Top 10 Longest Highways in China

Top 10 Longest Highways in China: China National Highway 318 (G318) is the longest in China. The highway stretches around 5,476 kilometers from the metropolis of Shanghai to the remote border town of Zhangmu. G318 is an important highway that goes all the way across China.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Top 10 Longest Highways in China in detail.

Let us discuss.

Top 10 Longest Highways in China – Overview

China boasts the world’s largest highway system. It consists of over 130,000 kilometers of roads. By 2011, China’s expressway network had exceeded the length of the American interstate system. Fast forward to 2022, and China’s expressway network has expanded further, now reaching an impressive 177,000 kilometers in length. Here are the Top 10 Longest Highways in China as mentioned below.

Top 10 Longest Highways in China – Overview
Highway Name	Code	Length (km)	Start	End
China National Highway 318	G318	5,476	Shanghai	Zhangmu, Tibet
Lian-huo Highway	G30	4,395	Lianyungang, Jiangsu	Huoerguosi, Xinjiang
Shen-hai Highway	G15	3,710	Shenyang, Liaoning	Shanghai
Chang-Shen Highway	G25	3,580	Changchun, Jilin	Shenzhen, Guangdong
Da-guang Highway	G45	3,550	Daqing, Heilongjiang	Guangzhou, Guangdong
Hang-rui Highway	G56	3,404	Hangzhou, Zhejiang	Ruili, Yunnan
Bao-mao Highway	G65	3,130	Baotou, Inner Mongolia	Maoming, Guangdong
Jing-kun Highway	G5	2,865	Beijing	Kunming, Yunnan
Er-guang Highway	G55	2,685	Erenhot, Inner Mongolia	Guangzhou, Guangdong
Lan-hai Highway	G75	2,570	Lanzhou, Gansu	Haikou, Hainan

10. Lan-hai Highway – G75 – 2,570 Kilometer

The Lanzhou-Haikou Expressway (G75), commonly called Lanhai Expressway, stretches 2,570 kilometers, connecting Lanzhou, Gansu, with Haikou, Hainan, serving as a crucial link between Northwest and Southwest China.

The Lan-hai Expressway’s completion has improved the Lanzhou Expressway.
This is around 2,570 kilometer and this expressway project has cost a total of 3.496 billion.
The southern part of the Lan-hai Expressway is an important section of the Gansu-Haikou Expressway in the Gansu Province of China.
The highway serves as the main route of the southern Gansu Province. It connects Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, and other regions together.
The opening of the Wudu-Guanzigou (Wuguan) expressway was massive. The province now has 3,000 kilometers of expressway. It also ended the era of traditional highways in southern Anhui.

9. Er-guang Highway – G55 -2,685 Kilometers

The Erguang Expressway, also called the Erenhot–Guangzhou Expressway (G55), is a highway in China. It is located in Sonid Youqi, Xilin Gol, Inner Mongolia. Erenhot, the expressway’s northern terminus, is a border town with Mongolia and has a border checkpoint. The expressway is under construction from Erenhot to Baiyinchagan town in Ulanqab, and complete from Baiyinchagan to the Shanxi border.

The Erguang Expressway spans arpund 2,685 kilometers. It links Inner Mongolia and Guangdong.
It boosts the economic connections between these areas of China.
The highway is spread through the Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Guangdong.
The Erguang Expressway serves as an important route that connects the northern and southern regions of China.
After it construction, it cut down the traffic congestion and enhanced the communication and movement of people between the northern and southern parts of China.
It also aligning the China’s goal to have a fast-paced economy.

8. Jing-kun Highway – G5 – 2,865 Kilometers

The Jingkun Expressway, alternatively named the G5 Beijing–Kunming Expressway, links the cities of Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan Provinces, China. Specifically, the Yaxi Highway forms a segment of the G5 toll highway situated in the southwestern region of Sichuan province, China.

