A new high-speed railway in Northwest China that opened on Thursday is expected to boost the regional economy and people's livelihoods.

The railway, linking Yinchuan, capital of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, with Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, shortens travel time between the two cities to less than three hours over 431 kilometers. The trip in the past took five and a half hours.

There will be a maximum of 30 runs per day, including eight between Lanzhou and Yinchuan.

The first section, between Yinchuan and Zhongwei in Ningxia, was put into operation in December 2019. The second, between Zhongwei and Lanzhou — which opened on Thursday — passes many soft loess areas and other complex landscapes, which posed construction challenges.

The railway is an important piece of infrastructure in core areas involving in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn