The launch ceremony is held for the new direct high-speed rail service between Ulaanqab city in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Beijing. [Photo/Ulaanqab Daily]

A high-speed train departing Ulaanqab city in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region bounded for Beijing -- via the Beijing-Hohhot High-speed Railway -- arrived on July 24 at the national capital’s Qinghe Railway Station after only taking about two hours, rail officials said.

They said it was the first time Ulaanqab had its own high-speed train directly linking the city to Beijing.

Officials said the new service shortens the time between the two cities to around two hours.

The first direct high-speed train between Ulaanqab and Beijing departs Ulaanqab railway station on July 24. [Photo/Ulaanqab Daily]

Ulaanqab is among the closest leagues and cities in Inner Mongolia to Beijing. Its central Jining district is 320 kilometers from Beijing and Xinghe county administered by the city is only 240 km from Beijing.

Officials said the direct service between Ulaanqab and Beijing will benefit both cities.

They said it will do so by boosting the development of tourism, organic agricultural and livestock products supplies, clean energy production, logistics and warehousing developments.

It is also expected to provide support for joint efforts being made to tackle poverty.

Dancers add color and vibrancy to the launching of the direct rail service between Ulaanqab and Beijing on July 24. [Photo/Ulaanqab Daily]