There are very few places in China like Medog, where such a rich and advanced range of engineering resources has been mobilized to build a highway. Even now that the road has been opened to traffic, China continues to invest advanced technologies in road improvement and geological disaster prevention.

　　Public information shows that the total investment in the approximately 117-kilometer Zhamog-Medog Highway exceeded 1.6 billion yuan, with an average cost of more than 13 million yuan per kilometer. Cao compared this with inland areas: "In plain inland regions, building one kilometer of road to the same standard would probably cost only about 7 million yuan."

　　"In order to help the people of Medog leave behind the trouble of being an "isolated island," the country truly spared no expense," he said.

　　Today, all administrative villages under the eight towns of Medog have been connected by road. Meanwhile, Medog"s third road to the outside world is currently undergoing upgrading and reconstruction. The opening of the third highway, part of National Highway 219, will elevate Medog from simple accessibility to full connectivity in all directions.

　　Creating miracles

　　

　　A road maintenance worker stands on the highway in Medog on June 30, 2026. Photo: Fan Wei/GT

　　During the visit, Global Times reporters also saw a photo exhibition in the commercial street of Medog"s county center marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

　　Images showing life before the highway opened drew many tourists to stop and look, which stood in sharp contrast to the busy and prosperous scene around them.