travel to china with train

The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in china.

• Buy train tickets
• Buy ferry tickets
• Book a hotel
• Privacy & cookies
•   Home

Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, how to take the train in china.

China has one of the biggest and busiest rail networks in the world, and trains link almost every town & city.  Chinese trains are a safe, comfortable, punctual & cheap way to travel around China, and a Chinese train journey is an experience in itself, in contrast with less reliable and environmentally-unfriendly internal flights.  This page will help you understand & plan train travel in China, & arrange your train tickets.

UPDATE 2024 :  Travel to China is open again post-pandemic.  China-Vietnam and China-Russia trains are still suspended, a limited China-Mongolia and a new China-Laos train service are operating.

Train times & fares for popular routes

International trains & ferries.

Beijing to Ulan Bator & Moscow by Trans-Siberian railway & onwards to Paris & London

Beijing, Xian & Ürümqi to Almaty & Astana (Kazakhstan)

Beijing to Hanoi (Vietnam) by train , onwards to Saigon , on to Phnom Penh & Bangkok

Beijing to Japan by ferry

Beijing to South Korea by ferry

Beijing to North Korea by train

Beijing to Taiwan by ferry

Hong Kong to Hanoi (Vietnam)

Kunming to Hanoi (Vietnam) by train

Lhasa to Kathmandu by bus & onwards to Delhi

Other information

Tours of China by train - organised for you

Recommended guidebooks for China

Travel insurance

Hotels in Beijing   Hotels in Shanghai   Hotels in Xian

Hotel suggestions in Beijing & Shanghai

Get a VPN to access Twitter, Facebook, Google and so on whilst in China

Useful country information

How to check train times & fares.

For online train timetables in English between any two major Chinese cities, use the journey planner at one of these sites:

- www.chinahighlights.com (also gives fares, in US$)

- www.trip.com

Be aware that some online journey planners aren't connected directly to the Chinese Railways system, they take periodic downloads.  One site may therefore be more up to date than others.

The official Chinese Railways website is www.12306.cn , previously Chinese-only, it now has an English version.

Beijing Metro:    For a map, see www.johomaps.com/as/china/beijing/beijingmetro , showing Beijing Main (Zhan), Beijing West (Xi) & Beijing South (Nan) mainline stations.  Metro website www.bjsubway.com .  Another simpler metro map is at  www.explorebj.com/subway .

Shanghai metro:   service.shmetro.com/en/ .

Maps of the Chinese train network

cnrail.geogv.org/enus - interactive map, you can search for a station or enter a train number to see the route taken by that train.  High-speed lines shown in red, classic lines in green.

www.chinahighlights.com/image/map/china-railway-map-big.jpg

www.cnvol.com/images/chinarailwaymap.gif ,

www.johomaps.com/as/china/chinarail.html

A neat little site that will map the calling points of any train number you enter:  cn.freepublicinfo.org .

Map of Beijing:  Click for street map of Beijing showing stations & main sights .

How to buy tickets

When do reservations open .

Reservations usually open 30 days before departure for online bookings and 28 days before departure for sale at stations, for most long-distance trains.  You cannot buy tickets before reservations open.

Some D-category sleeper trains only open 20 days ahead.  Some C-category trains only 10 days ahead.

The booking horizon used to be 12 days (10 days at stations), but was increased to 20 days in January 2013, then to 60 days in December 2014.  However, a temporary shortening to 30 days in early 2017 has become permanent.

Do tickets sell out?

Yes they do.   Most long-distance trains get fully-booked days ahead.  So book as many days ahead as you can or pre-arrange tickets online as explained below .  Although as China's new G-category high-speed trains are expensive by Chinese standards you'll sometimes find Beijing-Shanghai or Beijing-Xian high-speed train tickets available on the day of travel or the day before, assuming you are flexible as to the class or exact departure time.  But in all other cases, long-distance train tickets often sell out days before departure.  Train tickets are best booked at least 3-4 days in advance, preferably more, apart from peak holiday periods when they should be booked as soon as reservations open or secured through a train ticketing agency who knows the ropes, as trains get very fully-booked weeks ahead.

Peak holiday periods means on and around the Spring Festival, May Day on 1st May and National Day on 1st October.  It's also busy throughout the summer, and the beginning or end of university terms.  At other times, trains can still sell out but it's usually possible to secure seats or sleepers a few days ahead.

But why not see for yourself?   If you run an enquiry on www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains or www.trip.com for today, tomorrow or a few days time, you'll see which trains are sold out, which are still available, an d which have only a few seats left.  As I write this, most Beijing-Shanghai trains are sold out for the day after tomorrow, but a few trains still have seats left the day after that.  It's a similar story between Beijing and Xian.

How to buy tickets online

Chinese Railways launched online booking in 2011 at www.12306.cn , but until 2020 it was only in Chinese.  It now has an English version, but unless that has changed too, it only accepts Chinese bank cards.  So visitors to China should buy tickets through one of the following reliable recommended agencies, who charge a small fee.

Option 1, b uy at Chinahighlights.com

www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains is a reliable and helpful train ticketing agency which has been around since 1998.  They have developed a clear & easy-to-use English-language train booking website linked to the Chinese Railways ticketing system to show train times, fares & availability for any train journey within China.  They can book Chinese domestic trains and now also international trains to or from Hong Kong and from China to Hanoi, Ulan Bator & Moscow. 

Prices are shown in US Dollars, they add a service fee of around $6 per ticket.

You can book months ahead if you like , they will take your booking request before reservations open and will make the actual booking with Chinese Railways the maximum 30 days before departure, as soon as reservations open.  Booking with them more than 30 days ahead therefore gives you a 99% chance of getting the exact date, train & class you want, at least outside peak periods when half of China is trying to do the same thing!

After making a booking at www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains you'll be sent a payment link, and staff will contact you when the booking has been confirmed with Chinese Railways.  A s with all Chinese train ticket agencies, the actual booking is made by staff behind the scenes (not 'live' online) so is only confirmed when you get their confirmation email.

Travel is now ticketless, you scan your passport at the automatic gates at the entrance to the platform, the system recognises your passport number, knows you have a reservation and lets you through, see the section below about finding & boarding your train .

Tip:  If you find a self service ticket machine of the latest type which recognises passports as well as Chinese ID cards, you can use it to print out a reminder of your itinerary with car & seat numbers, and/or after your journey use one to print an old-style ticket (now merely a reimbursement slip) as a souvenir, see the self-service ticket machine section below .

If you have feedback from using www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains , do please e-mail me .  So far they have been reported as providing a prompt and efficient service.

Option 2, buy at Trip.com

www.trip.com (formerly Ctrip.com) also offers live online train times, fares & tickets, it's a well-known long-established site with a great reputation which is also useful for hotels & flights.

Trip.com can book any Chinese domestic train, also high-speed trains to/from Hong Kong, but not other international trains or the sleeper trains to/from Hong Kong.

You can select a range of currencies including RMB, $, €, $ & Au$. 

You need names & passport numbers for each passenger.  You can order online before Chinese Railways opens bookings, www.trip.com will book tickets for you as soon as booking opens.

Trip.com charges the official Chinese Railways price plus an RMB 30 ($5) fee per ticket, which they call a Hotel Promotion Code.

Tip:   If you find a self service ticket machine of the latest type which recognises passports as well as Chinese ID cards, you can use it to print out a reminder of your itinerary with car & seat numbers, and/or after your journey use one to print an old-style ticket (now merely a reimbursement slip) as a souvenir, see the self-service ticket machine section below .

If you have feedback from using www.trip.com , do please e-mail me .

Option 3, buying tickets for departures from Hong Kong

You can easily look up train times and buy tickets between Hong Kong and Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou in either direction at www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains .  Tickets can be sent to a hotel or private address anywhere in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau.  They get good feedback for their service and charge in US$ and add a service fee of around $20.  On www.chinahighlights.com , Hong Kong's Hung Hom station is listed as 'HongKong'.

Alternatively, if you're willing to make a bit more effort to save on the booking fee, you can book departures from Hong Kong to Beijing and Shanghai by email at the official ticket office price through KCRC (Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation) Customer Services.  Visit their website at www.mtr.com.hk (click 'customer site' then 'intercity passenger services' then 'more information'.  Note that the online booking system on their intercity trains home page is only for the HK to Guangzhou intercity trains, for the Beijing & Shanghai through trains you'll need to email their customer services department.  When looking up times and fares on their website, remember that Hong Kong is shown as 'Hung Hom').  You will be given a reference number and can then pick up and pay for tickets at Hong Kong's 'Hung Hom' station in Kowloon.  Note that Hong Kong ticket office does not accept credit cards, only cash.  However, there is an ATM just round the corner from the station.

Back to top

How to buy tickets at the station

It's fairly easy to buy tickets yourself at the station even if you don't speak Chinese, although trains are busy so book as many days ahead as you can and be prepared to take a second choice of train, class or date.  Expect an X-ray bag check to enter the ticket office.

Take your passport!

Remember to take your own passport and the passports of all other passengers.  Rules introduced in 2011 make it essential for foreigners to show a passport to buy tickets for any long-distance train.  You'll also need your passport to board the train.  A Chinese citizen's ID card, foreigner's temporary residence permit, exit-entry permit or diplomatic certificate can be used to buy tickets instead of a passport.

