Metro Line 13's new northern link opens

Shenzhen's metro network expanded to 653.7 kilometers Sunday with the opening of the north extension of Metro Line 13 Phase II, improving connectivity between the city's technology, business and innovation hubs.

Passengers at Shangwu Station wait for the first train on the northern extension of Phase II of Shenzhen Metro Line 13, which opened yesterday morning. Photos by Liu Xudong except otherwise stated

The new section entered passenger service at 11:18 a.m. on Sunday, adding about 19.25 kilometers of track and 11 underground stations between Shangwu Station and Lisonglang Station.

Integrated with the existing Line 13, the extension cuts travel time between Guangming central area and central Nanshan to about 45 minutes. It also provides convenient transfers to Metro lines 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 and 11, improving cross-district travel.

Following the opening, Shenzhen's urban rail transit network, including its tram system, has grown to 653.7 kilometers with 452 stations, making it one of the five largest metro systems in China by operating mileage.

Running north-south through the city, Line 13 connects Nanshan, Bao'an and Guangming districts, linking key destinations including Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint, the Houhai Central Business District, Nanshan Science and Technology Park, the Liuxiandong headquarters base, Shiyan and Guangming Science City.

Metro services on the new section operate daily from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., in line with the rest of the network. Trains run at intervals of no more than five minutes during weekday morning and evening rush hours and every six minutes during off-peak periods, weekends and public holidays.

The extension features fully automated train operations using a Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) system, intelligent train monitoring, AI-powered customer service and smart ticketing facilities. Stations are also equipped with accessible amenities, including family restrooms and nursing rooms.

Passengers gather on the platform at Lisonglang Station, the northern terminus of Shenzhen Metro Line 13's newly opened north extension Sunday. Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

Several stations incorporate distinctive architectural themes. Fenghuangcheng Station draws on phoenix-inspired design elements, while Xinzhuang Station features a ceiling designed to resemble a star-filled sky. Hong'ao Park Station incorporates warm wood tones and elements of traditional Chinese architecture.

The project also includes the Gongming Depot, a 360,000-square-meter sunken maintenance facility that city authorities say is the largest of its kind in Asia. A public park with sports, cultural and commercial facilities is under development above the depot as part of a transit-oriented development project.

The line was designed with provisions for a future connection to the Dongguan Metro, supporting closer transport integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

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