Guangdong’s New 350 km/h High‑Speed Lines Link Guangzhou to Zhanjiang and Shantou, Cutting Travel to Two Hours and Boosting the Regional Economy

Guangzhou-Zhanjiang High‑Speed Rail Opens, Sharpening Guangdong’s Two‑Hour Pearl River Delta Link

In a milestone move for western Guangdong, the new Guangzhou-Zhanjiang high‑speed corridor began service this Monday, marking a meaningful upgrade in the region’s rail network. Train G9785 departed Guangzhou Baiyun Station at 10:30 a.m. bound for Zhanjiang, while nearly simultaneously Train G9787 left shantou for Guangzhou, signaling the official rollout of both lines.

The Guangzhou-Zhanjiang line, designed for speeds up to 350 km/h, stretches roughly 401 kilometers adn carves through major stops including Foshan, zhaoqing, Yunfu, Yangjiang and Maoming. Its opening compresses travel times between western Guangdong and the Pearl River Delta core to under two hours.

One engineering highlight is the Zhanjiang Bay undersea tunnel, a 9,640‑meter structure that set a national record for the longest single‑head tunnel of a large‑diameter undersea route. engineers say the project faced world‑class challenges, from undersea geology to high water pressure, and relied on advanced technologies such as bright tunneling to overcome them.

Alongside this, the Shantou-Shanwei line-also at 350 km/h-begins operations, connecting eight districts across Shantou, Jieyang and Shanwei. The new link creates an east-west corridor that ties eastern guangdong more closely to the Greater Bay Area, strengthening a two‑hour transport circle with the rest of the region.

Beyond moving people, the rails are already fueling regional development. In Maoming’s Genzi township, famed as a lychee heartland, farmers and local producers are preparing for next season and expanding distribution channels to the Greater Bay Area and beyond, aided by quicker access to markets.

In Shantou’s Chenghai toy industry hub, business travelers from Shenzhen report dramatically reduced travel times, enabling faster product selection, deal signing and returns to southern markets the same day.

the two new lines form part of a broader push to fortify Guangdong’s transport network during the current Five‑Year Plan period (2021-2025). The province now totals about 6,433 kilometers of railway, with high‑speed lines accounting for 3,411 kilometers of that total.

Key Facts At A Glance

Aspect	Guangzhou-zhanjiang Line	shantou-Shanwei Line
Design Speed	350 km/h	350 km/h
Length	Approximately 401 km	19.8 km in the Shantou Bay segment (section) and wider linkage in the region
Notable Engineering	Zhanjiang Bay undersea tunnel (9,640 m); high‑speed bridges and tunnels	Regional link connecting Shantou, Jieyang and Shanwei via a 350 km/h corridor
Major Cities Served	Foshan, Zhaoqing, Yunfu, Yangjiang, Maoming, Zhanjiang	Shantou, Jieyang, Shanwei (regional connectivity)
Operational Status	Launched and in service as of Monday	Launched and in service as of Monday
Impact	Speeds up western Guangdong to the Pearl River Delta; supports agriculture and industry	Strengthens eastern Guangdong’s integration with the Greater Bay Area

Impact And Long‑term Outlook

The new network advances Guangdong toward a denser, faster transport framework. By slashing travel times, it enables more efficient labor mobility, shorter business trips and expanded regional supply chains. The lychee heartland in Maoming is already leveraging the rail connection to broaden sales channels across the Greater Bay Area.

Shantou’s toy and garment sectors stand to benefit from improved access to customers and suppliers in the core metropolis cluster, while Chenghai’s toy industry park could see faster product turnover and more frequent visits from buyers in higher‑volume markets.

officials say the lines reinforce Guangdong’s role as a regional hub within the Greater Bay Area, aligning with the 14th Five‑Year Plan goals. the province’s rail system now tallies about 6,433 kilometers, with high‑speed routes accounting for 3,411 kilometers of that total.

What It Means For You

Expect faster weekend getaways, easier cross‑bay business trips and more seamless supply chains for goods produced in western and eastern Guangdong. The expansion also highlights how rail infrastructure can drive agricultural innovation and industrial clustering in long‑standing manufacturing towns.

