Xinjiang’s New Tianshan Shengli Tunnel: Revolutionizing Travel for Tourists with the World’s Longest Expressway Tunnel

Published on December 26, 2025

In a significant development for both regional connectivity and tourism, Xinjiang has unveiled the world’s longest expressway tunnel: the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel. Stretching an impressive 22.13 kilometres, this newly opened tunnel offers a game‑changing solution to the challenges faced by travelers navigating the rugged Tianshan Mountains. The tunnel, officially inaugurated on 26 December 2025, is set to reshape travel within the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and beyond, providing a faster and more convenient route for tourists exploring the region’s stunning landscapes and cultural heritage.

This remarkable piece of infrastructure connects the northern and southern regions of Xinjiang, making it significantly easier to travel between major cities like Urumqi, the capital, and Yuli and Korla in the south. For tourists, the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel represents not just a technological triumph, but also a profound shift in how they experience Xinjiang’s natural beauty and cultural offerings.

Streamlining Travel: A Shortcut to Xinjiang’s Scenic Gems

Before the tunnel’s completion, travel across the Tianshan Mountain range was a challenging and time-consuming task. Visitors had to navigate winding mountain roads, often experiencing delays, long travel times, and rough conditions. The new tunnel, however, cuts through the heart of the mountains, significantly reducing travel times and offering quicker access to many of the region’s remote attractions.

For tourists, this means an easier and more efficient journey to some of Xinjiang’s most breathtaking destinations, including:

• The ancient city of Kashgar, known for its rich history, Silk Road heritage, and vibrant markets.
• Turpan, a city surrounded by spectacular desert landscapes, featuring cultural sites like Jiaohe Ancient City and the Emin Minaret.
• The Tian Shan Mountains themselves, now more accessible for hiking and nature tours, thanks to the tunnel’s improved connectivity.
• Karakul Lake, a stunning alpine lake at the foot of the Tian Shan, perfect for tourists seeking scenic photography spots and peaceful landscapes.

With the tunnel now open, these iconic destinations are just a few hours away from each other, allowing tourists to explore more of the region in less time. This new travel convenience also opens the door for visitors to access other parts of the Uygur Autonomous Region, which were previously harder to reach.

Transforming Tourism with Faster Connections

The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel not only streamlines transportation but also helps promote tourism within Xinjiang. The easy access to remote towns and cities will attract more international and domestic visitors to the region, eager to experience its ethnically diverse culture, rich history, and stunning natural beauty.

For international tourists, this tunnel offers:

• Improved access to Xinjiang’s cultural diversity, such as the region’s traditional Uygur and Kazakh cultures. Xinjiang is a melting pot of various ethnic groups, and the tunnel makes it easier for travelers to explore both historical and modern cultural sites across different cities.
• Convenient, direct travel routes for those visiting from other parts of China, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an. This will likely lead to increased tourism from both international travelers and fellow Chinese citizens exploring Xinjiang’s famous Silk Road routes and picturesque deserts.
• Enhanced local tourism, as the quicker route facilitates short trips and day visits to some of Xinjiang’s most iconic sites, including the ancient Karakol Valley, Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake), and Kumtag Desert. Visitors can now combine multiple stops in a single day, making the region’s sprawling sites more accessible.

By enhancing connectivity, the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel is a game‑changer for the tourism sector, facilitating a growing flow of visitors to one of China’s most remote yet culturally rich regions.

A Boost for Regional Economies and Global Travel

While the tunnel will undoubtedly benefit tourism, it will also have a positive impact on regional economies. With the increased efficiency of transport, goods and services can flow more easily between northern and southern Xinjiang. For local businesses, this means more opportunities for growth and wider access to markets. As travel becomes easier, both tourist dollars and trade opportunities will flow into Xinjiang, giving a much‑needed economic boost to the area.

Moreover, the opening of the world’s longest expressway tunnel reinforces China’s commitment to investing in transportation infrastructure that facilitates better access to remote and underserved regions. This project could set a global precedent for future tunnel and highway construction in other mountainous regions of the world.

The enhanced ease of access to Xinjiang’s top tourist spots is likely to attract more international travel operators, making the region a more prominent feature in global tourism itineraries.

Long-Term Impact on Xinjiang’s Travel Industry

Looking forward, the tunnel is expected to attract even more foreign tourists to Xinjiang, which in recent years has increasingly become a must-visit destination for those seeking adventure tourism, cultural exploration, and natural beauty. With China’s tourism industry rapidly recovering, and the growing interest in Silk Road and Central Asia travel, Xinjiang’s improved accessibility will undoubtedly contribute to stronger tourist flows.

As more international tourists discover the ease and efficiency of reaching Xinjiang via the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the region may well see a long‑term increase in both leisure and cultural tourism, thanks to its newfound connectivity.

What to Expect from the New Xinjiang Travel Landscape

• Improved transportation time: Visitors can now travel more efficiently across Xinjiang, maximizing time spent exploring the region.
• Increased access to remote areas: Previously challenging locations like Karakul Lake, Turpan, and Kashgar will be more easily accessible, enabling more in-depth exploration.
• Enhanced regional tourism infrastructure: The tunnel is a gateway to better hotels, restaurants, and tourism services in remote areas, which will be developed to accommodate increasing visitor numbers.

A New Era for Xinjiang Travel

The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel is more than just a piece of infrastructure — it is a transformative development for both local residents and global tourists. As the world’s longest expressway tunnel, it promises to change how people travel through one of China’s most diverse and culturally rich regions.

For adventurous travelers and cultural explorers, Xinjiang has just become far more accessible, offering the chance to immerse themselves in stunning landscapes, ancient history, and unique local cultures. With this new tunnel, the region is set to experience a tourism renaissance, opening doors to new experiences, quicker travel, and sustainable growth in the coming years.