Dateline: Beijing: A new high-speed rail link began operation on Sunday, significantly shortening the travel time from Beijing to the renowned Changbai Mountain in the northeastern province of Jilin. This development is set to bolster China's burgeoning winter sports and ice tourism market.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Shenyang-Baihe section of the Shenyang-Jiamusi High-Speed Railway, designed to reach speeds of 350 km per hour, officially commenced service on Sunday. The new line reduces the journey from Beijing to the Changbai Mountain area, a favored winter destination known for its ski resorts, to just 4 hours and 33 minutes, saving travelers about one and a half hours.

To meet the needs of tourists, the trains offer extra space between seats to accommodate ski equipment. Carriages are equipped with an intelligent temperature control system to manage indoor-outdoor temperature changes. Stations along the route provide integrated tourism service counters for seamless bookings to the Changbai Mountain scenic area and self-drive tours.

The rail route, spanning the heart of the Changbai Mountain area, features 77 percent of its track laid as bridges or tunnels. Builders addressed challenges posed by extreme cold and complex geology using domestically developed installation tools and cold-resistant materials. Ecological conservation was prioritized by constructing bridges to bypass core wildlife habitats, including those of the Siberian tiger and Chinese yew.

Jilin, located between 40 and 50 degrees north latitude, is famed for its natural, powdery snow. With 68 ski resorts and 361 ski trails covering 1,414 hectares and extending 398 kilometers, Jilin's infrastructure supports skiers of all skill levels. From November 2024 to March 2025, Jilin welcomed 170 million domestic tourists, marking a 35 percent increase year on year.