First expressway to China's Lahu ethnic autonomous county opens to traffic

(ECNS) -- After more than four years of construction, the Silan Expressway from Simao District of Pu'er City in Yunnan Province to Lancang County on the China-Myanmar border officially opened to traffic Wednesday.

It is the first expressway to reach China's only Lahu ethnic autonomous county.

It connects to Kunming-Bangkok Road, the Lancang-Mekong "international golden waterway", and Lancang Jingmai Airport.

The drive from Simao to Lancang has subsequently been shortened from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hours.