China's Heilongjiang High‑Speed Rail Test Cuts Harbin‑Yichun Travel Time

A test run of the new high‑speed railway through a permafrost zone in Heilongjiang province began on 6 August 2026. A train departed Harbin at 07:40 and arrived in the forest city of Yichun after two hours and two minutes.

The 318‑kilometre line is designed for speeds of up to 250 km/h and is expected to reduce the Harbin‑Yichun journey from about seven hours to roughly two hours once fully operational. About 72 % of the route consists of bridges built to cope with permafrost conditions. The project, overseen by China Railway Harbin Bureau Group Co., Ltd., aims to spur regional revitalisation, boost tourism and support economic diversification in the traditionally industrial province.