collapses Subscribe to Walk China - Driving Channel for more immersive drives through China’s mountain roads, river gorges, countryside and cities. Which section had you holding your breath? Where in China would you like to drive next? Tell me in the comments. #DangerousRoads #CliffsideDriving #4KDriving #ChinaRoadTrip #YalongRiver #Sichuan