Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Shanxi province has focused on developing rural roads, particularly tourist highways, aiming to transform these roads into vital links connecting urban and rural areas, boost local industries, and provide strong support for rural revitalization.

Central to Shanxi's strategy is achieving "smooth connectivity" through continuous improvement of rural road infrastructure. The province has constructed and upgraded a total of 24,800 kilometers of rural roads, renovated 389 dilapidated bridges, and enhanced safety along 1,809 km of village roads. This extensive rural road network ensures safer, more convenient travel for residents.

Shanxi has pioneered the completion of a comprehensive tourism road network stretching 13,000 km – the first of its kind in the country. This network spans all 113 cities, districts, and counties across the province, linking 5,630 villages, 531 national heritage sites, 779 provincial heritage sites, and 976 tourist attractions. It provides a solid foundation for the booming cultural and tourism industries.

The province has also developed model demonstration areas in Jincheng city and Yonghe county, creating 2,800 km of exemplary tourism roads. Accompanying facilities such as walking paths, rest stations, and viewing platforms have been established, resulting in five nationally recognized "most beautiful rural roads" and "most popular roads".

Along these roads, industries like specialty agriculture, rural tourism, wellness, accommodations, and rural e-commerce are flourishing. To date, rural road development has helped 214,000 people return to their hometowns for entrepreneurship and employment, with 2.32 million people achieving stable income growth – fulfilling the goal of "industries thriving because of roads and farmers prospering because of roads".