Check the train availability board!

At major stations you'll see a colourful LED display showing how many seats are left in each class on each main train departure today and for the next week or so.  Don't waste time queuing to ask for a ticket today if the board above your head is clearly showing zero seats left on that train!  See what these look like and how to read them below .

Which ticket window for which trains?

Ticket windows are only signed in Chinese, apart from a few labelled as for cancellations & refunds.  However, don't worry, in a major station ticket hall, all ticket windows can generally sell tickets for all trains and routes.  Chinese Railways have a central computer reservation system so you can buy tickets for any route at any station.  But when picking a train, remember that it's usually easier to get tickets for a train which starts at the station you're at, rather than one starting somewhere else and picking up passengers at your station en route.

English-speaking ticket windows

There is a special English-speaking ticket window for foreigners at Beijing main station, usually window 16 in the separate ticket office to the right of the main building accessed off the forecourt, see the photos below .  You may also find English-speaking windows at Xian and Shanghai.

Language problems?  Use these useful booking forms!

You won't always find an English-speaking window.  Use these handy forms designed by Chinese rail expert Duncan Peattie and updated by Eliot Zhang, which not only help you ask for what you want, they will help you understand the booking clerk's reply if your first choice isn't available.  Your hotel can help you write down the place names.

Download booking form for C, D, G  category high-speed trains

Download booking form for Z, T, K category trains, including sleepers .

Travel is now ticketless

You won't be given a ticket as travel is now ticketless and all you need is your passport to board the train, see the section below about finding & boarding your train .  However, when you book travel in person at a ticket office, you'll be given a printout confirming your journey details.  This is not a ticket!

At Beijing station (= Beijing or Beijing Railway station)

T he ticket office is a separate block to the right of the main building as you stand on the forecourt, clearly marked 'Ticket Office'.  Expect a baggage X-ray check at the door.  Only domestic Chinese tickets are sold, not international tickets.  One or two of the many ticket windows are designated for foreigners, a red LED display may tell you which one.  It's often window 16, but not necessarily.  Allow plenty of time to buy your ticket, as you may have to queue.

At Beijing West station (= Beijing Xi or Xizhan)

There are various ticket offices including offices on both the north and south sides of the station, directly accessed from outside the station.  At Beijing West you need a ticket to enter the departures area.  As Beijing West is a mile or two outside central Beijing, you may find it easier to buy tickets at Beijing station.

At Beijing South station (= Beijing Nan or Beijingnan)

There are various ticket offices inside the main departures hall.  Go through the X-ray and metal detector security checks into the main departure hall and look for one of the offices around the sides.  As Beijing Nan is a few miles outside central Beijing, you may find it easier to buy tickets at Beijing station.

To buy Trans-Siberian tickets in Beijing from Beijing to Ulan Bator or Moscow, see the Trans-Siberian page .  To buy tickets from Beijing to Hanoi , see the Vietnam page .

At Shanghai station

The English speaking ticket window at the main station was window 43 though this has now been reported as changed to window 10 on the ground floor of the main ticket office to the southeast of the main station.

At Shanghai Hongqiao

There are several ticket offices inside the main departure hall.  Go through the X-ray and metal detector security checks into the main departure hall and look for one of the offices around the sides.

Alternatively, buy from a local train ticket agency

In major cities, it can be more convenient to buy tickets at one of the numerous 'hole in the wall' ticketing agencies located all over the city.  These local offices charge an RMB 5 (50p or $1) extra fee, just ask your hotel if there is one nearby or use the 'Train Ticket Office Search' at www.cnvol.com .  Don't expect these local agencies to speak English, so ask your hotel to write down your destination, date, time and class in Chinese to show the staff.

Train availability displays in ticket offices

You'll find these train availability boards at all main station ticket offices and they're not hard to read, even though they're in Chinese.  The photo below was taken at Beijing West on 1 August, and as you can see, there's zero availability in any class for today's train G625 leaving at 18:56, so don't waste time asking.  But there's plenty of availability in all classes tomorrow (2nd August) including 13 seats in business class and 36 seats in 1st class and 617 in 2nd class.

At Beijing Railway Station & Beijing West the class columns run left to right as soft sleeper, hard sleeper, soft seat, hard seat then standing places.   The soft seat & hard seat columns are used for 1st class & 2nd class on C, D & G-trains and the soft sleeper column is used for premium or business class on those trains. 

At Beijing South the sequence from left to right is Business class, 1st class, 2nd class .

Self-service ticket machines

Most stations have self-service ticket machines.  Until recently, these were of no use to foreign visitors as they only recognised Chinese ID cards.  The latest type now recognises foreign passports, although they don't normally have an English language facility (although an English version may be in the pipeline).  That means most visitors will find using them for tickets too difficult, but you can easily use them to print your itinerary, or print a reimbursement slip as a souvenir or to claim expenses.

How to print your itinerary, or a reimbursement slip as a souvenir

If you have already booked online, you can print out a Trip information reminder with your train times, car & seat/berth numbers.  You can do this any time before you travel.  After your journey you can print out an old-school blue ticket, although this is now only a Reimbursement slip good if you want to claim the journey on expenses or just want a souvenir, it's not valid for travel.  You can do this immediately after you travel, or for up to 30 days afterwards.  Follow the steps shown below.  Photos below courtesy of David Feng.

Finding & boarding your train

Allow time for security checks at the station.

Arrive at the station in plenty of time before the departure of your train, perhaps 30-40 minutes before departure.

At stations where the ticket office is separate, for example Beijing Railway Station or Beijing West, there are queues at the entrance to the station for a ticket & ID check, as only ticket-holders are allowed into the departures hall.  Join any queue at any kiosk, have your ticket and 1'wand'.

At stations where the ticket office is inside the main hall, for example Beijing South or Shanghai Hongqiao, there will be short queues just inside the entrance to the station hall for a security check.  You put your bags through an X-ray scanner then security staff check you over with an electronic 'wand'.

Scan your passport to access the platform

Once inside the station, look for the departure indicators.  At major stations such as Beijing South or Shanghai Hongqiao, the departure boards alternate between Chinese & English.  At smaller stations they are only in Chinese, but you can easily make out your train number and departure time, and the platform or gate number to go to, as the photos in this section show.  Finding your train is unlikely to be a problem.

There are automatic gates at the entrance to each platform or group of platforms.  The gates can read Chinese ID cards & Chinese Green Cards for expats settled in China.

At some stations, each gate has a passport scanner as well as a Chinese ID card scanner.  This latest type of gate is shown in the photo below.  You place your passport data page face-down on the passport scanner, it reads your passport, knows you have a reservation and lets you through.  Your passport needs to be machine-readable, although it doesn't need to be biometric.

At other stations, the gates only have Chinese ID card scanners.  Foreign passport holders must use a separate passport reader, located at one end of the gateline, after which you are let through a manual gate.  You place your passport data page face-down on the scanner, it reads your passport, knows you have a reservation and lets you through.

A few small stations have no passport readers at all, so you need to ask staff to let you through.  Showing a printout of your journey helps with this, if you buy at a ticket office you'll be given a printout, if you have booked online you can get a printout by showing your reservation number at a ticket office window.  These printouts are labelled Trip information reminder in English.

Tip:  Expenses to claim or you just want a souvenir?   You can still get the traditional blue ticket if you like, but this now a Reimbursement slip and not valid for travel.  You can collect it either immediately after your journey or for up to 30 days afterwards, from a staffed ticket window or from the latest type of self-service machine which can recognise foreign passports.  Watch the video guide .

Boarding a train at Beijing Station

1.  Beijing station is in central Beijing, 3 km from Tiananmen Square.  It has it's own station on the Beijing Subway, called simply Beijing Railway Station - see Beijing subway map .

2.  Beijing main station dates from 1959 and whilst Beijing's South & West stations are modern and airport-like, negotiating Beijing's original station is a more chaotic old-style Asian experience.  So arrive in plenty of time, at least 40 minutes before your train leaves.

3.  Whether you arrive by subway or taxi, you end up on the station forecourt seen in the photo below left.  You then enter the station through any of the 30-odd red-canopied ticket-check kiosks seen in the photo below right in front of the main entrance.  There will be a queue in front of each kiosk.

4.  Immediately after the ticket check, there's a luggage X-ray check as you enter the building itself.

5.  You can then check the departure display to see which waiting room to go to for your train.  Boarding usually starts around 20-30 minutes before departure.

Boarding a train at Beijing South:  See the Beijing to Shanghai page

Boarding a train at beijing west.

7.  You may also find departure boards showing the status of each train.  Most trains will be shown as 'on time' with the most immediate departures shown as 'waiting', which means you can enter that train's specific waiting room.  Once a train is ready for boarding, usually about 30 minutes before departure, it's shown as 'check in', meaning you can proceed through to the platform.  Barriers close 5 minutes before departure, and the train is then shown as 'check out'.  Photos in this section are courtesy of Sunil Mehta .

What are Chinese trains like ?

Chinese trains link virtually all main cities and towns in China, and are a safe, comfortable & civilised way to travel, even for families or women travelling alone.

