The Yaxi Expressway, which links Ya'an and Xichang in Sichuan province, opened to traffic in 2012. The expressway, also known as the ladder to heaven, stretches 240 km through the southwestern China province, forming part of the Beijing-Kunming Expressway. It crosses 12 seismic zones and several rivers and runs through rolling mountains, with 270 bridges and 25 tunnels along its route.[Photo/VCG]