Guoliang Tunnel, Road tunnel in Henan Province, China.
This road tunnel measures approximately 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers) in length and was carved by hand through the side of the Taihang Mountains, featuring over thirty windows that provide natural light and allow travelers to view the surrounding mountain gorges and cliffs during passage.
Local villagers constructed the tunnel between 1972 and 1977 under the leadership of Shen Mingxin, using only hammers and chisels to carve through solid rock at a rate of roughly 3 feet (one meter) every three days, officially opening the route to traffic on May 1, 1977.
The tunnel represents the determination of thirteen villagers who worked together to overcome their geographical isolation, replacing the dangerous Sky Ladder stairway that previously served as the only access route to their remote mountain village and transforming their community's connection to the outside world.
The tunnel is narrow enough for only one vehicle at a time and requires careful driving skills due to its winding path, uneven surfaces, and numerous blind spots that demand heightened concentration from drivers attempting to navigate through the tight passage carved into the mountainside.
During construction, villagers sold their livestock to fund the project and used 4,000 hammers and 12 tons of steel, with several workers losing their lives while manually carving through the mountain rock using only basic hand tools over a span of five years.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
