China, home to world’s largest high-speed rail network, expands operational mileage beyond 50,000 km
A high-speed train in China. Photo by Unsplash
China’s sprawling high-speed rail network passed 50,000 km in total operating distance with the opening of a new line on Dec. 26, state media reported.
The country has the world’s largest rail network – one-fifth longer than the circumference of the earth.
The trip begins in the city of Xi’an – home to China’s famed Terracotta Warriors – and ends in Yan’an to its north, state broadcaster CCTV said.
Both cities are in northern China’s Shaanxi province.
Some homes were demolished and displaced residents would receive 5,000 yuan (US$711) per household to relocate, local authorities said in 2020 when construction began.
China’s rail network has expanded by around 32% compared with 2020, the state-owned China Railway added on Dec. 26 in a statement.
The Xi’an-Yan’an line spans a total of 299 km and the shortest trip takes 68 minutes, CCTV said.
The C9309 train runs at 350 kmh, outpacing Japan’s Shinkansen, which has a top speed of 320 kmh.
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