Classes of seat & sleeper on classic trains

Chinese trains generally have four classes, although you won't find every class on every train:

Soft sleeper = comfortable 4-berth compartments.  Most western travellers travel soft sleeper, a comfortable, civilised & affordable way to travel.  Soft sleepers are spacious 4-berth compartments with two upper & two lower berths by night, converting to two sofas for daytime use.  All necessary bedding is provided.  There's a table with tablecloth, and usually a vacuum flask of hot water for making tea (or drinking chocolate or cuppas soups if you've brought some).  The compartment door locks securely, and a smartly-dressed attendant looks after each car.  The best trains even feature individual TV screens and power sockets for laptops & mobiles.  Passengers share with other passengers, but this is no problem, and a good way to meet people. 

Can you book a 4-berth soft sleeper for sole or dual occupancy?   My advice is to do what the Chinese do, buy one ticket for one berth for one person and share.  It's not a problem, and you meet people this way.

Hard sleeper = open-plan bunks in bays of 6.  If you're on a tight budget or if the soft sleepers are full, there's no reason why you shouldn't go hard sleeper, as many western backpackers do.  Hard sleeper consists of open-plan carriages with a broad aisle on one side of the car, bays of 6 bunks (upper, middle & lower) on the other side.  In spite of the name, hard sleeper bunks are reasonably well padded, and bedding is supplied.  Newer trains even have power sockets for laptops & mobiles.

Soft seat & hard seat:   Equivalent to first & second class seats on a European train.  Short distance daytime trains often only have hard class seats, though some inter-city trains have both soft & hard class.  'Hard' seats are usually padded and reasonable comfortable, in spite of the name.

Deluxe soft sleeper = 2-berth compartment with toilet.  In addition to the normal classes, a handful of trains have deluxe soft sleepers, also known as Superior soft sleepers, include Beijing-Hong Kong, Beijing-Shanghai & Beijing-Xian.  These are 2-berth compartments with private toilet.  There are only limited numbers of these 2-berth compartments are available, often booked by government officials, so by all means ask for one but don't bang your head against a brick wall trying to get one, be prepared to travel in normal 4-berth soft class if necessary.  Sharing a 4-berth really isn't a problem, it's the norm in China, and you might even meet some real Chinese people this way.

Classes of seat on high-speed trains

1st & 2nd class:   Just to confuse you, the new high-speed C, D & G category trains are described as having 1st class & 2nd class seats.  The Chinese officially classify these trains as 1st class soft seat and 2nd class soft seat , as this allows the Ministry of Railways to get around government regulations that limit the price of normal hard & soft class ticket train fares.  2nd class has very compact seats usually arranged 2+3 across the car width.  1st class has much larger seats arranged 2+2 across the car width.

Business class .  G-category high-speed trains have a premium first class called Business class.  This has individual electrically-reclining leather seats arranged 2+1 across the car width.  There is complimentary green tea and juice and a tray meal may be included in the fare, served at your seat.  Business class is spacious, carpeted, and the egg-like business class seats recline to a flat bed at the touch of a button.  Business class is expensive even by western standards, but it's a real treat, very civilised and relaxed.

Premium, premier or superior class.   Now it gets a bit confusing, so listen up!  All the G-category high-speed trains have a small compartment immediately behind the driving cab at each end of the train, originally called 'sightseeing' because you could look through a glass bulkhead through the driving cab to get a view of the line ahead or behind.  However, this glass sightseeing window is now permanently kept electrically frosted up, and on some newer trains it's a solid bulkhead in any case, so the term 'sightseeing' is no longer used.

On some trains , the end compartment is fitted with five business class seats, arranged in one 1+1 row across the car width and one 1+2 row.  They all rotate to face the direction of travel, and are sold as normal business class.

On other trains there are two business class seats immediately behind the cab, arranged 1+1 across the car width, followed by three more red leather seats arranged 2+1 across the car width.  As these three seats are narrower and don't recline or rotate, they are sold as first class.

On a few trains , the end compartment is fitted with 6 seats arranged in two rows 2+1 across the car width.  These seats are the same style of seat found in first class, but they are sold at a higher price than first but less than business.  The Chinese term for this class is usually translated as premium or premier or superior or occasionally deluxe , depending which website you're using.  On a few trains you'll also find these superior class seats in a small 6-seat compartment mid-train.  Although you'll never find superior class on a train which has business class!

Restaurant cars, toilets, smoking...

Toilets:   Chinese trains generally have both western & squat toilets, but it's always a good idea to take your own supply of toilet paper.  The toilets on the modern D & Z category trains are immaculate, so no worries there!

Restaurant cars:   Most long-distance trains have a restaurant car, with waiter service of drinks, snacks & meals.  The best trains on key routes such as Beijing-Shanghai have menus in both Chinese and English.

Smoking:   Smoking is not permitted in the sleeping-car compartments or corridors on any Chinese train, or anywhere at all on board high-speed trains or the pressurised trains to Tibet.  But smoking is allowed (or at least, condoned) in the vestibules between carriages and in some restaurant cars on the regular T & K category long-distance trains.

Categories of train

Chinese train numbers usually start with a letter, which indicates the category of train.  The better the category of train, the faster it is likely to be, and the more modern & comfortable the carriages are likely to be.  Slightly higher fares are charged for the better train categories.

C (Chengji), D (Dongche) & G (Gaotie) trains are China's top-quality high-speed trains with modern air-conditioned coaches and streamlined power-cars at each end.  Most are 200-300km/h daytime electric trains, with 'G' category trains the fastest, 'D' category the next fastest.  A few overnight D-trains are equipped as high-quality 200km/h sleeper trains.  Photos of G-category train .  Photos of D category sleeper train .

Z trains (= Zhida, high-quality express sleeper trains):  The previous top-quality sleeper train, the Z-trains are now the second best, but still with very modern air-conditioned coaches.  Photos of Z category sleeper train

T trains (= Tekuai, extra fast):  Trains with a T in the train number are the next best category, see the photos below.

K trains (= Kuaisu, fast):  Trains with a K in the train number are 'fast'.  Slightly higher fares are charged for better categories of train.

A typical T or K category Chinese train

T & K category trains may not be as glamorous as the front-rank D or Z category trains, but even these T or K trains are usually very comfortable, often modern & air-conditioned.

Luggage on Chinese trains

You take your bags with you onto the train, and put them on the racks in your sleeper compartment.  At major stations, bags may be X-rayed before boarding.

In theory, the luggage limit on Chinese trains is 20 Kg for adults, 10 Kg for children, and the maximum dimension of any item should not exceed 160 cm (this is reduced to 130cm on all C, D & G category high-speed trains). 

However, in reality no-one weighs or measure your bags, so as long as they will fit through the security X-ray machines and as long as you can carry them all onto the train yourself, you'll be fine.  If you really want to transport vast quantities of luggage you can pay for a baggage ticket for bags in excess of the official limits.

Taking a bike

You can't take a bike with you onto Chinese trains as carry-on luggage, bikes have to be sent as cargo on a passenger train with a luggage van, which of course means a classic train, not a high-speed train.  There are two options:

Option 1 , you can take it to the luggage office at your starting station and check it in, then collect it again from the luggage office at your destination station.  This option is described in Matt Glaspole's report below.  Your bike will travel on whatever train has the necessary luggage van with space available, whatever train you choose to use yourself.

Option 2 , you can use a faster door-to-door collect-&-deliver service offered by Chinese Railways between major cities.  You may need an agency to help you arrange this.

Traveller Matt Glaspole reports on taking a bicycle on Chinese trains :  "Not every train has a luggage van, but if you mention in the ticket office that you have a bicycle, the ticket staff can book you onto a train that has one.  If you do have to take a train without a luggage van, the luggage staff will send your bicycle on the next train that does have one.  Once you have your ticket, you need to find the luggage office, which is often hidden around the back of the station somewhere. You might not find any English spoken here, but your train tickets should give the staff all the information they need.  The luggage service is a bit old fashioned, and the charges can involve a few RMB in 'tips' to the officials involved.  The luggage rates are calculated per kilometre like a passenger ticket, but are not as expensive. If you take the pedals or anything else off to prevent joyriding, point this out to the staff so they can make a note of this on the luggage ticket.  This indemnifies them from the potential that you or someone else at the other end will accuse them of having lost or stolen the missing bits. Once, I didn't mention to the staff that the pedals were missing, and they starting combing the town near the station to find me, so they could amend the ticket. Accusations of theft must be very serious!  My bicycle was never damaged in the luggage vans, although other cyclists have found themselves missing a bungee strap or two from time to time."

Luggage storage at stations

There are left luggage offices at most main Chinese stations, often privatised so markings and signage vary.  Look for the suitcase in a square pictogram or the words Left Luggage.

Stations with a left luggage office include Beijing railway station (which has at least two, both accessed from outside in the forecourt), Beijing South (inside the ticket hall), Beijing West (accessed from outside), Xian, Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai, Shenzhen.

The left luggage office at Beijing South inside the departures hall is open 06:00-23:00, a medium locker costs RMB 10 (£1, $1.50) for 0 to 7 hours, RMB 15 (£1.50, $2.50) for up to 12 hours, RMB 25 for up to 24 hours.  A large locker costs RMB 15, RMB 25 & RMB 40 respectively for the same time periods.  Other left luggage offices are likely to charge similar prices.

Beijing to Shanghai

The best way to travel this route is by train.  Not only is the train ride an experience in itself, the trains are generally very punctual and reliable than flying, avoiding the many delays affecting flights on this crowded air corridor. 

