The Hangzhou-Quzhou high-speed railway opens on Dec 26. [Photo/Tide News]

Train C3132 departed from Quzhou West Railway Station in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, at 9:16 am on Dec 26, heading toward Hangzhou's railway stations, which marks the opening of the Hangzhou-Quzhou high-speed railway.

The Hangzhou-Quzhou high-speed railway stretches some 131 kilometers in Zhejiang, passing through Hangzhou's Jiande county-level city and Quzhou's Longyou county, Kecheng district, and Jiangshan county-level city.

The new line serves six stations including the newly built Jiande South, Longyou North, and Quzhou West railway stations. The route features an impressive 78.7 percent bridge-tunnel ratio, the result of significant engineering achievements.

Following the railway's opening, travel time from Quzhou West Railway Station in Kecheng district to Hangzhou West Railway Station in Hangzhou's Yuhang district is about one hour, and to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is approximately 2.5 hours, greatly enhancing commuting efficiency.

As a vital component of the Yangtze River Delta's regional transport network, the Hangzhou-Quzhou high-speed railway serves as an important auxiliary route, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and supporting Zhejiang's common prosperity demonstration zone development.

Cai Xiaolong, director of Quzhou's transportation bureau, said that a passenger service plan has been developed. Initially, temporary trains will run during a transition period, with full integration into the national schedule starting Jan 26, offering routes to Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Nanjing.

The railway operates at a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour, with 12 cross-line trains running daily during the initial phase.