Hong Kong West Kowloon – Guilin West by High Speed Train

By direct train or make a transfer

There are 3 daily high speed trains running between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Guilin West Railway Station (GuilinXi), taking around 3 hours. You can also consider making a transfer at Guangzhou South, which provides you with more train options, and allows you to arrvie at the centrally-located Guilin Railway Station or Guilin North Station. 

How far is Hong Kong from Guilin: the distance is about 660 kilometers.

Map of Stations & High Speed Rail Route

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Ask Jack

If you have any questions about your Hong Kong – Yangshuo – Guilin travel, you can turn to ask Jack. I’d love to offer help.

1. Hong Kong – Guilin West by direct train, 2 daily

The most effective way to travel between Hong Kong and Guilin is by direct train. As of December of 2023, there are 3 daily direct bullet trains running between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Guilin West Railway Station (GuilinXi). But Guilin West is a bit far from central Guilin, and you’ll have to take a bus to get to Guilin West. For a better route, just see route 2 below.

Schedule, Ticket Price & Duration

How to Take a Train from HK West Kowloon

Photos courtesy of Keith Wong, a Singaporean working in HK & ChinaTrain12306 visitor.

Photos courtesy of Keith Wong: Entrance to HK West Kowloon Station from Austin MTR Station. Passengers can get to HK West Kowloon Station by MTR by arriving at Austin Station or Kowloon Station.Photos courtesy of Keith Wong: Entrance to HK West Kowloon Station from Austin MTR Station. Passengers can get to HK West Kowloon Station by MTR by arriving at Austin Station or Kowloon Station.

Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Link way from Austin station to West Kowloon Station.Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Link way from Austin station to West Kowloon Station.

Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Towards departure area for security checks.Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Towards departure area for security checks.

Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Self-service ticket machine for HK citizens. These don't accept foreigner's passports. Visitors & passport holders must collect or buy tickets from ticket counters next to machines in HK West Kowloon Station.Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Self-service ticket machine for HK citizens. These don't accept foreigner's passports. Visitors & passport holders must collect or buy tickets from ticket counters next to machines in HK West Kowloon Station.

Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Towards HK and China Immigration Area. No photos allow in this area. You clear both China and HK immigration in HK West Kowloon Station.Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Towards HK and China Immigration Area. No photos allow in this area. You clear both China and HK immigration in HK West Kowloon Station.

Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): depaturesPhotos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): depatures

Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Queue to go down to train platform by escalator.Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Queue to go down to train platform by escalator.

Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Trains from HK West Kowloon Station to China cities (Xiamen). Photos courtesy of Keith Wong (Singaporean working in HK, ChinaTrain12306 visitors): Trains from HK West Kowloon Station to China cities (Xiamen).

2. Hong Kong – Guilin via Guangzhou, more trains

Currently, the best way to travel by train between Hong Kong & Guilin is to go via Guangzhou. That is the route: Hong Kong – Guangzhou South – Guilin North or Guilin Station. You’ll arrive at the centrally-located Guilin Railway Station or Guilin North (Guilinbei) from Guangzhou South. You need to allow 45 minutes at least for making transfer at Guangzhou South.

Photo guide on how to make transfer at Guangzhou South

Sometimes your ticket writes where to check-in at Guangzhou South: Check-in Gate 25A at leve 3. If your ticket has no this, just see the information screen.

When getting off train, just look for this \\\\\\\"Transfer\\\\\\\" sign which directs you to go upstairs to Level 3, where to look for your check-in gate.

This "Transfer" sign directs you to go upstairs to Level 3, where to look for your check-in gate.

this "Transfer" sign which directs you to go upstairs to Level 3, where to look for your check-in gate.

Just go upstairs.

When entering the gate, you need to show your two tickets (your previous trip and next trip) to the station staff (It depends). Then, they will let you come in.

After entering, see the information screen to look for which is the right check in gate for your connecting train.

Then, go to your check-in gate (A6 OR 7A)

Then, go to your check-in gate (B6 OR 7B)

After checking-in, you will go downstairs again to level 2, where your train is awaiting for you.

As you can see above, 22 trains from Guangzhou South are arriving at Guilin North (Guilinbei), and only 4 are arriving at the Guilin Railway Station in city center.  So, Guilin Railway Station is the best one for your arrival or departure station.

