View source for Lo Wu station

{{short description|MTR station in the New Territories, Hong Kong}}
{{about|the rapid transit station in Hong Kong|the Shenzhen Metro interchange across the border|Luohu station}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox station
| style              = MTR
| name               = Lo Wu
| native_name        = 羅湖
| native_name_lang   = zh-Hant
| symbol             = 
| symbol_location    = 
| type               = {{MTR Infobox station line|line=East Rail}}
| image              = Lo Wu Station platforms 2025 01 part6.jpg
| image_caption      = Lo Wu Platform
| mlanguage          = {{Infobox Chinese/Chinese|t={{linktext|羅|湖}}|s={{linktext|罗|湖}}||showflag=jp|p=Luóhú|y=Lòwù|j=lo4wu4|ci={{IPAc-yue|l|o|4|w|u|4}}}}
| address            = Lo Wu Station Road, [[Lo Wu]]
| borough            = [[North District, Hong Kong|North District]], Hong Kong
| country            = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|22.5283|114.1134|region:HK|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| elevation          = 
| owned              = [[Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation]]
| operator           = [[MTR Corporation]]
| line               = {{rcb|MTR|East Rail|croute}}
| distance           = 
| platform           = 4 ([[Spanish solution]]: 2 [[side platforms]] and 1 [[island platform]])
| tracks             = {{plainlist|
*2 (East Rail Line)
*1 (Non-stop intercity through trains)
}}
| connections        = {{plainlist|
* [[Lo Wu Control Point]] and [[Luohu Port]]
* {{ric|CR|size=16}} [[Shenzhen railway station]]
* {{ric|SZM|size=18}}{{rcb|SZM|1|yes}} ({{stn|Luohu}})
}} Exit A2
* {{ric|SZM|size=18}}{{rcb|SZM|9|yes}} ({{stn|Renmin South}})
 Exit A1, B
| structure          = At-grade
| depth              = 
| levels             = 1
| parking            = 
| bicycle            = 
| accessible         = {{URL|1=https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/free_search.php?query_type=search&station=76|2=Yes}}
| code               = LOW
| zone               = 
| status             = Operational since 6 February 2023.
| opened             = {{start date and age|df=y|1949|10|14}}
| opening            = 
| closed             = 
| rebuilt            = 
| electrified        = {{start date and age|df=y|1983|7|15}}
| former             = 
| mpassengers        = 
| passengers         = 240,000 daily entries and exits<ref name="passenger numbers">{{cite web|url=http://gia.info.gov.hk/general/201302/20/P201302200464_0464_107408.pdf|title = LCQ6 Annex II – Services of MTR East Rail Line and Ma On Shan Line and KMB in North District: Patronage and Train Loading of the MTR East Rail Line and Ma On Shan Line in the Past Five Years |publisher=[[HKSAR Government]]|date=20 February 2013|accessdate = 10 February 2014}}</ref>
| pass_system        = 
| pass_year          = 2012
| pass_percent       = 
| services           = {{Adjacent stations|system1=MTR
|line1=East Rail|left1=Sheung Shui
|header2=Across mainland China–Hong Kong border
|system3=Shenzhen Metro|line3=1|left3=Guomao|transfer3=Luohu
|line4=9|left4=Xiangxicun|right4=Ludancun|transfer4=Renmin South|to-left4=Wenjin|to-right4=Qianwan
}}
| other_services     = {{Adjacent stations|system=KCR
|line=KCR|left=Sheung Shui
}}
| other_services_header = Former services
| route_map          = {{routemap
|inline=1
|legend=track
|map=
STR!~MFADEg\STR!~MFADEg~~ ~~ ~~ to {{rws|Shenzhen}}
STRg\STRf
WASSERq!~GRZq\hKRZWae(Rr)!~STR+GRZq\hKRZWae(Ll)!~STR+GRZq\WASSERq!~GRZq~~ ~~ ~~[[Hong Kong|Hong Kong SAR]] border
STR+c2\ABZg3
ABZg+1\STR+c4
\STR\PSTR!~*2__align=r\PENDEa!~*4__align=r
\STR\PSTR!~*1__align=l\PSTR!~*3__align=l
\STR\PSTR\PSTR
\STR\PSTR\PSTR
STRc2\ABZg3\STR+c2\ABZg3
STR+1\ABZg2!~STRc4\ABZg+1!~STRc3\STR+c4
DST\STR+c1\ABZg+4\STR~~ ~~ ~~Lo Wu freight yard
STR2\STR+c3\ABZg2\STR+c3
STRc1\ABZg+4\STR+c1\ABZg+4
\ENDEe\STRg\STRf
\\STR!~MFADEf\STR!~MFADEf~~ ~~ ~~ to {{STN|Sheung Shui|x}}
}}
| map_state          = expanded
| map_type           = Hong Kong MTR
| map_alt            = Hong Kong MTR system map
| map_caption        = Location within the [[MTR]] system
}}

