Taiwanese Don’t Know: These Countries

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family / Chen Wenlin, compiled and reported


Submarine tunnels are tunnels constructed underwater to connect two landmasses across a strait. They not only allow vehicles to pass through but also directly link both sides of the land, adding convenience. Recently, China has proposed a new idea to develop a vacuum submarine tunnel train, which could reduce travel time from Fujian to Taipei to just 13 minutes. Throughout history, there have been famous submarine tunnels around the world, varying in length. The earliest constructions date back to the 1970s, but what many people don’t know is that Taiwan itself also has a historic submarine tunnel with a very long history.

Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Tunnel – Opened in 2011

The Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Tunnel is a submarine tunnel located in Qingdao, East China. It is currently the longest submarine tunnel in China. Construction began in 2006, and the tunnel opened for trial operation in 2011. Its completion connects Qingdao and Huangdao, forming a “1-hour economic circle” between Qingdao’s main urban area and various districts, boosting trade and convenience in the surrounding areas.

Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel) – Opened in 1994

The Channel Tunnel is a monumental engineering feat well-known in geography and history. It crosses the narrowest part of the English Channel, linking a southeastern port city in the UK with a northern port city in France. Spanning 50.5 kilometers, it opened in 1994. The tunnel physically connects the British Isles with mainland Europe, not only promoting joint ventures between the two countries but also filling a critical gap in the European railway network. It has greatly facilitated travel between major European cities and holds great global significance.