Southwest China’s Guizhou province has achieved a significant transportation milestone with the inauguration of a new high-speed railway connecting Panzhou and Xingyi. The line, which commenced operations on Friday, November 28, 2025, marks the completion of high-speed rail access to all city-level administrative regions within the mountainous province.
The 99-kilometer railway, engineered for speeds up to 250 km/h, represents a technical triumph as it navigates Guizhou’s challenging karst topography. The project effectively integrates Xingyi—administrative center of the Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture—into China’s national high-speed network, establishing a one-hour travel circle centered around provincial capital Guiyang.
At 9:38 AM, driver Wang Changli initiated the inaugural service from Xingyi South Railway Station with the traditional departure protocol: ‘Signal clear, doors closed, on time!’ The opening has been met with enthusiastic response from local residents, with one Xingyi resident surnamed Yang noting the dramatic improvement in travel convenience: ‘The speed is remarkable—traveling to Guiyang now feels like going to the market, with round-trip possible within a single day.’
Transport officials anticipate substantial economic benefits from the new infrastructure. Zhang Kun of the Guizhou Provincial Department of Transport outlined plans to develop logistics parks, economic clusters, and tourist distribution centers along the railway corridor. The enhanced connectivity is expected to boost tourism particularly, facilitating access to scenic attractions such as the renowned Wanfenglin landscape.
Jiang Guoyun, General Manager of project investor Guizhou Railway Investment Group, emphasized the company’s commitment to further developing railway networks, addressing connectivity gaps, and strengthening supply chains to create a more comprehensive and efficient modern rail system for the region.