Four new rail loop services link Yichang, Wuhan and Xiangyang closer
2026-01-28 20:01:22
By Hu Yikai.
Four high-speed rail loop services were launched on January 26 to form a “golden triangle,” bringing Wuhan, Xiangyang, and Yichang closer. The services, running from Yichang East Railway Station, are part of a regular nationwide train schedule update of China’s railway network.
As part of the adjustment, the Yichang Railway Department completed route optimization and capacity upgrades. It now operates a total of 169 pairs of passenger trains, an increase of 23.5 pairs from the fourth quarter of 2025. This total includes 138 pairs of regular daily services (21.5 additional pairs) and 31 pairs of peak-period services (two additional pairs).
The department oversees the operation of 31 cargo, passenger, and other train stations in Yichang, Jingmen, Jingzhou, and Enshi.
Four high-speed rail loop services were launched on January 26 to form a “golden triangle,” bringing Wuhan, Xiangyang, and Yichang closer. The services, running from Yichang East Railway Station, are part of a regular nationwide train schedule update of China’s railway network.
As part of the adjustment, the Yichang Railway Department completed route optimization and capacity upgrades. It now operates a total of 169 pairs of passenger trains, an increase of 23.5 pairs from the fourth quarter of 2025. This total includes 138 pairs of regular daily services (21.5 additional pairs) and 31 pairs of peak-period services (two additional pairs).
The department oversees the operation of 31 cargo, passenger, and other train stations in Yichang, Jingmen, Jingzhou, and Enshi.
Diagram of high-speed rail loops linking Wuhan, Xiangyang, and Yichang. Graphic by Zhao Peiyu.
The new loop services run on multiple lines, including the Xiangyang-Jingmen High-Speed Railway, the Wuhan-Yichang section of the Shanghai-Wuhan-Chengdu High-Speed Railway, the Wuhan-Yichang Railway, the Wuhan-Xiaogan Intercity Railway, and the Hankou-Xiangyang East section of the Wuhan-Xi'an High-Speed Railway. This integration significantly improves connectivity for air-rail transfers and short- to medium-distance travel within the province.
For example, the G6772 service departs from Yichang East Station at 8:05 am and travels through Jingmen West, Xiangyang East, Suizhou South, Tianhe Airport, Hankou, Jingzhou, and Zhijiang North before returning to Yichang East Station at 1:48 pm. The entire loop takes 5 hours and 43 minutes, with tickets starting from 362 yuan (US$51). This provides a seamless, non-stop travel option within the province and offers efficient air-rail connections via Tianhe Airport in Wuhan, facilitating intercity commuting and tourism.
The launch of these loop services also increases the system's resilience and flexibility. If any main line faces disruptions, trains can use the loop routes to reroute and redistribute passenger flow, helping ensure stable and smooth railway operations.
Deng Yuqin, Dou Changcui, Shu Yunfeng, and Chen Long also contributed to this story.
For example, the G6772 service departs from Yichang East Station at 8:05 am and travels through Jingmen West, Xiangyang East, Suizhou South, Tianhe Airport, Hankou, Jingzhou, and Zhijiang North before returning to Yichang East Station at 1:48 pm. The entire loop takes 5 hours and 43 minutes, with tickets starting from 362 yuan (US$51). This provides a seamless, non-stop travel option within the province and offers efficient air-rail connections via Tianhe Airport in Wuhan, facilitating intercity commuting and tourism.
The launch of these loop services also increases the system's resilience and flexibility. If any main line faces disruptions, trains can use the loop routes to reroute and redistribute passenger flow, helping ensure stable and smooth railway operations.
Deng Yuqin, Dou Changcui, Shu Yunfeng, and Chen Long also contributed to this story.
