Hohhot Metro Line 1 was officially launched on Dec 29 -- marking the first metro line that has opened in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, according to news agency Xinhua.

The metro line, running from Yili Health Valley Stop in the west to Bayan (Airport) Stop in the east, is 22 kilometers in length, with a total of 20 stops set up along the line.

Officials said the total investment in Line 1 was 17.057 billion yuan ($2.44 billion).

The top design speed for trains running on the Line 1 is 80 km/h and the maximum passenger capacity is 2,062 people.

The interior look of the metro trains for the Line 1 integrates regional design elements, such as depictions of the grass and cows.

Currently, the operating times of Line 1 run from 06:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs, and it takes around 45 minutes for a metro train to complete the entire journey.

The train intervals are spaced at 10 minutes, but narrow to eight minutes during peak hours and are at 12 minute intervals after 20:00 hrs.

Passengers can open the official app for Hohhot Metro, which is called Qingcheng Metro, to enter the station and take a metro ride with a QR code generated by the app.

The fares are differentiated according to distance, starting at 2 yuan.

In addition, corresponding fare discount policies for different groups of passengers have been introduced.

Residents aged 60-69, primary and secondary school students and sanitation workers can enjoy a 50 percent discount.

Free metro rides are provided for senior citizens who are over 70, soldiers and firefighters.

The launch ceremony for the Hohhot Metro Line 1 is held in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Dec 29. [Photo/people.com.cn]

Passengers pose for a photo with Hohhot Metro tickets on Dec 29. [Photo/people.com.cn]