New Guangzhou-Shanwei railway begins test runs

The first inspection train started its journey from Shanwei Railway Station to Zengcheng station on Monday morning, marking the start of official testing for the newly built high-speed railway between Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, and Shanwei, also in Guangdong.

The test will help lay a solid foundation for the opening and operation of the railway line, according to China Railway Guangzhou Group Co.

As a key project in Guangdong, the newly built railway connects lines between Guangzhou and Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Shenzhen and Beijing to Hong Kong, helping reduce travel time between Guangzhou and Shanwei from two hours to less than one.

It will provide a fast passenger channel for Shanwei, located in the eastern coastal area of Guangdong, to better integrate into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the railway group said.

The new line started its construction in 2019 and spans 202 kilometers, with a design speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

The line will be officially put into operation after finishing tests by the end of August.