China has completed the construction of the world’s longest express tunnel, the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, which stretches over 22 kilometers through the Tianshan Mountains in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. This tunnel will drastically reduce travel time through the mountain range from three hours to just 20 minutes, providing significant economic benefits to the region. The tunnel will improve connectivity between northern and southern Xinjiang, as well as enhance connectivity with Eurasian countries, aligning with China’s Silk Road Economic Belt strategy to boost trade and economic connectivity across Asia, Europe, and beyond.
Construction of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel began in April 2020 and was completed ahead of schedule in December 2024. The project, spearheaded by China Communications Construction Co., faced numerous challenges due to its location at an elevation of 3,000 meters in a mountainous region. The construction site was also near environmentally sensitive areas such as the Tianshan No 1 Glacier and the Urumqi water source protection area, requiring strict adherence to ecological protection standards. The tunnel is part of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, which spans nearly 320 kilometers and is set to open for public use in 2025, reducing travel time between Urumqi and Yuli from seven hours to just over three hours.
The completion of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel has been met with emotional reactions from those involved in the project, with one team member expressing pride in seeing the tunneling work come to fruition. Cui Jingchuan, president of China Communications Construction Xinjiang Transportation Investment and Development Co, highlighted the achievement of breaking technological monopolies held by foreign countries in this field and leading in innovation. The regional government anticipates that the new tunnel will contribute to greater career and development opportunities in northern and southern Xinjiang, further enhancing connectivity and economic growth in the region.
The time-saving benefits of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel are expected to provide a significant economic boost to the Xinjiang Uygur region, facilitating easier movement of goods and people between different parts of Xinjiang and promoting cross-border trade with Eurasian countries. The tunnel is part of China’s broader infrastructure development efforts, aligning with the Silk Road Economic Belt strategy to enhance trade and connectivity on a global scale. The completion of the tunnel ahead of schedule signifies a significant engineering achievement, overcoming challenges posed by the mountainous terrain and strict environmental protection standards.
The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel represents a major milestone in China’s infrastructure development, particularly in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, where improved connectivity is crucial for economic growth and development. The tunnel’s completion not only signifies technological advancements in tunnel construction but also underscores China’s commitment to sustainable development practices by adhering to strict ecological protection standards during the project. The tunnel is expected to play a key role in enhancing regional connectivity and promoting economic opportunities in northern and southern Xinjiang, contributing to China’s broader goal of fostering trade and economic connectivity across Eurasia and beyond through infrastructure development.
