Ruijin-Yan'an High-Speed Rail Opens, Cutting Journey to 11.5 Hours
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A direct high-speed rail service connecting Ruijin in Jiangxi Province, the departure point of the Red Army's legendary Long March, to Yan'an in Shaanxi Province, its ultimate destination, officially launched on Sunday, 6 September 2026. The inaugural G3998 Fuxing Hao train departed Ruijin station at 11:02, carrying descendants of Long March veterans who brought precious revolutionary relics aboard to complete a historic journey spanning space and time. The 1,857-kilometre line traverses Jiangxi, Hubei, and Shaanxi provinces, reaching 25 stations including major cities such as Nanchang, Lushan, Wuhan, Xi'an, and Yan'an. Journey time is approximately 11.5 hours, with tickets priced between 800 and 2,600 yuan. The route leverages existing high-speed rail infrastructure including the Ganruilong Railway, the Beijing-Hong Kong High-Speed Rail, and the Xi'an-Yan'an High-Speed Rail. Prior to this service, travellers between the two cities had to make at least two transfers, taking 16 to 22 hours, severely limiting personnel exchanges and red tourism development.
Key Points
- The G3998 Fuxing Hao service connects Ruijin and Yan'an in 11.5 hours across 1,857 kilometres, with tickets priced from 800 to 2,600 yuan
- The line operates 25 stops including Yudu, Ji'an, Nanchang, Lushan, Wuhan, Hankou, Xi'an, and Yan'an, linking three railway bureaus
- Long March veterans' descendants boarded the inaugural train carrying revolutionary relics to complete a symbolic journey
- Ruijin and Yudu authorities are offering discounts including free admission and hotel benefits for arriving passengers
- Ye Ronggen of China Railway Nanchang Bureau stated the line provides a fast channel for red culture exchange and revolutionary old base revitalisation
Why It Matters
The direct rail link transforms what was previously a two-transfer, 16-22 hour journey into a single 11.5-hour trip, removing a longstanding barrier to cultural and commercial exchanges between two of China's most significant revolutionary sites . As the 90th anniversary of the Long March approaches, the route is poised to channel tourism spending into old revolutionary base areas along the route, supporting broader revitalisation goals while preserving the legacy of the historic campaign .
The direct rail link transforms what was previously a two-transfer, 16-22 hour journey into a single 11.5-hour trip, removing a longstanding barrier to cultural and commercial exchanges between two of China's most significant revolutionary sites . As the 90th anniversary of the Long March approaches, the route is poised to channel tourism spending into old revolutionary base areas along the route, supporting broader revitalisation goals while preserving the legacy of the historic campaign .