Amidst the first Spring Festival travel season since the Shenyang-Baishan high-speed railway began operations, journalists accompanied police from the Changbai Mountain Railway Station to conduct patrols—climbing snowy mountains, trekking through snowdrifts, and inspecting the railway route.
On February 10, officers from the Changbaishanxi Station Police Station of the Tonghua Railway Public Security Department conducted inspections along the railway line. In howling winds and heavy snowfall, Officer Liang Weizhe, deputy director of the station, stamped snow off his boots and urged the journalists into the patrol vehicle.
The day marked the Little New Year in northern China, but for Liang and his partner Jia Zhuang, it was business as usual—patrolling their 76-kilometer jurisdiction. Starting from the Daying policing area in Xianrenqiao Town, Fusong County, Jilin Province, the patrol route stretched east and west. To the west, the path followed winding County Road 490 for over 30 kilometers; to the east, it extended nearly two hours along National Highway 201 into the heart of Changbai Mountain, covering a round trip of 160 kilometers.
Liang explained that dozens of key points—including guard posts, culverts, crossings, bridges, and villages—required inspection. Some were easily accessible, while others lay deep within uninhabited forests. A full inspection could take three to five days.
The terrain proved challenging. Xianrenqiao, nestled between mountains, was described by officers as a narrow valley where wind blew sideways. Along the route, scattered cottages, livestock, and coal dust sprinkled on snow-covered roads indicated nearby residents. Liang navigated sharp turns, icy bridges, and a continuous 4-kilometer downhill slope. Outside, orderly plantations gave way to dense, untamed forests.
Approaching the Dongshan Tunnel—the western endpoint of the patrol—the vehicle halted at a steep, snow-covered slope. The team continued on foot. Journalists struggled through deep snow, which seeped into their boots and froze solid, making each step precarious. Windblown snow stung their faces.
Liang shared that officers often used sticks to probe snow depth, maintain balance, and scare away wildlife. Previous patrols had encountered snakes, roe deer, and weasels; in late 2023, they even spotted two bears. After a tense standoff, the officers retreated and notified forest authorities.
Beside the Dongshan Tunnel stood the 200-meter-long Tanghe No. 1 Bridge, where high-speed trains frequently passed. Since its launch in September, the Changbaishanxi Station has handled 28 daily trains, with passenger traffic surging from 70 to nearly 7,000 daily. The station has become a vital hub linking Changbai Mountain, Yanbian, Tonghua, Shenyang, Harbin, and Beijing—making railway security increasingly critical.
A native of Fusong County, Liang recalled a three-hour drive to Tonghua a year earlier when his son had a high fever. Now, the high-speed train covers the distance in just 40 minutes—a "special express for the king of the snow country," as he told his son.
At the valley floor, officers inspected signal base stations, checked for damaged equipment, and looked for hazards like floating objects or fallen trees near the tracks. Although some issues fell outside their jurisdiction, Liang emphasized that any potential risks were reported immediately. "High-speed rail safety leaves no room for error," he said.
Since the railway's planning phase, officers have patrolled extensively, earning the local nickname "slope climbers." Challenges were common: once, Liang and Jia’s vehicle got stuck in thigh-deep snow, requiring a three-hour rescue. Yet, officers preferred winter patrols—spring thaws turned paths into muddy, slippery trails, forcing them to patrol in thin rain boots despite the cold.
A full patrol from the Dongshan Tunnel to the eastern endpoint at Lushuihe Forest Farm No. 2 Bridge took an entire day. Under the bridge, officers braved sub-zero temperatures and snow shaken loose by passing trains, their fingers and ears reddening in the biting wind. For convenience, they carried simple rations like bread and bottled water, but Liang insisted on hot noodles after inspections—a small gesture of care.
According to Liu Zhongxu, head of the Changbaishanxi Station Police Station, the force enhanced coordination with local authorities and optimized passenger services ahead of the railway’s opening. Nevertheless, constant patrols—by vehicle, foot, and video—remain essential to ensure safety.
In their spare time, officers proudly promote their hometown’s snow-capped peaks, hot springs, and ginseng. They note that even local housing prices have risen since the railway opened, and they look forward to welcoming more visitors and investors.
As dusk fell and red lanterns glowed along the return route, the journalists followed the officers back to the station, where a Little New Year’s feast awaited. Liang reported the patrol results: "No issues—all normal."
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