A new section of the Sichuan-Qinghai Railway in western China officially opened on Friday, significantly reducing travel time between Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, and Jiuzhaigou, a renowned scenic destination known for its colorful lakes and waterfalls, to less than two hours.
The inaugural train, C5818, departed from Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station at 10:36 a.m., marking the beginning of a new era of rapid connectivity to major tourist attractions such as Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan Province.
Previously, the journey from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou by car took over seven hours. With the new high-speed rail route, the trip now takes just 99 minutes, offering significant convenience for travelers and expected to boost tourism and related industries along the route.
The newly opened section stretches 69 kilometers through the county of Songpan in Aba Zang and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. It includes four stations: Zhenjiangguan Railway Station, Songpan Railway Station, Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station, and Huangshengguan Railway Station.
The Sichuan-Qinghai Railway is a crucial part of China's "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" high-speed railway network, connecting Lanzhou in Gansu Province, Xining in Qinghai Province, and Guangzhou in Guangdong Province.
The opening of this section is expected to greatly improve travel for people of all ethnic groups along the route, stimulate regional economic and social development, and promote high-quality growth in China's western region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
