High-speed trains reduce travel time between west China cities

High-speed trains linking northwest China's Xi'an and southwest China's Chongqing begin operation on Wednesday, cutting the travel time between the two from 9.5 to 5.5 hours.

The new route includes a new section of the high-speed rail line that links Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province with Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, which is also set to start operation on Wednesday.

The 643-kilometer-Xi'an-Chengdu line is China's first rail to run through the Qinling Mountains, naturally dividing the country from north to south.

With an intended speed of 250 km/h, it shortens the travel time between Xi'an and Chengdu from seven to some four hours.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)