Passengers in Nantong can begin traveling to Beijing via high-speed railway starting on Jan 20, as the city has adopted a new railway schedule, according to the local railway authority.

Train No G886 will depart from Nantong at 8:35 every day and arrive at Beijing South Railway Station at 14:37, following stops in Hai'an, Dongtai, Yancheng, Huai'an, Suqian, Xuzhou, Qufu, Jinan, Cangzhou and Tianjin.

A second-class seat from Nantong to Beijing will cost 519 yuan ($75.2), while a first-class seat will cost 855 yuan. The priciest option is a business-class seat for 1,646 yuan.

Another 14 pairs of high-speed and bullet trains will be introduced to link Nantong with Shenyang in Northeast China's Liaoning province, Jinan in East China's Shandong province, Zhengzhou in Central China's Henan province, Chongqing in Southwest China, as well as Zhuhai and Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong province.

This year's Spring Festival travel rush will begin on Jan 28 and end on March 8. Sales of railway tickets for Chinese New Year's Eve started on Jan 13.

To meet the massive travel demand, China’ railway department has extended the service hours of 12306, the country's official railway ticket-booking platform. It is now available from 5:00 to 23:30.

Authorities have warned that passengers must wear masks throughout the entire journey and abide by the rules and regulations for epidemic prevention and control.