Tarim Desert Highway

The total length of the highway is 552 km (343 mi), approximately 446 km (277 mi) of which crosses uninhabited areas covered by shifting sand dunes, making it the longest such highway in the world.

Construction on the highway began in 1993 because of expansion in the petroleum industry, requiring fast shipping across the Taklamakan desert.

A massive irrigation system was constructed to pump water for the vegetation along the highway.

[2] At the halfway point along the desert highway, there are a few restaurants and a gas station.

Except for pump house maintenance workers, the region is entirely uninhabited.

Vegetation on either side of the highway to prevent shifting sand dunes from covering it, as well as a blue pump house in the distance.
PetroChina gas station on the highway route