A major transit-oriented development is advancing in Xiong’an New Area, Hebei province, as part of efforts to strengthen integration between Xiong’an and Beijing. The Xiong’an City Square and International Trade Center project is expected to open in the second half of this year, aiming to establish a one-hour transport circle linking the two cities and facilitate industrial and talent exchange.

The centerpiece of the development is a transport hub featuring a three-floor underground rail interchange beneath nine buildings above ground. Construction is well underway, with more than 80 percent of the project completed, according to officials from China Xiong’an Group. The above-ground complex includes six office buildings, a Kempinski hotel, a CapitaLand-operated shopping mall, and the Xiong’an Terminal Station.

Seven central State-owned enterprise headquarters are relocating to the complex from Beijing, including China Huaneng Group and Sinochem Holdings. In addition, four major State-owned banks are establishing science and innovation centers within the development, alongside approximately 300 research institutions and innovative entities.

The underground section integrates four transit lines: the Jing Xing Express, the Xiong’an-Xinzhou High-speed Railway, and metro lines M1 and M2 of the Xiong’an system. These connections allow passengers to transfer between lines in under three minutes. The adjacent Xiong’an Terminal Station on the Jing Xing Express offers direct connections to Beijing Daxing International Airport—approximately a 30-minute journey—with advance check-in and baggage drop-off available. It also provides a roughly one-hour commute to Beijing’s Lize Financial Business District.

Yu Ruiyong, assistant to the general manager of Xiong’an Xiongshang Development Co., a subsidiary of China Xiong’an Group, highlighted that the express railway is designed to operate similarly to a bus service, with fares and opening dates to be announced by the government soon. The 86.26-kilometer express line aims to enhance passenger convenience and reduce travel times, further integrating Beijing and Xiong’an.

The Xiong’an-Xinzhou High-speed Railway’s intercity station, also part of the hub, connects to Baoding in Hebei province and Xinzhou in Shanxi province. Passengers can transfer between this line and the Jing Xing Express via underground walkways within minutes.

Supporting facilities are also being developed to foster a comprehensive urban environment. The complex spans approximately 13.33 hectares, with a total construction area exceeding one million square meters, including about 670,000 square meters above ground and nearly 390,000 square meters underground. Authorities plan a 15-minute community living circle offering residential buildings, educational, cultural, and sports amenities to create balanced work and residence conditions.

Luo Shuang, deputy director of the administrative committee of Xiong’an Qidong district, emphasized that the project is designed as a full-chain supporting zone to accommodate relocated personnel, providing integrated transport, office, commercial, and hotel services. Luo noted that employees of companies like Sinochem will benefit from seamless access to transit facilities via elevators and underground passages.

Additionally, the eastern side of the complex includes eight shipping ports providing access to the nearby Baiyangdian Lake scenic area, further enhancing the location’s connectivity and appeal. The development underscores the ongoing efforts to position Xiong’an as a key regional hub aligned with Beijing’s growth and urban planning strategies.