Heyuan in South China's Guangdong province launched its first inter-city trains to Shenzhen and Guangzhou when the national new railway operating plan was put into effect on July 10.

The trains, which only take over two hours, can not only facilitate passengers' travel to the province's biggest cities, but also further reduce the traffic congestion between them.

Every day a train is scheduled to Shenzhen and Guangzhou from Heyuan. The Z8005 train departs from Heyuan Railway Station at 12:40 and arrives at Shenzhen Railway Station at 15:05, while the Z8003 train leaves Heyuan at 18:36 and gets to Guangzhou East Railway Station at 21:20.

"The launch of the inter-city trains closes the gap between Heyuan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, helping the city integrate into the construction of the Greater Bay Area, as well as strengthening cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two regions," said Tan Xiangtao, station master of Heyuan Railway Station.

Heyuan Railway Station in South China's Guangdong province [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]