The opening of the Guiyang–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway (HSR) on December 26, 2014, will cut the rail journey from 20 hours to only about 5 hours. It links the economically poor, but ethnically and naturally rich, regions of Guizhou and Guangxi to the prosperous Pearl River Delta area.

Guiyang–Guangzhou HSR is an important transportation artery between Guiyang and Guangzhou, as there is no other direct highway or railway between these two regions.

Popular Areas the Railway Passes Through

The rail line starts from Guangzhou and passes through North Guangxi's karst region (Guilin and Yangshuo), then the previously hard-to-access Miao and Dong ethnic regions of Southeast Guizhou Province.

21 Stations on a 5-Hour Journey

Guiyang–Guangzhou HSR runs through 21 stations: Guiyang Bei, Guiyang, Longli Bei, Changming, Duyun Dong, Sandu, Rongjiang, Congjiang, Sanjiang Nan, Wutong, Guilin Xi, Yangshuo, Gongcheng, Zhongshan Xi, Hezhou, Huaiji, Guangning, Zhaoqing Dong, Sanshui Nan, Foshan Xi, and Guanzhou Nan.

Top Scenery and Attractions to See

Of value to tourists, as well as the major stations at Guangzhou, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Guiyang, there are five small stations in the ethnic regions of Guizhou and Guangxi.

This provides more convenience for travelers going to the mountainous ethnic regions. The ethnic areas of Guizhou are a great lure to both Chinese and foreign travelers, but poor accessibility has stopped many travelers from visiting the area.

Guangzhou: China gateway city

Guilin: limestone landscapes of the Li River, Longji's Terraced Fields

Yangshuo: karst landsacpes

Sanjiang: Dong ethnic culture

Congjiang: Miao ethnic culture

Rongjiang: Miao ethnic culture

Kaili (Changnan Prefecture, Duyun Dong Station): Multi-ethnic culture

Guiyang: Huangguoshu Waterfall, Minority Culture

China's Most Challenging Railway? — a Long-Term Investment

Maybe tougher than the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, the karst sections of this railway total about 220 km (136 mi) long.

81% is bridges and tunnels. When you enter the limestone landscape area, you will feel like you are taking a rural subway train! There are 238 tunnels, which accounts for 456 km (283 mi) of the total length, nine of them are more than 10 km (6 miles) long.

Huge Construction Cost

This 864-kilometer-long high speed railway cuts a direct path, boring through limestone peaks and spanning valleys in mountainous terrain, making the construction tortuous. The cost is around 90 billion yuan (more than 14 billion USD), half of which is in bank loans. More than 3 billion yuan (about 500 million USD) is to be paid in interests per year according to current rates.

Low Initial Return — Operating at a Loss

Deducting operating costs, the railway won't earn 1 billion yuan (161 million USD) a year.

Comfortable and Affordable Journeys

Modern seating (with foldable table) and rest rooms

Meals served at your seat from 15 yuan to 40 yuan (2.5 USD to 6.5 USD)

Hot water and microwave ovens are available for your own hot tea, coffee, and meals.

Good phone signal (free Wi-Fi is under consideration)

Disabled seating and toilets

Schedule and Prices

There are 7 bullet trains each way daily between Guiyang and Guangzhou (all stopping at every intermediate station). See the timetable below.

Second Class: 266.5 yuan (43 USD)

First Class: 320 yuan (52 USD)