Following almost 20 years of planning and construction, the Hong Kong Express Rail Link will open fully on 23 September.
The rail line will connect the city with the rest of mainland China’s 25,000km long national high-speed rail network for the first time, and will greatly increase travel capability for events.
The line will be known as the Vibrant Express, and will travel through 44 stations including Guanzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. Maximum speeds reach 200km per hour, and can travel between Hong Kong and Guanzhou in just 48 minutes (down from two hours currently).
Dawn Page, director, UK and Northern Europe at Hong Kong Tourism Board commented: “The launch of the Vibrant Express is an exciting and important development which further strengthens Hong Kong’s renowned status as an international hub for leisure and business travellers.
“The connection by high speed rail will enable visitors to take advantage of luxury train holidays throughout China, using our city as the starting or finishing point for their holiday.”
Trains will be leaving and arriving at The West Kowloon Station, one of the largest underground high speed rail stations in the world. It boasts a magnificent glass façade comprising 4,000 glass panels varying in size, shape and curvature.
The station’s rooftop has also been designed with a pedestrian skywalk to provide visitors with a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong’s skyline.
