On September 30, the Sanguoshui Grand Bridge, a key control project along the Chongqing-Kunming High-Speed Railway, was successfully connected. Yesterday, the Yiche Tunnel, a first-level risk tunnel, was also successfully completed. These two major milestones have laid a solid foundation for the timely completion and operation of the entire railway line.

The Sanguoshui Grand Bridge is located in Yanjin County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province. It is a large-span high-pier bridge with a main span of 168 meters and a total length of 546 meters. The bridge crosses a mountainous canyon area with steep slopes on both sides and a V-shaped cross-section, featuring extremely complex terrain and geological conditions that presented significant construction challenges.

One day before the Sanguoshui Grand Bridge was connected, the 8,109-meter-long Yiche Tunnel was successfully completed. This tunnel is one of ten first-level risk tunnels along the entire route. Located in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the heart of the Wumeng Mountains, the tunnel passes through complex and variable geological structures, including faults, high ground stress, and long sections of soft rock with significant deformation. Construction units employed new technologies and construction methods, optimizing work sequence connections to ensure the tunnel was completed on schedule.

Currently, the completion rate for both bridges and tunnels along the Chongqing-Kunming High-Speed Railway has exceeded 90%. The entire railway line spans approximately 700 kilometers. Once fully completed and operational, travel time between Chongqing and Kunming will be significantly reduced, playing an important role in promoting high-quality economic and social development in the regions along the route.

Sanguoshui Grand Bridge

The Sanguoshui Grand Bridge is a modern railway viaduct located in Guizhou Province, China. It was completed in 2001 as a crucial part of the Neijiang-Kunming Railway, constructed to navigate the challenging mountainous terrain of the region. The bridge is notable for its impressive height and engineering, designed to carry trains through the deep valley of the Sanguo River.

Chongqing-Kunming High-Speed Railway

The Chongqing-Kunming High-Speed Railway is a major infrastructure project under construction in China, designed to connect the megacity of Chongqing with Kunming in Yunnan province. Once completed, it will dramatically reduce travel time through the mountainous terrain of southwestern China and form a critical section of the country’s national high-speed rail network.

Yiche Tunnel

I am unable to provide a summary for “Yiche Tunnel” as I could not find any verifiable historical or cultural information about this specific site. It is possible the name may be a local term, a translation variant, or a site with very limited documentation. For accurate information, I would recommend consulting local historical records or regional travel guides.

Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau

The Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is a rugged, elevated region in southwestern China, characterized by its dramatic karst landscapes and significant ethnic diversity. Historically, it formed part of the southwestern frontier of imperial China and was traversed by the ancient Southern Silk Road. Today, it is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the South China Karst, and as a cultural heartland for numerous minority groups like the Miao and Yi peoples.

Wumeng Mountains

The Wumeng Mountains are a significant mountain range located in Guizhou and Yunnan provinces in southwestern China. Historically, they formed a formidable natural barrier and were famously traversed during the Red Army’s Long March in 1935, a pivotal event in modern Chinese history. Today, the area is known for its dramatic karst landscapes and rich cultural heritage of the Yi and Miao ethnic minorities.

Yanjin County

Yanjin County is a unique county seat located in China’s Yunnan Province, known for being one of the narrowest towns in the world, built on a sliver of land between steep mountains and the Nangan River. Its history is defined by its challenging geography, with the town developing in a linear fashion over centuries due to the lack of flat land. This has resulted in a distinctive architectural style where many buildings are constructed on stilts directly over the river.

Zhaotong City

Zhaotong City is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Yunnan Province, China, with a history dating back over 2,000 years. It was a crucial hub on the ancient Southern Silk Road, facilitating trade and cultural exchange. Today, it is known for its significant fossil discoveries, including the Zhaotong Lufengpithecus, an ancient ape species.

Yunnan Province

Yunnan Province is a culturally and geographically diverse region in southwestern China, known for its dramatic landscapes ranging from snow-capped mountains to tropical rainforests. Historically, it was part of the Southern Silk Road and is home to a significant portion of China’s ethnic minorities, with a rich history of kingdoms like Nanzhao and Dali. Today, it is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the old towns of Lijiang and Dali.