A train carrying around 300 passengers bound for Chengde in North China’s Hebei province embarked on its maiden trip from Harbin, capital of northeastern Heilongjiang province, on July 10.

The Harbin-Chengde high-speed train (G3802/G3801) is operated by the Harbin Bureau of China Railway Co and runs every day. It is the first direct high-speed train running between the two cities, both of which have been voted as great summer resorts for their cool summer weather.

The train departs from Harbin West Railway Station at 6:27 am and passes through Changchun West, Siping East, Shenyang North, Xinmin North, Fuxin, Beipiao, and Chaoyang before finally arriving at Chengde South Railway Station at 11:09 am.

After a 20-minutes layover, it will depart from Chengde and arrive in Harbin at 16:36.

The high-speed train is made up of eight cars and can handle up to 551 passengers. It can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h, said officials.

“The train helps save on time and money traveling between Harbin and Chengde,” said Mr Cao, who usually travels to Chengde via plane and then transfers in Tianjin. It takes about one day and costs more than 1,000 yuan for a single journey.

The new Harbin-Chengde high-speed train takes 4 hours and 42 minutes to complete the 1,043-kilometer single journey. A second class ticket costs 489.5 yuan and a first class ticket costs 782.5 yuan.

Workers serving the G3802 Harbin-Chengde high-speed train pose for a photo at Harbin West Railway Station on July 10. [Photo/chinanews.com]

People ride the first Harbin-Chengde high-speed train on July 10. [Photo/MY399.COM]

Passengers of the first Harbin-Chengde high-speed train pose for a photo on July 10. [Photo/MY399.COM]