During a recent press conference titled “Exploring Sichuan Through Diverse Perspectives,” held by the Sichuan Provincial Government in Chengdu, it was announced that Liangshan Prefecture is making significant strides in its infrastructure development. The region is currently accelerating the construction of six highways and is actively seeking investment for three additional highway projects, with the aim of achieving a fully connected highway system linking all counties by 2028.
For many years, the underdeveloped transportation conditions have posed challenges to cultural exchanges, logistics, economic integration, and overall social development in Liangshan. Phrases like “walking everywhere” and “crossing rivers” by sliding are reflective of the past transportation reality in the area, where “sunny days bring dust and rainy days leave mud,” and the reliance on human and animal carriers for logistics was common.
Recognizing the critical need for improvement, Liangshan has prioritized infrastructure development as a key strategy to overcome these limitations and boost its economic potential. The region is making concerted efforts to enhance transportation, electricity, and water conservancy projects, thus creating a more integrated transport network. This emerging infrastructure is transforming what was once known as the “difficult roads of Shu” into a more accessible transportation landscape.
Since 2013, Liangshan has launched several rounds of intense transportation construction efforts. To date, it has successfully constructed 272 kilometers of railways and over 3,500 kilometers of roads, with an investment exceeding 120 billion yuan. With the recent full operation of the new Chengdu-Kunming Railway, the area has entered what is being called the “bullet train era,” significantly reducing travel time to Chengdu to just over two hours. Additionally, Xichang Qingshan Airport has opened 32 flight routes connecting Liangshan to 32 cities across China, and the region is swiftly advancing the layout and construction of five new civil and general-use airports.
Furthermore, the planning and promotion of major corridor projects, such as the Yixi-Pan High-Speed Railway and the Jinsha River transport route, are picking up momentum. Once completed, Liangshan will develop a comprehensive transportation system that connects the east and west, facilitates north-south travel, and links waterways to coastal routes.
