On a recent weekday morning, Liu Ai’jun boarded one of eight daily high-speed rail services between Urumqi, capital of China’s north-western Xinjiang region, and Hami, an oasis town 614km to the east.
The trip, along the longest and most expensive line in the country’s HSR network, took just three hours and cost Rmb167 ($24). Previously Mr Liu, a self-employed elevator salesman and technician, used to rely on infrequent and expensive flights between the two cities. Before the new HSR line was completed in 2014, the train between Urumqi and Hami took seven hours.
“If you’re not in a rush, why not take the train,” Mr Liu said. “The train is a lot more relaxing [than flying].”
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