China drills first tunnel under Yangtze for high‑speed trains
China drills first tunnel under Yangtze for high‑speed trains. When engineering ingenuity cuts through the earth tens of metres deep, and trains will soon cross one of the country's largest rivers in minutes, it is not just a construction feat — it is a step towards a new transport reality. The Caiyuanba Tunnel has become a symbol of how technology overcomes natural barriers, shortening distances and linking regions into a unified economic network. Its completion is not only a victory over complex geology but also a promise of faster and more convenient connections between western and eastern China.
The 11,942‑metre tunnel passes under urban roads, viaducts, existing railway lines and the main navigable channel of the river. Its successful completion was the result of overcoming significant geological and engineering challenges. This milestone marks an important step in the construction of the high‑speed railway linking the municipality of Chongqing in southwest China with the coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian Province in the east. Connecting the Chengdu‑Chongqing, Chongqing‑Xiamen and Zhengzhou‑Chongqing high‑speed lines, the tunnel brings together two main corridors — the Chongqing‑Xiamen corridor and the Yangtze River corridor — in the heart of Chongqing. According to railway authorities, the project will further improve the city's high‑speed rail network, as well as promote regional transport connectivity and coordinated economic development.
The Caiyuanba Tunnel is part of the large‑scale Chongqing‑Xiamen high‑speed railway project, which will become an important link in the national high‑speed rail network. Tunnelling under the Yangtze River is considered one of the most challenging engineering tasks due to complex geology and high water pressure. The successful completion of the tunnel paves the way for further acceleration of the entire line. As CCTV+ reports. Once operational, travel time between Chongqing and Xiamen is expected to be significantly reduced, giving new impetus to the economic development of regions along the route.
