The new Shenzhen-Meizhou high-speed train, G8496, officially began operations yesterday, departing from Shenzhen North Railway Station at 11:30 a.m. The train reached Meizhou West Railway Station in just 1 hour and 46 minutes, a significant time savings of over an hour compared to previous routes.

Passengers on the inaugural journey were excited about the improved convenience. One passenger, surnamed Liu, shared, “A few days ago, I traveled to Shenzhen via Chaoshan, which took over 3 hours. Now, this new route is much faster.”

The newly opened 94-kilometer Meizhou-Longchuan High-Speed Railway forms a key section of the larger Longyan-Longchuan High-Speed Railway, which connects Longyan in Fujian Province with Longchuan in Guangdong Province. The Longyan-Wuping section opened in December 2023, while the Wuping-Meizhou section is still under construction.

This route, which includes stops at three stations in Meizhou and one in Heyuan, links the Meizhou-Shantou High-Speed Railway at Meizhou West Station and the Ganzhou-Shenzhen High-Speed Railway at Longchuan West Station.

Li Jianfang, head of the Technician Department at Shenzhen North Railway Station, said that 10 trains are currently running daily on the Meizhou-Longchuan High-Speed Railway, and once the schedule is fully operational, up to 32 trains will travel between Shenzhen and destinations along the line.

Demand for the new service is already high, with tickets for the first day of operation selling out quickly. The Guangzhou Railway Group Corp. expects the railway to significantly enhance the integration of northeastern Guangdong into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, boosting regional connectivity and development.

Meizhou, known as the “Hakka Capital of the World,” has deep cultural roots as the home of millions of Hakka people whose ancestors migrated from Central China centuries ago. With its rich history and Hakka heritage, Meizhou remains a key cultural and historical site in southern China. The new rail connection is expected to further strengthen the region’s ties with the Greater Bay Area and beyond.