China added a new feather in its cap of bullet train service in the country by linking Xi’an and Chengdu, reducing travel time between the two historic cities by almost two-thirds. Xian to Chengdu High Speed Train and vice versa is put into operation since December 6th, 2017. The rail duration between the two cities is shortened to 4 – 4.5 hours, which makes a day trip between the two cities become possible. Xian to Chengdu distance by high speed rail is 658 kilometers (409 miles). Non-bullet trains are operated between the two cities with duration of 10 – 18 hours.
The high-speed line is the first to pass through the Qinling Mountains, that is the dividing line between China’s south and north. The region boasts of a vast array of natural scenery and rare wildlife.
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According to the network operator China Railway Corp, thirty-eight trains will initially run along the railway, 19 each way, at speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour.
Yet the unique geography was seen as an advantage during World War II, and Chongqing was chosen as a wartime capital because it was seen as easy to defend and extremely hard to invade.
When the speed on the new line is increased, the travel time between Chengdu and Beijing will be cut to about eight hours, down from more than 14 hours.
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The new line is an important part of China’s high-speed railway network, linking three high-speed lines?Xuzhou-Lanzhou, Datong-Xi’an and Chengdu-Chongqing.
According to the plan, Xian – Chengdu High Speed Railway will be extended southeast to Guiyang in Guizhou Province, south to Kunming in Yunnan Province, and northwest to Lanzhou and Urumqi, shaping a high speed railway net in west China.
The stations along the way are Xian North, Epanggong, Huyi East, Xinchangjie, Foping, Yangxian West, Chenggu North, Hanzhong, Xinji, Ningqiang South, Chaotian, Guangyuan, Jianmenguan, Qingchuan, Jiangyou North, Jiangyou, Mianyang, Deyang, Guanghan North, and Chengdu East.