Construction of China's new high-speed railway network should be completed in the next five years, making a huge difference to the railway system.

The high-speed railway network will link all provincial capitals and 90 percent of cities with populations over half a million. On major routes, trains will start on average every three or five minutes, making train services as convenient as city buses. The network is expected to relieve pressure on railways, particularly during peak seasons like the spring festival.

A Railway Ministry official said, "Trains will travel at a speed of 300 kilometers an hour along the high-speed route. For a 1,000 kilometer trip, people can buy a day-return ticket. For a 2 to 3,000 kilometer trip, people will arrive at their destination within a day."

(CCTV April