In yet another symbol of China’s rapid development and increasing technological prowess, a high-speed train called the Harmony express shortened a previously 11 hour trip across China to a mere 3 hours. The Harmony express raced along the 1,100km (684 mile) route from Guangzhou to the central city of Wuhan at an average speed of 350km per hour (218mph), reaching a top speed of 394km per hour (245mph). Japan’s “Shinkansen” bullet trains and France’s TGV service, two pioneers and models when it comes to high-speed rail, have maximum services speeds of 300km per hour (186mph). The U.S. has the so-called “Express” Acela service from Amtrak which takes 3.5 hours to trundle between New York and Boston, a distance of only 300km (186miles) or roughly 30% of the distance that the new Chinese route can cover in the same time. Here is a summary of the new rail line and China’s rail ambitions by the numbers:

• 56- Number of times the train will run per day
• 394kmph- Top speed reached by Harmony
• 1,000km- Distance traveled in less than 3 hours
• $17bn- Cost of construction
• $115- Cost of a first-class ticket from Guangshou to Wuhan
• 18,000km- Quantity of rail track China plans to lay by 2012

70% of the new Harmony route goes through tunnels and over elevated tracks, which is one reason the line cost $17bn to construct. This is one part of Beijing’s plan to complete 18,000km (11,185 miles) of high-speed rail lines by 2012. The country is taking a transportation infrastructure cue from Japan and France by more recently focusing on high-speed rail instead of roads. The U.S. highway system, once a model for China, is seen as more suitable for America than for China, which has three times the population and less space for such a country-wide expressway system for cars. While cars will continue to a booming consumer good in China and road construction will surely continue, China is making a huge bet on rail to connect the country. The government hopes to make trips between most provincial capitals 8 hours or less.

- Justin Manger

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