Transit hub paces Xiong'an-Beijing integration

A flagship transit-oriented development landmark is taking shape at the heart of Xiong'an New Area in North China's Hebei province. The megaproject is poised to roll out a commercial complex and forge a fully connected one hour transport circle between Xiong'an and Beijing in the second half of this year, accelerating cross-city industrial and talent connectivity.

The Xiong'an City Square and International Trade Center project features a three-floor underground interchange for rail transit with nine buildings above ground, realizing the vision of "entering the city the moment you step out of the transport station". Construction at the site was ongoing heading into July.

Above ground, there are headquarters of seven central State-owned enterprises that are moving from Beijing such as China Huaneng Group and Sinochem Holdings, alongside science and innovation centers of four major State-owned banks, and about 300 innovative institutions.

Underground, four transit lines intersect there: the Jing Xiong Express, the Xiong'an-Xinzhou High-speed Railway, and Xiong'an metro lines M1 and M2, enabling seamless transfers within three minutes.

The Xiong'an Terminal Station on the Jing Xiong Express allows Beijing Daxing International Airport passengers to complete check-in and baggage drop-off in advance, with a half-hour direct trip to the airport and about an hour to get to Beijing's Lize Financial Business District, according to Yu Ruiyong, assistant to the general manager of Xiong'an Xiongshang Development Co, a subsidiary of China Xiong'an Group.

"Our goal is simple: though you leave Beijing (for Xiong'an), you still feel like you're in Beijing," said Yu, adding that the project aims to further accelerate Beijing-Xiong'an integration by significantly shortening inter-city traffic time.

He added that the express, with a length of 86.26 kilometers, will be operated more like a bus, while the price and opening time will be announced via government notice in the near future.

Further more, the Xiong'an Intercity Railway Station on the Xiong'an-Xinzhou High-speed Railway will connect with the Xiong'an Terminal Station, and head for Baoding in Hebei and Xinzhou in Shanxi province.

Passengers can transfer within several minutes by an underground walkway.

The Xiong'an International Trade Center has nine buildings — six office buildings, a Kempinski hotel, a shopping mall run by CapitaLand, and the Xiong'an Terminal Station.

The main structure of the project has been topped out. Exterior landscapes, supporting municipal works and indoor electromechanical installation have all been completed, and the interior design is currently underway, said Zhang Tao, deputy general manager of Xiong'an Xiongshang Real Estate Co, a subsidiary of China Xiong'an Group.

The overall construction progress of the center has exceeded 80 percent, and the center is scheduled to be completed in the second half of this year. Investment promotion work is also in full swing, said Zhang.

The center covers a land area of approximately 200 mu (13.33 hectares), with a total construction area of around 1.06 million square meters — about 670,000 sq m above ground and roughly 390,000 sq m underground.

Luo Shuang, deputy director of the administrative committee of Xiong'an Qidong district, explained that the complex is designed as a full-chain supporting zone catering to relocated personnel, offering integrated transport, office, commercial and hotel facilities.

A well-equipped 15-minute community living circle with residential buildings, educational, cultural and sports facilities laid out across the area is expected to create a high-quality living environment featuring balanced work and residence. Residents can access a full range of supporting services within their daily activity radius, according to Luo.

"Employees of Sinochem can simply take the elevator downstairs and walk straight to the Xiong'an Intercity Railway Station and Xiong'an Terminal Station via underground passages within minutes," said Luo, adding that the scenario vividly embodies the philosophy of transit-city integrated development.

In the east of the complex there are eight shipping ports heading for Baiyangdian Lake scenic spot.

chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn