A seat featuring panda is seen in a subway?station in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province in July 27, 2016. [Photo/IC] The "Panda express" subway line is to be launched on July 31, 2016. [Photo/IC]

CHENGDU - A "panda express" subway line is to be launched in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, Sunday.

The line, which will run from the southwest to northeast of the city, is 20 kilometers long and has 17 stops, passing through various major tourist destinations in the city, including the Chengdu Giant Panda Base, the city zoo, and Chunxi Road, a major shopping street.

A panda-themed train will also be in operation, with all compartments, seats, and screens decorated with panda patterns.

Chengdu is speeding up its subway construction, with five new lines scheduled to start construction this year, according to Rao Yong, general manager of Chengdu Subway Service Co Ltd.