Feature: Chinese
A drone photo taken on April 14, 2024 shows a toll station on the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia. (Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua)
SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A large number of vehicles traveled on the Chinese-invested Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway on Sunday as people flocked to the coastal province of Preah Sihanouk in southwest Cambodia during traditional New Year holiday.
Tang Sochetkresna, director of Preah Sihanouk Provincial Department of Tourism, said the 187-km expressway has prompted a surge in tourist arrivals to Preah Sihanouk for its safe, comfortable and fast travel mode.
Sochetkresna said the expressway, which connects Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh with the Southeast Asian nation's most popular coastal province Preah Sihanouk, facilitates tourists' travel for leisure.
Cambodia kicked off its four-day traditional New Year on Saturday.
Phang Veyhong, a 30-year-old user of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, said traveling on the expressway took him only two hours from Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk.
"In comparison to ordinary roads, traveling on the expressway is time-efficient and safe, as well as lowers fuel expenses," he told Xinhua on Sunday while driving his five family members to visit Preah Sihanouk province.
Veyhong said he also likes traveling on the expressway for the beautiful scenery along the route.
Kong Sengkim, a 52-year-old user of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, said the expressway is broad and comfortable for driving.
"This is the first time I drive my car on the expressway and I feel pretty safe," he told Xinhua. "The road and its surrounding scenery are very beautiful."
Invested by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the 2-billion-U.S.-dollar Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway was officially opened to traffic in November 2022.
With two lanes for traffic in each direction plus an emergency lane on each side, vehicles will be able to reach their destinations within two hours through the expressway instead of five hours.
"The expressway has played a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of travel and logistic system in Cambodia," Heang Sotheayuth, a spokesperson for Cambodia's Ministry of Public Works and Transport, told Xinhua.
The expressway was the fruit of close cooperation between Cambodia and China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Sotheayuth said. ■
Related articles
Bichette has 4 hits, Berríos snaps 4
TORONTO (AP) — Bo Bichette had three doubles among his four hits, José Berríos pitched six solid inn2024-05-22Nasa vs Nessie: Space agency asked to assist new hunt...
It's the mythical creature that has captured the attention of people around the world for decades.An2024-05-22Giant screen falls on stage during concert by Hong Kong boy band Mirror, two performers injured
One of the two dancers injured during a concert by popular Hong Kong boy band Mirror on Thursday nig2024-05-22How Christopher Nolan couldn't have won his first Oscar without his family's support
After receiving eight nominations over the course of 24 years, Christopher Nolan finally took home t2024-05-22Nigella Lawson, 64, reveals she would 'never take Ozempic' as a weight
It's ability to suppress appetite, cut alcohol cravings and accelerate weight loss means its use in2024-05-22The hotel room on WHEELS! Self
The idea of a hotel room on wheels might sound like a concept from the latest science fiction blockb2024-05-22
atest comment