The line is named after Xiangtang, a township south of Nanchang, which was originally slated to serve as a terminus, and Putian, on the coast of Fujian, at which the southern branch of the Xiangpu railway terminates.

The line heads south to Nanchang West Railway Station and bypasses Xiangtang on its way to Fǔzhou (抚州).

[1] The Nanchang to Yongtai section of the line plus the northern fork to Fuzhou is officially named the Nanchang–Fuzhou or Changfu railway.

Major cities and towns along route include Nanchang, Fǔzhou (抚州), Nancheng and Nanfeng in Jiangxi and Jianning, Taining, Jiangle, Shaxian, Youxi, Yongtai, Fúzhou (福州) and Putian in Fujian.

[4] Immediately after the Xiangpu Line opened in late September 2013, regional airlines reduced plane fare from Nanchang to Xianmen by 80% to Y240 stay competitive with high-speed trains, which cost Y252.50 and Y210, respectively, for first and second class tickets.