Discounted rail tickets offered beginning Wednesday

Railway authorities will offer discounts as deep as 45 percent off ticket prices for more than 200 train services on 25 intercity railways starting Wednesday, the China State Railway Group said on Monday.

The move is to meet the rising demand of commuting after work resumption and encourage spring excursions to nearby destinations, it said.

The discounts will be given on several lines, including Harbin to Qiqihar in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Changchun to Baicheng in Northeast China's Jilin province, Zhengzhou to Kaifeng in Central China's Henan province, Guangzhou to Huizhou in South China's Guangdong province and Changsha to Zhuzhou in Central China's Hunan province.

The group said that passengers can purchase discounted tickets starting Tuesday.