China Opens World’s Longest Expressway Tunnel in Xinjiang

China has opened to traffic the world’s longest expressway tunnel, the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The landmark project dramatically improves connectivity across the rugged Tianshan Mountains, strengthening links between northern and southern Xinjiang.

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China Opens World’s Longest Expressway Tunnel in Xinjiang

Tianshan Shengli Tunnel Sets Global Records

The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel measures 22.13 kilometres, passing through the central Tianshan mountain range.
According to Song Hailiang, chairman of China Communications Construction Company, the project has set two world records:

• World’s longest expressway tunnel
• Deepest vertical shaft ever built for a highway tunnel

These feats underscore advances in large-scale tunnelling and mountain engineering.

Part of Strategic G0711 Expressway

The tunnel is a key component of the G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway, which also became operational alongside the tunnel.

Strategic importance:

• Acts as a major transport artery across Xinjiang
• Connects city clusters across the region
• Overcomes the Tianshan range, which stretches nearly 2,500 km and historically divided Xinjiang

Key cities linked:

• Urumqi (north)
• Korla (south)

Travel Time Slashed Across Mountains

The tunnel has significantly reduced travel time:

• Mountain crossing time cut to ~20 minutes
• Overall travel time between Urumqi and Korla reduced from ~7 hours to ~3 hours

This improvement enhances road safety, logistics efficiency, and regional mobility.

Investment and Regional Significance

The 324.7-kilometre G0711 expressway was built over five years with a total investment of about 46.7 billion yuan.

Expected benefits:

• Stronger regional integration
• Improved trade and supply chains
• Support for economic development in Xinjiang
• Long-term gains by overcoming geographic constraints with advanced engineering

Exam-Oriented Key Facts

• Tianshan Shengli Tunnel length: 22.13 km
• World’s longest expressway tunnel
• Located in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
• Part of G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway
• Tianshan Mountains divide northern and southern Xinjiang

Question & Answer

Q1. The world’s longest expressway tunnel opened by China is named:
(a) Zhongnan Tunnel
(b) Tianshan Shengli Tunnel
(c) Karakoram Tunnel
(d) Qinghai Tunnel
Answer: Tianshan Shengli Tunnel

Q2. The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel is located in which region of China?
(a) Tibet Autonomous Region
(b) Inner Mongolia
(c) Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
(d) Sichuan Province
Answer: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Q3. The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel is part of which expressway?
(a) G30 Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway
(b) G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway
(c) G6 Beijing–Lhasa Expressway
(d) G314 Karakoram Highway
Answer: G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway

Q4. The Tianshan Mountains primarily divide which parts of Xinjiang?
(a) East and West Xinjiang
(b) Urban and rural Xinjiang
(c) Northern and southern Xinjiang
(d) Coastal and inland Xinjiang
Answer: Northern and southern Xinjiang

Q5. What major benefit has resulted from opening the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel?
(a) Reduction in rail freight costs
(b) Shorter air travel routes
(c) Significant reduction in road travel time
(d) Expansion of inland waterways
Answer: Significant reduction in road travel time

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