Beijing to Xian

Beijing to Xian by time-effective sleeper or by high-speed train.  The best way to travel between Beijing & Xian is by train, either on a time-effective overnight sleeper train which also saves a hotel bill, or on one of the new 300km/h (186 mph) high-speed trains.   The high-speed line opened on 26 December 2012 allowing trains to link Beijing West and Xian North in as little as 4h17, with a dozen high-speed departures a day.

Xian North , also known as XianBei , is 10 km north of the city centre on Xian metro line 2.

Xian main station is in the city centre, so significantly more convenient.

G-category high-speed trains have Business class, 1st class, 2nd class and a buffet car.  1st class seats are 2+2 across the car width, 2nd class seats are 2+3 across the car width.  Business class consists of leather power-reclining seats arranged 1+2 across the car width in a carpeted car.

D-category highsleeper trains are high-speed sleeper trains with air-conditioned soft sleepers, hard class sleepers & hard class seats.

T-category sleeper trains are classic sleeper trains with 4-berth soft sleepers, hard sleepers & restaurant car.

Distances:   Beijing to Xian by sleeper train on the classic route is 1,283 km (801 miles), via the new high-speed route it's 1,198km  (749 miles).

The Terracotta warriors are 40-45 minutes from Xian main station by bus 306 or 307, fare about RMB 7.  Minibuses & taxis are also available.  There are luggage storage facilities (left luggage office) at Xian main station, price RMB 5 per person.

All trains shown here run every day.    Finding & boarding your train     Luggage arrangements

Beijing metro map .    Street map of Beijing showing stations .    Hotels in Beijing .    Hotels in Xian .

$1 = approx RMB 7.0, £1 = approx RMB 8.9.

As of 1 January 2023, children under 6 travel free (just one per adult goes free), all other children under 14 travel for half fare. Those 14 & over pay full fare.  Child discounts only apply to the 'base' part of a sleeper fare, so in sleepers it's closer to a 25% reduction on the total fare.

The sleeper fares shown here are for lower berths.  Upper berths (and middle berths in hard sleeper) are a fraction cheaper.

You can easily tickets online at www.chinahighlights.com or www.trip.com once booking has opened .

For full details of how to buy tickets online or at stations, see the How to buy tickets section above .

What are the high-speed G-trains like ?

Second class is fine if you're on a budget, although it's fairly cramped as seats are arranged 2+3 across the car width.  A middle seat in the row of three isn't much fun!  First class seats are arranged 2+2 across the car width, so are far more spacious and well worth the extra cost.  Superior class seats (also known as Deluxe or Premium) are identical to first class seats, but arranged 2+1 across the car width in the sightseeing area immediately behind the cab at each end of the train, 6 seats in each of the two sightseeing areas.  The glass to the cab is often kept frosted, defeating the object of the sightseeing area, so I'd stick with regular first class.  Some trains have Business class instead of Superior class, and although expensive even by western standards, it's carpeted, spacious and relaxed, with electrically-reclining flat-bed seats and complimentary tray meal.  Wonderful if you can afford it.  See the photos of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed trains here , as the Beijing-Xian G-trains are similar.

Beijing to Badaling & Great Wall

You can visit the Great Wall at Badaling by train from Beijing, no need for a restrictive tour.  See the Great Wall of China page .

Beijing to Tianjin

High-speed 350 km/h C-category trains (sometimes known as Hexie trains) link Beijing South Station & Tianjin every 10-20 minutes, taking just 30 minutes for the 120 km (75 miles) journey.  Simply use www.chinahighlights.com or www.trip.com to find specific train times.  The fare is around RMB 58 (£6 or $9) for a 2nd class seat, RMB 69 (£7 or $10) in a first class seat.  It's easy enough to buy tickets at the station on the day of travel.

Beijing to Guilin & Nanning

As well as the classic T and Z category sleeper trains from Beijing to Guilin and Nanning, since 2014 there are two Beijing-Guilin-Nanning high-speed trains which do the run in a single day.  So you can choose between a high-speed journey done in a single day or a cheaper classic overnight sleeper train ride, both are genuine Chinese experiences.  The choice is yours.

G421/G422/G529/G530 are G-category high-speed trains using the new high-speed lines, with 2nd, 1st & business class plus buffet car, see the photos of similar Beijing to Shanghai high-speed trains here .

The T & Z trains are classic trains using the classic route, with 4-berth soft sleepers, hard sleepers & restaurant car. 

Train T289/T290 has 2-berth deluxe soft sleepers as well as 4-berth soft sleepers, hard sleepers & restaurant car.

You can check times for this & other routes at www.chinahighlights.com or www.trip.com .  Map of Beijing showing stations

Beijing to Guilin is 2,135km (1,334 miles), Beijing to Nanning is 2,566km (1,603 miles) via the classic route.  Beijing metro map .  .

You can easily tickets online at www.chinahighlights.com or www.trip.com once booking has opened .  For full details of how to buy tickets online or at stations, see the How to buy tickets section above .

Beijing to Kunming

Beijing to Kunming by high-speed train or classic sleeper.  You can travel between Beijing & Kunming either on a classic Z-category sleeper train night-day-night, or on one of the G-category 300km/h (186 mph) high-speed trains which do the entire journey in a single day.  Before you go for the new single-day high-speed option as a knee-jerk reaction, bear in mind that the Z53 classic train still only takes one daytime day out of your schedule, a soft sleeper on the Z53 costs less than a cramped 2nd class seat on a G-train, it gives you more room to spread out, make yourself at home and enjoy the journey across China, and it saves two hotel bills!

G-category high-speed trains have 1st & 2nd class seats, business class seats and a buffet car.  1st class seats are 2+2 across the car width, 2nd class seats are 2+3 across the car width.  Business class seats are arranged 2+1 across the car width and go fully flat.  See the photos in the Beijing-Xian section .

Z-category sleeper trains are classic air-conditioned sleeper trains with 4-berth soft class sleepers, hard sleepers, restaurant car with menu in Chinese and English.  See the photos in the Beijing-Xian section , although there's no deluxe soft sleeper on this route.

Distances:  Beijing to Kunming by sleeper train on the classic route is 3,104 km (1,929 miles), via the new high-speed route it's xxxx km  (xxx miles).

Finding & boarding your train     Luggage arrangements

Beijing metro map .    Map of Beijing showing stations .    Hotels in Beijing .

Beijing to Guangzhou & Shenzhen

By new high-speed train, new high-speed sleeper or classic sleeper.  A new high-speed line opened in December 2012, and 300km/h (186mph) trains now link Beijing West and Guangzhou South in as little as 7h38, on the world's longest high-speed line.  Introduced in January 2015, bullet-nosed high-speed sleeper trains run on Friday to Monday nights, taking a single night to do what the classic trains take a day and night to do.

G-category trains run at 300 km/h (186 mph) with business class, 1st class & 2nd class seats and a buffet car.  1st class seats are 2+2 across the car width, 2nd class seats are 2+3 across the car width.  Business class consists of leather power-reclining seats arranged 1+2 across the car width in a carpeted car.  See the photos of the Beijing to Shanghai G-category high-speed trains here as the Beijing-Guangzhou-Shenzhen G-trains are similar.  You'll also find advice on which class to choose on that page.

D-category trains are high-speed sleeper trains , with 4-berth soft sleepers, 2nd class seats & buffet car, see the photos of the Beijing to Shanghai D-category high-speed sleeper trains here as the Beijing-Guangzhou-Shenzhen G-trains are similar.

Z-category trains are classic sleeper trains with 4-berth soft sleepers, hard class sleepers & restaurant car.

How to buy tickets    Finding & boarding your train     Luggage arrangements    Map of Beijing showing stations

Beijing to Guangzhou via the new high-speed line is 2,298km (1,436 miles).  Beijing to Shenzhen is 2,400km (1,500 miles).

Beijing to Hong Kong

Hong kong to shanghai : , hong kong to guangzhou : , macau : , shanghai to xian.

Option 1, Shanghai to Xian by high-speed train

High-speed trains running at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) link Shanghai Honquiao station with Xian North station, fastest journey 5h40, with some trains taking 7-8 hours. Check times at www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains or www.trip.com .  For sample prices see below.

The trains have business class, 1st class & 2nd class seats and a buffet car.  1st class seats are 2+2 across the car width, 2nd class seats are 2+3 across the car width.  Business class consists of leather power-reclining seats arranged 1+2 across the car width in a carpeted car.  See the photos of the Beijing to Shanghai G-category high-speed trains here as these trains are similar.

Xian North, also known as XianBei , is 10 km north of the city centre on Xian metro line 2.  Shanghai Honqiao station 18 km from central Shanghai near the old airport

Option 2, Shanghai to Xian by time-effective sleeper train

Classic Z-category sleeper trains and high-speed D-category sleeper trains also link Shanghai & Xian.  A sleeper is not only more time-effective, it saves a hotel bill and as these trains use the main stations in the city centres, it can be more convenient, saving taxi costs too.

The high-quality Z-category trains have air-conditioned 4-berth soft sleepers, hard sleepers & restaurant car.

The high-speed D-category sleeper trains have 4-berth soft sleepers, 2nd class seats & restaurant car, see the photos here .

You can check times & fares & availability in English at www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains or www.trip.com .

