[Photo/Guangzhou Metro]

The north extension of Guangzhou Metro Line 8 opens for trial run at 2 p.m. today (November 26), shuttling passengers between the Cultural Park and Jiaoxin stations (文化公园站—滘心站) in just 28 minutes.

Stretching 16.1 kilometers, the new route has 13 stations. Four are interchange stations: Julong station with Line 12 (under construction); Xicun station with Line 5; Caihongqiao station with Lines 11 and 13 (under construction) ; and Chen Clan Academy station with Line 1.

One drawback, however, is that the Caihongqiao (彩虹桥站) and Xicun stations (西村站) are not yet ready for operation due to construction delays, according to Metro officials.

A map of Metro Line 8 north extension.

It will cost 5 yuan for a ride through the extension rail, and 7 yuan for the whole Metro Line 8 between Wangshengwei and Jiaoxin stations (万胜围-滘心站).

The entire journey of the "L-shaped" Line 8 will take approximately 57 minutes, bridging Haizhu, Liwan and Baiyun districts. The city's total subway mileage will reach 530 kilometers after the opening of the extension route.

The Chen Clan Academy station, at the north extension of Metro Line 8, features traditional Lingnan architectural style with ancestral-hall elements. [Photo/Information Times]

Lantern-shaped lights adorn the Tongde subway station. [Photo/Information Times]

Design of the Hualinsi Buddhist Temple station adopts elements of jade and Zen Buddhism.[Photo/Guangzhou Daily]

Besides trains running through the whole Line 8, extra ones will be deployed between Wanshengwei and Julong stations (万胜围-聚龙) to relieve transport pressure during 7:30 a.m. and10 p.m., the busy hours in the metro networks.

Author & editor: Becky