SZ to Shantou in 99 minutes as new rail section opens

Shenzhen’s connectivity received a major boost with the official opening of two new high-speed rail lines in Guangdong yesterday, significantly shortening travel times to key regional centers.

The Shantou Railway Station. Photo by Zhao Ming’ou and Lin Canjia except otherwise stated

The most direct impact for Shenzhen comes from the opening of the Shantou-Shantou South section, part of the 162-kilometer Shanwei-Shantou High-speed Railway.

This new link slashes the journey time between Shenzhen and Shantou to 99 minutes from approximately three hours. Tickets for the fastest direct services from Shantou to Shenzhen North Station start from 220 yuan (US$31).

A train from Zhanjiang North Station to Guangzhou Baiyun Station crosses the Fengtou River Bridge yesterday. Xinhua

Also yesterday, the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang High-speed Railway commenced operations. While the new railway does not terminate in Shenzhen, its launch profoundly enhances accessibility to the wider regional network from the city.

This 401-kilometer line reduces the travel time from Guangzhou Baiyun Station to Zhanjiang North to 92 minutes. By creating a faster corridor between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) — where Shenzhen is a core city — and western Guangdong, travel between Shenzhen and destinations like Zhanjiang and Maoming is made easier.

Passengers pose for a photo at Guangzhou Baiyun Station in Guangzhou before boarding the inaugural train from the station to Zhanjiang North Station in Zhanjiang, a city in western Guangdong, yesterday. Xinhua

The twin openings mark a leap forward in integrating the GBA with eastern and western Guangdong.

Travelers can book tickets for all services through the 12306 website, mobile app, or station ticket counters, with specific schedules and fares available on the official platform.