A new high-speed rail section from Shenyang to Baihe in Northeastern China opened Sunday, cutting travel time from Beijing to Changbai Mountain to just 4 hours and 33 minutes — over an hour faster than before. The line is expected to boost tourism and economic development in Northeast China.

The 430-kilometer Shenyang—Baihe section passes through Fushun, Tonghua, and Baishan before reaching Changbai Mountain Station in Jilin province. Trains travel up to 350 km/h, stopping at 10 stations along the route.

Construction began in July 2021. To meet different passenger needs, flexible discounts and market-based ticket pricing have been introduced, with tickets available through China's official railway booking platform, 12306.

The project faced major engineering challenges. "The line crosses permafrost, volcanic ash formations, wetlands, and the largest karst tunnel network in Northeast China," said Liu Wei, chief engineer for the project at the China Railway Design Corp. "We overcame these challenges through innovation while protecting the environment."

Green development was a key focus. A 236-meter fully enclosed "quiet cabin" protects the habitat of the endangered Chinese merganser, while a 1,900-meter semi-enclosed sound barrier reduces noise for residents in Fushun. The railway also includes 36 ecological corridors to allow wildlife to move freely.

The Shenyang-Baihe section is part of the Shenyang-Jiamusi High-Speed Railway, which, once complete, will integrate Fushun, Tonghua, and Baishan into China's national high-speed rail network.

The new line will make regional travel faster, open up tourism around Changbai Mountain and Songjiang River National Forest Park, and support high-quality economic growth in the Northeast, according to the national railway operator China State Railway Group.