Shaoxing Metro Line 1 starts operations on April 29. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

The Shaoxing Metro Line 1 officially started operations on April 29, enabling passengers to travel from downtown Shaoxing to Hangzhou in about 75 minutes.

Shaoxing Metro Line 1 currently has 23 stations and includes a main line and a branch line. The main line runs from China Textile City Station to Fangquan Station. The branch line runs from Convention and Exhibition Center Station to Huangjiu Small Town Station.

Construction of the 34.1-kilometer metro line began in July 2017 and cost about 23.87 billion yuan ($3.62 billion), making it the largest infrastructure project in Shaoxing.

Shaoxing Metro Line 1 is a key project in Zhejiang province and will boost transportation connectivity for the upcoming Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.