On July 12, CNN published a photo article titled “The Most Fascinating Tunnels in the World”, which includes the Cu Chi Tunnels of Vietnam, described by the Vietnam News Agency as the “City Under the Ground” and characterized as a one-of-a-kind “wonder.”
With a total length of 250 kilometers, the tunnel system features a variety of structures such as: trenches, food storage depots, kitchens, wells, living quarters, workspaces, and medical stations… interconnected like a spider’s web, making the Cu Chi Tunnels one of the six most remarkable man-made structures in the world and one of the seven most extraordinary destinations in Southeast Asia.
Today, this unique construction has become a famous tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh City, drawing visitors from both domestic and international locations.
This is why CNN recently included the Cu Chi Tunnels in its list of the 20 most fascinating tunnels in the world.
Let’s explore these unique destinations through CNN’s stunning photo collection:
Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam – A location of immense historical significance, home to the famous Hoang Cam kitchen.
Lærdal Tunnel, Norway: Stretching 24.5 kilometers between Aurland and Lærdal on the main highway connecting Oslo and Bergen, Lærdal is considered one of the longest tunnels in the world, inaugurated in 2000.
Guoliang Tunnel, China: Carved into the sheer cliffs of the Taihang Mountains. This tunnel was originally built by local residents to improve access to Guoliang Village. Today, it is a top tourist destination.
Large Hadron Collider, France/Switzerland: A donut-shaped tunnel beneath the border between France and Switzerland, known for its extraordinary research on dark matter.
Burro Schmidt Tunnel, California, USA: This tunnel, located in the Mojave Desert, is named after a local miner who worked here transporting ore.
Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line, Japan: Also known as the Tokyo Bay Expressway, this route uniquely combines a bridge and a tunnel.
Catacombs of Paris, France: Originally excavated to provide stone for buildings throughout Paris, this tunnel was used in the 18th century to store bones from overcrowded cemeteries.
Seikan Tunnel, Japan: This 53-kilometer long tunnel connects Honshu, Japan’s largest island, to Hokkaido in the north.
Glowworm Tunnel, Australia: This abandoned railway tunnel in New South Wales’ Wollemi National Park serves as a perfect sanctuary for glowworms, which is how it got its unique name.
Tunnel 52, Italy: Constructed in just 10 months at the end of World War I, this tunnel was designed to protect mules and soldiers from Austrian artillery.
Greenwich Foot Tunnel, United Kingdom: Dug beneath the River Thames in London, this pedestrian tunnel once transported workers to busy docks.
Eisenhower Tunnel, Colorado, USA: Built at an elevation of 3,400 meters above sea level, this tunnel — along with its twin, the Johnson Tunnel — crosses the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains.
Shanghai Tunnel, China: Located in downtown Shanghai, this tunnel offers visitors a unique experience in this beautiful city.
Leake Street Tunnel, United Kingdom: This tunnel in South London features the largest graffiti wall in London and serves as a “magnet” for local artists.
Drammen Spiral Tunnel, Norway: This tunnel winds through the Norwegian mountains with six spirals, making it one of the most unique locations in the world.
Channel Tunnel, France/UK: Opened in 1994, this 50-kilometer tunnel transports passengers and vehicles beneath the English Channel (or La Manche), providing the shortest link between the UK and mainland Europe.
Gotthard Base Tunnel, Switzerland: This is the longest and deepest railway tunnel in the world, stretching over 50 kilometers beneath the Alps.
Natural Tunnel, Virginia, USA: This railway tunnel is currently the main attraction of a state park of the same name.
Langjokull Glacier Tunnel, Iceland: Considered the largest artificial ice structure in the world, the Langjokull Glacier Tunnel winds deep into Iceland’s second-largest glacier, located two hours’ drive from the capital Reykjavik.
SMART Tunnel, Malaysia: This tunnel in Kuala Lumpur also serves as a stormwater drainage system to protect the city from flooding.
