High-speed rail loop offers convenient access to rich tourism resources, Zheng Zheng and He Qi report in Shanghai.

Every evening, the G8388 high-speed train pulls into Shanghai Hongqiao Station, its terminal stop — 15 kilometers from its starting point of Shanghai Railway Station — after a loop spanning over 1,200 kilometers.

This loop line, an 8-hour and 9-minute journey, crisscrosses the densely populated and economically vital Yangtze River Delta region. Major hubs, red-hot traffic arteries and dense passenger links are featured along this new high-speed rail loop.

Since its launch on June 15, the G8388 loop has witnessed soaring demand, with about 349,000 riders as of Sept 9 and an average occupancy rate of 90 percent. Even after the summer travel period, the train remains almost fully booked, with another peak expected during the upcoming National Day holiday at the beginning of October.

More than just a transportation line, the G8388 journey immerses travelers in the rich tourism resources of the region. It connects the major cities of Shanghai, Nanjing in Jiangsu province, Hefei in Anhui province, and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, as well as more remote towns to urban centers, and it better connects the region's numerous tourist attractions.

Along the way, the rail route provides access to rich historical sites, scenic mountains and waters, and ancient cultures including classical gardens, the "homeland of honey peaches" of Yangshan, Huangshan Mountain, Qiandao Lake, West Lake and Shanghai's only preserved fishing village — destinations celebrated across China and internationally.

As China's inbound tourism market continues to recover, international flights are increasing and the government implemented the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, the new loop line has seen many foreign passengers. Additionally, rail authorities have released supportive measures to facilitate smooth traveling.

Shanghai Railway has added bilingual volunteers and information at ticket windows and entrances, with a dedicated window for passport verification. Mobile payment via WeChat and Alipay has also been enabled at windows and station shops, allowing international visitors to easily make purchases using foreign bank cards. Official statistics show that Shanghai Railway has provided ticket and passport verification services to nearly 10,000 railway passengers since the beginning of 2024.

Embark on the G8388 to experience the various attractions of the Yangtze River Delta region, where natural and human landscapes are connected by this convenient transportation loop.

The loop train G8388:

Route length: 1,288 kilometers

Duration time: 8 hours and 9 minutes

Stations: 21 along the loop

Departure and arrival: The train departs from Shanghai Railway Station at 10:27 am and arrives at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station at 6:36 pm.