TunnelChina

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of China. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


8. Tunnel

A tunnel is a covered passage that carries a road through or beneath an obstacle such as a hill, mountain, building, waterway or another transport route. Road tunnels may contain one or more traffic lanes and can carry traffic in one or both directions.

Driving in a tunnel requires particular attention because visibility, available escape routes and space for avoiding hazards are limited. Drivers should follow the applicable lighting, speed, lane and following-distance rules and pay attention to emergency exits, traffic signals and variable-message signs.

Tunnel
Vehicles entering and leaving an unlit tunnel on route S334. (Yiling District, Hubei, China)
Wikimedia.org • Vmenkov • CC BY-SA
What should I check before entering a tunnel in China?

Read the tunnel’s entry, lane and speed controls. National implementing Regulations prohibit reversing in tunnels and voluntary roadside stopping in a tunnel or within 50 m of it; a traffic-required stop is different.

🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Regulations 49–50 and 63(2); actual entry controls

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text

🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text

Does a tunnel sign in China set a universal speed limit?

No single speed can be read from the tunnel pictogram. Apply the road’s relevant limit and any permanent or electronic speed restriction, and drive more slowly when visibility, queues or another hazard require it.

🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Regulations 49–50 and 63(2); actual entry controls

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text

🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text

Warning for a tunnel. Warning for a tunnel.

English • Traffic sign 警24 • Tunnel. Drive carefully and observe tunnel signals, speed limits and access rules.

中文 • 警24 • 隧道。 前方有隧道,应谨慎驾驶并遵守隧道内的信号、限速和通行规定。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Openstd.samr.gov.cn • 国家标准全文公开 • GB 5768.2-2022(含第1号修改单)
🔗 Upload.wikimedia.org • 标准原文镜像 • PDF第87页

SVG source: Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China • Public domain • Original revision 2022-02-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against Openstd.samr.gov.cn • official published diagram 警24.

Is every tunnel in China open to pedestrians and cyclists?

No. Check the road category and access signs before entering. A motorway tunnel, a vehicle-restricted tunnel and a purpose-built walking or cycling underpass have different access arrangements. Emergency evacuation routes do not establish ordinary public access.

🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Regulations 49–50 and 63(2); actual entry controls

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text

🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text

1 China 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Speed limit 6 Footpath 7 Bike path 8 Tunnel 9 Toll road 10 Slope 11 Bus lane 12 Bus stop 13 Stop sign 14 Give way 15 Roundabout 16 Road narrowing 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Rockfall 23 Curve 24 Chevron 25 Wrong-way driving 26 Roadworks 27 Crosswind 28 Height limit 29 Weight limit 30 Radar speed sign 31 Priority at the next junction 32 Traffic lights 33 Traffic lights warning 34 Pedestrian lights 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Traffic mirror 38 Parking 39 No parking 40 No stopping 41 Disabled parking 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Provisional licence 46 Emergency exit 47 Runaway truck ramp 48 Horn 49 Axle weight limit 50 Charging station 51 Pedestrian 52 Motorcycle 53 Car 54 Truck 55 Bus 56 Police 57 Ambulance 58 Taxi 59 Police signals 60 Pothole 61 Path 62 Particulates 63 Air pollution 64 Rush hour 65 Road code 66 Street gutter 67 Cargo bike 68 Forestry vehicle 69 Construction vehicle 70 Semi-trailer truck 71 Trolleybus 72 Speed pedelec 73 Delivery vehicle 74 Idling 75 Tow truck 76 Four-wheel drive 77 Bicycle 78 Motorcycle equipment 79 Rail track 80 Caravan 81 Trailer 82 Tow hitch 83 Fire truck 84 Siren 85 Convoy 86 Emergency vehicle lighting 87 Agricultural machinery 88 Electric bicycle 89 Electric vehicle 90 Pedelec 91 Quadricycle 92 Microcar 93 All-terrain vehicle 94 Van 95 Recreational vehicle 96 Scooter 97 Trikke 98 Personal mobility device 99 Skateboard 100 Segway ...