The Beijing–Harbin high speed railway marked the 5th anniversary of its full operation on January 22, celebrating half a decade since the entire 1,198 kilometre line began running. The rail corridor connects Beijing with the northeastern provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang, linking the capital with major cities such as Harbin.
Since opening on January 22, 2021, the line has become a backbone of travel and logistics in northern China. According to China Railway Harbin Bureau Group data, the railway has carried approximately 39.36 million passengers over the past five years, with annual ridership rising from 4.86 million in 2021 to 11.63 million in 2025, more than doubling in that period.
The route, designed for high speed operation up to 350 kilometres per hour, is a key component of China’s broader “Eight Verticals and Eight Horizontals” high speed rail network, helping cut travel times, enhance regional connectivity, and spur economic integration between the northeast and other parts of the country.
Over the anniversary period, passengers and railway staff were seen marking the occasion aboard bullet trains running between Harbin and Beijing, highlighting the rail line’s role in linking distant regions and making travel more convenient for millions.
Railway officials also noted continuous improvements in service and capacity, including increased daily train frequencies and ongoing efforts to optimise operations along the corridor.
