World’s Largest Rail Network, Runs At 350 KM/Hr Speed — Tracks Are ‘One-Fifth Longer’ Than Earth’s Circumference

China’s Xi’an-Yan’an high-speed railway has finally opened, marking a big change for people living in northern Shanxi Province. After years of waiting, the new rail line now connects the region to China’s fast-growing high-speed rail network, cutting travel time and making daily movement much easier.

The launch has sparked excitement among locals, many of whom are using a high-speed train for the first time. A video showing the first journeys on the line is now drawing attention online, capturing both the train’s features and the emotions of the passengers.

Locals Share Excitement As Trains Begin Service

A video making the rounds online gives a closer look at the Xi’an–Yan’an high-speed railway and the reaction it has received. The clip opens with

an introduction to the project, stating, “The Xi’an-Yan’an high-speed railway officially began operations on Friday, December 26, bringing northern Shanxi Province fully into China’s high-speed rail era. For residents, this is a long-anticipated moment.”

Passengers, in the video, expressed their excitement. A local told CGTN, “This is my first time taking a high-speed train, and I’m really excited.” Another person shared, “It’s the very first run of this line. We came especially to take the inaugural train and experience it for ourselves.”

For many, the biggest change is the time saved. A woman in the video said, “It was unimaginable before that it now takes just one hour and eight minutes to get to Xi’an.” The shorter travel time has made trips that once felt tiring now feel simple and quick.

Watch the clip here:

Building A Railway Through Difficult Land

The voiceover in the video also explains why this project took so much effort. “Northern Shanxi is located on the Loess Plateau, a region known for its deeply carved terrain. It has long-standing transportation constraints. Crossing this complex landscape, the railway showcases advanced engineering solutions developed for the challenging geological conditions,” the video explaind.

Chen Xiaojun, Deputy Director of the Xi’an-Yan’an high-speed railway project Construction Command Centre, spoke about the challenges faced during construction.

He told CGTN, “More than 90 per cent of the Xi’an-Yan’an high-speed railway consists of bridges and tunnels. Engineers also had to overcome technical challenges caused by fragile and unstable soil. To address these difficulties, innovative technologies and new construction techniques were widely applied throughout the project.”

As high-speed rail continues to change daily life across China, this new line is expected to improve links between cities and nearby towns. With this launch, China’s total high-speed rail network has reportedly now crossed 50,000 kilometers, helping bring faster travel closer to everyday life.

The country has the world’s largest rail network — one-fifth longer than the circumference of the earth, reported AFP.

The C9309 train runs at 350 kilometres (217 miles) per hour, outpacing Japan’s Shinkansen, which has a top speed of 320 kilometres (200 miles) per hour, the report added.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Xi’an–Yan’an high-speed railway?

It is a new high-speed rail line in China that connects Xi’an and Yan’an, making travel between the two cities much faster and easier.

When did the Xi’an–Yan’an high-speed railway start operating?

The railway officially began operations on December 26.

How much time does the train take to travel from Yan’an to Xi’an?

The journey now takes just about one hour and eight minutes, which is much shorter than before.

Why is this railway important for northern Shanxi?

Northern Shanxi has difficult terrain and long travel challenges. This railway improves connectivity and brings faster access to cities, jobs, and services.