High Speed Rail (Hong Kong Section) Expands with New Xi’anbei Route, Connecting Key Tourist Destinations and Enhancing Cross-Border Travel

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MTR Corporation is dedicated to improving the High Speed Rail (Hong Kong Section) services, announcing that starting 5 January 2025, the HSR will expand its network by introducing a new long-distance route to Xi’anbei in Shaanxi Province. This expansion also includes the addition of three new destinations under the Individual Visit Scheme: Meizhouxi, Suzhounan, and Xi’anbei. These additions aim to enhance convenience for tourists and facilitate both leisure and business travel for residents of Hong Kong. As a result, the total number of direct-access destinations available through the HSR will rise to 94, serviced by as many as 108 pairs of daily train runs.

The newly established route to Xi’anbei will feature a daily round trip directly connecting Hong Kong to Xi’an, a city celebrated for its rich historical legacy and significant advancements in science and technology. Added to the Individual Visit Scheme in 2024, Xi’an will now be more accessible to visitors. This route will cover 17 destinations, highlighting locations rich in tourist attractions, including the cultural city of Luoyang, the Longmen Grottoes recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site, and the adventurous Huashan, enhancing cultural exchanges and the exploration of Mainland China’s historical treasures.

Additionally, the route to Guangzhoudong will now stop at Xintang, a new development zone within Guangzhou and a vital component of the Greater Bay Area’s high-speed rail network. Ticket sales for these new destinations and additional train services will commence on 22 December 2024.

“With the support of the governments of both the Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as the Mainland railway authorities, HSR has experienced rapid growth since its launch. The number of direct destinations has increased from 44 to more than double that many, solidifying HSR’s role as a vital bridge connecting Hong Kong and the Mainland. In addition to launching the new Xi’anbei long-haul route, existing services will be enhanced to better meet passenger needs. The addition of new destinations in three cities under the Individual Visit Scheme will further improve convenience for visitors,” said Ms Jeny Yeung, Managing Director – Hong Kong Transport Services, MTR Corporation.

Further service improvements set for 5 January 2025 include a new daily service running between Hong Kong West Kowloon and multiple destinations such as Shenzhenbei, Shanwei, and Wuhan. There will also be adjustments to existing routes to Guangzhoudong, Chaoshan, Shanghai, Beijing, and Chongqing. To accommodate the holiday rush, extra train services will be available from 24 to 29 December 2024, enhancing connectivity between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

MTR Corporation continues its commitment to enhancing transportation services, providing seamless travel experiences, and fostering greater cultural and economic integration between Hong Kong and Mainland China. Last month, the introduction of Chartered Train Services aimed to support group travel, with special round-trip charters to destinations like Chaoshan and Zhangjiajiexi planned for the upcoming festive season.