High-speed rail eases travel to 'cradle of revolution'

A high-speed railway service that opened on Thursday will make it easier for tourists to visit the "cradle of the Chinese revolution," in Jinggangshan, Jiangxi province.

The Nanchang-Ganzhou High-Speed Railway, with a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour, takes visitors through the city of Ji'an, which is only a short distance from Jinggangshan by regular train.

The railway is connected with the Beijing-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway and the Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Railway.

Jinggangshan has become a popular destination for domestic and international visitors, as it boasts pristine natural scenery and the cultural heritage of the revolution.

The first railway tracks were laid in the city in 2006, and in May 2004 the Jinggangshan Airport opened, injecting great vitality into the mountainous area.

"The opening of the high-speed railway service has further accelerated the development of the old revolutionary base," said Chen Shenghua, professor at the China Executive Leadership Academy Jinggangshan.

An economic development zone has been planned near the Ji'an West Railway Station in Jinggangshan, which has a planned area of 7.6 square kilometers.

Xiao Xin, chairman of Ji'an City Investment Holding Group, said the development zone, with an investment of more than 15 billion yuan ($2.14 billion) will feature exhibitions and tourism.

"The high-speed railway has opened up a new channel for Jinggangshan," Xiao said. "Many enterprises from the coastal provinces are eyeing mountain tourist resources in the area."