A "Fuxing" bullet train is pictured at Yan'an Station of the new Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
XI'AN, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Yan'an, perched on the loess hills of northern Shaanxi, gained international attention through American journalist Edgar Snow's 1937 classic "Red Star Over China," which depicted the region as one of China's poorest areas but also as a beacon of hope, with the Communist Party of China (CPC) leading the country toward independence and liberation.
During the Long March (1934-1936), Mao Zedong and his comrades reached Yan'an, where they established the CPC headquarters and lived and worked for 13 years. This was the place where they led the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and where the War of Liberation commenced against the reactionary Kuomintang regime, before the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.
"Yan'an is of great significance as it symbolizes the turning point of the Chinese revolution led by the CPC, and is the cradle of the great Yan'an Spirit," said He Lei, a professor at the China Executive Leadership Academy, Yan'an.
As a strategic stronghold in northwest China, Yan'an opened an airport nearly 90 years ago. However, due to difficult geological conditions on the Loess Plateau and other factors, it was not until 1992 that the first conventional railway connecting it to Xi'an was opened.
The arrival of high-speed rail in Yan'an comes 17 years after China opened its first high-speed railway line between Beijing and Tianjin in 2008, when the Olympics were held in the Chinese capital.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Yan'an has emerged as both a spiritual landmark for the Party's continued "self-revolution" and a symbol of successful poverty alleviation. New museums, Party education institutes, and upgraded infrastructure have drawn increased national attention. A visit by the newly elected top leadership days after the 20th CPC National Congress concluded in 2022 has further raised the city's profile.
"The Yan'an Spirit of maintaining the correct political direction, seeking truth from facts, serving the people wholeheartedly, and being diligent and enterprising will continue to lead the country to overcome difficulties and forge ahead bravely, and basically achieve modernization by 2035," He said.
Yan'an has become a destination for an increasing number of tourists seeking historical and contemporary inspiration. It is renowned for exporting fine thoughts, as well as abundant goods and resources -- from apples and intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship to mineral products. The city's GDP grew by 5.5 percent in 2024, outpacing the national average level.
The high-speed rail project started in 2021. Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau.
More than half of the new route crosses soft, water-sensitive loess, presenting world-class engineering challenges in controlling ground settlement and ensuring structural stability.
The route is largely elevated or underground, with 91 percent running on bridges or through tunnels. Its 47 tunnels span over 169 km, more than three times the length of the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France.
The opening of this line has brought China's high-speed rail mileage to over 50,000 km, exceeding the total of all other countries combined. ■
Staff members check the first train of the new Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway at Yan'an Station in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. China, home to the world's largest high-speed rail network, has expanded its total operational mileage beyond 50,000 kilometers with the launch of the new Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
Staff members of the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway pose for a group photo inside a carriage at Yan'an Station in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
Passengers taking the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway pose for photos with performers at Yan'an Station in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
Passengers board the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway at Yan'an Station in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
Constructors pose for a group photo on the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway at Yan'an Station in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
Constructors pose for a group photo on the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway at Yan'an Station in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
A train attendant pastes a paper-cut window decoration on the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway at Yan'an Station in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
A train attendant introduces specialities of Yan'an on the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
Drivers of the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway make preparations at Yan'an Station in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Photo by Cao Xin/Xinhua)
People perform during a promotional event marking the operation of Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway at Xi'an North Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
A passenger celebrates in front of C9312, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway, at Xi'an North Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Journalists take photos during a promotional event marking the operation of Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway at Xi'an North Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
A passenger board the C9312 bullet train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway poses for photos at Luochuan Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Residents perform Ansai waist-drum, a traditional drum dance, at Yan'an Station along the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Photo by Liu Yijiang/Xinhua)
A staff member interacts with passengers inside a carriage of the C9312 bullet train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Train attendants take selfies in front of the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
Passengers read brochures about Yan'an culture on the C9312 bullet train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
People perform on the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 26, 2025 shows a bullet train running past Tongchuan North Railway Station along the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua)
Passengers buy tickets at Fuping South Railway Station along the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
C9312, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway, departs from Fuping South Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
C9312, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway, arrives at Fuping South Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
A staff member guides passengers to use a ticket vending machine at Fuping South Railway Station along the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
C9312, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway, is pictured at Fuping South Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
People perform on the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
Passengers line up for ticket check at Fuping South Railway Station along the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
Passengers arrived are pictured at Fuping South Railway Station along the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 26, 2025 shows a bullet train running on Fuping grand bridge along the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 26, 2025 shows a bullet train running on the Wangjiahe grand bridge along Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Photo by Ren Wei/Xinhua)
C9312, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway, departs from Fuping South Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
C9312, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway bound for Yan'an, departs from Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
A passenger poses for photos in front of the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway bound for Yan'an at Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
Passengers and train attendants take selfies in front of the train C9312 of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
Passengers attend a promotional event marking the operation of Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway at Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
Passengers board C9312, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway bound for Yan'an, in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
This photo taken on Dec. 26, 2025 shows C9312, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway bound for Yan'an, at Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
A passenger shows postcards marking the start of operation of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway at Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 26, 2025 shows C9309, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway bound for Xi'an, approaching Fuping South Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
Passengers wait to board C9312, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway bound for Yan'an, at Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2025. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 26, 2025 shows the train C9339 bound for Xi'an running past Fuping South Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 26, 2025 shows C9309, the first train of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway bound for Xi'an, running on the Fuping grand bridge in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. A sleek silver bullet train departed Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday, linking the sacred revolutionary heartland to the country's rapidly expanding high-speed rail network.
The newly opened 299-km line connects Yan'an with Xi'an, the provincial capital and home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, slashing travel time between the two cities from about 2.5 hours to roughly one hour.
Designed for operations of up to 350 km per hour, the line marked the fastest train running on the Loess Plateau. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
