While people living in older city areas are often irked by the frequent digging up of roads for underground pipe and cable maintenance, those in Hengqin New Area are free of this trouble, as all the utility facilities are placed in a large underground tunnel.

The 33.4 kilometer comprehensive utility tunnel, one of the largest in the country, houses electricity and telecommunications cables, and pipes for water supply, reclaimed water, air cooling and vacuum garbage transport.

About three meters high and five meters wide, the tunnel has room for more pipes and cables as public services expand, said Yan Lisheng, an engineer of Zhuhai Da Hengqin Urban Public Resources Management Co.