Shanghai to Guangzhou

Choose between a daytime high-speed train taking as little as 6h48 at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) or a time-effective overnight train.  The sleepers have an additional advantage, the use a main station in the city centre at least at one end of their journey.

G-category high-speed trains use the new high-speed lines, with business class, 1st class, 2nd class & buffet car, see photos of similar Beijing-Shanghai trains here .

Z99 & Z100 are high-quality sleeper trains with soft sleepers, hard sleepers, hard class seats & restaurant car.

T169 & T170 have soft & hard sleepers, hard class seats & restaurant car.

You can easily tickets online at www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains or www.trip.com once booking has opened .  For full details of how to buy tickets online or at stations, see the How to buy tickets section above .

Shanghai to Guilin & Nanning

Choose between a daytime high-speed G-train taking around 11 hours, or a sleeper.

All trains run every day all year round.

The T-category trains have 4-berth soft sleepers, hard sleepers, hard class seats & restaurant car. 

The G-category train is a high-speed train using the new high-speed route opened in 2014.  Business class, 1st & 2nd.  See the photos here .

Trains to Lhasa & Tibet

The first regular passenger trains started running over the new railway to Lhasa in Tibet on 1 July 2006.  The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is the highest in the world, climbing from 2,829m above sea level at Golmud (Geermu) to 3,641m at Lhasa, much of it built on permafrost.  Its highest point is in the Tanggula Pass, at 16,640 feet (just over 5,000m) above sea level.  Because of the lack of oxygen at that altitude, all passenger coaches have extra oxygen pumped into them, and oxygen is available to passengers through tubes if they have problems.  Before the railway was built into Tibet, travellers had to take a train as far as Golmud (which the railway reached in 1984) followed by a gruelling 48 hour bus journey to Lhasa.  Now there are direct air-conditioned trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou & Xian to Lhasa.

Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guangzhou to Lhasa by train

Getting a permit for tibet, the journey to lhasa by train, traveller's report s.

Traveller Brett Ackroyd reports:   "I took the train from Lhasa to Beijing. It departed absolutely on time from Lhasa and arrived at Beijing’s West Station on time two nights later. During the first 36 hours or so the buffet car (where I spent most of time) served only buffet for lunch and dinner and a set breakfast menu. It seemed that once the train cleared Tibet in to China things changed and a food menu was provided.  Smoking rules also appeared to relax once the train entered China, a fact backed up by the Lonely Planet’s entry regarding the train.  As far as I could tell oxygen wasn’t pumped in to the carriages, and although there were ports at all seats and beds for an oxygen mask to be attached I never saw a mask itself. I and all other passengers had to sign a health declaration form that before boarding that confirmed we hadn't any heart conditions and related problems!"

Traveller Frances Partridge reports:    "Just completed the 48 hour Lhasa to Beijing train ride. Lhasa station is awesome; very modern, very beautiful; maybe a bit of a showcase? No one seemed to mind my photographing anywhere. We left dead on time. The attendant came to my compartment and gave me the oxygen tube to attach to the outlet in case of need.  Having been in Tibet for a week already, I was fine, just coughing a lot like most Tibetans were.  There were about eight other Westerners on the train, a handful of Tibetans and lots of Chinese people. To be honest, not the most spectacular scenery, compared to crossing Tibet, but what an engineering achievement! The highest railway in the world, much of it constructed on permafrost.  At night the inside of the carriage doors froze hard but the carriages themselves were very warm and comfortable.  Outside we were above the tree line but under the yak line.  Endless moss, frozen rivulets of old ice, yak herds and what I thought were eagles but a Tibetan told me were 'eagle's nephews'.  I booked soft class (for a nice change) but the hard sleeper was almost as good according to my companions down the train.  I had the cabin of four beds to myself all day until late in the evening when an elegant Chinese lady appeared at my door.  She looked appalled to be sharing with a foreign backpacker, especially one who had spread out all over the adjoining bunk, but soon settled in and was civil (in Chinese).  The car attendants were pleasant; the waitresses in the restaurant car were surly with a habit of whipping away the ashtray after one cigarette.  Trying to make them smile was a good, if fruitless, way to spend time.  One morning we arrived for breakfast at 9.30 am to be told that for us, breakfast was over.  Annoying when the car is full of train personnel eating their heads off.  Travel, eh?  The train stopped at stations twice a day so we could stretch our legs and have an unhindered smoke and buy snacks.  I was tempted to jump off at Xian to go see the terracotta warriors but restrained myself, as there's always next year.  We stopped at one station late at night, where it seemed that half the Chinese Army were saying goodbye to the other half.  From the hugging and sobs and photography I assumed they had finished their posting in the Tibet Autonomous Region and were heading home to Beijing.  They were very young boys and girls. On the second day trees appeared outside and farms and cows.  Suddenly I stopped coughing and could breathe much more easily.  Then into the chaos and noise of Beijing.  I am so very glad I took this train - if you get the chance, go for it!"

Traveller Keith Crane reports:    "We had great trouble finding somebody who could book me a ticket independently (we were in Guangdong province - and tried calling Beijing) as all the agents wanted to offer a fully inclusive tour for between 5,000-7,000 Yuan.  Finally we found an agent in Chengdu, www.dreams-travel.com , who could book the ticket and our Tibet pass very efficiently.  They also run the very good Wen Jun Mansion Hotel, a recommendable, cheap place to stay.  Chengdu is also the home of China's Panda research and breeding base so you can see the cuddly black and white creatures close while you wait for your train!  Chinatripadvisor was pretty slow off the mark, not knowing much more than anyone else before bookings opened.  Anyway our combined ticket (soft sleeper and Tibet pass) came to about 1,700 Yuan each in the end and off we went.  Despite reading stories of altitude sickness we suffered none - and if the train was pressurised, we found the toilet windows open throughout the journey.  The soft class accommodation is comfortable - there are western-style toilets - but the catering facilities are limited - a 44 seat dining car for a 15 carriage train! And not enough refrigeration for cold beer!"

International train, bus & ferries

Beijing ► ulan bator (mongolia) ► moscow (russia) ► western europe.

Two weekly trains link Beijing with Moscow, one via Mongolia, one direct into Russia, see the Trans-Siberian page .  From Moscow, daily trains run to Cologne & Amsterdam, with connections for London, see the London to Russia page .

Beijing ► Japan

Ferries link Shanghai several times a week with Kobe and Osaka in Japan.  For ferry connections between China & Japan, see below .

Beijing ► Taiwan

You can travel between China and Taiwan by ferry.  For details see the Taiwan page .

Beijing ► North Korea

For the direct train between Beijing & Pyongyang in North Korea, see the North Korea page .

Beijing ► South Korea

For ferry connections between Beijing & South Korea, see the South Korea page .

Beijing ► Hanoi, Saigon (Vietnam)

There's a comfortable train service from Beijing to Hanoi taking 2 nights and 1 day.  You can also travel from Kunming or Nanning to Hanoi by train.  For train times & fares, for details see the Train travel in Vietnam page .

Hong Kong ► Hanoi, Saigon (Vietnam)

You can travel overland by train & bus from Hong Kong to Hanoi in Vietnam, quite cheaply and comfortably.  You take an intercity train from HK to Guangzhou, the overnight sleeper train from Guangzhou to Nanning, a connecting train to Pinxiang then a bus to the border and on the Hanoi.  For details of how to do this, see the Train travel in Vietnam page .

Beijing ► Lhasa (Tibet) ► Kathmandu  (Nepal)

There's no railway from Tibet through the Himalayas to Nepal, at least not yet, but the Lhasa to Kathmandu journey can be done using various 7-day organised bus tours. 

Weekly Lhasa-Kathmandu bus service?   The internet is full of reports of a Lhasa to Kathmandu bus service starting, then being withdrawn, then starting again.  However, the most reliable information suggests that there is currently NO such bus, as all attempts to keep it going have so far failed.  So if you want to travel from Lhasa to Kathmandu, you'll need to sign up to one of the organised tours, see below.

Organised tours between Tibet & Nepal:   Currently, the only way foreigners are legally permitted to travel between Lhasa & Kathmandu is with an organised tour.  The cheapest tours take 8 days (7 nights) for the 955 km journey and cost about $400.  Try www.heiantreks.com , who normally run Lhasa-Kathmandu overland tours twice a week, www.trekkingtibet.com (recommended by one seat61 correspondent), www.visitnepal.com/getaway  (weekly, $450) or www.richatours.com or do a Google search for other agencies.  In 2005, there were reports of a new twice-weekly bus service from Kathmandu to Lhasa but apparently this service folded soon after it started.  If you have any feedback or recommendations, please email me ! 

For onward travel from Kathmandu to Delhi or Varanasi in India by a combination of bus & train, see the Nepal page .

Beijing ► India

The direct route from China to India is not particularly practical.  Most if not all border crossings are officially closed to foreigners, and you need some serious permits to be in those border regions.  You can, however, go from Beijing to Lhasa in Tibet by train ( see here ), then take regular organised tours from Lhasa to Kathmandu, see the Nepal page .  You can then get by regular scheduled bus and train to Delhi or Varanasi in India, also see the Nepal page .

