For the herders near the tunnel's exit, the project promises a brighter future. "We've always dreamed of crossing the Tianshan Mountains," says a 52-year-old herder who tends his sheep on the vast grasslands.

With the tunnel's completion, he plans to open a Mongolian yurt guesthouse, welcoming tourists to experience the region's natural beauty. "When the road is ready, more people will come, and our lives will be better," he says with hope.

The tunnel does not only bridge mountains but also communities, offering a more convenient, brighter future for people living in and outside the region. The regional government expects the new tunnel will boost the flow and communication of people between northern and southern Xinjiang, allowing for more career and development opportunities.