The Unstoppable Growth of China's High-Speed Rail Network 

Every time B1M pops up at my notif, it's an auto-click! hahahahaha! This channel made me love engineering!

I lived in the city of Weihai for 7 years, from 2013 to 2019 and, I was lucky to see how in about 5 years they built not only one, but two high-speed train stations to connect the city to the national network . It was really mind blowing!

I'm from the UK now living in China. The high speed rail here makes the GWR high speed trains back in the UK feel Victorian. The trains here are modern, clean, safe, fast, punctual, have hot water facilities, clean toilets, smart ticketing and seating... They are all electrified and it's even more modern than the Eurostar and the original Japanese bullet train. You can even order takeaways to be delivered to your seat on your journey. And most importantly, it is crazy cheap compared to the UK where it's expensive, no one gets a seat and always late.

I’m one of the engineers from China. Thanks for introducing the development of China’s high speed rail. Welcome all the friends come to China and experience HSR.

As a Chinese living in North America , it's really rare to see an English speaking youtuber/channel talking about China in such an unbiased lines and tone due to political correctness. Thank you for introduce China to the world with fairness and truthful.

China spent 1 Trillion USD over 10-15 years building this network, that is 1/4th the cost of the Iraq War the US paid

Fun fact: China's investment in the railway system surpassed its military budget in 2009 and 2010.

The best part of China's high speed train is you can order food from any of the restaurants in the station on your phone and designate at what time during which stop to have it delivered to you. During the 2-3 minutes stop, your food is already there waiting to be distributed to you on the train. I miss it so much.

China is changing many of our paradigms with hard facts over the table, no matter how much we (some of we) demonize them. They work hard, they deserve success.

Very rare to see an English channel that does not use negative tone on Chinese content. Bravo.

Watching this in Germany while waiting on the train that should arrived 45 minutes ago...

I laughed out loud when he said the line in California was going to be done in 2029.

china: spends most of the budget on infrastructure u.s: spends most of the budget on wars also u.s: china is the global threat to peace

As a Chinese living oversea, it's really rear to see an English speaking youtuber talking about China in such an unbiased lines and tone. Thanks for being truthful! I've subscribed and very looking forward to explore your videos more!

As a Westerner who has lived in China for 9 years I am impressed how right you got the story of China's High Speed Rail Network in spite of being based so far away in the UK. You did great research and structured this well.

Beijing to Shanghai 🚗 by car: 2 days (stop in Nanjing in between) 🚄 by train: 4 hours You leave in the early morning, then u can meet ur client at lunch, visit his firm in the afternoon, take the train around 5pm, back to Beijing around 10pm, drink some whiskey and have a good rest🍷

For those who know history well, it is not a surprise to see China coming back! China has always been one of the most advanced civilisations in the world in almost every historical period.

My family is in Nanjing and I'm working in Shanghai, 300KM in between. I go back and forth every week by high speed train. If I want, I can go back and forth everyday! There are lots of people like me who live in one city and work in another city. Thanks to the high speed trains that make it possible!

The actual size of that network is insane,Id love to travel it one day.

You should create infrastructure ranking of countries and also what are they doing to improve? if they're doing

Excellent video. I was in China in 1997, 2007 and 2017 and the difference is incredible. Every time I go back I'm amazed at the progress.

I am foreigner living in China, last time I checked, from Shanghai to Nanjing (300km away) there are 400 trains a day including more than 300 high-speed trains a day... counting only shanghai to nanjing, not including the nanjing to shanghai one... at some period0 of the day as many train depart as for a busy metro... every few minutes a train leave... they can handle it because they have many many tracks for people to board.

