Yinchuan is the capital and largest city of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It has a population of over 2 million. The city has experienced a significant growth in population and economic importance over the past decades, partly because of China's Western Development strategy.[1]
Transport within and to Yinchuan has lagged behind the rest of China and nearby provincial capitals. Until completion of the Yinchuan–Xi'an high-speed railway in 2020, the city did not have any high-speed rail connections.[2]
In 2018 a 9.7 km monorail long loop line in Yinchuan's Flower Expo Garden opened, using BYD Skyrail technology.[3][4]
Planned network
The proposed network is to consist of 6 lines totaling 227.8 km (141.5 mi).[1] The plans were first announced in 2016.[5]
Line 1 will form an east–west backbone of the urban area, starting from Xixia Passenger Station planned and ending at Yinchuan East railway station.
Line 2 will form a north–south backbone of the urban area, to run from Yuanbao Lake in Fengdeng to Wangyin Road in Wangyuan.
Line 3 will form a northeast to southwest backbone, starting from Helan County and ending in the Yinchuan Economic Development Zone.
Line 4 will be a parallel east–west line in the northern part of the city. Together with Line 3, it will form a loop around the city center. It will run from Yinchuan Economic Development Zone to Baliqiao station.