Gaoligongshan Tunnel, as a key control project of DaliRuili Railway, is characterized by three highs and four actives. During TBM construction, disasters such as fault fracture zone, mud gushing, rock burst, etc., would be encountered. As a result, the variable crosssection lifting excavation method is adopted for the main tunnel TBM design; and as well, some innovative technologies, i.e. preautomatic concrete spraying, concealed and normalized advance drilling and waterrock integration advance prediction, are used. The construction practice shows that the innovative designs of TBM have played a significant role in the excavation process and can provide reference for the design and application of TBM to similar geological conditions in the future.