Yes, this is indeed extremely convenient for us. Whenever I travel in China now I take the high-speed railway. There are a couple of other important things to mention. 1. The train almost always arrives exactly on time. If your train departures at 1:58, they usually start opening the gate and check tickets at 1:53 - 1:55. Hundreds to thousands of people would quickly pass the gate, go downstairs, and get on the train within 3 - 5 minutes. Then the train leaves exactly at 1:58. So compare to the airport, it is so much faster. You can arrive at the train station 20 minutes before it departs. 2. Purchasing tickets is now much more convenient. You simply download an app, connect your citizen ID to it, and can purchase or adjust tickets at any time. When you go to the train station, you only swipe your ID card, no additional tickets. 3. There has been only one major accident on the high-speed railway, which was in 2011. 40 people died and speed was limited to something like below 300km/h. In recent years they started to lift the speed regulations and trains are faster now. 4. It is also important to point out that only about half of the trains on the high-speed railway are actually high speed. For example, Beijing to Shanghai, 32 trains a day. 5 of them take 12 hours while others take 4-5 hours. Between smaller cities, the ratio is much higher. If the train number starts with Z or K, it is a slow train (120-160km / h on average). Train number starts with D or G means a fast train (200-300km/h on average) 5. The environment is very clean since it is not been built for very long. The ride is also very stable. I think there are a lot of experiment videos online of people putting an egg or a cup full of water on the train's window and nothing happens after hours.

Here in Indonesia is waiting for the first HSR in Southeast Asia, will be operational 2022, built by China. Thanks 🇨🇳❤️🇮🇩

A piece of news I just saw today. China's high-speed rail is losing money every year. This is a project that benefits the people. I am proud of it.

I grew up during the high speed rail boom. The travel experience improvement is like going from 10 hours of torture to 2 hours of relaxation

High speed rail is honestly one of my favorite elements of modern China. It is so efficient to travel between cities, and the ride to a nearby city is most likely shorter than my sad subway commute to work. I still remember taking the dirty old train with overnight bunk beds when I was younger. It was such a surprise when the high speed train was first introduced.

"The chance of the US overtaking China by building 70001km of track in the next two decades feels remote." 😂 That's being generous.

I m really impressed how this country started a new life since 1949 and in such a short period of time since then they become From a poor and humiliated country To a Great superpower. Amazing.

China itself is unstoppable when it comes to growth and development, I always admire their quick development . I am living in China since 2013 and every day I find something new to love China more and more. It’s a beautiful country . I hope my country Bangladesh can learn something from China.

One of the few things faster than a Chinese high speed train is me clicking on this video

Thank you for not using BBC filter on China😂😂

Can't help but to be in awe of the growth of a single country in such a short time

I’ve lived in China since 2015, and I’m always impressed by how efficient the entire railway system works. Travelling between cities or within cities is really easy, safe and affordable in China and it’s one of my favourite aspects about this country. It’s hard to appreciate the true scale and might of China unless you visit and spend time travelling within the country.

The Chinese network is simply unbeatable, travelling around China by rail is so easy, even for a foreigner like myself. Can be quicker and cheaper than flights, and in good comfort.

The video the railfans have been waiting for

I was fortunate enough to experience Shanghai-Suzhuo-Hangzhou HSR before the pandemic and I am glad to say, its one of the best and memorable experience I ever had in my travels..

China is doing great . Astonishing growth in such a short time . Love from India 🇮🇳❤️

My experience with HSR back in the days when working in China was amazing. It enabled me to meet my client 300km away and back home on the same day. As The B1M pointed out correctly, 'the social and wider economical impact' of HSR is more valuable than making profit. The rest of the world shall learn from it.

It's very hard to understand how convenient and efficient Chinese high speed railway network is without actually experiencing it. Currently I live in a tier-4 city in central China and work in a university there. Every Thursday I take high speed train to a tier-5 city which is about 140 km away from my city. It takes 31 minutes to get there. And there are five shifts of trains going my way from 7:10 am to 9:00 am, so it's quite easy to make a plan which may fit my timetable well. I can't imagine that I'll be able to teach in a different university in a different city from 10 am to 3 pm (with lunch break) Without high speed rail when I get up as usual in my city every Thursday morning. And I'll be home on time for supper as if I've just finished a day's work in my city. Of course, one can always drive such a distance to work, which I'm afraid, would have already worn me out before I get to the students. I definitely will not accept this kind of extra work without efficient high speed rail. I really enjoy it when I can go out of the city temporarily to ride with the beautiful scenery along the rail and take in the fresh spring which is in full bloom everywhere on the road.

