The world’s longest expressway tunnel has officially opened to traffic in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The new tunnel marks a major milestone in China’s transport and infrastructure development. It is designed to save time, improve safety, and boost regional connectivity.
The world’s longest expressway tunnel, named the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, is 22.13 kilometres long. It cuts through the rugged Tianshan Mountains in northwest China. Before the tunnel opened, drivers had to spend several hours crossing difficult mountain roads. Now, the same journey takes just 20 minutes.
The tunnel is part of the G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway. This expressway links northern and southern Xinjiang. It began operations on the same day as the tunnel. The Tianshan mountain range stretches nearly 2,500 kilometres across the region and has long been a natural barrier.
With the new expressway in use, travel time between Urumqi and Korla has dropped sharply. The journey is now about three hours instead of nearly seven. This change will make daily travel easier for people and businesses.
The expressway project took five years to complete. It spans 324.7 kilometres and cost around 46.7 billion yuan. The route connects Xinjiang to major economic zones, including Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei and the Yangtze River Delta.
Officials say the world’s longest expressway tunnel will strengthen links within Xinjiang. It will also support economic growth. The new route is expected to improve trade and exchanges with countries across Eurasia.
This project shows how large-scale China infrastructure projects continue to reshape travel and development across the region.
