China is set to transform its border and coastal road infrastructure during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, with plans to fully connect three strategic national highways into a massive 27,000-kilometer loop. The network, dubbed the "Golden Outer Ring," will link the country's northern and western borders with its entire coastline, creating a continuous circuit roughly two-thirds the length of Earth's equator.

The three key corridors include G331, stretching approximately 9,200 kilometers from Dandong in Liaoning Province to Altay in Xinjiang, traversing the northeastern provinces, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, and Xinjiang. Known as the "most beautiful border highway," it connects the Northeast Plain, the Greater and Lesser Khingan ranges, the Inner Mongolia grasslands, and the Altai Mountains. In the west, G219 runs about 10,000 kilometers from Kanas in Xinjiang to Dongxing in Guangxi, passing through Xinjiang, Tibet, Yunnan, and Guangxi. As one of the world's highest-altitude highways on average, it crosses snow-capped mountains, grasslands, deserts, and gobi terrain. Completing the trio, G228 spans approximately 7,400 kilometers from Dandong to Dongxing, hugging the coastline and crossing major river systems including the Yalu, Liaohe, Haihe, Yellow, Huaihe, Yangtze, and Pearl rivers, linking all core coastal ports in a chain.

Wu Zhihua, deputy director of the Comprehensive Planning Department at the Ministry of Transport, explained that the "Golden Outer Ring" fundamentally redefines border and coastal connectivity. Previously, these highways operated as independent, dead-end routes, but now they will form a complete loop anchored at Dandong, Dongxing, and Altay, connecting hundreds of land ports and major coastal harbors. This upgrade shifts the network from a "one-way terminal" to a "circular system," establishing a transportation artery for coordinated regional development along the borders and coast.

Upgrade Plans Cover 7,400 km with 370 Billion Yuan Investment

Under the plan, the Ministry of Transport will prioritize constructing mountain-crossing and sea-spanning sections of the three highways while upgrading the overall quality of the "Golden Outer Ring." During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, construction and renovation will cover roughly 7,400 kilometers, with total investment estimated at about 370 billion yuan.

A key milestone was recently achieved on the Fujian section of G228, where the Fuding Donggang Bridge completed its southern half closure. The 3,920-meter bridge spans Donggang Bay, connecting Jiangjing and Jiangyin towns in Fuqing, and is expected to open to traffic by year-end. Zhong Yongfeng, deputy director of the general engineering office at Fujian Provincial Highway Development Center, noted that once completed, the bridge will close a critical bay gap in the G228 route, eliminating a 10-kilometer detour. This will improve the coastal road network, link townships and industrial parks, and bring Fuqing, Fuzhou's Binhai New City, downtown Fuzhou, and Pingtan into a "half-hour transportation circle," accelerating the flow of people and goods.

The Fujian segment of G228 totals 1,250 kilometers, with 232 kilometers currently under accelerated construction and full completion targeted for 2029. Once open, it will connect six coastal cities including Ningde and Fuzhou, while Fujian leverages the highway to develop a premium coastal self-driving tourism route.

Meanwhile, the expansion project on the G331 Dan-A highway between Tongjiang and Suibin in Heilongjiang Province is progressing rapidly. The project uses a smart management platform for real-time oversight and deploys environmental monitoring equipment to ensure ecological protection during construction. Chen Mengmeng, a villager from Xing'an Village in Suibin County, Hegang City, expressed excitement: "I've long heard from friends that the scenery along G331 is beautiful. Once the road is ready, I plan to take my parents or friends on a self-drive trip to enjoy the country's landscapes."

Currently, 472 kilometers of G331 in Heilongjiang are under construction, with plans for 30 tourism-integrated facilities such as service areas, rest stops, and viewing platforms. The highway is expected to open by the end of 2027, eliminating dead-end sections along the river. The Ministry of Transport confirmed that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, G219 and G331 will meet Class III or higher standards, while coastal G228 will reach Class II or above.

Wu Zhihua emphasized that the "Golden Outer Ring" serves as more than a transport corridor: "It will be a major passage along our borders and coast, as well as a vital tourism route, resource development channel, and a strategic asset for border stability. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, our focus is not simply on launching projects, but on optimizing spatial layouts, opening economic circulation arteries, and promoting balanced regional development."

Jilin Section of G331 Revitalizes Border Region Economy

As a critical component of the "Golden Outer Ring," the Jilin section of G331 achieved full connectivity last year. This border highway has broken through geographic barriers, unlocking cultural and tourism resources, smoothing rural production and sales channels, and injecting strong momentum into the high-quality development of Jilin's border areas.

The Jilin segment runs from the Hunkoujiang Bridge at the Jilin-Liaoning border in Ji'an City to Hunchun at the Jilin-Heilongjiang boundary, passing through 10 border counties and cities and 216 border villages. Along the way, it links riverside scenery in Ji'an, the forested seas of Changbai, Yanbian ethnic customs, and Hunchun's port landscape. With upgraded road conditions and improved supporting facilities, the route has become a sought-after border self-driving destination.

Tourist Gao Xinqi shared her experience: "I drove along G331 with my parents. The campsite here has a beautiful environment and ample water and electricity." The influx of self-driving visitors has directly boosted rural tourism along the route. Sandao Valley Township in Hunjiang District, Baishan City, has leveraged its riverside ecology to develop rural cultural tourism, with homestays, farm stays, river fish dining, and leisure activities flourishing. Local residents now earn income near their homes through tourism and specialty farming.

Li Ping, a homestay operator in Sandao Valley Township, noted the dramatic change: "Village foot traffic has multiplied several times over, and we're fully booked on weekends and holidays. I converted my courtyard into a homestay and farm restaurant, focusing on river fish and local dishes. Business is booming, and I can earn money right at my doorstep."

Beyond tourism, the improved roads have also opened a "fast lane" for local specialty agricultural products to reach wider markets. Previously constrained by poor road conditions, these products struggled with external sales; now, cold-chain logistics can reach village entrances directly, solving production and marketing challenges. Song Xiucheng, a grape grower in Shangjiefang Village, Taiwang Town, Ji'an City, said: "Our grapes now sell easily. With good roads and many tourists, buyers can come to the fields and pick whatever they want."