(Ecns.cn)--The landmark Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway is set to launch this Thursday, June 30. Several days ahead of full operation, some travel agencies have already introduced their first-day tour packages to satisfy the appetite of eager passengers.
As summer vacation is approaching, various travel agencies' products, using the high-speed railway as a selling point, are competing for customers, as they believe the rail will become a perfect choice for weekend getaways.
Travelling south in a bullet train
The Beijing-Shanghai railway passes through many tourist cities that are full of World Heritage Sites such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Mount Tai, as well as other attractive tourist spots.
According to a staff member at a travel agency, tourist packages using the high-speed railway are welcomed by customers, especially individual travelers. Travelers can head to their destinations in first- or second-class seats at a speed of 300kph.
The China International Travel Service (CITS) revealed that it plans to introduce two major tour packages, focusing on East China and Shandong Province. The East China route will take 3 days, which is suitable for a 3-day public vacation, while the Shandong Province route will only take 2 days, a good choice for the weekend.
"After the full operation of the high-speed railway, cities in the South will be the back garden for dwellers in Beijing. Travelers can experience the slow pace in the South and on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River," said Ma Lan, director of the CITS East China market.
Ma disclosed that ancillary facilities around the stations along the rail will be ready after full operation. More mass transportation will make it convenient for travelers to move between terminals and downtowns.
Ma also said that the ticket booking system that requires the use of real-names can effectively crack down on scalpers, but it also poses problems to travel agencies because they may not be able to get tickets for their customers like before. Therefore, travelers should form the habit of planning ahead.
On-time advantage is an attraction for travelers
Compared to airlines, the high-speed railway is more punctual and can curtail the time lost on the way to the airport, as well as the security check, before boarding.
Since the weekend is precious for white collar workers, the rail has its advantages. If they choose a flight and then it is delayed or cancelled, it will not only affect the whole plan, but also the good mood of travelling.
According to China's railway ministry, tickets for trips on high-speed trains running at 300kph on the Beijing-Shanghai rail will be priced at 555 yuan ($85.60 USD) for second-class seats, which is lower than that of airlines.
"Railway is the best choice for travelling because it is fast, safe, and punctual compared to other means of transportation," said Liu Deqian, deputy director of the Tourism Research Center at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences.
Liu expects that the high-speed railway will lure more tourists to cities along the line and boost the local tourism industry.
