An immediate benefit that comes to mind is tourism. For too long my hometown has been seen as a center of coal-mining where greedy pit owners exploit poor workers under a smog-shrouded sky. Shanxi province is actually a charming place that is home to the sacred Buddhist Mount Wutai and has magnificent courtyards that date back more than 250 years.

Of course, not everyone is happy with the new train. The bus companies are a prime example. In fact, the day after the fast train was put into service, some companies slashed ticket prices from 140 yuan ($20) to 90 yuan, but still saw fewer passengers.

Compared to the seven-hour bus ride from Beijing to Taiyuan, the train is much faster. It also costs just 157 yuan for a second-class seat and 189 yuan for a first class one.

During my trip, I saw a little boy excitedly drawing his mother's attention and exclaiming, "Mom! Look at the old train!"

Indeed, a green train, the kind I took 20 years ago, was moving alongside ours. But within five seconds, it had disappeared, overtaken by our "white thunder".

I felt happy for the kid, who looked just as excited as I had been at 8. But I guess, unlike me, his excitement over a train ride will never wane.