No matter how discredited the western media, China has always moved forward

I laughed so hard when they said they wanted to be world leaders in high speed rail when they don’t even have one line.

China never ceases to amaze the World, B1M never ceases to produce good quality videos! Much love from Nigeria.

I've ridden the trains, they are clean, affordable and fast. It's like going to a metro station, except your next stop is another city.

It's not just the high speed rail, but the sprawling subway system that they built in every city that you connect to once you get there.

From my hometown to my college, it used to take 7 hours driving, or 13 hours train. Now it is 3 hours train. Just onboard, watch a movie or take a nap or enjoy a meal, and you arrive!

I still remember one scene from old documentaries: Comm Leaders visited Japan and was astonished by their high speed trains. It is said the chief technician saw this scene in his youth and set up his goal to make HSR happen

*Somehow the B1M manages to be both ageless and continues to get better..*

pre-pandemic I travelled to China 5 times a year on business and family matters. China is an amazing place, great people and un unbelievable transport infrastructure that makes the UK an embarrassment! And all this fake news about the Xinjiang province is utter nonsense - as usual the (Western!!) media is "clever" at relaying all this. For people who criticize and comment negatively in China I say to them first GO THERE and see for yourself !

People living in smaller cities around the mega cities would normally spend 2+ hours to drive into the mega cities in China. It makes it almost impossible to commute. Now, with affordable ticket of High speed rail, those people can do that trip with 20-30 minutes train ride into the centre of those mega cities. Economic impact is impressive for the greater area.

China :- More than 35000 km of High Speed Railway lines built in 20 years. India in 2029 :- The Mumbai Ahemdabad bullet train project and Nashik Pune Semi High Speed Railway project are delayed by another 5 years.

they did all this in about 13 years....... meanwhile it's been 3 years, and the pothole outside my house in CA is still there...

Almost all high-speed railways operate at a loss, and no government is willing to pay for it. Only the Chinese government has done it, and the high-speed railway has greatly improved the economy and travel of the Chinese people.

This must be the best videos about Chines rail networks. Comprehensive, detailed, clear, unbiased, and open minded analysis. Keep up the good work!!

"this means foregoing making any profits on the lines constructed. Instead, china sees the social and economic impact as more valuable" I think this is the proper mindset for infrastructure: that it isn't made to repay itself, but rather to improve the country

I visited China in August 2017, and so I was watching this video occasionally saying: "Been there!", "Recognise that!", "I remember!".

One thing I learned about their high-speed trains brings is the ease of online purchase, for everything. They could buy some unique fruits from a local farm down in southern China, Guangdong, or western China, Xinjiang, and have them by their door in Beijing within 3 days. In Canada, the best Ubereat can bring to my door are whatever fruits available in Walmart down the street.

I'm so tired of hearing the term "Finally, they have woken up" about China. Finally, WE start to wake up in the West and realize how arrogant we have been and how much we are lagging behind

This makes me homesick for China- I lived there for 10 years- I remember the HSR opening in Baoji 2006 to huge fanfare in the city, and I cannot believe they've got one all the way out to Xigatse in Tibet now! and my monthly trips on the HSR from Guangzhou Sth to Hong Kong.....ahhhhh, the memories

Im obsessed with The B1m

Still remember when I was working in Shanghai for a few days and we took the train system to hangzhou and other places, it was super convenient is compared to flying. Really remarkable.

I always thought the Japanese train systems were the best in the world, until I visited China. It's insane how quickly they have grown and built infrastructure

I've been living in China since 2013(Nanjing and Shanghai). Travelling around China is so easy and convenient. The high-speed train system is absolutely amazing and makes travelling so affordable. The Maglev in Shanghai gets you to Pudong airport in 8 minutes. A journey that can take about an hour plus by by car/subway depending where you're travelling from in Shanghai. THere are plans for another Maglev too. Besides the HSR, Shanghai for example, has expanded its local subway system extensively in the 8 years I've been here. It is crazy! but very welcome. Just yesterday my friends and I took subway line 16 to the outskirts of Shanghai. Took about an hour, but cost next to nothing. The government's plan is to connect large economic zones with smaller ones, thus boosting the countries overall economy. And so far, it is working very well!

meanwhile in America: takes 6 months just to fix a pothole

Every time when I went China for a vacation, I always like to take high-speed trains just for fun and experience even I don't have a plan to go to another city.

