Connectivity between Shenzhen and Guangzhou will be further enhanced as Guangzhou's Metro Line 22 will extend eastwards to reach Guangmingcheng in Guangming District, according to a press conference held in Guangzhou's Nansha District Feb. 21.

The metro line, currently under phase one construction, starts from Fangcun in Liwan District and ends at Panyu Square in Panyu District. Its eastern extension line will start from Panyu Square and include several stations in Dongguan and end at Shenzhen. Upon completion, the metro line will play a significant role in enhancing the integrated development of the three cities.

Guangmingcheng, where one of the metro line's stations will be located, is a transport hub in southeastern Guangming District. Inaugurated on Dec. 26, 2011, the railway station is now a stop of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-speed Railway and the Beijing-Hong Kong High-speed Railway.

To accommodate more rail routes including the Shenzhen-Dongguan Intercity Rail, the spur line of Shenzhen Metro's Line 6, the northern extension line of Metro Line 13 and Metro Line 18, a construction project is being carried out in the area. In the future, the Guangmingcheng transport hub will become an important comprehensive transport hub in northwestern Shenzhen.

Designed by Foster + Partners Limited, the future Guangmingcheng transportation hub will cover an area of more than 14.9 hectares. To provide convenience to travelers, the design has taken into consideration how the transit distance for different routes can be minimized and how commercial spaces in the eastern and western plazas can be more readily accessed.

The transport hub will also feature a slow traffic system which extends both eastward and westward to connect with the district's slow traffic system network. In addition, a transport museum will be built to better utilize the spaces to provide visitors with more options during their visit to the hub.