Tianshan Welcomes Longest Expressway Tunnel in the World

China has inaugurated the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, now recognized as the world's longest expressway tunnel, signaling a substantial advancement in northwest China's infrastructure landscape. Spanning 22.13 kilometers, this tunnel navigates through the Tianshan Mountains, revolutionizing travel in an area that presents some formidable geographic challenges.

Situated in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, this tunnel has cut down mountain travel time from several hours to approximately 20 minutes, as reported by state media. The tunnel officially opened alongside the G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway, a crucial transport link running north-south.

This new expressway extends for 324.7 kilometers and was completed in five years with an investment of 46.7 billion yuan (around $6.63 billion). It acts as a significant transport vein, connecting city clusters in northern and southern Xinjiang, which have traditionally been isolated by the daunting Tianshan range.

The Tianshan Mountains stretch nearly 2,500 kilometers across central Xinjiang, serving as a natural barrier between Urumqi, the northern capital, and Korla, the largest city in the south. With the expressway now operational, the travel duration between these two cities has been halved from around seven hours to roughly three.

The new route not only enhances local transportation but also solidifies Xinjiang's status as a crucial transport center. It connects with existing expressway networks, linking key economic areas such as Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Chengdu–Chongqing region. This positions the corridor as a vital link between China’s eastern economic hubs and various destinations throughout Eurasia.

Authorities believe that this infrastructure endeavor will foster greater economic integration between northern and southern Xinjiang, bolster logistics and tourism, and create new opportunities for trade and foreign exchanges, further weaving the region into national and international transport frameworks.