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15 Mountain Roads That Lead to Forgotten Histories

Trista July 22, 2025 9 min

11. The Old Burma Road, Myanmar-China

ledo burma roads assam burma china — The “Twenty-Four Bends” (25.821725°N, 105.202600°E), often mistaken for a segment of the Burma Road, is actually in Qinglong County, Guizhou Province. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Western supplies carried over the Burma Road first arrived at Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, then traveled over mountain roads, such as the “24 Bends,” passing through cities such as Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province, before continuing to Chongqing. Source: Wikipedia

Constructed during World War II as a lifeline for Allied supplies, the Old Burma Road follows ancient trade routes through treacherous mountains and dense jungle. Today, much of the road has been swallowed by nature, with vines and trees overtaking ruined military outposts and the remnants of villages left behind by shifting borders and conflict. Travelers who venture here find haunting reminders of war, resilience, and the centuries-old movement of people and goods across Southeast Asia. Learn more