Expressways of China

Expressways Of China

The Expressway Network of the People's Republic of China (simplified Chinese: 中国高速网; traditional Chinese: 中國高速網; pinyin: Zhōngguó gāosùwǎng) is the longest Expressway system in the world. The network is also known as National Trunk Highway System (NTHS). In 2011, 11,000 kilometres (6,800 mi) of expressways were added to the network, for a total length of 85,000 kilometres (53,000 mi) at the end of 2011.

China's expressway system is longer than that of the European Union and surpassed the length of the United States' Interstate Highway System in early 2011; however, when non-interstate freeways are counted, the U.S. still has a greater total length—approximately 57,000 miles (92,000 km). but the China expressway mileage does not include the expressways administered by provincial level governments, such as in Beijing (with its five expressway ring roads), the extensive system of Shanghai and the expressways of Hong Kong and no data is readily available for the lengths of these roads.

Expressways in China are a fairly recent addition to a complex network of roads. China's first expressway was built in 1988. Until 1993, very few expressways existed. One of the earliest expressways nationwide was the Jingshi Expressway between Beijing and Shijiazhuang in Hebei province. This expressway now forms part of the Jingzhu Expressway, currently one of the longest expressways nationwide at over 2,000 km.