World's Longest Expressway Tunnel Opens in China's Xinjiang, Halving Travel Time

Record-Breaking Tunnel Inaugurated in Xinjiang

The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, recognized as the world's longest expressway tunnel, officially opened to traffic on December 26, 2025, in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This monumental infrastructure project, spanning 22.13 kilometers (approximately 13.75 miles), is a key component of the new G0711 Urumqi-Yuli Expressway. Its completion marks a significant advancement in regional connectivity, drastically reducing travel times across the formidable Tianshan Mountains.

An Engineering Marvel Through Challenging Terrain

The construction of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel presented immense engineering challenges, overcome over a period of five years, with work commencing in April 2020. The tunnel traverses the central Tianshan Mountains, a region characterized by:

• High ground stress
• High seismic intensity
• Extreme cold temperatures, plunging to as low as minus 43.6°F
• High altitudes, with the tunnel built at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level
• Crossing 16 geological fault zones

Engineers employed an innovative 'three tunnels plus four shafts' system, which included a middle service tunnel alongside two main tunnels, to expedite excavation and manage the complex geological conditions. This project also features the deepest vertical shaft for a highway tunnel globally. The entire Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, which includes the tunnel, represents a total investment of 46.7 billion yuan (approximately 6.63 billion USD).

Transforming Regional Connectivity and Economic Integration

The opening of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel and the broader 324.7-kilometer G0711 Urumqi-Yuli Expressway has a profound impact on travel within Xinjiang. The journey between the regional capital Urumqi in northern Xinjiang and the city of Korla in southern Xinjiang has been cut from over seven hours to approximately three to three and a half hours. The tunnel itself reduces what was once a several-hour mountain drive to just about 20 minutes.

This significant reduction in travel time is expected to bolster economic and social connections, fostering greater integration between the northern and southern parts of the province. It facilitates the more efficient movement of goods, including energy exports, agricultural products, and manufacturing supplies, and is anticipated to enhance tourism. The expressway serves as a critical artery for both internal and external exchanges, strengthening Xinjiang's links with other parts of China and neighboring countries, and supporting China's national 'dual circulation' strategy.

A Milestone in Infrastructure Development

The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel stands as a testament to China's advanced infrastructure capabilities, setting new global benchmarks in tunnel engineering. As stated by Song Hailiang, chairman of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the project has established 'two world records'. Its successful completion and opening are poised to drive further development and prosperity across the Xinjiang region, creating new opportunities for its residents and visitors alike.