The 22.13-kilometer-long Tianshan Shengli Tunnel in China's Xinjiang is the world's longest expressway tunnel. As part of the key projects on the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, it's about to officially open to traffic on Dec. 26. Follow Xinhua's He Xiaotong to visit the tunnel and marvel at this construction feat. (recorded) | China Xinhua News

The world’s longest expressway tunnel has officially opened to traffic in China’s Xinjiang region. The 22.13-kilometre Tianshan Shengli Tunnel cuts through the snow-covered Tianshan Mountains, reducing what was once an hours-long mountain drive to around 20 minutes. Officials say the tunnel slashes travel time between Urumqi and Korla from seven hours to about three and sets a new world record for the deepest highway shaft. Built at a cost of 46.7 billion yuan (approximately $6.63 billion). the

Three expressways are put into use on the same day in Ningxia, China. Click for the aerial view of the new roads. | China Xinhua News

China's #expressway network has a total length of 160,000 kilometers, longer than anywhere else in the world. Connecting hundreds of millions of people, the network took the country some four decades to build. Why has China built so many expressways? This video gives the answers. | Xi's Moments