The Beijing–Hong Kong high-speed train (simplified Chinese: 京港高速动车组列车; traditional Chinese: 京港高速動車組列車) is a high-speed train service operated by China Railway Guangzhou Group (CR Guangzhou) on Beijing–Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong HSR in China. Operated with G303/304 train numbers between Beijing West and Hong Kong West Kowloon on a daily basis, it is currently the fastest train service between Beijing and Hong Kong, with an approximate travelling time of 8 hours and 10 minutes.[1][2]
 | |
.jpg) A CR400AF-S EMU on G303 service in Shijingshan District, Beijing | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | G-series trains |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | China |
| First service |
|
| Current operator |  CR Guangzhou |
| Route | |
| Termini | Beijing West Hong Kong West Kowloon |
| Stops | |
| Distance travelled | 2,439 kilometres (1,516 mi) |
| Average journey time |
|
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train numbers |
|
| Lines used | Jingguang HSR Guangshengang XRL |
| On-board services | |
| Classes |
|
| Catering facilities |
|
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | CR400AF-S (double-headed) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| Operating speed | 350 km/h (217 mph) |
| Track owner | China Railway |
History
editThe G303/304 service dates back to 26 December 2012 as number G79/80, when the Beijing–Zhengzhou section of the Beijing–Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong HSR was opened. At its opening, the service was between Beijing West and Guangzhou South under the numbers G79/82. Later on 28 December 2013, the southern terminus of the service was extended to Shenzhen North and the number of the Shenzhen-bound service was changed from G82 to G80.[3]
On 5 January 2017, the service was extended to Futian.[4]
With the inauguration of the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong XRL Hong Kong section on 23 September 2018, the southern terminus of the service was again extended to Hong Kong West Kowloon,[5][6] while Futian was removed from the service.
On 30 January 2020 the service to West Kowloon was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
On 28 March 2020, the service was restored between Beijing West and Shenzhen North, but service to West Kowloon station was still suspended.
On 1 April 2023, services to West Kowloon station were restored.[2]
On 15 June 2024, the maximum speed of the Beijing–Guangzhou high speed rail (Wuguang section) was increased from 310km/h to 350km/h, reducing the journey time by 46 minutes from Hong Kong to Beijing.
On 26 January 2026, the train number was renamed to G303/304.
Operations
edit.jpg)
The service operates on a daily basis under the following timetable:[1][8][9][2]
| Effective from 26 January 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G303 | Stops | G304 | |||
| Arrive | Depart | Arrive | Depart | ||
| — | 10:00 | Beijing West | 19:30 | — | |
| 11:00 | 11:02 | Shijiazhuang | 18:27 | 18:29 | |
| 12:18 | 12:21 | Zhengzhou East | 17:08 | 17:11 | |
| 13:55 | 13:59 | Wuhan | 15:31 | 15:34 | |
| 15:10 | 15:13 | Changsha South | 14:16 | 14:19 | |
| 17:16 | 17:21 | Guangzhou South | 12:10 | 12:13 | |
| 17:50 | 17:54 | Shenzhen North | 11:38 | 11:41 | |
| 18:12 | — | Hong Kong West Kowloon | — | 11:20 | |
Train formation
editThe service was operated by 16-car CR400AF-A trainsets with the formation shown below. Car 3-14 are for second class seats with 3+2 seating. The dining car is located in Car 9 and wheelchair space is provided on Car 8. Car 2 and 15 are first class car with 2+2 seating. Car 1 is for business seats only and Car 16 is a hybrid of first class seats and business seats.[10]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3-7 | 8 | 9 | 10-14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | SW Business | ZY First class | ZE Second class | ZE Second class  | ZEC Second class/dining car | ZE Second class | ZY First class | ZYS Business/first class |
| Seating capacity | 17 | 60 | 90 | 75 | 48 | 90 | 60 | 28 + 5 |
From 1 April 2023, all trains were replaced by the newer China Railway CR400BF-Z(Base in Guangzhou South Depot). However, from 15 June 2024, they were again replaced by the double-headed CR400AF-Z(Base in Shenzhen Depot) to enable quiet cars on this route.
Previously used rolling stocks
edit- 16-car CRH380BL (from 26 December 2012 to early 2016)
- 16-car CRH380AL (from early 2016 to October 2017)
- Double-headed 8-car CR400AF (from October 2017 to June 2018)
A CRH380AL on G79 service leaving Beijing West in Feb. 2017
A double-headed CR400AF on G79 service leaving Beijing West in Oct. 2017
A double-headed CR400AF on G80 service at Zhengzhou East in Oct. 2017
Information screen of the new CR400BF
.jpg)
.jpg)
References
edit- 1 2 "Long-haul train schedule" (PDF). MTR. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- 1 2 3 裴剑飞; 王贵彬 (2023-04-01). "北京赴港高铁今起恢复运行，北京西站至香港西九龙只需8个半小时". 新京报. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
- ↑ "郑州铁路局12月28日实行新运行图 新增旅客列车11对" (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2018-09-26.
- ↑ "福田高铁直达全国30市县" (in Chinese (China)). 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
- ↑ "Hong Kong Launches First High Speed Rail Service". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
- ↑ "北京开往香港首趟高铁满员启程" (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2018-09-26.
- ↑ "High Speed Rail train service has been suspended and Hong Kong West Kowloon Station closed since 30 January until further notice".
- ↑ "G79时刻表" (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ↑ "G80时刻表" (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ↑ "CR400AF-A/B动车组". www.china-emu.cn (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2018-09-27.