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This article is about the expressways of mainland China. See also: Expressways of Hong Kong , Expressways of Macao and Expressways of Taiwan for expressways in these regions.
Expressways in the People's Republic of China are a recent matter. Until 1993, very few expressways existed. One of the earliest expressways nationwide was the Jingshi Expressway, liaising between Beijing and Shijiazhuang in Hebei province. This expressway now forms part of the Jingzhu Expressway, currently the longest expressway nationwide, clocking in at over 2,000 km.
Possibly unsurprising given the nation's sheer size, the PRC's expressway network is now amongst one of the longest in the World. Only Germany and the United States can claim competition in this matter.
Neither officially named motorway nor highway, the PRC used to call the roads freeways. Sometime in the 1990s, expressways became the standardarised term. Note that highways refer to China National Highways, which are not expressways at all.
Express routes exist too; they are akin to expressways, but mainly liaise inside cities. The "express route" name is a derivation of the Chinese name kuaisu gonglu (compare with expressway, gaosu gonglu). Officially, expressway is used for both expressways and express routes, which is also the standard used here.
Expressways in China mainly radiate from Beijing, but also from area to area. Beijing currently has nine expressways radiating from the city centre (see Expressways of BeijingJingcheng Expressway near Gaoliying (July 2004 image) Jingha Expressway (July 2004 image) Jingshi Expressway (July 2004 image) Airport Expressway near the toll gate (July 2004 image) Jingkai Expressway near the Southern 4th Ring Road (October 2004 image) for more); at least two more are planned.
The Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of ChinaThe Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China ( is a law which was passed by the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on October 28, 2003, promulgated by Decree No. 8 of the President of the PRC Hu Jintao, and took has raised the speed limit nationwide from 110 km/h to 120 km/h, effective May 1May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). There are 244 days remaining. Events 305 Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. 1328 Wars of Scottish Independence end: Treaty of Edinburgh-North, 2004. It may still take some time for local expressways to raise the speed limit accordingly.
A minimum speed limit is in force: the minimum is 70 km/h. On overtaking lanes, however, this could be as high as 100 km/h to 110 km/h. Penalties for driving both below and in excess of the prescribed speed limits are in force.
Only motor vehicles are allowed to enter expressways. As of May 1May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). There are 244 days remaining. Events 305 Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. 1328 Wars of Scottish Independence end: Treaty of Edinburgh-North, 2004, "new drivers" (i.e., those with a PRC driver's licenceEuropean Union are subdivided in different categories. A driver's license ( UK: driving licence US: driver's license or driver license Canada, Australia, New Zealand: driver's licence is an official document which states that a person has the necessary qu for less than a year) are allowed on the expressways, something that was prohibited from the mid- 1990s.
Overtaking on the right, speeding, and illegal use of the emergency belt (or hard shoulder) cost violators stiff penalties. Surprisingly, the overtaking on the right regulation is flaunted with alarming frequency!