Line 13 of the Guangzhou Metro is a rapid transit rail line in Guangzhou, China. When complete, it will form the "east-west express line" complementing Line 3 which is the "north-south express line". The line will serve some of the most popular areas in Guangzhou such as Luochongwei Bus Terminal, Zhujiang New Town CBD and Yuancun while passing through some of the densest and most populated areas of Tianhe, Yuexiu, and Liwan Districts. The first section of the line opened on 28 December 2017.

History

SegmentCommencementLengthStation(s)Name Yuzhu — Xinsha 28 December 2017 11 Phase 1 Tianhe Park – Yuzhu 29 September 2025 4 Phase 2 East Section

Planning A line resembling Line 13 first appeared in long-term planning for Guangzhou Metro in 2003, running from west to east across the city between Chatou (near Huanggang in the current plan) and Xintang. It remained in long-term plans in 2007, now renamed Line 14, with construction planned to start after 2010.

By 2009, it had been renamed again to Line 13 and the route was firming, having been extended east to Xiangjingling (present day Xinsha). The line would be constructed in sections, with the initial opening from Yuzhu to Xiangjingling. At the same time, plans formed for a branch off line 13 at Shapu (near present day Nanhai God Temple station) running to Huangpu Passenger Port.

In 2012, it was considered to split Line 13 into two lines, with the western section terminating at Tangxia and the east section at Tianhe Park, and a cross-platform interchange at both stations. This was proposed to increase capacity of the eastern section, with eastbound passenger demand expected to reach 55,000 pphpd in the morning peak.

Ultimately this split did not proceed, with Phase 1 of the line receiving approval from the Guangdong Development and Reform Commission on 16 December 2013. It would consist of 11 stations between Yuzhu and Xiangjingling, with a depot south of Guanhu. The total budget for this phase was ¥19.026b.

In 2016, an "initial extension" of Line 13 west to Tianhe Park was proposed ahead of a full Phase 2, in order to reduce expected pressure on Line 5 following opening of Phase 1.

Ultimately, this extension was folded into Phase 2 and was approved on 15 October 2017 by the Guangzhou Development and Reform Commission. This would bring the line east through the city centre to Chaoyang. Initial ridership upon the opening of both phases is expected to reach 1.2 million passengers per day.

Construction

Phase 1 The first tunnel section of Line 13 was completed on 4 August 2016.

The first station structure to be completed was Dongzhou (final name Baijiang) on 15 April 2015. The last was Nangang on 28 February 2017.

Phase 1 opened for passenger service on 28 December 2017.

Phase 2 Tianhe Park station started construction on 26 December 2017, marking the start of construction for Phase 2. Both tunnels between here and Baimagang were completed in June 2020, making it the first tunnel section of Phase 2 to be completed. On 30 December 2020, the main structure of Qingfeng station was completed, the first on Phase 2. All tunnelling had been completed by September 2024.

By August 2025, a section of Phase 2 (Tianhe Park - Yuzhu) had begun trial operation. Trains were running the full length between Tianhe Park and Xinsha, but only taking passengers on the Phase 1 section east of Yuzhu. This section opened for passengers on 29 September 2025.

Stations StationNo. Station name Connections Distance Location Tianhe 0.000.00Huangpu 2.642.64 GBRT2.234.87 GBRT2.617.48Xiayuan GBRT2.189.662.8812.543.6316.17Zengcheng3.2719.44 NUQ 1.4420.883.4124.291.3225.61

Phase II West Section Under Construction StationNo. Name ConnectionsFuture Connections Location Tianhe (via Tiyu Xilu ) (via Huangpu Dadao ) (via )Yuexiu: Liwan Baiyun

Rolling stock During initial planning, Line 13 considered the use of 4 car L-type light metro trains for operation. However, severe congestion issues appeared just after the opening of Line 3, which only uses low capacity 3 car Type B trains and Line 6 which uses even lower capacity 4 car Type L light metro trains, prompted heavy public criticism.

By 2013, plans had changed. With a predicted daily ridership of 1.44m when complete, the approval for Phase 1 specified 8 car type A trains with a maximum speed of and 1500V DC overhead wires. Seventeen trains would initially be needed. CRRC Dalian won the ¥740m contract to build the trains, with the first two handed over to Guangzhou Metro on 18 May 2017.

In 2020, CRRC Dalian won another ¥2.5b to build another 42 trains in preparation for Phase 2. These trains are identical to the first batch from the exterior, but feature new permanent magnet motors and upgraded LCD passenger information screens. The first train arrived at Huanggang depot in May 2026.

References