GANSU: A high-speed rail line from Gansu’s provincial capital Lanzhou to Wuwei in central Gansu opened on Saturday, further enhancing northwest China’s high-speed rail network.
According to China Railway Bureau Group of Lanzhou, the line passes through Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport, Lanzhou Ongongdeng District, and Tianzhu Wuwei Tibet Autonomous Region and Gulang County.
According to the company, the journey from Wuwei East Station to Lanzhou West Station will take 1 hour and 56 minutes, with a delay of 58 minutes on regular trains.
To improve service quality and meet diverse travel needs, railway operators are introducing flexible discounts and market-based pricing mechanisms to offer more travel options. Special rates can be checked at 12306 ticket booking system.
Wuwei resident Han Wenting, who was riding the high-speed train with his two daughters, said he was looking forward to the opening of the high-speed line in his hometown.
Han said that when he went to another high-speed line for business in the past, he saw the area and wondered if he would ever be in Wuwei. Now that his dream has come true, he says he is happy and proud.
Born and raised in Tianjin, Long Haishan, a 28-year-old member of the Tibetan ethnic group, is currently a high-speed train employee at the China Railway Lanzhou Bureau Group. He said he was proud to participate in the inauguration of the route through his hometown.
“The opening of the railway quickly brought my hometown closer to other cities, making our journey faster and more convenient,” he said.
Gao Ongongsheng, deputy director of the Wuwei Regional Economic Development Research Center, said the new route can further optimize the business environment, expand distribution channels and encourage more businesses to invest and develop in Wuwei.
The opening of the high-speed railway will improve the appearance of Wuwei city and surrounding towns, and further enhance Wuwei’s role as a passenger transportation hub, he said.
