CHANGCHUN -- Construction of a new high-speed railway in Northeast China's Jilin province started Tuesday.

The high speed railway, linking Dunhua city and Baihe town in Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture, is 113.5 kilometers long with a speed of 250 km per hour.

There are many tourist sites along the route, including Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve, a top national tourist attraction.

The railway will play a significant role in helping Jilin province benefit from China's Belt and Road Initiative and the development of tourism, trade and culture in local ethnic minority areas, local authorities said.