Next month Tianjin plays host to some Olympic soccer matches. Sports fans commuting from Beijing to Tianjin will be in for a treat as the new express train link is about to open. The railway will open next Friday just ahead of the Games.

The rail journey will be reduced by one hour to a easy 30 minute ride. The trains will zip along the tracks at a top speed of 350 kmph (220 mph). The trains interior are said to be more like aircraft cabins than trains.

The Tianjin – Beijing rail link is a huge leap forward in terms of ramping up the speed according to Railway Ministry spokesman Wang Yongping as he spoke to reporters in the huge new Beijing South railway station. Wang said it is the largest train station in Asia.

I will be sure to check it out when I am in Beijing in August 2008.

The fare for the new train is yet to be announced.