GUANGZHOU – The much-anticipated Zhuiliao to Xintang South section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway will officially begin operations on Friday, according to an announcement by Guangzhou Metro Group.

The new section spans 48.2 kilometers and includes seven newly built stations: Zhongluotandong, Jiufo, Folang, Xinlong, Zhenlong, Yongningbei, and Yongningnan.

Upon opening, the line will connect with the existing Xintang South to the Shenzhen airport’s section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway, forming a fully integrated rail corridor linking Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport.

The full operation of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway is expected to significantly enhance transportation across the Pearl River Delta. It will improve rail connectivity among seven cities — Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhaoqing, and Qingyuan — accelerating the development of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area’s “one-hour living circle”.

The new section will also strengthen rail links in eastern Guangzhou. Passengers at Zhenlong Station can transfer conveniently to Metro Line 14 and Line 21 via a connecting corridor, while Jiufo Station offers an out-of-station transfer to Metro Line 14.

ALSO READ: New rail link cuts travel time between Guangzhou’s Pazhou, Shenzhen airport

The intercity railway will run in both stop-at-every-station and express modes. Express trains will stop at the Zhuiliao, Zhenlong, Xintang South, Dongguan West, Humen North, Chang'an, and Shenzhen Airport stations, linking four major transportation hubs: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou Xintang High-Speed Rail Station, Humen High-Speed Rail Station, and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport.

According to initial operational plans, the travel time between Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is expected to be less than one hour and 40 minutes.