Beijing had its day with the Olympic Games – now it's Shanghai's turn.
The gigantic World Expo is an innovation extravaganza taking place in China's business capital, with countries and corporations from all over the world exhibiting their most cutting-edge products.
Set to run for 6 months, the Expo's budget eclipses that even of the Olympics.
Its official cost is $28 billion but some estimate the total investment may be as much as $95 billion, taking into account huge infrastructure projects including new highways and subway lines.
Xi'an has always proven popular with the tourists, thanks to the Terracotta warriors, and few visitors have been able to resist the charms of Chengdu's panda population.
However, traveling between the two major cities has always been something of a problem, due to the rugged natural environment.
Now, the National Development and Reform Commission has just announced that a new high-speed rail link between Xi’an and Chengdu has been approved.
The new railway will be designed and constructed by the China Railway First Survey and Design Institute.
The Xi'an-Chengdu railway will cost around 10 billion US dollars, and will be the first railway to run through the Qinling Mountains, which explains the high price tag.
According to the engineers involved the project is scheduled to be completed within 4 years.