High-speed beauty and elegance

Editor's Note:

As the world's longest high-speed rail officially began operation on Wednesday, some public attention once again focused on the beauty and elegance of the professionally-trained stewardesses. But is it shallow to simply focus on the attractiveness of the staff when the record-breaking line is such an historic achievement? We'll let you decide with this collection of images of smiling faces from rail to air.

Some 30 stewardesses attend Air China's Smile Angel Competition in Chongqing to celebrate International Women's Day, March 7, 2006. [Photo/CFP]

A stewardess guides passengers to board the high-speed rail in Beijing, Dec 22, 2012. [Photo/CFP]