The first metro train for no-load trials on metro line 2's first phase starts operating on May 12. [Photo/dbw.cn]

Residents in Harbin, the capital city of China's northernmost Heilongjiang province, will enjoy enhanced transportation convenience in the near future.

The first phase of the new metro line 2, which is currently being developed in Harbin, officially started no-load trials on May 12. 

The trials are scheduled to last for three months, until August.

The metro line will be the backbone of Harbin's rail transit network from north to southeast, connecting the areas along the southern and northern banks of the Songhua River.

It runs through Harbin's Hulan, Songbei, Daoli, Nangang and Xiangfang districts.

The line has a total length of 28.7 kilometers, with 19 underground stations along the line.

The metro route starts from Jiangbei University City Station in Limin Development Zone, passing through Sun Island Station, People's Square Station, Harbin Central Avenue Station, Heilongjiang Provincial Government Station, Harbin North Railway Station, Harbin Ice and Snow World Station, Harbin Railway Station and Heilongjiang Museum Station, before finally arriving at the Meteorological Station in Xiangfang district.

Of these, eight stations will provide transfers to Harbin's metro lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8.

The total investment for metro line 2 is around 20.49 billion yuan ($2.93 billion).

In addition, the first phase of Harbin's metro line 2 will become the country's first "line-network-type" smart subway.

The new metro route will provide citizens with enhanced travel convenience through the application of urban rail cloud, big data, intelligent metro operation and maintenance management.