China sets global record with high-speed rail network length
China’s high-speed rail network has exceeded 50,000 kilometres in total length, surpassing the combined length of all other countries worldwide. This milestone underlines China’s leadership not only in scale but also in the speed of travel on these lines.
Over the past five years, the network has grown by 32%, covering 97% of Chinese cities with populations over 500,000. By the end of 2024, the high-speed rail lines extended to approximately 47,000 kilometres. The country’s first high-speed rail line, opened in 2008, connected Beijing and Tianjin, enabling journeys of up to 2,000 kilometres round trip within a single day.
This expansion reflects China’s ongoing investment focus on transport infrastructure, boosting economic growth and enhancing population mobility.