'''Lo Wu''' is the northern [[List of MTR stations|terminus]] of the {{lnl|MTR|eal}} (Kowloon-Canton Railway) of Hong Kong, located in [[Lo Wu]] within the [[Closed Area]] on Hong Kong's northern frontier. The station serves as a primary [[Lo Wu Control Point|checkpoint]] for rail passengers between Hong Kong and [[mainland China]] and vice versa, rather than serving a specific area. It is also the northernmost railway station in Hong Kong.

==History==
===Initial opening===
When the [[Kowloon–Canton Railway]] (KCR) first went into service, trains did not stop at Lo Wu, as there was no border patrol at the time.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/LUKzrxtlZwI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160515082340/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUKzrxtlZwI Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUKzrxtlZwI| title = KCR History before 1980 | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> However, shortly after the People's Republic of China was created in October 1949, the KCR announced that trains would terminate at Lo Wu, and that passengers would be able to cross the border on foot.

After the economic reformation of China, through trains re-commenced running in 1979,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Michelle |title=When Guangzhou-Hong Kong through trains resumed service after a 30-year gap |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/short-reads/article/3005741/when-guangzhou-hong-kong-direct-train-resumed |access-date=2021-03-18 |work=Post Magazine |date=2019-04-12}}</ref> and cross-border traffic increased substantially. During the 1980s, Lo Wu station was completely redeveloped. On 15 January 1987, the new Lo Wu station was formally opened.

[[File:Lo Wu Station Concourse 1997.jpg|thumb|left|Station concourse in 1997.]]

===Refurbishment work===
Refurbishment work of the station started in 2002, and new facilities such as a group waiting area and new ticket gates were introduced. Since 28 December 2004, this station also serves as the interchange station for the [[Shenzhen Metro]] [[Luohu station]], which shares the same Chinese name.

In 2009, [[Platform gap filler#Hong Kong|platform gap fillers were trialled]] on platforms.

===Closure during COVID-19===
Following the Government's measures to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, this station was closed from 4 February 2020. This station provided 30-minute-interval train services between Lo Wu and Sheung Shui stations for Lo Wu residents only. This station remained closed to border crossing passengers as construction around the area was not  completed yet. Instead, from 8 January 2023, border crossing residents were asked to use Lok Ma Chau station instead.

===Opening during Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals===
To make it easier to go to [[Sandy Ridge, Hong Kong|Sandy Ridge]] for grave sweeping, for a month around [[Ching Ming Festival]] and [[Chung Yeung Festival]], some East Rail line trains operated to/from this station from the start of service until 7 pm every day.

===Re-opening of station for Cross-Border Travel===

On 6 February 2023, the MTR resumed Cross-Border Travel with the Mainland at Luohu Port, with train frequencies ranging from four to eight minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corporation Limited |first=MTR |date=4 February 2023 |title=RE-OPENING OF LO WU STATION ON 6 FEBRUARY |url=https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/main/eal-cross-boundary-service-resumption.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204061110/https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/main/eal-cross-boundary-service-resumption.html |archive-date=4 February 2023 |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=mtr.com.hk}}</ref>

== Station layout ==
The station has three tracks. Two tracks serve the {{lnl|MTR|eal}} as its terminus. The other track serves intercity through train services which do not stop at this station and continues northward across the border into [[mainland China]]. The through trains do not have platforms on this station.

