Golden Outer Ring Highway construction will cover about 27,000 kilometers across China by 2030. The program forms part of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan covering 2026–2030. China’s Ministry of Transport estimates investment at 370 billion yuan, equivalent to approximately $55.05 billion.
Rather than constructing an entirely new 27,000-kilometre road, China will connect and upgrade existing national corridors. The program targets missing links, difficult sections, reconstruction and broader quality improvements.
The resulting route will connect three major national highways into one continuous transport network. These include G219, G331 and G228, which collectively extend for more than 26,000 kilometers.
The project will create a continuous corridor around China’s land borders and coastline. It will also connect inland regions, border crossings, coastal ports and industrial centers.
Golden Outer Ring Highway construction targets strategic gaps
Golden Outer Ring Highway construction will prioritize mountain-crossing and sea-crossing sections. Authorities will simultaneously improve existing sections along the three national routes.
G219 will run approximately 10,000 kilometers from Kanas in Xinjiang to Dongxing in Guangxi. The route crosses Xinjiang, Tibet, Yunnan and Guangxi.
G331 will extend about 9,200 kilometers between Dandong in Liaoning and Altay in Xinjiang. The route crosses six provincial-level regions along China’s northern frontier.
Meanwhile, G228 will cover approximately 7,400 kilometers between Dandong and Dongxing. The coastal highway connects 10 provincial-level regions along China’s eastern seaboard.
Together, the three routes will form a loop approaching 27,000 kilometers. The completed network will therefore equal roughly two-thirds of Earth’s equatorial circumference.
Transport authorities expect G219 and G331 to reach at least Class III highway standards. Meanwhile, G228 will generally achieve Class II standards or higher.
China’s expanding highway programme also builds on major bridge engineering achievements across the country. The world’s largest-span suspension bridge in China demonstrates the scale of infrastructure construction supporting the country’s wider transport network.
Golden Outer Ring Highway advances major construction works
Golden Outer Ring Highway construction is already advancing through several major projects. In Fujian, the 3,920-metre Donggang Grand Bridge represents a critical G228 project.
The bridge crosses Donggang sea area in Fuqing and connects Jiangjing Town with Jiangyin Town. Its southern half recently achieved closure, with completion expected by the end of 2026.
The bridge will eliminate a 10-kilometre vehicle detour around the bay. It will also strengthen connections between towns, industrial parks and coastal cities.
Fujian’s G228 section extends 1,250 kilometers. Currently, 232 kilometers remain under construction, with full connectivity targeted for 2029.
Further north, construction continues on G331 in Heilongjiang. The Tongjiang-Suibin border to Suibin section is undergoing reconstruction and expansion.
Heilongjiang currently has 472 kilometers of G331 under construction. Authorities are also planning 30 tourism and transport facilities.
These facilities include service areas, parking areas and viewing platforms. The G331 works are expected to open by the end of 2027.
The engineering challenge varies significantly along the route. Western sections face high-altitude terrain, permafrost, seismic risks and rock falls.
Northern sections must withstand severe temperature changes and Gobi sandstorms. Coastal sections face marine corrosion and soft-soil settlement challenges.
Beyond transport, the corridor will support tourism, resource development and logistics. It will also connect border ports with coastal harbors and wider economic corridors.
Xinhua reported that G331 attracted more than two million tourists during the first half of 2026. Along the route, residents have expanded homestays, restaurants and agricultural-product businesses.
The Ministry of Transport expects China’s national integrated transport network backbone completion rate to reach 95% by 2030. The Golden Outer Ring will form an important component of that network.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Golden Outer Ring Highway
Program: China’s 15th Five-Year Plan
Construction period: 2026–2030
Total investment: 370 billion yuan
Reported equivalent: Approximately $55.05 billion
Construction and upgrade scope: About 7,400 kilometers
Overall planned loop: More than 26,000 kilometers
Main highways: G219, G331 and G228
G219 route: Kanas, Xinjiang, to Dongxing, Guangxi
G331 route: Dandong, Liaoning, to Altay, Xinjiang
G228 route: Dandong, Liaoning, to Dongxing, Guangxi
Major bridge: 3,920-metre Donggang Grand Bridge
Fujian G228 length: 1,250 kilometers
Fujian G228 works: 232 kilometers under construction
Heilongjiang G331 works: 472 kilometers under construction
Planned facilities: 30 service, parking and tourism facilities
Key functions: Logistics, tourism, resource development and regional connectivity
Target standards: G219 and G331 Class III or higher; G228 Class II or higher
Project Team
National transport authority: Ministry of Transport of China
National planning oversight: Ministry of Transport Comprehensive Planning Department
G219 implementation: Regional transport authorities across Xinjiang, Tibet, Yunnan and Guangxi
G331 implementation: Regional transport authorities across northern China
G228 implementation: Coastal provincial transport authorities
Fujian project authority: Fujian Provincial Highway Development Center
Donggang Bridge delivery: Construction teams working under Fujian’s G228 program
Heilongjiang works: Provincial transport authorities overseeing G331 reconstruction
Tourism infrastructure: Local authorities developing service areas, parking areas and viewing platforms
Strategic coordination: Ministry of Transport and provincial-level governments
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