The Xintang Transit Hub Project has put a call out for tenders. Xintang Railway Station will become the first Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)-based complex in South China as well as a gateway to the east side of Guangzhou, serving as the departure station for certain Guangzhou to Shantou trains, and a stop for many eastbound high speed trains and regular passengers from Guangzhou and Dongguan, the interchange for the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway, and Guangzhou Metro Lines 13, 16, 28 (under planning) and Line 20 (under planning).

An artist’s render of Xintang Railway Station and surrounding area

According to the Guangzhou Railway Hub master plan (2016-2030), Xintang Station will be reconstructed so as to connect to the Guangzhou-Shantou railway. The rail yard will consist of 7 platforms to accommodate 17 lines, and this new station will cover an area of about 50,000 square meters.

Xintang Station is positioned as a major supporting passenger terminal for Guangzhou transit hubs, such as the Guangzhou East Railway Station.

An artist’s render of the new station

The Call for Bids also indicates that the Guangzhou-Shantou Railway will open by the end of 2020, and the construction of the station will need to commence this year.

The station design adopts the principle of ‘seamless transit’, providing passengers easy access to and transfer between trains, intercity trains, metros and other urban transportation. Check-in is estimated to take no more than 3.2 minutes on average, and the walking distance to one direct interchange will be less than 5 minutes.

An artist’s render of properties above the station

Xintang will not only serve as a transit hub, but is envisaged as the first TOD-based complex in South China. A mixed-use development will rise above the rail yard, making this railway station a new gateway to eastern Guangzhou. At present, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway and the Cadre International TOD Centre (ITC) are located in the south wing of the rail yard, and Guangzhou Metro Lines 13 and 16 connect the underground space of the ITC.

Author：Michelle Wang

Editor: Simon Haywood