Unknown to Taiwanese: Global Ancient

By MOOK Scenic Spots / Reported by Chen Wenlin


A submarine tunnel is a tunnel constructed under the sea to connect two landmasses across a strait. It not only allows vehicles to pass through but also directly links both sides of the land, adding convenience. Recently, China has proposed a new idea to develop a vacuum-sealed submarine tunnel train, which could reduce travel time from Fujian to Taipei to just 13 minutes. Historically, the world’s most famous submarine tunnels vary in length. The earliest constructions date back to the 1970s, but what many people don’t know is that Taiwan also has its own submarine tunnel, one 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 with Huangdao, forming a “1-hour economic circle” between the main urban area of Qingdao and its surrounding regions, boosting trade and convenience in the vicinity.

Channel Tunnel – Opened in 1994

The Channel Tunnel is a world-renowned engineering marvel familiar to many 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. Stretching 50.5 kilometers in total, the tunnel opened in 1994. Its completion physically connected the British Isles with mainland Europe, not only promoting joint ventures between the two countries but also filling a missing link in the European railway network. This greatly facilitated travel between major European cities and holds great global significance.