New High-Speed Train
Xian-Chengdu high-speed rail line has completed its five-year construction and recently begins operation on Dec. 6. The Xian-Chengdu line is China’s first rail route that runs through the Qinling Mountains, the dividing line of north and south China.
The 658 km line links two ancient cities in China, Xian, capital of Shaanxi province in the northwest, and Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province in the southwest. Travel time between the two provincial capitals is now greatly reduced from 10-18 hours for normal trains to only 4-4.5 hours at traveling speeds up to 250 km/. This makes a day trip between the two cities possible.
There are 18 stations along the Xian-Chengdu high-speed rail line, which are Xian North Station, Epanggong Station, Huyi Station, Foping Station, Yangxian West Station, Chenggu North Station, Hanzhong Station, Ningqiang South Station, Chaotian Station, Guangyuan Station, Jianmenguan Station, Qingchuan Station, Jiangyou North Station, Jiangyou Station, Mianyang Station, Deyang Station, Guanghan Station, Chengdu East Station.
When you travel through central Shaanxi Plain, Qinling Mountains and Sichuan Basin on the bullet train, a rich variety of train sceneries is a feast for the eyes. The railway also traverses ecological areas including the Taibaishan and Hanzhong National Nature Reserves, which are home to the giant panda as well as the golden snub-nosed monkey. You will go through several long tunnels of 127 km in Qinling Mountains.
There are 7 pairs of D trains running between Xian North Railway Station and Chengdu East Railway Station every day.
Attractions along the Line
Xian North Station – Xian
Once known as Chang’an in ancient times, Xian has a history of over 3,000 years and is one of the oldest cities in China. It is the starting point of the Silk Road and served as the capital city for the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties. It is also home to the world-famous Terracotta Army. With so much history within the ground the city lies upon, it is no wonder that there are so many historical ruins, museums and cultural relics to be found here.
Epanggong Station – Epang Palace
The Epang Palace in western Xian was a palace complex of Emperor Qin Shihuang. Construction of the palace began in 212 BC, it was believed to be the largest and most luxurious palace in the country. However, Archeologists who have spent two years studying the ruins of the Epang Palace have concluded that it was never finished, except the front gate. The ruin of Epang Palace today is a terrace more than 1,200 meters long and 400 meters wide and is still popular amongst tourists.
Foping Station – Foping National Nature Reserve
Situated in the Qinling Mountains, Foping National Nature Reserve is a national park with a view to protecting rare animals, including the goldren monkey, North-Chinese leopard and giant panda. It supported a relatively stable population of about 100 pandas.
Hangzhong Station – Tiankeng
A cluster of giant karst sinkholes, also known as Tiankeng, was discovered in the city of Hanzhong in 2016. Geologists announced that it is one of the largest on Earth. It includes 49 sinkholes and more than 50 funnels ranging from 50-100 meters in diameter. Among these sinkholes is one that is over 500 meters in diameter.
Qingchuan Station – Qingchuan County
Qingchuan county is a county in Sichuan where the Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve nestles. This 100,000 acre reserve contains some of the richest temperate forests in the world and is also home to abundant wildlife like Takin, Tibetan macaque, musk deer, bear and lots of birds.
Chengdu East Station – Chengdu
One of the three most popular cities in Western China, Chengdu is known as the “Country of Heaven” and the “Land of Abundance”. It serves as one of the most important economic, financial, commercial, cultural and transportation centers in Western China. Chengdu emphasizes culture and relaxation and so credited with a good nightlife scene in the city center. Tea houses and bars can be found everywhere in Chengdu.