Get ready for a major travel upgrade! 🛣️ On Monday morning, the boring of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the world's longest expressway tunnel, was completed in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
This massive 22.13-kilometer tunnel slices through the majestic Tianshan Mountains ⛰️, cutting travel time from several hours to just 20 minutes! Imagine cruising through stunning mountain landscapes without the long haul. 😎
The tunnel is a key part of the upcoming Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, linking the regional capital Urumqi in northern Xinjiang to Yuli County in the south. Set to open in 2025, this expressway will shrink the driving time between Urumqi and Korla from about seven hours to just over three hours. Talk about a time-saver! ⏱️
Right now, National Highway 216 is the main route, stretching about 470 kilometers with only two bus services running daily. Not exactly road trip goals, right? 🚍 But once the new expressway is up and running, expect smoother travels, more opportunities for adventure, and a big boost for local tourism. ✨
Pack your bags, amigos! Xinjiang's hidden gems are about to get a whole lot closer. 🌠
Reference(s):
Boring of world's longest expressway tunnel completed in Xinjiang
cgtn.com
