The Xi'an–Yan'an high-speed railway officially opened to service on Friday, dramatically shortening travel time between the two cities, and is poised to significantly boost the popularity of "red tourism" in the region.

Stretching 299 kilometers, the new line links Xi'an -- the capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province and home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors -- with Yan'an, the sacred Chinese revolutionary heartland perched on the loess hills of northern Shaanxi.

Yan'an gained international attention through American journalist Edgar Snow's 1937 classic "Red Star Over China," which depicted the region as one of China's poorest areas but also as a beacon of hope, with the Communist Party of China (CPC) leading the country toward independence and liberation.

Designed for speeds up to 350 km/h, the railway slashes journey time between Xi'an and Yan'an from roughly 2.5 hours to just one hour.

Local authorities along the line are seizing this opportunity to boost the cultural tourism market by tapping into their revolutionary heritage, rich historical legacy, and stunning natural landscapes.

The Yan'an municipal culture and tourism bureau has rolled out multiple themed itineraries, exclusive discounts for high-speed rail passengers, and direct shuttle services to major attractions.

"The opening of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway will make weekend getaways and micro-vacations the new norm. We will also introduce high-speed rail-exclusive offers and cross-regional combo tickets to upgrade our 'red tourism' offerings and build Yan'an into a one-stop, high-quality cultural tourism destination," said Ma Nan, assistant to the general manager of Shaanxi Tourism Group's Yan'an subsidiary.

The opening of this line has brought China's high-speed rail mileage to over 50,000 km, exceeding the total of all other countries combined.