Beijing, May 14 (Youth.cn) - On May 13, 2025, in Shangluo, Shaanxi, with the breakthrough of the Qinling Jiutianshan Tunnel, all tunnels along the Xi'an-Ankang High-Speed Railway (Xikang HSR) have been fully connected, marking a critical milestone for this national infrastructure project.

As a vital component of China's "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" high-speed rail network under the National Medium and Long-Term Railway Plan, the Xikang HSR serves as a key section of both the Baotou-Yinchuan-Hainan Corridor and the Beijing-Kunming Corridor. Upon completion, travel time between Xi'an and Ankang will be slashed from the current 3 hours to under 60 minutes, revolutionizing connectivity in the Qinling-Bashan mountainous region. Photo/CFP