The Beijing–Yuanping or Jingyuan Railway (simplified Chinese: 京原铁路; traditional Chinese: 京原鐵路; pinyin: jīngyuán tiělù), is a railroad in northern China between Beijing, the national capital, and Yuanping in Shanxi Province. The line is 418 km (260 mi) in length, and traverses through Beijing Municipality, Shanxi and Hebei Provinces.[1] The Beijing-Yuanping Railway was built between 1965 and 1971, and entered into operation in 1973.[1] At the time of its construction, the line was primarily intended to transport coal from Shanxi and move military assets in the event of a national defense emergency. The line runs almost entirely in mountainous terrain. Major cities and landmarks along route include Beijing, Laiyuan, Lingqiu, Fanshi, Dai County and Yuanping.
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In Beijing, the Jingyuan Line begins at Shijingshan South Railway Station, in suburban Shijinghan District west of the city, and runs westward through Fengtai and Fangshan Districts into the Western Hills. The line passes Zhoukoudian and follows the gorge of Juma River from Sandu in western Fangshan, upriver to Laiyuan in Hebei Province. Along the way, the line passes through scenic areas including Shidu, the Great Wall at Zijingguan, and the Eastern Qing Tombs. From Laiyuan, the line continues westward through the Taihang Mountains into Shanxi. West of Lingqiu, the line follows the Hutuo River into the Yiding Basin, where the line runs between the Heng and Wutai Mountains to Dai County and Yuanping.
The Beijing-Yuanping Railway was planned and built by the People's Liberation Army Rail Corps.[2] In June 1965, the Rail Corps assigned its 4th and 13th Divisions to begin preparatory work in Fangshan and Laiyuan, but the 13th Division was reassigned to support North Vietnam in the Vietnam War and the 14th Division was ordered to take its place. By spring 1967, the work began on the Yimaling and Pingxingguan Tunnels. The two tunnels, respectively, at 7,032 m and 6,190 m in length, were longest and third longest railway tunnels in China at the time.[3] Due to the mountainous terrain, the line has 120 tunnels that are collectively 97 km in length and 216 bridges that are collectively 20 km in length.[4] The Cultural Revolution caused disruption and shortage of materials which delayed the completion of the railway, originally scheduled for 1970.[2] The laying of tracks was completed on October 30, 1971.[2] In 1973, the rail line officially entered into operations.[1]