Excitement is building in Dongguan as Metro Line 1, the city's first fully automated subway line, prepares for its official opening by the end of this year. On September 4, media representatives were invited to take a trial ride, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at stations, carriages, and even the "tunnel view." 

01 A glimpse inside the stations     

The sleek design and modern finishes have already impressed first-time visitors. 

02 Cutting-edge technology  and passenger-friendly details       

Dongguan Metro Line 1 features trains with a distinctive "rocket head" design, in bold sapphire blue accented by pearl white and obsidian-black window bands. The streamlined look mirrors the system’s futuristic technology. 

This striking look mirrors the advanced technology inside. The trains operate at GoA4, the highest grade of full automation, meaning they can start, stop, dock, and even run inspections without a driver. Each six-car train can carry over 2,000 passengers and reach speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, bringing both efficiency and speed to the city's growing network. 

The trains are equipped with permanent-magnet traction technology, ensuring high efficiency, heavy-load capacity, safety, and energy savings with reduced carbon emissions. 

Beyond performance, the trains are designed with everyday convenience in mind. Each carriage features wireless charging pads alongside traditional USB ports, allowing passengers to charge their phones on the go. It's a small but thoughtful addition that reflects the city's attention to passenger comfort, easing the familiar "battery anxiety" of modern travel.  

03 Line 1 route and connectivity      

The first phase of Line 1 stretches 57.46 kilometers from Dongguanxi Railway Station to Meitang Station, cutting across the city from northwest to southeast. Along the way, it passes through ten towns and districts, including Wangniudun, Hongmei, Daojiao, Wanjiang, Nancheng, Dongcheng, Dalingshan, Songshan Lake, Dalang, Huangjiang, linking key areas of Dongguan’s urban core with its water-town region and innovation corridors. 

Once complete, Line 1 will intersect with the existing Line 2, forming a cross-shaped ("十" shape) backbone for the city's metro network. Key transfer stations like Dongguanxi, Civic Center, and Dongchengnan will connect with the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway, Foshan-Dongguan Intercity, Dongguan-Huizhou Intercity, and beyond, making seamless travel across the Greater Bay Area a reality.