Chinese terrain is far, far more challenging compared to Europe or America. If one travels across the eastern provinces in China, it's 90% mountain tunnels, viaducts across valleys or bridges. European high-speed tracks are most laid across relatively flat terrain. The low $17mn per km construction cost in China is testament to their construction efficiency, low labour costs and no-nonsense design and procurement.

China is just amazing 🔥🔥 Love from India

meanwhile in America: takes 12 months to figure out if masks is even needed in a pandemic.

In almost every city even county(the second smallest administrative area unit), you can take the high-speed rail to every large city in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. You can even take the high-speed rail to Hong Kong from mainland. The most amazing thing is that the departure and arrival time is precise to every minute on the ticket which you can access from your phone, you can know what time you will arrive a week before you go.

I have experienced almost two decades of watching news about the collapse of China's economy since it grew too fast, twenty years of propaganda. Nowaday, they've turned their attention to Xinjiang since they can't deceive any investor. My point is that why don't you just improve your ability to compete China.

Not an engineer myself, I feel like one in watching the show explaining technical details.

The high speed trains in china are fantastic and easy to use -even for foreigners. I travelled between Chengdhu and Chongqing. Effortless. Clean and fast. The business class section is the best I have ever seen and I live in Japan. Prices are also very reasonable. Good report

But, every years News media in US always predicted China economy will collapse from 2001-2021😂😂

Some Video Suggestions: 1. The New Longest bridge in the world (under construction) the 1915 Gallipoli Suspension Bridge (Near Gallipoli) 2. Eurasia Tunnel (Istanbul) 3. Ravi River Waterfront Project (Lahore, Pakistan) 4. King Fahd Causeway (Bahrain/Saudi Arabia) 5. Gwadar Port 6. Green Riyadh Project 7. Riyadh Metro 8. Gobekli Tepe (Oldest Temple in the world) 9. Haram in Mecca (it is HUGE and the logistics, management is incredibly interesting) 10. Abraj al Bait (Mecca, Its a multi-purpose Super skyscraper complex with about 30 Wolrd Records) 11. Karakoram Highway (Highest paved road in the world) 12. Denmark's Causeway 13. The 3 Bosphorus Bridges, 14.Çamlıca Mosque 15. The Çamlıca TV and Radio Tower 16. St Petersburg Tower (i think you already made one about that) 17. Longest bridge in Europe from Russia to Crimea These are some suggestions for Future Videos

I’m from China, thank you very much for reporting on China’s high-speed rail projects objectively and truthfully. At this moment, China is realizing that every county is connected to high-speed rail, and there are more than one high-speed rail stations in some cities. The high-speed rail has greatly improved our The way of travel has improved work efficiency, thanks to our government’s foresight and the use of funds in the right place. At the same time, we hope that the lives of people in every country will get better and better!

I've been on China's high speed rail a few times, and I am very jealous of the infrastructure that exists there. It's amazing what China's accomplished with their infrastructure.

Been going to china since 2010 since I was a teenager. Its amazing how fast the country grows while my own country stays the same, just more traffic 🙃

The comparison of the railway infrastructure between China and the USA is for me an example that one system (China) works better than the purely capitalist American system. That is why we are currently experiencing the decline of a superpower (USA) and the rise of a new superpower. As a European, I have visited both countries several times in the past 30 years and these trips have confirmed my opinion. The whole infrastructure and education system in America has been very badly neglected because the state has invested too little. America has invested in wars and arms, China in its infrastructure.

