More than 1,000 bicycling enthusiasts jumpeded on their saddle and pedals to ride through the just-completed Huazhou-Zhanjiang section of the Shantou-Zhanjiang Expressway on Dec 23.

The 98-kilometer segment, on which work began in late 2014, entailed an investment of more than 10.14 billion yuan ($1.6 billion). Forming a key part of the Shantou-Zhanjiang Expressway, it is an amazing blend of environmental travel and sightseeing leisure.

The Shantou-Zhanjiang Expressway is a major channel that links the Pearl River Delta with Western Guangdong, Southwest China and Hainan Island. Once completed, it will greatly ease the traffic pressure in the area during travel peak.