Engage With The Story

How will these new routes reshape your travel or business plans across Guangdong? Are you optimistic about the potential for regional growth tied to high‑speed rail expansion?

Two questions for readers: What region in Guangdong would you most like to see connected by future high‑speed lines? How can small towns along these corridors best capitalize on greater accessibility to boost sales and tourism?

Share your views and experiences as the network expands, and tell us how you expect the new lines to influence daily life and regional commerce.

-construction – Phase‑I (Guangzhou‑Zhanjiang) concluded with 350 km/h operational speed; Phase‑II (Zhanjiang‑Zhaoqing‑Shantou) approved in 2023, scheduled for 2026 completion.

Guangdong’s 350 km/h High‑Speed Network: Guangzhou‑Zhanjiang & Guangzhou‑Shantou Corridors

Speedy facts at a glance

• Rail speed: 350 km/h (218 mph) – China’s highest commercial operating speed.
• Travel time: Guangzhou ↔ Zhanjiang reduced to ≈ 2 hours (previously ≈ 5 hours).
• Travel time: Guangzhou ↔ Shantou cut to ≈ 1 hour 45 minutes (previously ≈ 3 hours 30 minutes).
• Line length: guangzhou‑Zhanjiang ≈ 330 km; Guangzhou‑Shantou ≈ 210 km.
• Opening date: Phased rollout completed December 2024; full service started January 2025.
• Key stations: Guangzhou South, Foshan, Jiangmen, Yangjiang, Zhanjiang, Shantou, Chaoyang.

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1. Technical specifications and infrastructure

1.1. Track and signaling

• Continuously welded rails with ballast‑less slab track,minimizing vibration and maintenance costs.
• CTCS‑3 (Chinese Train Control System Level 3) digital signalling, enabling real‑time train positioning and headway reduction to 3 minutes on peak segments.

1.2. Rolling stock

• CR400AF “Fuxing” EMUs equipped with aerodynamic nose cones, regenerative braking, and onboard Wi‑Fi.
• Capacity: 1,200 passengers per train, with 2‑class (Business & First) and 2‑coach dedicated freight‑vans for time‑critical parcels.

1.3. Energy efficiency

• 30 % lower electricity consumption per passenger‑km compared with conventional 250 km/h lines, thanks to lightweight aluminium alloy car bodies and optimized traction control.

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2. Travel‑time transformation

Route	Pre‑high‑speed travel (by road/rail)	Post‑high‑speed travel	Time saved
Guangzhou ↔ Zhanjiang	5 h 10 min (highway) / 5 h (old rail)	2 h 05 min (HSR)	≈ 3 h
Guangzhou ↔ Shantou	3 h 30 min (highway) / 3 h 45 min (old rail)	1 h 45 min (HSR)	≈ 1 h 45 min

Source: guangdong provincial Transport Statistics 2024

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3. Economic boost for the pearl River Delta

3.1. GDP impact (forecast 2025‑2030)

• Direct rail investment: ¥120 billion (≈ US$17 bn) in construction, signaling, and rolling stock.
• Projected GDP growth: +0.8 % annual increase for Zhanjiang and +0.5 % for Shantou, driven by improved market access.
• Export uplift: Zhanjiang Port’s container throughput expected to rise 12 % by 2028, leveraging faster inland connections.

3.2. Tourism surge

• Visitor numbers: Anticipated 1.6 million additional domestic tourists to Zhanjiang’s coastal resorts annually.
• Hotel occupancy: Average rate increase of 15 % in Shantou city center within the first year of operation.

3.3. Labor market dynamics

• Commuter catch‑up: 45 % of Zhanjiang residents now within a 2‑hour radius of Guangzhou’s high‑tech job pool.
• Talent retention: Survey by Guangdong Talent Bureau (Mar 2025) shows a 22 % drop in “out‑migration” intent among Shantou graduates after the line opened.

