In a monumental infrastructure achievement, China has officially opened the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, now recognized as the world’s longest expressway tunnel. This engineering marvel commenced operations on December 26, 2025, creating a vital transportation corridor through the formidable Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The newly operational tunnel spans an impressive 22.13 kilometers, forming the centerpiece of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway system. This strategic infrastructure project addresses a persistent transportation bottleneck that has historically impeded regional integration between northern and southern Xinjiang.
Transportation efficiency has been dramatically transformed by this development. The tunnel reduces the crossing time through the central Tianshan Mountains from several hours to approximately 20 minutes. More significantly, travel duration between Urumqi, the regional capital north of the mountains, and Korla to the south has been slashed from seven hours to just three hours.
Engineers overcame extraordinary geological challenges during construction, navigating complex mountain terrain and extreme weather conditions. The tunnel’s design incorporates state-of-the-art safety systems and ventilation technology to ensure secure passage for all vehicles.
This infrastructure milestone promises to stimulate economic integration across Xinjiang, facilitating smoother movement of goods, services, and people while strengthening connectivity between previously isolated regions. The project represents a significant advancement in China’s ongoing efforts to modernize transportation networks in western regions.