China has officially opened the world’s longest highway tunnel to traffic, marking a major milestone in infrastructure development and regional connectivity.
The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel began operations on Friday and stretches 22.13 kilometers through the Tianshan mountain range in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in north-western China.
The tunnel dramatically reduces travel time across the mountains from several hours to around 20 minutes.
The project forms a key section of the G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway, which also entered service on the same day.
The route is a vital transport artery linking urban clusters in northern and southern Xinjiang, improving logistics, mobility, and economic integration across the region.
Chinese authorities said the opening of the tunnel represents a significant achievement in engineering and construction, overcoming harsh terrain and extreme weather conditions.
The project is expected to boost trade, tourism, and regional development, while enhancing road safety and year-round accessibility in one of China’s most challenging geographic environments.
Follow the latest news on Google News
