Travel agencies launch tour packages to Guangdong, Guangxi, and cities along the line, priced around 3,000 yuan
The traditional low season for travel from late December to early January has been enlivened by the upcoming opening of the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway.
According to recent news from the Ministry of Railways, the Beijing-Zhengzhou section of the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway will officially begin operation on December 26, connecting with the previously opened Zhengzhou-Wuhan and Wuhan-Guangzhou sections. With this, the entire Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed rail line is now fully connected. Major travel agencies in Beijing have launched or are about to launch corresponding tour products in response to the railway’s opening.
China National Travel Service (CNTS) Head Office
Tours to Guangdong and Hong Kong for two to three thousand yuan
CNTS Head Office is the first to launch a series of New Year’s high-speed rail tour products. The inaugural high-speed rail tour groups include two series: “Welcome to Beijing” and “Vibrant Guangdong Tour.” The “Welcome to Beijing” series features several thoughtfully designed Beijing independent travel routes. The “Vibrant Guangdong Tour” series will take travelers to Chimelong Safari Park, Kaiping Diaolou, Zhaoqing Dinghu Mountain, as well as Fei JI Island and Hong Kong, with prices ranging from 2,780 to 3,880 yuan per person.
Spring Travel Agency (Chunqiu)
Focus on several major city hubs
According to Yang Yang, General Manager of Beijing Spring Travel Agency, high-speed rail tourism along the Beijing-Guangzhou line will be a key focus for the agency’s Spring Festival travel offerings next year. Based on the stations along the route, tour products will center around several major cities and integrate surrounding tourist resources.
One is a Central Plains cultural tour centered on Zhengzhou. During the Spring Festival, the focus will be on visiting Luoyang, Dengfeng (Shaolin Temple), and Kaifeng—cities known for their historical sites that are not affected by seasonal changes. It may even connect with the Zhengxi High-Speed Railway to extend tours to Xi’an and its surroundings.
Another is a Chu culture and Three Kingdoms culture tour centered on Wuhan, featuring ancient Chibi, Jingzhou, Xiangyang, the Three Gorges, and even Shennongjia and Wudang Mountain.
A third is an Xiang River region tour centered on Changsha, including the hometowns of great leaders such as Shaoshan, Yueyang Tower, Dongting Lake, and Miluo River. The high-speed rail’s reach will also help lower travel costs to Zhangjiajie.
The fourth is a Guangzhou-centered tour. While Guangzhou itself is less impacted by the high-speed rail, the line stops at Shaoguan, so Danxia Mountain will be included as a destination. Specific pricing for these routes will depend on the final fares set by the railway authorities.
China Comfort Travel Group (CCT)
Diverting guests bound for island destinations
Considering that the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway opens during the season when the north is cold and the south is warm, CCT’s initial high-speed rail tour routes will primarily focus on Guangdong and Guangxi. One route will link Guangzhou, Yangjiang Hot Springs, Kaiping Diaolou, and Fei Ji Island, while another will take the high-speed rail to Guangzhou, then travel to Zhanjiang, Fei Ji Island, and Beihai in Guangxi, returning by air-conditioned express train.
Chen Ying, Domestic Department Manager of CCT, said that in the past, it was difficult to get train tickets to Guangzhou, and plane tickets were not heavily discounted. The opening of the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway provides another travel option for those heading to South China. Meanwhile, Hainan is extremely popular in winter and trains can’t reach there, so the high-speed rail tours can divert some travelers away from the island. There are also many naturally scenic spots around Guangzhou, such as Zhaoqing, Qingyuan, and Shaoguan, which will be introduced starting next Spring Festival. Prices have not yet been finalized, but around 3,000 yuan is a market-acceptable rate.
Tourism experts
Segmented tourism gets a boost
Wei Xiao’an, a renowned expert in tourism economics and management, said the opening of the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway will lead to “segmented activation and full-line connectivity” in tourism. For example, tourism between Beijing-Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou-Wuhan, and other segments has been activated.
Regarding the impact on other modes of transport, Wei Xiao’an noted that the expansion of the high-speed rail network poses an increasing threat to aviation, especially mid-range flights, because high-speed rail is unaffected by weather and offers a more comfortable ride. However, it should also be noted that high-speed rail ticket prices are relatively high and primarily cater to business travelers.