The T267 train pulled out of Ordos Railway Station at 21:14 on July 1, full of passengers – in a departure which marked the official opening of the new express passenger service connecting Ordos city in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region to Xi’an in Northwest China’s Shaanxi province.

The newly added Ordos-Xi’an express train runs from 21:14 to 05:43 the next day.

The whole journey takes 8 hours and 29 minutes. The train passes through Yulin, Mizhi, Suide, Zichang, Yan'an and Fuxian East, before finally arriving at Xi’an.

Officials said that the start of the new service ended the era of non-direct express passenger trains from Ordos to Xi'an.

They said it was of great significance for promoting exchanges, tourism and economic and social development along the route.