Beijing-Guangzhou in 8 hours by train (2)

Although prices have not yet been released, based on the price of high-speed train tickets from Wuhan to Guangzhou, a journey of 1,069 kilometers which costs 465 yuan ($74.6) for a second-class ticket and 740 for first class, estimates of prices are 938 yuan for a second-class ticket from Beijing to Guangzhou, while a first- class ticket will be 1,493 yuan.

As at those prices, the price of a plane ticket for the three-hour flight could still be cheaper, it may mean that the route is not competitive at first.

"If passengers are unwilling to take the high-speed trains because of money, the Ministry of Railways will adjust their price according to the market response," noted Sun.

The sections from Wuhan, Hebei Province, to Guangzhou and Guangzhou to Shenzhen opened in 2009 and 2011 and the Zhengzhou to Wuhan section started operating in September.

It is expected to take around four hours to travel from Beijing to Wuhan, less than half the current quickest journey time of nearly 10 hours.