High-speed rail link to boost tourism in Jiangshan

Government officials from Jiangshan, Zhejiang province, recently gathered in Beijing to celebrate the opening of a high-speed rail network connecting the two cities.

Jiangshan Railway Station has added 34 high-speed trains to cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Nanjing, thanks to the recent opening of the Hangzhou-Changsha high-speed railway.

The new rail network has greatly reduced the travel time from these cities to Jiangshan, and the city hopes this will attract more domestic tourists. For example, it takes seven hours and 25 minutes to travel from Beijing to Jiangshan, and about two hours to get to the city from Shanghai.

According to a promotion that runs through Feb 10, tourists who take high-speed trains to Jiangshan can tour all the city's scenic spots, such as the ancient fortress Xianxiagua and Nianbadu ancient town, for only 1 yuan ($0.16).

They can enjoy discounted tickets via the city's official WeChat account and online tourism agencies such as ly.com, Ctrip and Taobao. Travelers must show proof of their train ticket purchase and an ID to be eligible.

Mao Shufeng, head of Jiangshan's tourism bureau, said at a news conference that the local government will also be offering hotel discounts.

Visitors can enjoy the picturesque scenery of Mount Jianglang, part of China Danxia that was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2010, and explore Qingyang village, the home of Mao Zedong's ancestors.