Huzhou section of Hefei-Hangzhou High-speed Railway in operation

The Huzhou-Hangzhou section of the Hefei-Hangzhou High-speed Railway opened on Thursday, and passengers were able to buy tickets online from 5 pm on Wednesday, according to the China Railway Shanghai Bureau Group.

It's an important supporting project for the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou and is expected to expand regional tourism resources and boost economic vitality, officials from the construction authorities said.

The Huzhou-Hangzhou section has six stations along the Hefei-Hangzhou High-speed Railway: Huzhou, Deqing, Hangzhou West, Fuyang West, Tonglu East and Tonglu, according to Cheng Mingfeng, deputy manager of the safety and quality department of Zhejiang Communications Investment Group.

"Hangzhou West Railway Station is of great significance to the west of the city. It takes less than 50 minutes to arrive at Xiaoshan International Airport from Hangzhou West Railway Station by the airport rail express line, via Hangzhou East Railway Station," Cheng added.

Among the stations, Hangzhou West, Fuyang West and Tonglu East are newly built, and were also put into operation on Thursday.