The high-speed construction spanning 2,865 kilometers connects Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan, serving as a crucial transportation link in Shanxi and Ningxia.
It acts as the primary transportation hub in Hebei Province, enhancing connectivity and facilitating efficient movement.
The 65-kilometer section of the Shijiazhuang Expressway features a two-lane six-lane design, serving as a vital passage between Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan.
Linked to the Pingding-Yangqu section of the Jingkun Expressway, it facilitates transportation of goods from central Shanxi and Shaanxi to northern Ningxia, supporting Hebei Province’s “East-West Union” transportation hub strategy.
Completion of the Beijing-Kunming Expressway from Lishui to Beijing offers an alternative route to Beijing for travelers from Shijiazhuang, Baoding, and the west, relieving traffic pressure on existing expressways.
This section also serves as a significant transportation hub in southwestern Beijing and western Hebei Province, enhancing regional competitiveness, promoting resource allocation, and driving tourism development.
Its completion contributes to economic and social development in areas like Yixian and Laishui, acting as a catalyst for growth and progress.

7. Bao-mao Highway – G65 – 3,130 Kilometers

The Baotou–Maoming Expressway, also known as the Baomao Expressway, is a major highway in China that connects the cities of Baotou in Inner Mongolia and Maoming in Guangdong province. This expressway, designated as G65, serves as a vital transportation route, facilitating travel and commerce between the two regions. It provides a faster and more efficient road connection for both passenger and freight traffic, contributing to regional development and economic growth.

The Baotou–Maoming Expressway spans a total length of 3,130 kilometers and serves as a crucial artery for bolstering the economy of Inner Mongolia.
It plays a significant role in easing travel for tourists from Guangdong, enabling them to drive to Inner Mongolia.
It stands as a cornerstone of China’s comprehensive transportation infrastructure.

6. Hang-rui Highway – G56 – 3,404 Kilometers

The Hangrui Expressway, or G56 Hangzhou–Ruili Expressway, stretches across China, connecting Kunming to the Burmese border. It traverses mountainous regions, featuring numerous tunnels and bridges, including the remarkable Duge Bridge, Puli Bridge, and Dimuhe River Bridge. This expressway is fully operational in Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces. However, construction is ongoing in Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan provinces, with sections from Changde to Jishou in Hunan and from the Guizhou border to Baoshan in Yunnan yet to be completed.

This high-speed highway stretches across southern China, covering a distance of 3,404 kilometers.
It originates from Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province.
The highway plays a crucial role in shortening the travel distance between coastal regions and Yunnan.

5. Da-guang Highway – G45 – 3,550 Kilometers

The Daqing–Guangzhou Expressway, also known as the Daguang Expressway, is a big road that connects Daqing and Guangzhou. It is also called as G45. They started building it in 2002, starting from the north of Beijing. The part that goes northeast from Beijing to Chengde was once called the Jingcheng Expressway, and the part that goes south to Kaifeng was called the Jingkai Expressway. But in 2009, they decided to call the whole thing the G45 Expressway.

The Daguang Expressway spans 3,550 kilometers and runs longitudinally from south to north.
It serves as a crucial relief route for the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway, alleviating traffic congestion.
In the National Highway “7918 Project” planning network, the Hebei section of the Daguang Expressway forms a vital segment of the fifth vertical line from Daqing to Guangzhou Expressway.
It contributes significantly to Hebei province’s highway network, known as the “five vertical, six horizontal, and seven lines.”
The Daguang Expressway intersects with four north-south passages in the south-central region of the province, including the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway.
The Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway, facing increasing traffic over the years, often experiences congestion due to its limited capacity.
The opening of the Daguang Expressway serves as a crucial supplementary route, providing relief to the congested Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway.

4. Chang-Shen Highway – G25 – 3,580 Kilometers

The Chang-Shen Highway is part of the G25 Chang-Shen Expressway, which runs from Changchun to Shenzhen, connecting various cities along the way.

