China Railway

Step off the high-speed train and into an autumn landscape. Yixiandong Railway Station in East China's Anhui province connects travelers with the ancient villages, Huizhou-style architecture and vibrant autumn scenery of Yixian county, making the station a gateway to one of the region's most picturesque destinations.

A light-and-water show outside a railway station? At Taiyuannan Railway Station in North China's Shanxi province, colorful fountains and lights bring the station square to life after dark, adding an unexpected touch of magic to the journey.

What are those orange "balls" passengers are carrying onto trains at Chenggubei Railway Station? They're Chenggu mandarins, a local specialty of Chenggu county in Northwest China's Shaanxi province. High-speed rail connections are helping the fruit reach wider markets, and bringing more travelers to enjoy the autumn harvest.

Sparks fly along the tracks after dark. During nighttime maintenance, railway workers inspect and repair the line, with flashes of light marking each careful operation and helping keep the railway ready for the journeys ahead.

From steam locomotives to Fuxing high-speed trains, more than 50 years of railway history unfold through the lens. The images capture not only the evolution of China's railways, but also the changing journeys and lives along the tracks.