Newly opened public tours now allow visitors to explore the West Artificial Island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a major bridge-tunnel project in south China, offering views of cutting-edge engineering and beautiful coastal scenery.
The tour includes round-trip transport and guided sightseeing, providing a rare opportunity to get close to one of China's most remarkable infrastructure projects.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link connects two major cities divided by the Pearl River Delta. Artificial islands were created at the transition points where bridge becomes tunnel.
By opening the West Island to the public, the two cities hope to showcase the success of the mega-project and inspire appreciation for the power of engineering.
During the trial period, the experience includes round-trip transportation and approximately three hours of island exploration. In the future, tourism authorities hope to expand visitor options.
"We are currently studying the development of boat tours to view the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, utilizing the existing rescue dock on the West Artificial Island to create a water-based access solution. We will also research low-altitude aerial tour options to provide alternative visitation methods when land access to the island is closed during major holidays, thereby meeting public demand," said Li Xinlong, Marketing Director of Shenzhen Cultural Tourism Industry Development Company.
Since its opening more than a year ago, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has seen traffic volumes soar, with total vehicle flow surpassing 42.7 million. On peak days, vehicle traffic reached 181,600 trips, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend island tourism during major holidays to prevent congestion.
Through its "one corridor, six roads" smart traffic management system, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link connects seamlessly with six expressways, optimizing travel routes across the region.
"During major holidays, we generally close land access to the West Island tourism program to avoid impacting normal traffic flow," explained Li Huiqiang, deputy chief of the Link's Road Administration Brigade.
Currently, the link handles an average of 88,500 vehicle trips daily, with a series of intelligent systems in place to ensure its safe and efficient operations.
Artificial island opens tour of mega-project in Pearl River Delta
Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.
Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.
At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.
"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.
With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.
"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.
"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.
With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.
"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