The Chang-Shen Expressway stretches over a total length of 3,580 kilometers, which is very important for improving transportation between Jilin and Inner Mongolia, as well as making travel easier in Liaoning.
This expressway is very significant for expanding the national highway network and boosting social and economic growth along its route.
Its completion not only helps with transportation issues and supports economic development in northern Liaoning but also provides a quick connection to the western sea for Jilin and eastern Inner Mongolia.
The Daling-Shuangliao section, part of the Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway, is an important part of the National Expressway Planning Network and is essential for Jilin Province’s road system.
It connects the existing Chang-Shen Expressway and Daguang Expressway, making the route to Beijing 30 kilometers shorter than the Jingha Expressway. This makes it the second major road to Beijing for Jilin Province.

3. Shen-hai Highway – G15 – 3,710 Kilometers

The Shenhai Expressway, also known as G15 Shenyang–Haikou Expressway, is a major highway in China connecting Shenyang, Liaoning, and Haikou, Hainan. It spans a length of 3,710 kilometers (2,310 miles) once completed. One of its oldest sections is the Shenyang–Dalian Expressway, covering 400 kilometers (250 miles) and linking Shenyang and Dalian, the largest cities in Liaoning province. Currently, the southern end of the expressway terminates in Xuwen County, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, due to the absence of a connection to Haikou, Hainan.

The Shenhai Expressway, stretching 3,710 kilometers, is one of China’s earliest and longest highways.
It serves as a vital high-speed route along the southeast coast, connecting Liaoning in the northeast to Haikou in Hainan.
Completion of the Shenyang-Dalian Expressway expansion project boosts confidence in revitalizing Liaoning’s old industrial base.
Moreover, the modernization of the Shenda Expressway with international standards and new technologies sets a valuable example for China’s highway reconstruction efforts.

2. Lian-huo Highway – G30 – 4,395 Kilometers

Lian-huo Highway is a segment of the extensive G30 expressway network, renowned as China’s longest continuous expressway. In the Anhui province, the G30 Lianhuo Expressway initiates its journey from Laoshankou, where Anhui and Jiangsu provinces converge, extending to Lianyungang and Xuzhou. The primary artery of the G30 Lianhuo Expressway commences its route from Dujiazui Village in Qingshuiyi Township.

The Lianyungang-Horgos Expressway, known as Lianhuo Expressway and designated as China National Expressway Network No.: G30, is part of the Ministry of Transport’s planned “Five Vertical and Seven Horizontal” national highway main line.
Lianhuo Expressway spans a distance of 4,395 kilometers, linking Lianyungang City in Jiangsu Province to Khorgos City in Xinjiang, traversing Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Xinjiang.
Opened to traffic on December 31, 2014, Lianhuo Expressway serves as a vital transportation route within the National Belt and Road Initiative, earning the distinction of being the longest expressway in China.

1. China National Highway 318 – G318 – 5,476 Kilometers

China National Highway 318 (G318), also known as the Shanghai Tibet Highway, stretches from Shanghai to Zhangmu, bordering Nepal. This challenging road spans 5,476 kilometers (3,403 miles), making it the longest highway in China. Crossing eight provinces, the road’s condition, especially as it leads into Tibet, played a significant role in the construction of the Tibetan railway to Lhasa. Locals describe the road as experiencing four seasons in a day, from freezing cold to hot, contributing to accidents and injuries.

The Sichuan-Tibet route has two main lines: the North Line and the South Line.
The famous Sichuan-Tibet line, part of the G318 national highway, is the southern route starting from Chengdu and ending in Lhasa.
It’s considered the most spectacular road in Tibet’s history, offering stunning views despite being known as “the most dangerous road in China.”
Thousands of travelers dream of driving this route each year to witness its breathtaking landscapes.
Kangding serves as the gateway to the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, featuring the picturesque Tagong Grassland.
Xinduqiao Town is a peaceful Tibetan town in western Sichuan, surrounded by natural beauty.
Litang boasts the title of the world’s highest city, offering clear views of snow-capped mountains.
The Jinsha River marks the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, spanning around 600 kilometers.
The famous 72 Bends road offers stunning views of snow-covered mountains.
Ranwutso Lake, a seasonal glacial lake, is the source of Parlung Tsangpo Lake.
Lulang Forest covers a vast area on the plateau, adorned with vibrant flora.
Mila Pass is the highest point on the Lhasa-Nyingchi section of the G318 National Highway.
The Potala Palace in Lhasa holds the distinction of being the highest ancient palace globally.

