It opened for revenue service on 17 August 2015, connecting the two principal cities in Heilongjiang province, Harbin and Qiqihar.

[1][2] Operating at up to 250 km/h (155 mph), the high-speed trains have cut the fastest journey time between the cities from 3 h to 85 min.

[1] The railway is operated with a fleet of 28 CRH5A trainsets which have been modified to cope with the region's severe winter conditions, where temperatures can fall as low as -40°C.

The line continues alongside the existing conventional Harbin–Manzhouli railway through the suburban areas, progressing through Hulan District before entering Zhaodong.

[6] The original design of the project planned to demolish and rebuild the century-old railway bridge at Binzhou.