New West Kowloon Terminus links Hong Kong to China with high-speed trains

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 5 years ago

New West Kowloon Terminus links Hong Kong to China with high-speed trains

By Julietta Jameson
Hong Kong's West Kowloon Terminus has departure and arrival lounges for an expected 80,000 passengers a day.

Hong Kong's West Kowloon Terminus has departure and arrival lounges for an expected 80,000 passengers a day.

When Andrew Bromberg of leading international architectural firm Aedus (in collaboration with Aecom) set out to create Hong Kong's West Kowloon Terminus, he knew it needed to act more like an airport than a railway station. It's the function of gateway to China's high-speed rail network that dictated many practicalities, including facilities for the presence of mainland Chinese immigration and customs officials within, controversially enforcing Chinese law on Hong Kong island.

Controversy aside, the structure is a symbol of progress. Though there have previously been rail links to the mainland, the 26-kilometre Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, slashes travel times via bullet trains to 44 destinations on mainland China including the capital, Beijing.

The 15-track, sparkling white arched terminus contains departure and arrival lounges for passengers, expected to exceed 80,000 daily. Also under its ceiling, made from 4000 glass panels, it contains further airport-like facilities including dozens of shops, and a large food court.

Hong Kong's West Kowloon Terminus is the gateway to mainland China's high-speed rail network.

Hong Kong's West Kowloon Terminus is the gateway to mainland China's high-speed rail network.

Other design considerations included its adjacency to Victoria Harbour and the newly created West Kowloon Cultural District. The station's partially subterranean curved form covered in grass and walkways is a response to the iconic views and civic use.

See discoverhongkong.com/au

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading