Starting on June 15, Shanghai will benefit from enhanced railway connectivity across China, featuring new destinations, reduced travel times, and increased train services as part of China's new national railway operating plan.

Highlights include the launch of the Yangtze River Delta loop line, overnight high-speed sleeper trains connecting Shanghai and Hong Kong, shorter travel times between Shanghai and Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong province, and additional trains to cities like Qingdao in East China's Shandong province and Wenling in East China's Zhejiang province.

Let's explore these exciting new travel opportunities!

Yangtze River Delta loop line

[Photo/China Daily]

Starting from June 15, a new high-speed train, G8388/9/8, will form a loop connecting Shanghai with the provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang.

Covering a one-way distance of over 1,200 kilometers and stopping at 19 stations (excluding origin and terminus), the entire journey takes 8 hours and 9 minutes.

Passing through bustling cities and prime tourist destinations in the Yangtze River Delta, this route offers a captivating journey across the region.

The inaugural G8388 train departs from Shanghai Station, passing through Suzhou, Wuxi, and Changzhou—cities renowned for their classical gardens—before reaching the ancient capital of Nanjing. It continues through the picturesque landscapes of Jiuhua Mountain, Huangshan Mountain, and Qiandao (Thousand Island) Lake, before reaching the West Lake in Hangzhou and returning to Shanghai Hongqiao Station.

[Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

This route not only facilitates direct connections between major cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, Hefei, and Hangzhou (the latter three being provincial capitals) but also connects relatively remote cities with these major hubs, making travel between small and large cities more convenient and cohesive.

The loop line integrates with seven high-speed railway lines in the region, providing easy access to nearly every corner of the Yangtze River Delta.

Currently, the Yangtze River Delta region boasts over 7,000 kilometers of operational high-speed rail, with 25 high-speed railway lines. High-speed train services cover all cities at or above the prefecture level within the region, except for the archipelago city of Zhoushan in Zhejiang Province.

Sleeper trains to Hong Kong

[Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

The D907 train runs between Shanghai Hongqiao Station and Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, operating every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The entire journey takes 11 hours and 14 minutes.

Starting June 15, the train will offer sleeper options in addition to regular seats. Sleeper tickets are priced at 800 yuan for the upper berth and 900 yuan for the lower berth, both enjoying approximately 35 percent off the regular price.

Faster trains to Guangzhou

Under the new railway operating plan, the entire Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway will operate at a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour. As a result, travel time from Shanghai to Guangzhou is reduced by up to 75 minutes, from 8 hours and 9 minutes to 6 hours and 54 minutes!

For specific train schedules, please refer to railway station announcements, the China Railway Customer Service Center, and the 12306 website for the most up-to-date information.

Sources: Shanghai Railway Station, People's Daily