Photo: Guangzhou Daily

The plans for stations and the stretch of the north extensions of both Metro line 22 (Fangcun—Baiyun Airport) and Metro line 18 (Guangzhou East—Tiangui Lu, Huadu district) have been changed, compared with that published in a bidding document last November, a recent risk evaluation report on the two lines showed.

North extension of Metro line 22 (Fangcun—Baiyun Airport)

Stretching about 41.1 kilometers, the extension is projected to start from Fangcun station, which is the crossroad for Fangccun Dadao and Huadi Dadao, and end at Baiyun Airport. It consists of ten stations: Caihongqiao (彩虹桥), Guangzhou Railway Station (广州火车站), Baiyun (Tangxi) (白云（棠溪）), Xiamao (夏茅), Baiyun City Center (白云城市中心), Fangshi (方石), Renhe (人和), Airport East (机场东), Airport South (机场南), and Airport North (机场北). All stations interchange with other metro lines.

Guangzhou Railway Station will be connected to line 22, which will also link the city’s sea, land and air transportation hubs — Nansha Passenger Port (南沙客运港), Qingsheng Station (庆盛站), Guangzhou South Railway Station, Baiyun (Tangxi) Station, Baiyun Airport Railway Station (白云机场高铁站), and Baiyun International Airport, making it a high-speed north-south artery for the city.

As an intercity railway, line 22 will connect with Dongguan and Shenzhen cities in the future, bridging Science City in Guangzhou's Nansha district, Binhaiwan Bay Area & Dongguan Port in Dongguan (东莞滨海湾新区) and Science City in Shenzhen's Guangming district (深圳市光明区科学城).

Construction on the north extension of Metro line 22 is scheduled to start this September and begin trial runs by the end of 2026.

Photo: Guangzhou Daily

North extension of line 18 (Guangzhou East—Tiangui Lu, Huadu district)

Covering 39.6 kilometers, the route is designed with seven stations: Jingxi Lu (京溪路), Baiyun Dongping (白云东平), Baiyun City Center (白云城市中心), Fangshi (方石), Fenghuang Nanlu (凤凰南路), Ma’anshan Park (马鞍山公园), and Huachengjie (花城街). All stations interchange with other lines.

In terms of route map, the new version of line 18 north extension will take only one sharp turn, instead of two in the old plan, making the line smoother.

In addition, line 18 north extension links to Guangzhou North (Huadu) Station, connecting with Guangzhou-Qingyuan Intercity Railway.

The present plan, however, is still subject to change, according to authorities.

Photo: Guangzhou Daily