=== Platforms ===
The East Rail station features two tracks with two [[side platform]]s and an [[island platform]] arranged in a [[Spanish solution]]. The island platforms ({{MTR platform|East Rail|2}} and {{MTR platform|East Rail|3}}) serve alighting passengers, while the side platforms ({{MTR platform|East Rail|1}} and {{MTR platform|East Rail|4}}) serve boarding passengers. The island platform connects to the departure concourse at G, and the side platforms are connected to the arrival concourse by escalators and lifts at L1. Both concourses are connected to the [[Lo Wu Control Point]], through the [[Lo Wu Bridge]] which has [[moving walkway]]s.

Trains entering the station will first open doors facing the island platform to allow passengers to alight. After station staff has confirmed that all passengers have alighted, the doors will close and doors facing the side platforms ({{MTR platform|East Rail|1}} and {{MTR platform|East Rail|4}}) will be opened for boarding passengers.

Prior to the implementation of the Spanish solution, passengers on both tracks would use the island platforms for both boarding and alighting, resulting in the platform overcrowding. In 2004, platform {{MTR platform|East Rail|1}} (which had previously been rarely used) was rebuilt and platform {{MTR platform|East Rail|4}} was constructed to improve the passenger flow for boarding passengers.

Located inside the [[paid area]] of the arrivals concourse (L2) are two separate passageways providing access to [[escalator]]s, [[Elevator|lifts]], and stairs to one of the two side platforms ({{MTR platform|East Rail|1}} and {{MTR platform|East Rail|4}}). Large glass [[sliding door]]s ahead of each passageway begin automatically closing around 5 minutes before the train is set to depart the station. This is done to control the number of boarding passengers allowed on each narrow side platform to prevent [[overcrowding]] and reduces the chance of passengers falling onto the tracks. Once a set of automatic doors are shut, the other set will open, allowing access to the other side platform.

{| border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3"
|-
|'''L1'''
| style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;border-top:solid 1px gray;width:50px;vertical-align:top;" |'''<br/>Arrival  Concourse'''
| style="border-top:solid 1px gray;border-bottom:solid 1px gray;width:100px;vertical-align:top;" |Upper Level Concourse<br /><small>(Mainland China to Hong Kong)</small>
| style="border-top:solid 1px gray;border-bottom:solid 1px gray;width:390px;vertical-align:top;" |Hong Kong [[Immigration Department (Hong Kong)|Immigration Department]] and [[Customs and Excise Department (Hong Kong)|Customs and Excise Department]] checkpoints, Customer Service, HK Tourism Commission Office, shops
|-
| rowspan="8" |'''G'''
| style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;vertical-align:top;" |'''<br/>Departure Concourse''' 
|Ground Level Concourse<small><br/>(Hong Kong to mainland China)</small>
|Fare adjustment, Immigration Department and Customs and Excise Department checkpoints, [[duty-free shop]], [[Luohu Port]], Lo Wu resident exit
|-
|
|
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |'''Platforms'''
| colspan="2" style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" | ← Decommissioned track and locked to prevent unauthorised access →
|-
| colspan="2" style="border-right:solid 2px black;border-left:solid 2px black;border-bottom:solid 2px black;text-align:center;" |<small>[[Side platform]] (boarding), doors will open on the right for entering</small>
|-
|Platform {{Break}} {{MTR platform|East Rail|1}}<span style="color:#{{rcr|MTR|East Rail}};">'''&nbsp;↑{{\}}{{MTR platform|East Rail|2}}&nbsp;↓'''</span>
||← {{rcb|MTR|East Rail|yes}} towards {{STN|Admiralty|x|MTR}} <small>({{STN|Sheung Shui|x}})</small>{{0|→}}
|-
| colspan="2" style="border-top:solid 2px black;border-right:solid 2px black;border-left:solid 2px black;border-bottom:solid 2px black;text-align:center;" |<small>[[Island platform]] (alighting), doors will open on the left, right for exit</small>
|-
|Platform {{Break}} {{MTR platform|East Rail|3}}<span style="color:#{{rcr|MTR|East Rail}};">'''&nbsp;↑{{\}}{{MTR platform|East Rail|4}}&nbsp;↓'''</span>
||← {{rcb|MTR|eal|box}} East Rail line towards Admiralty <small>(Sheung Shui)</small>
|-
| colspan="2" style="border-top:solid 2px black;border-right:solid 2px black;border-left:solid 2px black;border-bottom:solid 1px gray;text-align:center;" |<small>[[Side platform]] (boarding), doors will open on the left for entering</small>
|}<ref>{{MTRsource|layout|low|Lo Wu|14 November 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Lo Wu Station 2018 04 part5.jpg|thumb|Panorama of the central passageway from the platform to the border checkpoint]]
<gallery>
Lo Wu Station 2019 04 part1.jpg|Platform 1 (left) and 2 (right) (April 2019)
Lo Wu Station 2019 04 part3.jpg|Platform 3 (left) and 4 (right) (April 2019)
Tracks from Lo Wu MTR station to Shenzhen railway station.jpg|Tracks towards Shenzhen seen from platform 2
Tracks north of Luohu Bridge (20190116162821).jpg|A locomotive heading towards a [[Pocket track|reversing siding]]. Lo Wu station in the background (January 2019)

