Guiyang opens direct high-speed train to Sichuan's Songpan

A direct high-speed train between Guiyang and Songpan is now available. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

The train C4004 departed from Guiyangbei Railway Station in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, on Nov 8, marking the debut of a Guizhou-registered Fuxing high-speed train directly to Songpan county, Southwest China's Sichuan province.

It is expected provide a more diverse and personalized travel option for passengers traveling between the two areas and along the route.

C4004 makes use of the Fuxing CR300AF train, with a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour. It departs from Guiyangbei Railway Station at 10:05 am, stopping at Qingzhenxi, Qianxi, Yibinxi, Leshan, Chengdudong, and Maoxian stations before arriving at Songpan Railway Station at 4:06 pm the same day, taking a total of six hours and one minute.

The return train, C4006, departs from Songpan Railway Station at 5:06 pm, stopping at Maoxian, Mianzhunan, Shifangxi, Sanxingdui, Chengdudong, Yibinxi, and Bijie stations before arriving at Guiyangbei Railway Station at 11:03 pm the same day, taking a total of five hours and 57 minutes.

Tickets cost 643 yuan for first class and 403 yuan for second class and standing.

Previously, travelers from Guiyang to Sichuan's popular attractions such as Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou had to transfer in Chengdu. With the launch of this direct train, passengers can now depart from Guiyang in the morning and arrive in Songpan in the afternoon, saving time on transfers and making travel more convenient.

Songpan county is located in the northeastern part of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province, with a long history and deep cultural heritage.

It is home to many natural landscapes and cultural attractions, such as Huanglong, Mounigou, and Songpan Ancient City, as well as rich Tibetan and Qiang ethnic cultures. Songpan is also only a little over 100 km away from the renowned Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area.

To ensure the smooth operation of the direct train from Guiyang to Songpan, the Guiyang railway section conducted test runs of the high-speed train to ensure it can effectively handle high altitudes, large temperature differences, and low winter temperatures.

Guiyangbei Railway Station has formulated a passenger organization plan, arranged ticket checkpoints nearby, optimized passenger boarding routes, and provided services for elderly, children, patients, disabled individuals, and pregnant women.