I am hugely impressed by the Chinese goverment in this aspect (even though it's questionable in others), to think they aren't even building this network for own profit, just having people meet and in the long run, profit out of sheer infrastructure communication, is really inspiring.

here in Indonesia we are laying HSR track , join coorporation with China HSR. soon this will be the first HSR line in SE Asia. I've been travel with HSR in Japan, Spain, Germany , China .... I can say the Chinese are doing a very good job with HSR ..

The land acquisition used to be cruel in China, even deadly in some extreme cases. Today people living in rural areas usually dream of land acquisition, because they would become rich (I mean really) over night. I see this as a huge progress itself. Let alone the world's largests and most convinent high speed network. Once I was late for my train, from Nanjing to Hangzhou. 30 min before the departure I managed to rebooked another train from my app, same route, 10 minutes later, all for free. Didn't even need any ticket exchange because the ID card was the ticket. Only tradeoff was that my new ticket was seatless. I had to find seats throughout the journey. Which turned out to be very easy, because every seat has an indicator of occupation. The whole thing was a huge surprise to me, because from where I live now (in France), none of those are even imaginable.

I've stopped being surprised at this point tbh...

As an Indian, this makes me slightly jealous and very motivated.

China is one of the most advanced, most moral countries. I think Chinese Government must lead the world.

Great video as always mate! China's rail network development is absolutely astonishing.

I hope one day we can build a pan Asia high speed rail system, to truly connect every Asian nation together.

What I really liked about this video is that China gets the short end of the stick in most media, which wasn’t the case in this video. In many western countries, China succeeding in anything is reported on almost like it is a direct attack on their countries. I hate many things China does with human rights and political prisoners, but you can’t not have at least some respect for the amount of development they’ve been able to do. People being lifted out of poverty and getting access to good infrastructure is a good thing, no matter which country they live in. Thanks B1M for doing justice to the insanity that is Chinese infrastructure development

You guys need to know a Chinese university Southwest Jiaotong University when it comes to talking about the Chinese high-speed railway. It is known as “the Cradle for the Chinese Railway Engineers” and “Oriental Cornell”. And it has many famous engineers who built amazing infrastructures such as bridges, high-speed railways, modern subways, and highways.

The content of this channel is always such high quality. One topic that I haven't seen covered but think would be really cool is a look at the world's largest sea ports. Maybe something like a top 5 list or how a country's ports connect to its interior transit networks.

I live in China and I can tell the railway system is amazing

Finally not another "China bad" video on youtube. Thanks B1M

A Chinese slang: To be rich, first build roads

China: Impressive high speed network USA: old trains that haven’t been updated since the 70s

B1M: it's the largest high-speed railway system in the world. Me: yeah that seems resounable, it is China after all, with around 1.5 billion ppl. B1M: No! China has 2/3 of the WOLRD'S high-speed railway systems. Me: oh, da fuck!!!!!

China's high speed rail is already the most advanced in the world and covers more tracks than the rest of world combined at 40,000 kilometers (2020) and will grow to 70,000 kilometers by 2030. Unprecedented in human history.

I've had a chance to travel with Chinese high speed railroad. It is comfortable, fast and cheap way of travel. Funny thing is that going 300km/h in a Chinese train feels more comfortable and safer than going 140km/h by train in my country. xD

Can you make a video about cycle infrastructure in cities? Btw love your content ❤️

The subway systems built in the cities the high speed rail connects is equally impressive. I lived in Shanghai from basically 2006 to 2018 and the changes were just phenomenal. I worked in Jinmao tower and watched Shanghai tower emerge out of a hole in the ground to top the skyline. I think the subway had 4 lines in 2006 , I’ve lost count now. No signs of slowing either. Miss the Hu Jintao days though.

I love living in China everyday you learning something new and I find life is significantly more comfortable and affordable as oppose to Canada 🇨🇦 and usa 🇺🇸

Actually been on the Beijing Guangzhou line and economy class feels like a first-class ticket compared to the bs Amtrack offers lmao. It was fast, reliable, affordable, and really quiet. ALSO the food was pretty freaking good compared to the dog food amtrack serves.