The construction planning of intercity railways in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area gained approval from the National Development and Reform Commission on Aug 4.

The planning notes that a one-hour transportation circle among major cities in the Greater Bay Area, a two-hour transportation circle between major cities and inland cities in Guangdong province, as well as a three-hour transportation circle between major cities and nearby provincial capital cities will be established.

The construction for a total of 13 intercity railway projects and five hub projects are covered in the short-term plan, involving an overall mileage of around 775 kilometers.

Three Guangzhou high-speed metro lines will be upgraded into intercity railway lines in the Greater Bay Area, namely lines 18, 22, and 28.

The Guangzhou Railway Station renovation project will also be put into construction and several high-speed railway lines will pass Guangzhou Railway Station, as well as several intercity railway lines like the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed railway and the Guangzhou-Shanwei high-speed railway.

It is expected that the railway both in operation and under construction in the Greater Bay Area will reach a total mileage of 4,700 km by 2025 and that the total will amount to 5,700 km by 2035.