The Nanfang has been getting emails from people in the Pearl River Delta excited about the upcoming launch of the Shenzhen-Xiamen high-speed rail, so we’re pleased today to have a formal launch date: December 26.

Six trains began running along the line on Sunday (December 1) as part of the testing phase, and it was a success:

Train No. D2316 started from the Shenzhen North Railway Station at 10:15 am. Running through 7 stations at a speed of 200 km per hour, it took 3 hours and 52 minutes for the train to cover the 502.4 km distance from Shenzhen to Xiamen.

Already airlines are feeling the heat. Fares have been reduced from Hong Kong to Xiamen — all the way to RMB420 — to compete against the new line.

The Nanfang reported earlier that tickets on the new line will be only RMB160 for economy class, and RMB190 for first class, much cheaper than usual routes on high-speed rail. This makes a weekend trip that much easier.