China Opens World’s Longest Expressway Tunnel in Xinjiang

China has opened to traffic the world’s longest expressway tunnel, marking a major infrastructure milestone in its western region. The newly inaugurated Tianshan Shengli tunnel in Xinjiang significantly cuts travel time across one of the country’s most challenging mountain terrains and strengthens connectivity between northern and southern parts of the autonomous region.

Tianshan Shengli Tunnel Sets Global Records

The tunnel, measuring 22.13 kilometres in length, passes through the central Tianshan mountain range in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. According to Song Hailiang, chairman of China Communications Construction Company, the project has set two world records. It is the longest expressway tunnel globally and also features the deepest vertical shaft ever built for a highway tunnel.

Part of Strategic G0711 Expressway

The tunnel is a critical component of the G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway, which also became operational on Friday. The expressway acts as a major transport artery linking city clusters across Xinjiang. It traverses the vast Tianshan range, which stretches nearly 2,500 kilometres and historically posed a significant natural barrier between northern and southern Xinjiang.

Travel Time Cut Across Tianshan Mountains

With the opening of the tunnel, a journey that earlier took several hours through treacherous mountain roads has been reduced to about 20 minutes. Official media reported that overall travel time between Urumqi, the regional capital in northern Xinjiang, and Korla, the largest city in the south, has fallen from around seven hours to approximately three hours, improving safety and logistics efficiency.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Tianshan Shengli tunnel is the world’s longest expressway tunnel at 22.13 km.
• The tunnel is located in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.
• It is part of the G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway.
• Tianshan Mountains divide northern and southern Xinjiang.

Investment and Regional Significance

The 324.7-kilometre-long expressway has been constructed over five years with a total investment of about 46.7 billion yuan. The project is expected to boost regional integration, facilitate trade and mobility, and support economic development in Xinjiang by overcoming long-standing geographical constraints through advanced engineering.