My First Experience Taking the High-Speed Rail from West Kowloon to Dongguan
Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station was completed and opened before the pandemic, which means it had been a while since my last visit to Hong Kong. This time, it was my first time taking the high-speed rail from West Kowloon Station to Dongguan, China.
In the past, traveling to mainland China usually involved taking a bus or a private car, which was quite time-consuming. The journey typically took at least three hours and required one or two transfers. Even if you took the MTR to the border and crossed into Shenzhen, you would still need to transfer to another vehicle to reach your destination.
Now, with the high-speed rail, traveling to Dongguan South Station takes only about 40 to 50 minutes, depending on the train schedule. On top of that, my final destination was only 20 minutes away from the station, cutting my total travel time by nearly two hours. The high-speed rail is definitely a more convenient option. However, I wouldn’t recommend bringing too much luggage—dragging a large suitcase around can be quite troublesome! This is especially true for the return journey when you need to transfer to the Airport Express to get to the airport. The walking distance is long, and the route involves multiple levels, making it inconvenient with heavy bags.
Another thing to note is that most hotels do not assist with booking high-speed rail tickets. This means you have to book your ticket online or buy it on-site. You can use platforms like Klook or China Railway’s 12306 website, but since my hotel in Jordan was close to the station, I decided to purchase my ticket in person. Registering on those platforms requires entering a lot of personal information, which felt like a hassle, especially since I rarely use them.
Inside the station, you have the option of using self-service ticket machines or purchasing tickets at a staffed counter—it all depends on personal preference. Make sure to bring valid identification; for Taiwanese travelers, that means using a Mainland Travel Permit (台胞證). When entering the station, you also scan the permit for access, making the process quite convenient.
To avoid getting lost, it’s important to follow the signage carefully. Once inside, the station layout is straightforward, even though it looks massive. However, navigating outside the station can be more complicated due to multiple floors and unclear directions. All immigration procedures are completed within West Kowloon Station, so I recommend arriving early to allow enough time for border clearance. After passing through Hong Kong customs, you immediately go through China customs before entering the waiting area. Once on board, you simply find your seat, and upon arrival at your destination, there’s no need to go through Chinese customs again—you can exit the station directly.
This route is particularly convenient for travelers heading to Dongguan, Shenzhen, or Guangzhou, as it significantly reduces travel time compared to traditional routes.
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