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A river meanders through Shengfeng village, a tourist destination in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, that attracts visitors with its rich cultural heritage. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Construction recently began on the Jiangsu province section of the "Watertown Tourism Line", a crucial part of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Jiaxing Intercity Railway. 

Spanning 132 kilometers, this railway marks a significant advancement in cross-provincial infrastructure within the demonstration zone for integrated ecological and green development in the Yangtze River Delta region.

This intercity railway is also a landmark project promoting regional connectivity and integration. It includes the "Demonstration Zone Line" in Shanghai, the Watertown Tourism Line in Jiangsu, and the Jiaxing-Fengnan and Jiashan-Xitang lines in Zhejiang province.

Among them, the Watertown Tourism Line serves as a vital transportation corridor linking Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.

Designed for a maximum speed of 160 km per hour, the intercity railway is faster than urban metros but slower than high-speed rail. With closer station spacing, it allows convenient access for residents near their homes.

Upon completion, the line will integrate with major rail networks like the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou High-speed Railway and the Nantong-Suzhou-Jiaxing-Ningbo High-speed Railway.

It will support a 1 to 1.5-hour intercity travel circle, and a 30-minute to 1-hour commuting network, enabling seamless land-air-rail connections across the region.