The last tracks were laid for China's new US$1.8bn Beijing and Tianjin high-speed intercity rail link on Sunday – marking a first for high-speed rail in the nation.
The 200km line has been designed for speeds of 350km an hour, reducing the previous journey time from 70 mins to 30 mins.
Chinese news agency Xinhua says a maximum of 20 pairs of trains will run on the line per hour – separated by three-minute intervals from Beijing South Railway Station to Tianjin Railway Station.
The line will service the districts of Yizhuang Industrial Park, Yongle New Town and Yangcun in Tianjin.
The line will be operational in time for next year's Beijing Olympic Games in August.
By Penny Jones
