The Hangzhou-Quzhou high-speed railway, connecting the cities of Hangzhou and Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province, marked its first month in operation, having handled over 140,000 passenger trips as of Jan 25.

With the first passengers being shuttled along the route on Dec 26, it adds a new line to the Yangtze River Delta region's rapid transit network.

The simultaneous opening of three new railway stations — Jiande South, Longyou North, and Quzhou West — has further improved the regional rail network layout. Among these, Quzhou West has emerged as the busiest railway station in terms of passenger volume.

Initially, the railway operated six pairs of fixed high-speed trains daily. Since Jan 26, the national railway's first-quarter schedule for 2026 has increased this to 17 pairs, adding 11 more than during the initial phase. The expanded capacity allows for direct routes to Beijing, Shanghai, and links to several key cities in southern China.

Quzhou has leveraged the railway's opening to drive the development of local cultural tourism.

The city has upgraded its "Global Free Tours in Quzhou" initiative, designating Oct 8 to March 31 as the "Hangzhou-Quzhou Tourism Season". It is offering free entry to core scenic spots for visitors from Hangzhou and launching themed cultural routes connecting major landmarks.