Fast forward

The Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Rail is not just a proud showcase of Chinese civil engineering, it will also break physical barriers between north and south by bringing the two cities a lot closer, much faster. China Daily spotlights the hopes, aspirations and expectations of the people and cities along the 1,318-km track, which will blaze open a corridor of opportunities along the Chinese coast.

The excitement mounts as the first trains whizz past, and it's not just in Shanghai or Beijing where tickets had been snapped up as fast as the counters could process sales. From all 24 stations along the Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Railway, eddies of anticipation are washing through the coastal passage opened up by the route. The ripple effect will probably be felt the most in Shandong province, which is welcoming the new rail trail with more than open arms. It is expecting the trains to bring both investment and interest to its six major cities along the route. In Qufu, officials are girding their loins for a fresh wave of interest in a venerable philosopher's famous hometown. From Beijing, Confucius?home, his temple and the Kong family mausoleum will now only be a day-trip away, and the city is meeting the expected surge in visitor numbers with a brand-new one-stop hub for tourists.

Jinan, the Shandong capital, has already got a grand twin-towered commercial complex planned around its train station in anticipation of increased traffic.