Published on
January 12, 2026
Hong Kong High-Speed Rail is expanding its services to sixteen new cities starting January 26, significantly boosting access to key economic and cultural centers across Eastern China. This expansion will connect Hong Kong to prominent cities such as Nanjing, Wuxi, and Hefei, enhancing travel options and fostering greater business, cultural, and tourism exchanges between Hong Kong and these vital regions. With more direct routes, the expansion strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a major hub for regional and international connectivity.
Among the newly added destinations are Qingyuan, Miluodong, Quanzhoudong, Quanzhounan, Huidong, Huizhounan, Fuzhounan, Shantounan, Huilai, Lufengdong, Lufengnan, Chaonan, and Xingningnan. These cities are integral to China’s economic development and are rich in both cultural heritage and growing business opportunities. With Hong Kong’s High-Speed Rail extending to these cities, travelers will have greater access to some of the country’s most dynamic and diverse regions.
In an effort to meet the rising demand for high-speed travel between Hong Kong and mainland China, the MTR Corporation will also introduce an additional round-trip train service between West Kowloon Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Station. These new trains will stop at key intermediate cities like Hefei, Nanjing, and Wuxi, providing passengers with seamless travel across regions while connecting them to important hubs for business and tourism. The additional trains will also help alleviate congestion on existing routes, making it more convenient for travelers to reach their destinations.
An exciting shift in service frequency will be the introduction of daily sleeper trains to Shanghai Hongqiao. Previously, these trains only operated on Fridays and Mondays, but with the new schedule, passengers will have the flexibility to travel on any day of the week, enhancing convenience for those planning long-distance trips. The daily sleeper service will be a significant boost for passengers seeking more flexible and comfortable travel options between Hong Kong and Shanghai, two of Asia’s most important financial and cultural centers.
For short- and medium-distance travelers, the expansion also includes increased services on several popular routes. The frequency of round-trip trains between West Kowloon Station and Guangzhounan Station will rise from 19 to 24 pairs per day. This increase will provide more options for passengers traveling within the Greater Bay Area, further strengthening the region’s connectivity and making it easier for people to move between Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, a key area for both business and tourism.
The Xiamen route will also see improvements. Currently, three pairs of trains operate daily between West Kowloon Station and Xiamen Station, and from January 26, one of these trains will be extended to Fuzhou Station. This extension will improve access to Fujian Province and further enhance the rail network’s coverage across eastern China, making it easier for travelers to explore additional destinations.
Additionally, the frequency of trains to Shantou will be increased from four to five pairs per day. Shantou, a growing city in Guangdong Province, has seen rising demand for travel connections, and this increase in service will cater to the growing number of business and leisure travelers visiting the region. This adjustment reflects the city’s importance in the economic and tourism landscape of Guangdong and the broader Pearl River Delta.
The overall expansion of Hong Kong’s High-Speed Rail services represents a major investment in the city’s infrastructure, supporting its ongoing development as a leading transportation hub in Asia. By offering more destinations, increasing train frequencies, and providing more convenient schedules, the expansion will not only improve mobility for residents and tourists but also help foster economic growth throughout the region. Hong Kong’s role as a gateway to mainland China will be strengthened, and the ease of travel will further enhance the economic, cultural, and technological exchanges between the two regions.
This expansion also aligns with the Greater Bay Area initiative, which seeks to integrate Hong Kong, Macau, and nine cities in Guangdong Province into a more cohesive economic zone. The High-Speed Rail’s new routes will facilitate better communication, trade, and tourism across the region, making it easier for businesses and individuals to travel across the area’s interconnected cities.
Starting January 26, Hong Kong High-Speed Rail will expand services to sixteen new cities, boosting access to key economic and cultural centers across Eastern China. This expansion strengthens Hong Kong’s role as a major hub for business and tourism connections.
As Hong Kong’s High-Speed Rail network grows, so too does the city’s significance as a key international travel hub. The introduction of these new stops, along with the increased frequency of trains and expanded services, will undoubtedly contribute to the region’s continued growth and connectivity. With the expansion set to connect Hong Kong to more of China’s key economic and cultural centers, travelers will have greater access to diverse destinations, making it easier than ever to explore what this vibrant region has to offer.
