Is China's High-Speed Rail Really That Impressive?
China’s high-speed rail is a dazzling symbol of the country. Sometimes, while riding on a Chinese high-speed train, you might momentarily feel like you’re on an exceptionally smooth airplane.
Numerous European tourists are amazed by the speed of China’s high-speed rail and frequently share their experiences on social media platforms like TikTok. This proves the astonishing nature of China’s high-speed rail. However, if you haven’t experienced “flying” on the ground firsthand, it is hard to comprehend the excitement it brings.
Average Speed of 350 km/h: Not Too Fast, Just Flying Too Low
You might not know that an airplane at this speed can actually take off! Since September 2017, the CR400 Fuxing, a Chinese standard EMU, has been operating on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail line, setting a new world benchmark with its 350 km/h speed. And the CR450 fill the gap in the 400 km/h high-speed rail technology standard system, ushering in a new era of 400 km/h.
Boarding with ID or Passport
According to relevant regulations, passengers can purchase tickets online using four types of valid documents: the People’s Republic of China Resident Identity Card, the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, and passports.
Traversing Deserts
China built the “Haramain High-Speed Rail” for Saudi Arabia, the world’s first desert high-speed rail, at a cost of about $105 million (700 million RMB) per kilometer. The high-speed rail runs through high-temperature and arid areas, with the terrain mostly covered by shifting or semi-shifting sand dunes, posing great challenges for construction. After 10 years of arduous efforts, the double-track electrified high-speed rail with a design speed of 360 km/h was completed on September 14, 2018. It reduced the travel time between Mecca and Medina from 4 hours to 2 hours, greatly easing local traffic pressure.
Extremely Smooth Operation
To date, China’s high-speed rail operates very smoothly. On a train traveling at 350 km/h, you can balance a coin upright.
Running in Extreme Cold
The Harbin-Dalian high-speed rail line experiences a maximum temperature difference of nearly 70℃ between winter and summer, with the lowest temperature reaching -40℃. As of December 1, 2022, in its 10 years of operation, the Harbin-Dalian high-speed rail has experienced 588 snowfalls, with an average snow depth of 67 mm. It has safely transported 670 million passengers over 739,000 train trips and 67.117 million kilometers, effectively promoting economic and social development in Northeast China.
Massive Scale
China’s high-speed rail leads the world in its massive scale and rapid development. By the end of 2023, China’s high-speed rail network spanned 45,000 kilometers, surpassing the circumference of the Earth.
Asia’s Largest Train Station
In December 2023, Guangzhou Baiyun Station was completed, with a total area of 2.63 million square meters. The overall hub area is 1.29 million square meters, with a station building area of 453,000 square meters, including 145,000 square meters for passenger use, making it the largest train station in Asia, surpassing Nanjing South Station.
Independently Developed Maglev Train
On July 20, 2021, China’s CRRC successfully rolled out a 600 km/h high-speed maglev transportation system in Qingdao, the world’s first designed to reach such a speed. This marks China’s mastery of the complete set of high-speed maglev technology and engineering capabilities.
World’s Longest High-Speed Rail Bridge
Currently, the world’s longest bridge is the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Railway Bridge on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, with a total length of 164.851 kilometers. It is the world’s longest bridge and the longest high-speed rail bridge.
China’s high-speed rail has developed rapidly, achieving a historic shift from following and running alongside others to running alongside and leading others. Since the opening of the first high-speed railway in 2008, China’s high-speed rail has become the world’s largest, fastest, most advanced, and best-serviced high-speed rail network. It showcases China’s technological prowess and innovation capabilities, driving economic and social development and improving the lives of the people.