Chongqing - The Zhengzhou-Chongqing high-speed railway is about to run a trial tour on June 13, setting off from Chongqing North Railway Station to Wanzhou District, Wushan County, Yunyang County, and Fengjie County. 

At two o'clock in the afternoon, with the long whistle blowing, the "Beautiful Chongqing - Visiting the Yangtze River National Cultural Park by Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-speed Railway" was launched. Reporters from Chongqing will visit the beautiful scenery of the Yangtze River National Cultural Park for the following two days.

The activity "Beautiful Chongqing - Visiting the Yangtze River National Cultural Park by Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-speed Railway" was launched in Chongqing on June 13. (Photo/Alex)

Chongqing to be a transportation hub

The railway project started construction in December 2016 and is expected to be opened in June 2022.

The Zhengzhou-Chongqing high-speed railway connects Zhengzhou of Henan Province in the central region and Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The railway is 1,063 kilometers long with designed speeds from 250 km /h to 350 km/h. It consists of the Zhengzhou-Wanzhou section and Wanzhou-Chongqing section.

The Zhengzhou-Wanzhou section is 818 km long with a designed speed of 350 km/h. After it opens, the journey from the central city of Chongqing to Zhengzhou city will be shortened from eight to four hours, and the trip to Beijing will be shortened from 12 to 6 hours.

The Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-speed Railway ran a test from Chongqing North Railway Station on June 13. (iChongqing/Zhang Gaowei）

As an essential part of China's "eight vertical and eight horizontal" high-speed railway network, the railway will become the major passenger expressway connecting Chongqing and North China, East China, and Central China, and also the fastest and most efficient railway passage from Chongqing to Beijing. 

Henan province, the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, and the Yangtze River Economic Belt will be more closely connected once the whole line is opened.

To promote Yangtze River National Cultural Park

The newly-built section of this railway in Chongqing goes through Wushan County, Fengjie County, Yunyang County, and Wanzhou District, namely the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.

The notice board at the Fuxing high-speed train says, "Chongqing North Railway Station to Wushan County." (Photo/Zhang Gaowei)

After it opens, it will also end the history of Wushan, Fengjie, and Yunyang being inaccessible to high-speed rail and provide convenience for people along the line to travel.

Along the railway, the Three Gorges Reservoir Area boasts abundant tourist resources, including Chongqing Three Gorges Immigration Memorial Hall, Qinglong Waterfall in Wanzhou District, Zhangfei Temple in Yunyang County, and Qutang Gorge in Fengjie County. The railway is expected to boost tourism in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.

The Yangtze River Three Gorges. (iChongqing file photo)

In addition, Chongqing aims to build a model of the Yangtze River National Cultural Park. It is understood that the National Cultural Park Construction Leading Group launched the construction of the Yangtze River National Cultural Park, aiming to protect the cultural relics and cultural heritage of the Yangtze River. 

The Chongqing section of the Yangtze River has a long history and beautiful cultural scenery. There is one world cultural heritage, three world natural heritage sites, 25,900 immovable cultural relics, and more than 130 national historical and cultural towns and traditional villages.