Shantou Station handled a record 3.086 million passenger trips during the 2026 summer travel rush, up 37.2 percent year on year, according to official data.
The surge was driven by student travel, family visits and tourism, with the hit Chaoshan-themed film "Dear You" drawing attention to local landmarks.
The full opening of the Shantou-Shanwei high-speed railway has cut travel times from Shantou to Guangzhou to 1 hour 26 minutes and to Shenzhen to 1 hour 37 minutes, making Shantou more accessible for short getaways from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Local authorities launched film-themed tours and discounts tied to movie ticket stubs, while businesses in the hospitality and dining sectors benefited from increased visitor spending.
To handle the additional demand, the station added 521 extra trains to popular destinations including Shenzhen and Guangzhou and operated 10,688 passenger train services during the summer travel period. It also strengthened connections to Jieyang Airport Station, with 28 daily trains serving the route.
The station introduced passenger amenities including a self-service book kiosk and a Qiaopi (overseas Chinese remittance letter) cultural exhibition in its waiting hall. Staff provided one-on-one support to 926 passengers needing special assistance and helped recover 2,382 lost items.
It also launched the "Chaoshan Charm" Tourist Pass, covering 16 major stations in the Pearl River Delta and eastern Guangdong and offering a 12 percent discount, along with express ticket-change services and heat-relief supplies for passengers.
The record passenger volume cements Shantou's growing role as a regional transport hub and cultural tourism destination.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photo | Nanfang Plus
