A new Hexie (harmony) high-speed train that directly connects Shaoxing's Shangyu district and Beijing was officially launched on April 10.

"It is great news for those making business trips between Shaoxing and Beijing," said Ge Meishen, a Shaoxing native who works in Beijing.

The opening of the Shangyubei Railway Station in 2013 marked Shangyu's inclusion in China's high-speed rail service. In 2016, the station was renamed Shaoxingdong Railway Station.

The station's annual passenger throughput has grown from 2.6 million to 4.32 million over the past eight years.

The launch of the train is part of the local government's efforts to integrate itself into the Yangtze River Delta area. "This year, Shangyu started 14 major transportation projects worth 5.78 billion yuan ($889.5 million)," said an official at the transportation bureau of Shangyu.

"The direct Shangyu-Beijing trains mean a lot to us," said Zhang Mingjun, director of the administrative committee of Cao'e River Tourism Resort, the most popular travel destination in Shangyu. "We are already working on promotional activities in Beijing and designing tour routes for tourists from North China."

Cao'e River in Shangyu district, Shaoxing. [Photo/IC]