Longest National Highway in the World

The Pan-American Highway is often considered the longest national highway in the world. It spans approximately 30,000 kilometers (about 19,000 miles) in length, stretching from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, in North America, to Ushuaia, Argentina, in South America. The Pan-American Highway crosses through multiple countries in the Americas, making it one of the most extensive road networks globally. It serves as a critical transportation route, facilitating trade, travel, and connectivity across the continents.

Total Lenght of Highways in China

As of my last update in January 2022, the total length of highways in China is extensive and continually expanding due to ongoing infrastructure development projects. According to available data, China has one of the most extensive highway systems globally, with thousands of kilometers of expressways, national highways, and provincial roads crisscrossing the country.

As of 2021, the total length of highways in China exceeded 160,000 kilometers (approximately 99,000 miles). This figure includes national highways, provincial highways, and various levels of expressways. It’s important to note that this number is constantly changing as new highways are constructed, and existing ones are expanded or upgraded.

Types of Roads in China

In China, roads are classified into various types based on their function, capacity, and level of development. The main types of roads in China include:

National Highways (Gao Su Gong Lu): These are major highways that connect cities and regions across the country. National highways are numbered with prefixes “G” and are typically four-lane or more expressways with controlled access.
Provincial Highways (Sheng Dao): Provincial highways serve as important transportation links within individual provinces or regions. They are generally well-maintained roads connecting cities, towns, and rural areas.
County Highways (Xian Dao): County highways primarily serve transportation needs within counties or rural areas. They connect towns, villages, and agricultural areas to larger cities and regional centers.
Township Roads (Xiang Dao): Township roads are smaller roads that connect townships and villages within a county or administrative division. They provide local access to rural areas and agricultural land.
Expressways (Gao Su Gong Lu): Expressways are high-speed, limited-access highways designed for long-distance travel and freight transportation. They are typically toll roads and have controlled access with interchanges and overpasses.
Urban Roads (Cheng Shi Dao Lu): Urban roads are roads within cities and urban areas. They include major arterial roads, collector roads, and local streets that provide access to residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
Rural Roads (Nong Cun Dao Lu): Rural roads serve rural areas and agricultural regions. They include unpaved roads, farm roads, and local access roads that connect farms, villages, and rural communities.
Ring Roads (Huan Dao Lu): Ring roads are circular or semicircular roads that encircle major cities to facilitate traffic flow and reduce congestion. They often connect to radial highways and expressways.
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Roads: China’s Belt and Road Initiative involves the development of infrastructure projects, including roads, to enhance connectivity and promote trade between China and other countries along the Belt and Road routes.

FAQs – Top 10 Longest Highways in China

What is the longest highway in China?

China National Highway 318 (G318) runs from Shanghai to Zhangmu on the China-Nepal border. It is the longest China National Highway at 5,476 kilometres (3,403 mi) in length and runs west from Shanghai towards Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, Chongqing, Sichuan, and ends in Tibet Autonomous Region.

What is the 2nd longest road in the world?

Australia’s Highway 1, the world’s second longest highway, which loops around the Australian coast.

What is the longest highway in Asia?

Asian Highway 1 (AH1) is the longest route of the Asian Highway Network, running 20,557 km (12,774 mi).

Which is the world No 1 longest road?

Pan-American Highway is the highway is a Guinness Book World Record Holder for the Longest Motorable Road in the world, with a de facto length of 48,000 km.

What was China’s first highway?

The Shanghai–Jiading Expressway opened on 31 October 1988, becoming the first completed expressway in China. This 17.37 kilometres (10.79 mi) expressway now forms part of Shanghai’s expressway network.

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Top 10 Longest Highways in China