Beijing ► Bangkok (Thailand), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore

Start by taking the twice-weekly Beijing to Hanoi train, details on the Vietnam page .  You can then either go to Saigon and across Cambodia to Bangkok, then by train to Malaysia and Singapore, or take a 24 hour bus ride from Hanoi to Vientiane in Laos, then by overnight train to Bangkok.  See this interactive route map and click each part of the route you want for details.

Ferries from China to Japan

There were two ferry companies each sailing weekly year-round from Shanghai to either Kobe or Osaka in Japan.  However, in 2021 the Shanghai Ferry Co. ceased trading and sold its vessel to its competitor, www.shinganjin.com .  Feedback if you use this ferry is appreciated!

Japan-China International Ferry Company

The Japan-China International Ferry Company, www.shinganjin.com , sails weekly from Shanghai to Japan, going alternately to Kobe or Osaka.

Important update 2024 :  This ferry has been suspended since the pandemic, but they hope to resume in June 2024 with a new ship.

* Ship sails to Osaka & Kobe alternately, see www.shinganjin.com for fares & schedules, for English, change JP to EN top right.

Fares start at 20,000 Japanese Yen or RMB 1,300 (£140 or $195) one way for a berth in a shared Japanese-style room accommodating 8-15 passengers or 25,000 Yen / RMB 1,600 for a berth in a western-style 4-berth cabin.  There's a 10% discount for students, children 6-11 half fare.  A range of cabins is available on board, with restaurants, cafe, etc.

You can book via their online application form less than 2 months but no less than 7 days before departure at www.shinganjin.com .

Alternatively, for sailings from China, the telephone number for the Shanghai branch is +86 2165 957 988.  There is someone who can speak English and the only information you need to give is your name, date of birth, class of travel and passport number.  They will then make a reservation and you can buy the ticket at the port.  The telephone number for people travelling from Japan to China is +81 3 5489 4800. This is their Tokyo branch, as unfortunately nobody can speak English at their Osaka office.

The following photos show the former Shanghai Ferry Co vessel, now sold to the Japan-China International Ferry Co.

Traveller's reports

Traveller Mark Cundall used the Japan-China International Ferry Company:   "The ship was first class, clean and absolutely no problem.  If anyone wants to get from China to Japan, I'd recommend this company.  One key point is that when you get dropped in Osaka you need a bus to get to the metro, costing 300 yen, although there are no money exchange facilities at the port.  Also, all vending machines on the ship use Japanese yen, although Chinese RMB are accepted in the gift shop, cafe and so on.  So change some money into yen before you board the ship!"

Train travel within Japan

For information about train travel in Japan, see the Japan page .  To check Japanese train times online, see www.hyperdia.com (English button upper left).

Hotels in China

The Beijing Hotel Nuo Forbidden City is one of the oldest hotels in Beijing, built in 1917.  It's location is perfect, it's just a few minutes walk along the main road to Tiananmen Square and the entrance to the Forbidden City, 3 minutes walk from Wanfujing Metro Station.  Service is excellent and the colonial-style rooms spacious.  An excellent and extensive breakfast buffet is served in the modern extension behind the main building.  The hotel was originally Block B of the Beijing Hotel, Block C next door dating from 1954 is now the Beijing Grand Hotel and Block D dating from 1974 retains the name Beijing Hotel and is a state-run hotel.  There's more on the history of this hotel at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_Hotel .  Tip:  The hotel's rooms are both in the original 1917 block and the modern block behind, ask for a room in the original 1917 building.

A cheaper option , still with good reviews and location, try the Pentahotel Beijing .  It's informal, comfortable, and walking distance from Beijing Railway station - although a taxi is better if you've luggage.  There's a bar and noodle bar downstairs.

In Shanghai

The Fairmont Peace Hotel is the place if you want 5-star comfort as well as history & grandeur, it starts at around €190 for a double.  It's right in the centre of the Bund in a building dating from 1929.  As the Cathay Hotel, pre-1949 it was regarded as Shanghai's most prestigious hotel, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_Hotel .

Tours of China by train

Train travel specialists Railbookers offer several tours of China by train, with hotels, tours, train tickets organised for you as a package.  They can also arrange flights if you need them.  Check out their Beijing to Shanghai and China's History & Panda Trail itineraries .

Flights to China

Overland travel around China by train is an essential part of the experience, so once there, don't cheat and fly, stay on the ground!  But if a long-haul flight is unavoidable to reach China in the first place, try Virgin Atlantic who fly direct from London to Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong , a sound choice for both price and service.

1)  Check flight prices at Opodo, www.opodo.com

2)  use skyscanner to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines..

3)  Lounge passes

Make the airport experience a little more bearable with a VIP lounge pass, it's not as expensive as you think, see www.loungepass.com

Buy at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  W hy you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com .

Back to home page

China Train Schedule & Tickets Booking

• International Train from China
• Select Seats for Free
• 100% Refund for Failed Purchases
• Easy Changes and Cancellations
• One-to-one Service in English
• Expert Booking Consultation
• 3000+ 5-star Reviews on TripAdvisor
• Hong Kong Guangzhou 1h from $30
• Hong Kong Shenzhen 15mins from $9
• Hong Kong Shanghai 8.5h from $141
• Hong Kong Beijing 9h from $150
• Hong Kong Guilin 3.5h from $53
• Hong Kong Xiamen 4h from $36
• Hong Kong Hangzhou 7.5h from $131
• Hong Kong Humen 46mins from $25
• Beijing Shanghai 4.5h from $77
• Beijing Xian 4.5h from $72
• Beijing Pingyao 4h from $26
• Beijing Tianjin 30mins from $8
• Beijing Guangzhou 8h from $120
• Beijing Luoyang 3.5h from $51
• Beijing Datong 6h from $7
• Beijing Harbin 7h from $43
• Shanghai Beijing 4.5h from $77
• Shanghai Xian 6.5h from $94
• Shanghai Hangzhou 45mins from $8
• Shanghai Nanjing 1h from $10
• Shanghai Suzhou 30mins from $4
• Shanghai Huangshan 4h from $42
• Shanghai Yiwu 1.5h from $17
• Shanghai Ningbo 2h from $15
• Guangzhou Shenzhen 30mins from $10
• Guangzhou Yangshuo 2.5h from $15
• Guangzhou Zhuhai 1h from $8
• Guangzhou Shanghai 7.5h from $111
• Guangzhou Beijing 8h from $120
• Guangzhou Zhangjiajie 14h from $24
• Guangzhou Guilin 2.5h from $23
• Guangzhou Hong Kong 2h from $28
• Xian Beijing 4.5h from $72
• Xian Shanghai 7.5h from $94
• Xian Chengdu 3.5h from $37
• Xian Luoyang 1.5h from $17
• Xian Pingyao 2.5h from $21
• Xian Huashan 30mins from $5
• Xian Chongqing 5h from $39
• Xian Lanzhou 3h from $24
• Hangzhou Shanghai 1h from $8
• Hangzhou Suzhou 1.5h from $15
• Hangzhou Beijing 4.5h from $75
• Hangzhou Huangshan 3h from $32
• Hangzhou Nanjing 1.5h from $16
• Hangzhou Ningbo 1h from $8
• Hangzhou Xian 6.5h from $91
• Hangzhou Guangzhou 6.5h from $101
• Suzhou Shanghai 30mins from $4
• Suzhou Hangzhou 1.5h from $15
• Suzhou Beijing 4.5h from $73
• Suzhou Nanjing 1.5h from $10
• Suzhou Xian 6.5h from $89
• Suzhou Huangshan 9.5h from $11
• Suzhou Ningbo 3h from $18
• Suzhou Hefei 2.5h from $21
• Shenzhen Guangzhou 30mins from $10
• Shenzhen Guilin 3h from $33
• Shenzhen Xiamen 3.5h from $25
• Shenzhen Beijing 9h from $132
• Shenzhen Shanghai 12h from $79
• Shenzhen Changsha 3.5h from $54
• Shenzhen Fuzhou 5h from $36
• Shenzhen Chaoshan 2h from $15
• Nanjing Shanghai 2h from $19
• Nanjing Beijing 3.5h from $62
• Nanjing Hangzhou 1.5h from $16
• Nanjing Suzhou 1.5h from $10
• Nanjing Xian 5h from $75
• Nanjing Wuhan 3h from $28
• Nanjing Huangshan 6h from $7
• Nanjing Guangzhou 7.5h from $92

Quick Guide on Train Travel in China

High Speed Trains

First Class Seat vs. Second Class Seat

Which type of train and which class to choose

How to buy China rail tickets

How to take a train in China

Weight & size limit for carry-on luggage

• Admission Tickets Booking
• Railway Stations
• Food Onboard
• Useful Chinese Phrases
• China Railway
• Railway Map
• Travel Tips
• International Tickets
• Booking FAQ
• China Train App
• Tips during Holidays

Best China Train Travel Routes:

• Beijing-Shanghai : 4.5 - 6 hours
• Hong Kong-Guangzhou : 1 hour
• Beijing-Xian : 4.5 - 6 hours
• Beijing-Guangzhou : 8 - 10 hours
• Shanghai-Guangzhou : 7 - 8.5 hours
• Shanghai-Hangzhou : 1 hour
• Shanghai-Suzhou : 23 - 44 minutes
• Guangzhou-Guilin : 2.5 hours
• Guangzhou-Hong Kong : 1 hour
• Guangzhou-Shenzhen : 30 minutes
• Xian-Shanghai : 6 - 7.5 hours
• Xian-Chengdu : 3 - 4.5 hours

Schedule of Top Chinese Cities:

5 epic train journeys to take in China

Oct 24, 2021 • 4 min read

China's trains offer a highlight reel of the nation's best sights – soaring Himalayan peaks, bamboo forests, ancient temples and remote deserts © linlypu/Shutterstock

A nation of vast distances and ever-changing landscapes, China is a destination that’s simply made for train travel. While you’ll encounter the classic imagery of the country’s mist-shrouded jagged peaks and pine-clad temples, you may be surprised by what else is on offer.

