Starting from midnight on April 15, Shenzhen Railway will implement the second quarter train operation plan. It will increase the frequency of loop line trains and enhance capacity on the Meizhou-Shantou line. By adding 5 new pairs of “Golden Loop” trains connecting Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and cities in eastern Guangdong, it will significantly improve the efficient connection between the eastern Guangdong city cluster and the core cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, further promoting regional integration and the smooth operation of the “one-hour living circle”.

Shenzhen Railway Increases Loop Line Frequency

Facilitating Efficient Connectivity Between the Bay Area and Eastern Guangdong

According to the Shenzhen Railway department, this schedule adjustment adds 5 new pairs of loop line trains. These trains connect via multiple lines including the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway, Hangzhou-Shenzhen Line, Meizhou-Shantou Line, Meizhou-Longchuan High-Speed Railway, Beijing-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway, and Ningbo-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, forming a “Golden Loop” that links Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and cities in eastern Guangdong.

Notably, the G5256/3 loop line train, which starts and ends at Shenzhen Station, passes through stations such as Huizhou South, Shanwei, Shantou, Meizhou West, Wuhua, and Heyuan East before returning to Shenzhen Station. Several other loop line trains, including Guangzhou South–Guangzhou C6775/8/5 and C6783/6/3, Guangzhou–Foshan West C6776/7/6, and Guangzhou–Guangzhou South C6784/5/4, all pass through Shenzhen North Station.

Furthermore, new loop line services have been added, including Guangzhou–Shenzhen G8480/1, Shenzhen–Guangzhou G8482/79 and G5254/5, Guangzhou East–Shenzhen G8432/1, and Shenzhen–Guangzhou East G8478/7.

The newly added trains, such as Shantou–Shenzhen G5250/1, Shantou–Dongguan South D7362/3/2 (via Shenzhen North), and Dongguan South–Shanwei D7365/8 (via Shenzhen North), further increase transportation capacity between the Chaoshan region and the Shenzhen Special Zone, providing passengers with more ticket options and a better travel experience.

Shenzhen ⇌ Nanning

2.5-Hour Direct High-Speed Rail Link

Recently, the Xinzhong Tunnel of the SNSG-2 bid section of the Shenzhen-Nanning High-Speed Railway, which connects Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, was successfully completed, marking a breakthrough in the project’s construction. This tunnel, with a total length of 3.22 kilometers, is currently the longest tunnel completed on the Shenzhen-Nanning High-Speed Railway.

The Shenzhen-Nanning High-Speed Railway is located within Guangdong Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It starts from Shenzhen City in Guangdong Province in the east and extends to Nanning City, the capital of Guangxi, in the west, with a total length of approximately 661 kilometers. It is a new high-speed rail corridor for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to rapidly access the southwestern region.

The Guangdong section of the Shenzhen-Nanning High-Speed Railway is approximately 357 kilometers long, consisting of:

Shenzhen-Jiangmen Railway (116 km): The section from Shenzhen Xili to Nansha has a design speed of 200 km/h, and the section from Nansha to Jiangmen has a design speed of 250 km/h. It includes 7 stations: Xili, Shenzhen Airport East, Dongguan Binhaiwan, Nansha, Zhongshan North, Henglan, and Jiangmen.

Zhuhai-Zhaoqing Railway, Jiangmen to Pearl River Delta Hub Airport section (99 km): Design speed of 350 km/h, with 4 stations: Jiangmen, Heshan West, Gaoming, and Pearl River Delta Airport.

Pearl River Delta Hub Airport to Provincial Boundary section (142 km): Design speed of 350 km/h, with 2 stations: Yunfu and Luoding North.

According to the plan, the Shenzhen-Nanning High-Speed Railway is expected to be completed and open to traffic in 2027. Upon completion, the fastest travel time from Shenzhen to Nanning will be only 2

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a major national development strategy in China, integrating nine cities in Guangdong Province with the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao into a world-class city cluster. Historically, the region has long been a vital economic and cultural hub of southern China, with Hong Kong and Macao having distinct colonial histories before their returns in 1997 and 1999, respectively. Today, it is envisioned as a leading global center for innovation, finance, and trade, leveraging the complementary strengths of its constituent areas.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a major modern metropolis in southern China, adjacent to Hong Kong, which was transformed from a small fishing village into a special economic zone in 1980. This designation catalyzed its rapid development into a global hub for technology, manufacturing, and finance, symbolizing China’s economic reforms. Today, it is known as the “Silicon Valley of China” and is home to leading tech giants, with its history as a recent boomtown central to its identity.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou, historically known as Canton, is a major port city in southern China and the capital of Guangdong province. With a history spanning over 2,200 years, it was a key terminus of the ancient Maritime Silk Road and later became the sole port open to foreign trade during parts of the Qing Dynasty. Today, it is a bustling modern metropolis and a global trade hub, famously hosting the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair).

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, originally a British colony from 1842 until its handover in 1997. It is renowned as a global financial hub and vibrant cultural metropolis, where Eastern and Western traditions blend seamlessly in its cuisine, architecture, and urban life.

Meizhou

Meizhou is a prefecture-level city in eastern Guangdong province, China, best known as the ancestral homeland and cultural center of the Hakka people. It is historically significant as the birthplace of the Song Dynasty scholar-official and national hero, Wen Tianxiang. The city is also home to many historic Hakka enclaves, including the iconic *tulou* (earthen buildings) and serves as a major pilgrimage site due to its many temples dedicated to Mazu, the goddess of the sea.

Shantou

Shantou is a major coastal city in eastern Guangdong province, historically known as a key treaty port opened to foreign trade in 1860. It became famous as the primary emigration port for the Teochew diaspora, whose global communities maintain strong cultural and economic ties to the city. Today, it is a significant economic zone and harbor, with its history reflected in its distinctive Teochew cuisine, opera, and colonial-era architecture along the Queshi coastline.

Nanning

Nanning is the capital city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, historically serving as a significant administrative and commercial center. While its modern development is prominent, its history dates back over 1,600 years, with its strategic location fostering trade and cultural exchange along the Youjiang River. Today, it is best known as the permanent host city for the China-ASEAN Expo, reflecting its role as a gateway to Southeast Asia.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, located in southern China, is renowned for its stunning karst landscape, most famously depicted around the city of Guilin. Established as an autonomous region in 1958, it is the home of the Zhuang people, China’s largest ethnic minority, whose distinct culture and history are integral to the area’s identity. Historically, it was a crucial part of the Lingnan region and a significant corridor for trade and cultural exchange along the West River.