A bullet train running across Lanzhou, capital of Northwest China's Gansu province [Photo/VCG]

The G3186/3 and G3184/5 high-speed trains linking Lanzhou, capital of Northwest China's Gansu province, with Xiamen, Fujian province are expected to begin operating on Dec 30 this year, the China Railway Corporation announced on Dec 16.

The new trains will cut travel time between the two cities from 28 hours to less than 16 hours.

The first train will depart Xiamen North Station at 6:50 am and arrive at Lanzhou West Station at 10:28 pm, while the return train will leave Lanzhou West Station at 6:01 am and arrive in Xiamen at 8:23 pm.

In addition, trains running from Nanchang, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Jinggangshan, Sanming, and Shenzhen to Beijing will be upgraded to CR200J Fuxing high-speed trains, which have a speed of 160 kilometers per hour.

The trains are part of a new train system going into effect on Dec 30. Travel time between several cities will be shortened to accommodate increasing demand from passengers.