18 Jan, 2026
Over the past two decades, the railway sector in China has witnessed rapid development and has moved from a phase of growth to global leadership, as China no longer only owns the largest railway networks in the world, but has also become one of the leading countries in smart train technologies and advanced automation systems, and in this journey we take you on a tour through China’s advanced railway lines.
China already possesses some of the largest metro networks in the world, and shows no signs of slowing down, as it continues to invest heavily in the development of urban and national mobility systems, and seeks to strengthen this position by upgrading smart railway networks and increasing reliance on digitalization and automation, and with the expansion of these networks, China is looking for specialized partners in mobility infrastructure to ensure easy access to the lines and achieve optimal passenger flow, and here we review a selection of exceptional railway lines in China, which include the latest escalator and elevator systems and operational services to ensure comfortable and safe passenger movement.
China’s extensive railway network is a core element of the national and urban mobility system, as the country owns systems that are considered among the largest globally, for example China has the world’s largest high speed rail network with a length exceeding 37,000 kilometers, representing approximately 64% of the total global high speed rail networks.
With the massive number of passengers reaching around 3.5 billion travelers annually, China is experiencing a huge construction boom to keep pace with growing demand, and estimates indicate that China’s railway network will exceed 200,000 kilometers by 2035, including around 70,000 kilometers dedicated to high speed trains.
The strong focus on digital solutions helps China move forward toward creating one of the most modern and efficient railway networks in the world, as smart railway concepts based on 5G technology and the BeiDou satellite navigation system contribute to increasing train capacity by more than 30%, in addition to saving approximately 9,000 kilowatt hours of electrical energy.
Whether in terms of expansion or technological advancement, China appears to be shaping the future of rail travel, as it leads the sector globally and exports high speed train technologies and products to dozens of countries, and this level of expertise and commitment to innovation can be observed across railway systems throughout the country.



The Xi’an Metro serves both the city of Xi’an, one of the most densely populated cities in China, and the city of Xianyang, transporting approximately 2.354 million passengers per day, and this wide and busy metro network launched the new Line 14 in June 2021, at an ideal time to support visitors and fans during the 14th National Games of China in September 2021.
Line 14 did not only add new tracks, but also included highly advanced technologies, as it operates with an intelligent and environmentally friendly traction power system, and is equipped with fault prediction systems, and it also relies on big data architecture to intelligently monitor operating systems and ensure predictive maintenance, which directly reflects on improving service quality and continuity, and to ensure ease of access and smooth passenger flow, 126 escalators and 34 elevators were installed.



The city of Luoyang, one of China’s four historic capitals, entered the era of modern public transportation with the opening of its first metro line in 2021, and Luoyang Metro Line 1 is approximately 23 kilometers long, with trains featuring energy efficient characteristics such as automatic lighting adjustment, in addition to other innovations including precision stopping systems, and this line connects the eastern and western parts of the city north of the Luohe River.
To ensure easy access to this vital line, 234 elevators and escalators were installed, and it is expected that the second line extending from north to south will be opened, adding approximately 18.4 kilometers to the network, and this expansion will also include more than 200 new units, and with the city being about nine times the size of London, the metro network is expected to continue expanding in the future.

Shanghai and Beijing compete for the title of the largest metro network in the world, as Beijing transports more than 10 million passengers daily across 24 lines and 428 stations, extending over 727 kilometers, while Shanghai has 381 stations distributed across 18 lines, but surpasses Beijing in total track length, which reaches 743 kilometers.
A high speed rail line with a length of 1,318 kilometers connects the two cities, with a travel time ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 hours compared to the traditional journey that used to take around ten hours, and this line is considered the longest high speed rail line constructed in a single phase worldwide.
A total of 253 units were supplied and installed to serve 18 stations along this line, with escalators equipped with LED lighting at the step gap to enhance safety, in addition to a smart stop and go function that ensures high energy efficiency and reduced operating costs, as the escalators automatically slow down when there are no passengers and restart immediately when someone passes.



Shenzhen is a megacity experiencing rapid expansion of its metro network, as since the launch of the Shenzhen Metro in 2003, it has grown to become one of the longest metro networks in the world with a length reaching 411 kilometers, and it is expected to expand by 2030 to include 8 express lines and 24 regular lines with a total length exceeding 1,142 kilometers.
With a population approaching 7 million and a vast area, the city of Fuzhou is preparing for significant growth in its metro network in the coming years, as the current network includes 61 kilometers and 47 stations, with plans to add an additional 111 kilometers, and the metro system includes more than 600 units distributed across four lines.
As for Zhengzhou, it is one of the most important transportation hubs in China, with railway lines connecting it to Europe, and thanks to this strategic location, it was the first city in Henan province to have a metro network, and the Zhengzhou Metro includes seven lines extending over 206.5 kilometers and serving 148 stations, and this infrastructure has been supported over the years through the supply and maintenance of hundreds of elevators and escalators.



With the continued rapid expansion of metro networks in the coming years, China will remain at the forefront of countries developing modern train technologies, such as autonomous lines and catenary free and contactless train systems, and through its continuous commitment to innovation and service development, China continues to play a global influencing role in the future of rail transportation.
In light of the massive development witnessed by railway and metro networks in China, it becomes clear that the integration of smart infrastructure with advanced elevator and escalator systems has become a key factor for the success of modern transportation projects, and through its specialized expertise in supplying and installing electric elevators, escalators, and comprehensive accessibility solutions, Bayern Qatar continues to deliver reliable solutions that meet the highest international standards, and contribute to supporting urban mobility projects with efficiency and safety, reflecting its ongoing commitment to providing real value to its clients and keeping pace with the future of smart transportation.
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