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Express Connect:Establish hybrid connectivity with an Express Connect circuit

Last Updated:Jun 10, 2026

Express Connect circuits provide high-quality, reliable, private connectivity between your data center and Alibaba Cloud, enabling communication with VPCs across regions.

How it works

Two components connect your data center to Alibaba Cloud for private communication with VPCs across regions.

  • Express Connect circuit

    Create an Express Connect circuit to physically connect your data center to a nearby Alibaba Cloud access point. Features.

  • Peering connection

    Create a router interface to connect a VBR to a VPC, enabling private communication between your data center and the VPC. VBR-to-VPC connection.

Connect to a nearby access point

To create an Express Connect circuit, select an access point. Access points are available in multiple regions worldwide and fall into two categories:

  • Alibaba Cloud access points

    View available access points and addresses in Access point locations.

  • Partner access points

    Partner access points are already connected to Alibaba Cloud through dedicated connections. To use one, establish an Express Connect circuit between your data center and a partner access point. Alibaba Cloud Partners.

Select an access point based on proximity to your data center:

  • If an access point is available in your data center's city, select it.

  • If no access point is available in your data center's city, select the nearest one.

    Example: A company with data centers in Beijing, Tianjin, and Zhuozhou selects access points as follows:

    • Beijing data center: Alibaba Cloud access points are available in Beijing. Select an access point in the China (Beijing) region.

    • Tianjin data center: No Alibaba Cloud access points, but partner access points are available. Select a partner access point.

    • Zhuozhou data center: No access points available. Because Zhuozhou is near Beijing, select an access point in the China (Beijing) region.

    Nearby access point selection

Enable hybrid connectivity

After establishing an Express Connect circuit, use a peering connection to enable communication between your data center and VPCs in different regions.

Example: A company connects its Beijing data center to VPCs in the China (Shenzhen) and China (Beijing) regions. After establishing the circuit, it creates two router interfaces on the VBR to connect to both VPCs. Create and manage a VBR-to-VPC connection.

Hybrid cloud connectivity