From the snow-capped Himalayas and Silk Road oasis towns to grassy Inner Mongolian steppes and bamboo forests, China’s expansive rail network gets you right in amongst it – reaching speeds in excess of 300km/h, the arrival of the fast-train network has been a game changer. Not only has it halved the time required to travel across the country, but it’s infinitely more comfortable and reliable, and offers a much greener alternative to flying . And with the unveiling of the Maglev bullet trains , clocking in around 600km/h, rail travel is about to get even faster.

Here are our picks for the best train journeys running through China, to see beautiful landscapes, epic World Heritage sites and beyond.

Beijing to Lhasa (3757km)

One of China’s most epic train journeys is this spectacular two-day trip along the highest railway line in the world. Running from the nation’s capital all the way to Tibet , it covers some 3757km across eight provinces. 

Departing Beijing in the evening, you’ll awake to the flat rural landscapes of the North China Plain, but it’s not until reaching Qinghai (2275m) that the highlights reel clicks into gear. Here you’ll pass through the Tibetan Plateau as you make your ascent to the Roof of the World . The remaining 1110km to Lhasa features 86% of the line above 4000m; the highest point is at Tanggu-la Pass (5072m), the highlight, where you’ll be treated to the sharp-contoured snowy mountains overlooking stunning grasslands home to Tibetan nomads and yaks.

And for those wanting to make the trip in luxury, the Golden Eagle Shangri-La Express does the journey too.

Trans-Mongolian (7621km)

No discussion on China train travel is complete without mention of the Trans-Mongolian route . One of the world’s great rail journeys, this seven-day, six-night bucket-list adventure travels 7621km from Beijing into the wilds of the Gobi desert, the Mongolia steppe and the endless birch forests of Siberia before pulling into Moscow.

Departing from Beijing , the Chinese leg takes you through the dramatic forest mountain scenery of Northern China's Hebei and Shandong provinces before entering the grass steppes of Inner Mongolia. Reaching the Mongolia border, you’ll encounter the remarkable process of the changing of the bogies, in which each carriage is painstakingly hoisted up to change the gauge from the Chinese to Russian line before continuing on its way.

Another option from Beijing is the Trans-Manchurian (8986km). This less-traveled journey takes you through China’s northeast provinces before arriving at Harbin , from where it shoots through Inner Mongolia to reach the Russian border and on to Moscow .

Hefei to Fuzhou (850km)

Unquestionably one of China’s most scenic high-speed railways, this route passes not one, but three World Heritage sites. Beginning in Hefei in Anhui  province, this bullet train races through China’s southeast to arrive at Fuzhou in Fujian  province. It’s a four-hour journey through mountainous scenery of mist-cloaked pine forest, canyons, rivers, tea plantations and well-preserved villages. Highlights include Huangshan , Sanqingshan National Park and Mt Wuyi, all featuring idyllic trails leading to summits with astonishing lookouts.

Xian to Urumuqi (2344km)

Linking China to the West, the ancient trade route of the Silk Road has long evoked a sense of romance for travelers far and wide. And though the days of camel-drawn caravans are long gone, the Lanzhou–Xinjiang High Speed Train enables you to retrace their steps in quicker and more comfortable means. 

Boarding the train at the Silk Road’s historical starting point in Xi'an , you’ll shoot through the plains of Shaanxi province to arrive at Lanzhou in Gansu. Here you’ll transfer to another bullet train to Xinjiang province, from where you’ll pass through China’s northwest wilderness, admiring the Gobi Desert, grasslands and snow-capped mountains among the rapid-fire development of new cities. Arriving at the provincial capital of Ürümqi , you’ll notice a distinct exotic flavor that feels more Central Asia than mainland China.

Guiyang to Guangzhou (856km)

If ever there was an example of just how much China’s fast-train network has made a difference, then the route between Guangzhou and Guiyang is it. Back in 2014, it took 20 hours; today it takes little more than four. 

Beginning in Guiyang, the train travels southeast through Guangxi’s attractive verdant valleys to reach Guilin and Yangshuo , with its famous karst limestone peaks. Jutting out like sharp mossy teeth that span the horizon, it’s as spectacular as it is surreal; so otherworldly, in fact, it was used as the backdrop to the Wookiee planet Kashyyyk in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith . You’ll pass among its rice fields and the scenic Li River before crossing into the Cantonese province of Guangdong to arrive at Guangzhou –  one of China’s biggest and most dynamic cities.

You may also like: The most epic overnight train journeys in the world Great Wall: get to know China's most iconic structure How to plan your dream trip to the Himalayas

Explore related stories

Mar 14, 2024 • 10 min read

Whether it's bus, train, private car, motorcycle, bike, plane or boat, you can plan your trip around Vietnam with this guide to getting around.

Jan 2, 2024 • 11 min read

Jul 18, 2023 • 5 min read

Jul 3, 2023 • 3 min read

Apr 5, 2023 • 5 min read

Oct 27, 2021 • 7 min read

Sep 20, 2021 • 5 min read

Feb 23, 2020 • 2 min read

Jan 22, 2020 • 11 min read

Jan 13, 2020 • 1 min read

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Travel China Cheaper

Travel China the smart way! Expert tips and travel advice for China tourists and expats.

PLANNING A TRIP TO CHINA? Start Here

China Train Guide 2024 | Tips & Travel Advice

February 6, 2024 By Josh Summers

Welcome to the Ultimate China Train Guide , updated for 2024! I’ve been taking trains in China for more than 10 years now and it is one of the most comfortable and fun ways to explore China. These are all the things you need to know in order to search for the right train, buy train tickets, navigate the China train station and more. Enjoy!

It doesn’t matter if you’re taking a high speed train from Beijing to Shanghai or the slow train from Lanzhou to Urumqi…

…in this guide we’re going to attempt to cover all aspects of train travel in China.

How, you say?

I’m not going to teach you how to buy train tickets in China…you’re going to learn how to buy train tickets in China without standing in a line .

I’m not going to just explain the different types of trains that are operating in China…you’re going to learn which trains have power plugs, what to expect with the toilets and what you need to make sure to bring with you .

But most of all, my goal by the time you finish reading this guide to trains in 2024 is to take away any fear or reservations you have about doing it.

Trust me: it’s easy;

It’s cheap;

And best of all it’s fun.

How do I know? Well…I happen to be writing this while on a high-speed train from Qingdao to Shanghai 🙂

Are you ready? Great! Let’s get started .

Because I’ve worked hard to make this such a comprehensive guide (over 4,000 words!), I’m including a table of contents to help you navigate easily.

Table of Contents

• Pros/Cons of Trains in China
• Understanding China Train Numbers (and why it matters)

A Peek Inside a Chinese Train

• Navigating a China Train Station

How to Buy China Train Tickets Online

• How to buy China Train Tickets at the Station

Understanding Your China Train Ticket

• Frequently Asked Quesitons about China Trains
• Train Tips from a Seasoned China Traveler

Note: Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I may be compensated if you choose to use one of the services listed. I only recommend what I’ve personally used, and I appreciate your support!

If you don’t have time to read it all, just follow the instructions below and I’ll email you a free PDF copy!

Pros and Cons of Taking a Train in China

There are plenty of great reasons to take a train in China – and a few reasons you might want to avoid them.

In general, it is my opinion that the pros far outweigh the cons . Often, however, the choice between a train, bus or flight in China must be considered on a case-by-case basis.

So let’s start this China train guide by looking at the reasons that trains in China are such a popular form of transportation for travelers.

This is true even more so now in 2024.

The Benefits of Taking a Train in China

• Trains Save Money : Taking a train in China is in many instances the cheapest form of transportation. Cases where this might not be true is when taking a high-speed train over long distances. If you’re seriously looking to save money, buying a hard seat or standing ticket is dirt-cheap (albeit incredibly uncomfortable).
• Train Ticket Prices are Set: The best part about buying train tickets is that unlike fluctuating flight prices that make finding cheap China flights difficult , the prices of train tickets don’t fluctuate. They’re set, so you know exactly how much you’ll have to pay.
• Trains Save Time : Taking a train in China can often save time over flying or taking a bus. Train stations are often conveniently located in the middle of a Chinese city, as opposed to most airports which are far outside. In addition, you don’t have to arrive at a train station hours in advance of your departure like you do with flights. I usually arrive about 30-45 minutes ahead of my departure time. China trains are very punctual, unlike flights in China which experience delays or buses which are subject to traffic conditions.

