Driving the Shenlongwan Cliffside Highway: Shanxi's Reconstructed Tunnel
The Shenlongwan Cliffside Highway (also known as the Jingdi Hanging Tunnel) is a mountain tunnel road located in Pingshun County, Shanxi Province, China. Carved into the vertical limestone cliffs of the Northern Taihang Mountains, the route connects Shenlongwan village to the Taihang No. 1 Tourist Highway. You can explore other similar tunnel roads in China across the region.
| Road facts: Shenlongwan Cliffside Highway | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pingshun County, Shanxi Province (China) |
| Tunnel Length | 1,467 meters (4,812 ft) |
| Construction Period | 1985–2000 (Reconstructed in 2024–2025) |
| Side Windows | 35 cliffside light openings |
| Surface | Paved asphalt (Two-lane) |
Where is the Shenlongwan Hanging Tunnel located?
The cliffside highway is situated in Dongtousi Township, Pingshun County, near Changzhi City in Shanxi Province. The route runs along the steep rock faces of the Taihang Mountains, serving as the primary road link for villages such as Shenlongwan, Sitou, and Shiyaotan.
What is the history of the Shenlongwan cliff road?
Villagers began carving the road out of the sheer cliff using hand tools in 1985 to replace steep footpaths. The original hand-excavated tunnel took 15 years to complete and opened to traffic in 2000. The historic pass measured 1,526 meters long, but its tight clearances—narrowing to 3.3 meters wide and 3.8 meters high—created severe traffic bottlenecks.
What were the recent engineering upgrades to the tunnel?
A major reconstruction project undertaken by state engineering bureaus widened and reinforced the entire passage. The updated 1,467-meter tunnel features concrete-lined portal entrances, a repaved two-lane asphalt surface, and new road markings. Over 130 steel support beams and sprayed rock-stabilization materials were installed to reinforce the unlined rock ceiling and secure the 35 cliffside side-window openings against rockfalls.
What are the driving conditions on the updated road?
The road is fully paved and accommodates two-way traffic, though tight curve radii remain through the inner cliff bends. While the widened portal and stabilized rock lining significantly reduce clearance bottlenecks, traffic density increases during national holiday periods due to tourist traffic heading into the Taihang gorge.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez
Pic&more info: https://www.crecg.com/web/xwzx61/gsyw87/2026062410395334263/index.html