</gallery>

===Exits===

The station has three exits:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Exit
!Destinations
!Note
|-
|Departure Exit
| rowspan="2" |[[Lo Wu Control Point|Lo Wu Immigration Control Point]], [[Luohu Port]]
| rowspan="2" |The Lo Wu Immigration Control Point, where passengers must go through the border checkpoint in order to enter [[mainland China]]. Passengers must have valid travel documents to use this exit.<ref name="map">{{MTRsource|map|low|Lo Wu|14 November 2014}}</ref> 
Luohu Port ([[Shenzhen Metro]] {{rail color box|system=SZM|line=1|inline=yes}}: [[Luohu station]],

{{rail color box|system=SZM|line=9|inline=yes}}: [[Renmin South station]] and [[Shenzhen railway station]])
|-
|Arrival Exit
|-
|A1
|Tak Yuet Lau, [[Liu Pok|Liu Pok Village]]
| rowspan="2" |Two exits out to the [[Lo Wu]] area. These two exits are guarded by [[Hong Kong Police Force|Hong Kong police officers]]. To use this exit, one must possess a Lo Wu Resident Card or a [[Closed Road Permit|Closed Area Permit]], which can be obtained at the [[Sheung Shui]] Police Station in [[Fanling]].<ref name="map" />
|-
|A2
|Lo Wu Village, [[Sandy Ridge Cemetery]]
|}
*
<gallery>
File:Lo Wu Station Restricted Passage.JPG|Passage restricted only to Lo Wu residents, featuring an Intercity Through Train in the background. (2013)
File:Exit faregates of Lo Wu Station (20190116145321).jpg|Arrival exit fare gates for leaving Lo Wu station and towards the [[Luohu Port|Luohu Port border checkpoint]]. On the left is exit A, available only to permit holders of Lo Wu residents. (January 2019)
Lo Wu station exit A.jpg|Exit A seen from the departure concourse
</gallery>

== Incidents ==
On 2 February 2020, two explosive devices were found at Lo Wu station.<ref>{{cite web|author-first1=Danny|author-last1=Mok|author-first2=Lilian| author-last2=Cheng|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3048604/train-services-hong-kongs-lo-wu-mtr-station-suspended|title=Explosives found at train station on Hong Kong's border with mainland China|date=2020-02-02|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Lo Wu]]
* [[Lo Wu Bridge]]
* [[Lo Wu Control Point]]
* [[Luohu]] (Shenzhen side)
* [[Luohu station]] (Shenzhen side)

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Lo Wu Station}}

{{North District, Hong Kong}}
{{East Rail Line navbox}}
{{China–Hong Kong border crossings}}
{{Immigration Control Stations in Hong Kong}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:MTR stations in the New Territories]]
[[Category:East Rail line]]
[[Category:North District, Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Closed Area]]
[[Category:Former Kowloon–Canton Railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Hong Kong opened in 1949]]