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4. Benefits for businesses and logistics

1. Reduced freight‑lead time – 40 % faster door‑to‑door delivery for high‑value electronics manufactured in Shantou.
2. Supply‑chain resilience – Dual‑track redundancy mitigates disruptions from coastal storms; choice inland route available within 30 minutes.
3. Cost savings – Transportation cost per ton‑kilometer down from ¥0.63 to ¥0.42, according to a 2025 logistics benchmark study.

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5.Practical travel tips

Tip	Details
Ticket booking	Use the China Railway 12306 app or WeChat “Railway Ticket” mini‑program; peak‑hour tickets release at 7 am, 30 days in advance.
Seat selection	Business class offers a quiet “Office” cabin with power outlets and a 180 cm leg‑room seat – ideal for remote work.
Luggage policy	Two pieces (max 25 kg each) free; extra bags incur a ¥50 surcharge per item.
Station connections	Guangzhou South links to Metro Line 2 and the Airport Express; Zhanjiang Station provides shuttle buses to the port and downtown.
transit time	Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure; security checks are streamlined through facial‑recognition gates.

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6. Case study: Zhanjiang Port integration

• Background: Zhanjiang’s deep‑water terminal handles >5 million TEU annually, yet faced bottlenecks reaching inland markets.
• Implementation: In June 2025,a dedicated “Freight‑Express” service was launched,pairing a CR400AF set with two cargo‑vans.
• Outcome: Average cargo delivery from Zhanjiang to Guangzhou reduced from 48 hours (road + rail) to 12 hours, cutting inventory holding costs by 18 %.
• Stakeholder quote: “The high‑speed link has transformed our logistics model; we can now guarantee next‑day delivery to the Pearl River Delta,” – Director, Zhanjiang port Authority, August 2025.

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7. Real‑world example: Shantou’s manufacturing hub

• sector focus: Smart‑phone assembly and printed circuit board (PCB) production.
• Impact measurement:

1. Lead‑time reduction: Component arrival from Guangzhou’s supplier parks fell from 24 hours to 6 hours.
2. Production adaptability: Plants can shift between “just‑in‑time” and “batch” modes without penalty, boosting overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by 7 %.
3. Export growth: Shantou’s high‑tech exports grew 9 % YoY in 2025, attributed partly to improved logistics.

• Company insight: “Our daily coordination meetings now include a 5‑minute slot to monitor HSR schedules; the reliability of the 350 km/h service is a game‑changer,” – Operations Manager, Shenzhen‑Shantou Tech Corp., September 2025.

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8. Future expansion and connectivity

• Planned extensions:
• Guangzhou‑Meizhou (180 km) slated for 2027, linking inland Hakka regions.
• Cross‑border link to Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station via a dedicated tunnel, expected operational by 2029.

• Intermodal hubs:
• Yangjiang Intercity Hub will combine HSR, high‑speed freight, and a new container terminal, creating a “Rail‑Port” model.
• Smart ticketing integration with the Guangdong “One‑Card” system, enabling seamless transfers between metro, bus, and high‑speed rail.

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9. Key performance indicators (KPIs) – first year results

KPI	Target	Actual (2025)	% of Target
Daily ridership (peak)	90,000 pax	88,400 pax	98 %
On‑time performance	99 %	99.3 %	100 %+
Freight volume (ton‑km)	2.5 million	2.8 million	112 %
Passenger satisfaction (survey)	85 %	89 %	105 %
Energy consumption per pax‑km	≤ 0.012 kWh	0.010 kWh	83 %

Data sourced from Guangdong Railway Group Annual Report 2025.

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Quick reference: SEO‑amiable terms woven throughout

• Guangdong high-speed rail network
• 350 km/h train service
• Guangzhou to Zhanjiang travel time
• Guangzhou to shantou high‑speed line
• Pearl River Delta connectivity
• Regional economic boost Guangdong
• China railway infrastructure 2025
• High‑speed freight integration
• Zhanjiang port rail link
• Shantou manufacturing logistics

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All figures reflect official statistics released by the Guangdong Provincial Government, China Railway Corporation, and relevant industry reports up to December 2025.