In the six years since China opened its first high-speed rail line, the country's network has grown to 6,800 miles of dedicated track -- making it by far the world's largest system.
6,800 miles of fast track —
In the six years since China opened its first high-speed rail line, the country's network has grown to 6,800 miles of dedicated track -- making it by far the world's largest system.
photo: AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The extensive network connects just about every major city in eastern China -- from Harbin in the north to Shenzhen, near the border with Hong Kong.
Beijing to Shanghai in 5 hours —
The extensive network connects just about every major city in eastern China -- from Harbin in the north to Shenzhen, near the border with Hong Kong.
photo: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
If 6,800 miles of high speed track isn't impressive, just wait for China's next trick.
Going the distance —
If 6,800 miles of high speed track isn't impressive, just wait for China's next trick.
photo: PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images
How fast? While most routes on the network call for operating speeds of 125 mph to 190 mph, some allow trains to travel at nearly 220 mph.
Faster than a speeding bullet —
How fast? While most routes on the network call for operating speeds of 125 mph to 190 mph, some allow trains to travel at nearly 220 mph.
photo: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
While high-speed trains are common in Europe, Japan and China, they are <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2009%2F06%2F10%2Fnews%2Feconomy%2Fhigh_speed_rail%2F">exceedingly rare</a> in the United States.
U.S. left in the dust —
While high-speed trains are common in Europe, Japan and China, they are exceedingly rare in the United States.
photo: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
Lured by low prices and the promise of arriving on time, many travelers are <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2Fgallery%2Fnews%2Fcompanies%2F2014%2F05%2F28%2Fchina-aviation%2F">abandoning Chinese airlines</a> and taking the high-speed train instead.
Why fly when you can train? —
Lured by low prices and the promise of arriving on time, many travelers are abandoning Chinese airlines and taking the high-speed train instead.
photo: ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images
China's high-speed rail system wasn't cheap, and the project weighed heavily on the finances of China's former Railway Ministry.
The price of speed —
China's high-speed rail system wasn't cheap, and the project weighed heavily on the finances of China's former Railway Ministry.
photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images
While China's high-speed trains are certainly safer than the nation's roads, public confidence in the system was shaken by a major accident in 2011.
Accidents do happen —
While China's high-speed trains are certainly safer than the nation's roads, public confidence in the system was shaken by a major accident in 2011.
photo: WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images