Are there more uphill or downhill roads in China's mountainous areas?
2 Answers
China's mountainous areas have an equal number of uphill and downhill roads because every uphill road must have a corresponding downhill section. Precautions for driving on mountainous roads: When climbing steep slopes: Pay attention to the terrain on both sides to facilitate taking safety measures in case of emergencies. If the slope is too steep, the co-driver should get out of the vehicle and work closely with the driver, holding a triangular wooden block. They should walk beside the rear wheel on the opposite side of the mountain, following the vehicle closely. When the vehicle slows down and is about to stop, quickly place the triangular block behind the rear wheel and press it against the tire to ensure the vehicle does not roll backward after stopping. When descending: Make full use of the engine's braking effect and use the brakes reasonably to control speed. On steep descents or slippery roads, use lower gears. For vehicles with air brakes, always monitor the air pressure gauge reading and maintain effective pressure. Avoid excessive pumping of the brake pedal to prevent rapid depletion of air pressure.
The most obvious feeling when driving my little old car on mountain roads is that I have to press the accelerator pedal really hard, especially in places like Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Tibet. On national highways, I often have to climb slopes in second or third gear, and these climbs can last for dozens of minutes at a time. Last time I went on a self-drive trip to western Sichuan, the navigation showed a continuous uphill stretch of 23 kilometers, and my calf cramped up from driving. Although there are also many downhill sections, it's noticeably more common to hear the engine roaring loudly. In fact, if you look at the emergency escape lanes on mountain roads, most are prepared for downhill runaway vehicles, which also indicates that downhill sections are more dangerous. However, in terms of distance, uphill sections definitely take up the majority. By the way, with more newly built highways, tunnels, and bridges nowadays, the uphill climbs don't feel as extreme anymore.
