THE highly anticipated high-speed rail system connecting Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong is up and running.
The rail system is expected to reduce travel time by about 60 per cent.
Strengthening Hong Kong's position as a gateway to Greater China, the 142km track will connect the city to 44 stations throughout mainland China, including six short-haul and 38 long-haul stations.
With trains reaching speeds of up to 350km/h, Wuhan, one of China's popular cities, will be accessible from Hong Kong in five hours, while the journey time between Guangzhou and Hong Kong will be reduced from 100 minutes to about 50 minutes.
Tickets for the rail system start at $A12.50 from Hong Kong to Futian station and $A40 to Guangzhou South. Tickets to long-haul destinations such as Beijing will start at $A$200.
