Highway Service Areas Upgrade to Micro Cultural Tourism Destinations

On October 16, 2026, China Tourism News reported that during this holiday, highway service areas in multiple places were upgraded into immersive cultural tourism spaces: the Tonglu Service Area on the Changshen Expressway created an "undersea tunnel," the Qingdao Service Area on the Shenhai Expressway incorporated Roman columns, a clock tower square, and mermaid performances, and the Yangcheng Lake Service Area on the Ninghu Expressway arranged brand stores along a scenic river channel. The report stated that as of the end of 2025, China's highway mileage was 199,000 kilometers, and service areas are shifting from functional rest stops toward "micro destinations" that showcase regional culture.