►►Driver’s eye view of the new high speed line. Picture by Xinhua◀◀

China’s high speed rail revolution continues apace, while Britain languishes on the slow line.

The latest 280 mile high-speed line opened last week on 28 December 2013 from Xiamen to Shenzhen, completing a 764 mile high speed route from Shanghai to Shenzhen.

China's railway network now includes 6,000 miles of high speed lines, compared to Britain’s 67 miles.

Twenty-six trains depart from Shenzhen (which adjoins Hong Kong) daily to destinations including Xiamen, Shanghai and Nanjing.

The travel time from Shenzhen to Xiamen has been slashed from 15 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes.

Passengers on the first train said ticket prices were competitive with both coach and air travel. A single ticket from Shenzhen to Xiamen costs £15.

The Chinese authorities have not provided official estimates on the Shenzhen-Xiamen project's cost, but it is estimated at £4.1 billion.

Hong Kong is expecting a big increase in the number of Chinese shoppers and tourists, as a result of the new line.
South China Morning Post report

Railway Gazette report