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But if you are departing from or arriving at Guilin North, you can take bus 1, 100 to get to the central Guilin (Guilin Train Station).

Hong Kong West Kowloon Station

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Hong Kong West Kowloon Station is currently the only train station that operates high speed trains to Guangzhou South & Guangzhou East. The other original Hum Hom Station no longer operates through train services to Guangzhou East. So, HK West Kowloon is your only opertion. You can take the MTR to the West Kowloon Station. It is located between Kowloon Station & Austin Station. Just use www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/jp2/ to plan your route.
Hong Kong West Kowloon Station Port operation time: 06:30 – 23:30

How to Buy Tickets Online

There are several ways to book your train tickets online. Just remember that booking herizon for train tickets opens 15 days before your travel date. It is recommended to book you tickets as soon as possible in advance to secure your seat at your desired departure time.

1. Book with 12306 China Railway

www.12306.cn is the offcial website of China Railway, which now has supported English. It also provides an offcial ticketing (English version) App – Tielu 12306 for both iOS and Android.

Jack’s friendly reminder: In the official site www.12306.cn, you can enter “hkw” or ‘hkwestkowloon‘ as Hong Kong West Kowloon Station; and”guiln” as Guilin Railway Station; “Guilinbei” as Guilin North Station, “Guilinxi” as Guilin West Station.

2. Book with China Highlights

www.chinahighlights.com is a trusted online ticket agent who get possitive reviews & is  often recommended on Trip Advisor forum. They offer real-time train schedule online, English-language support, They can also provide assistance in case of any issues with your tickets or travel or when you’re running into trouble. Even they can deliver tickets to your hotel in advance. You can place orders with them any time. They are helpful, especially when you’re not familiar with the China’s transportation system or do not speak Chinese.

How to Buy Tickets at Train Station

If you prefer to purchase your train tickets in person at the train station, you can do so at either Hong Kong West Kowloon Station or Guilin Railway Station, Guilin North Station, Guilin West Station. Remember to bring your passports or any other necessary documents when buying your tickets.

When to Buy Tickets

Tickets can be booked up to 15 days on the official 12306 China Railway website. It is always advisable to buy tickets in advance to secure ticket availability or seat assignment. Tickets tend to sell out quickly on this popular route especially during the bussy travel peak period, such as the public National Days (Gold Week), Labour’s Days, Chinese Moon Festival or Qingming Festival. But if you use an online ticket agent www.chinahighlights.com, you can order tickets any time with them and they will book it for you once the tickets are released online.

Immigration & Customs Procedures at Hong Kong West Kowloon

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Hong Kong West Kowloon Station is a joint checkpoint between Hong Kong and mainland China, which means that border control and immigration procedures for both Hong Kong and mainland China are conducted in one place in Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. So prepare for all necessary travel documents like passports and visas at hand and allow surfficient time for the immigration and customs procedures for both Hong Kong and Manland sides.

How much time do I need to clear immigration at West Kowloon Station

It is advised to arrive at the West Kowloon Station at least 45 minutes before your departure time, as you need to go through both the Hong Kong Port and the Mainland Port on the same floor of the station. The immigration process may take longer during peak hours or holidays, so you should plan ahead and allow enough time for clearance.

Boarding Tips and Procedures

Make sure to arrive at the train station early enough before departure time to allow for ticket checks, immigration and custom procedures, security checks and boarding. You will need to present your passport and train ticket for verification before boarding the train.

Visa to Mainland China

You need a visa to enter mainland China if you are taking a train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. While most passports are granted visa on arrival for Hong Kong, you’ll still  need a visa to enter mainland China. Just apply it in advance.

Trusted Online Ticket Agents:

Option 1: China Highlights is a reliable online agency  for China train ticketing. They get positive reviews on TripAdvisor & Trustpilot. Sharon and her team help you buy tickets & plan rail routes even deliver tickets to your hotels with a service fee.

Book a Train

Option 2: Trip.com  is an internatioal brand owned by Ctrip Group, China's largest online travel booking platform. Trip.com offers booking service for flight, train, hotel, activities, etc

Book a train