• China Trains are Comfortable : Contrary to what you might imagine, trains in China can be quite comfortable. As a general rule, you get more leg room in a train, better opportunity to walk around, and there’s usually even a restaurant car. Sleeper car beds aren’t bad and the seats in the new high speed trains are much better than airplanes.
• China Trains Offer Beautiful Scenery : Trains offer a unique view of the varied China terrain that rolls by your window. You don’t get this beautiful view when taking a bus or airplane.
• China Trains Offer Cultural Experience : Trains offer a fun cultural experience that is hard to beat. Spending hours with your fellow Chinese passengers, most of whom will be happy to meet you and curious to chat, will provide a window into Chinese culture that you would never have in a bus or airplane. Taking a train in China is even a good opportunity to practice your Mandarin Chinese.

The Drawbacks of Taking a Train in China

As much as I like to talk up the advantages of taking a train during your trip through China, there are a few things you should be warned about before taking a train:

• China Trains Can Get Crowded : This is especially true over major holidays like Chinese New Year. Trains sell standing tickets that can make the cheaper, lower class seats uncomfortable when they’re full of people standing everywhere.
• China Trains Aren’t Always Cheaper : Always do your homework. There are many times where flights have been discounted so heavily that it has been cheaper for me to fly than take a train.

Did You Know…

In 2019, Chinese trains transported a total of 3.57 billion passengers. That’s BILLION with a “B”.

• Train Tickets Regularly Sell Out : Because train tickets are put on sale 30 days prior to departure date and prices don’t fluctuate, buying a “last minute” train ticket can be difficult. As a general rule, I try to buy my China train tickets at least 5 days prior to departure (much earlier for the China holiday season). Anything sooner than that and I risk having to buy either a super-expensive business class or an uncomfortable standing ticket.
• Train Stations Don’t Always Cater to Foreigners : At least not as much as airports do. Many of the older train stations can be confusing for somebody who doesn’t speak a bit of Mandarin. Never fear, though! This is something I hope to help you with in the section on Navigating a Train Chinese Station .

Back to Top

Understanding the China Train “Code”

What most travelers don’t know is that you can tell a lot about your China train by looking at the train route number (i.e. “D2847” vs “K1128”).

Not only can you determine the speed of your train, it’s also usually a good indicator of comfort. In other words…

… it’s good information to have!

Chinese trains are broken down into different categories, which I’m listing in this China train guide starting from the fastest/most comfortable down to the slowest/least comfortable:

China’s High Speed Trains (“G” and “D”)

Over the past decade, China has invested heavily in its network of high speed railways, and has plans to continue this investment for the next decade .

The high speed rail is divided into two categories – “G” and “D” .

Aside from the speed and an extra class, they’re more similar than they are different. Both categories usually have western (i.e. seated) toilets (if you’re curious, here’s what to expect with China’ s toilets as a whole) as well as power plugs on *most* 1st class seats and all business class and premium seats.

• G – The “G” train, short for “Gaotie” which means “high speed train,” is the newest, fastest and usually the most comfortable China train. It’s also the most expensive. These trains usually run at speeds of up to 300km/hr and are quickly becoming the future of train travel in China. You can purchase 2nd class, 1st class and Business class tickets on this train.
• D – The “D” train, short for “Dongche”, is often identical to the G train with one exception: speed. These trains don’t exceed 250 km/hr. Still, they’re comfortable and along certain routes don’t add that much more time than the G train. You can purchase 1st class and 2nd class tickets on this train.

A new addition to China’s high speed system is the sleeper train. These trains run overnight and are still listed under the “G” and “D” designations.

China’s Standard Trains

Standard trains are the older version of China’s rail system and rarely exceed 140 km/hr.

Although less common than they used to be before the high speed train came into existence, you’ll still find these standard trains going to smaller cities or throughout less-developed regions of China.

Usually, these trains are divided internally into “Soft Sleeper” , “Hard Sleeper” , “Hard Seat” and sometimes a “Soft Seat” .

They don’t always have a western toilet or air conditioning, but they are cheaper. There are different designations which include:

• Z – The “Z” train is an overnight express train that only runs select routes based on demand. They aren’t common, but it’s usually the fastest of the “standard” China trains – up to 160km/hr.
• T – The “T” train is short for “Tekuai” which means Express Train. These trains are usually special routes between two major cities that run faster than other standard trains because they don’t have many stops in between. The T trains are also less likely to have sleeper options and are more often divided into 1st and 2nd class sections similar to the D train. High speed of 140 km/hr.

• K – The “K” train is short for “Kuaiche” which simply means Fast Train . These used to be the most common – and fastest – trains in China before the era of the high speed train took over. They travel all throughout China between the different provinces.
• Only Numbers – These number trains don’t have a letter before them and are considered “ordinary” trains. If the train begins with 1, 2, 4 or 5, it will be slightly faster than a train whose number begins with 6, 7, 8 or 9. The highest speed of these trains is 100-120 km/hr.
• Other – You may also happen to run across an “L” (temporary train during peak season), a “Y” (tourism) and an “S” (train connecting a city with its suburbs) train, but these are much less common.

As we continue with this ultimate China train guide, let’s take a quick look inside both the high speed and standard China trains.

In this way, you’ll hopefully get a better idea of what to expect on your journey.

Inside China’s High Speed Trains

The two most common ticket classes you can purchase on a high speed train are a 1st class seat or a 2nd class seat.

The difference between the two usually has to do with the size of the seat as well as the personal space allowed.

The 1st Class cars are arranged with two seats on either side of a center aisle. Leg room is plentiful and there are often electrical outlets to plug in your electronic device (although this isn’t always the case).

The 2nd Class cars have a tighter seating arrangement with three seats on one side of the aisle and two on the other.

Leg room feels more like an airplane but the seats are still relatively comfortable. I’ve seen some 2nd class seats that have electrical outlets but as a whole it seems that this isn’t common.

Beyond the 1st and 2nd class cars, you might also find a Business Class in high speed trains.

These comfortable, fully-reclining leather chairs are a treat for any traveler. Beware, though: it’s almost guaranteed to be more expensive than the cost of flying to your destination! Amenities here are similar to what you’d find on an airline business class.

Although somewhat less-common, there are a few high-speed China trains have a super-luxurious class that goes by different names: VIP, Deluxe, Premium, Superior , etc.

These tickets are extremely expensive and usually offer private accommodation on the train, sometimes with your own private bathroom.

China’s high speed overnight trains offer the added luxury of a bed. The most common is lined on both sides with private bunks in two layers. Each compartment has its own light, window, and electrical plug.

My Personal Recommendation

In my opinion, 2nd class seats on a high speed train are comfortable enough for most people and are a great way to save money. However, I find that 1st class is the perfect blend of price and comfort. Plus, I like to work while traveling so I prefer having elbow room and a plug at my seat 😉

Inside China’s Standard Train

China’s standard trains can be arranged to include (or sometimes exclude) the following classes.

First you have the Hard Seat cars (Yinzuo or 银座) that have, as you would expect, hard bench seats set at a 90 degree angle with a table in between.

For short rides, these hard seats might not be a bad option. However, it can become incredibly uncomfortable for rides longer than a few hours. There are no electrical outlets and little room for luggage.

A limited number of trains include a Soft Seat car (Ruanzuo or 软座) whose seats would more resemble an airplane economy class, albeit a bit less comfortable. You have more personal space and the ability to slightly recline if you like.

The next step up the average China train is the Hard Sleeper cars (Yingwo or 硬卧) , which have berths of six beds – three on each side – with a small table between and no door. These are the tickets which sell out fastest because they are the best mix of price and comfort.

Beds aren’t overly comfortable but at least you can lay down!

These seats are designated as:

• “Shangpu” 上铺 (Top bunk, cheapest)
• “Zhongpu” 中铺 (Middle-bunk)
• “Xiapu” 下铺 (lower bunk, most expensive).

Finally, the best tickets you can buy on the average China train (T, K, P, L) are known as Soft Sleepers (Ruanwo or 软卧) , whose berths are comprised of 4 comfortable beds with a door that closes.

In the newer trains, these berths even include a small TV and electrical outlets for your computer and phone (although in my experience the electrical outlets rarely have electricity!).

Beds here are good but the price can sometimes rival that of an airline ticket. These tickets are designated as “Shangpu” (Top bunk, cheaper) and “Xiapu” (Bottom bunk, slightly more expensive).

Bathrooms on most regular-speed China trains are squatty toilets and often are not that clean. The only exception is in the soft sleeper car, where there is usually one western-style toilet.

Additional Train Cars

On most trains you’re also likely to find a restaurant car where you can sit down for a meal that can be good but is likely a bit pricey. Feel free to walk around and ask for a menu here.

They won’t let you sit at the tables unless you order, however, so unfortunately you can’t use this as a free place to get away. Trust me…I’ve tried.

Navigating a Chinese Train Station

When talking to most China travelers, they tell me that the Chinese train stations scare them.

They do seem intimidating with their massive labyrinths of halls, stalls and waiting areas. It’s not as impossible as it seems, though, and I intend to direct you clearly in this China train guide.

Every train station in China is different and the newer stations are likely to have more signs in English for you.

Still, there is a basic process to a China train station you should understand:

• Step 1: Get Your Ticket – I’ll go into more detail below on how to buy China train tickets , but for now you should know that every train station has what they call a “Ticket Hall” or 售票大厅 in Chinese. Usually this ticket hall is outside the main entrance to the station and requires you to pass through its own security check to enter.
• Step 2: Show Your Ticket : As you enter the main station, one of the first lines you’ll stand in will be the ticket check, where you will need to present both your ticket and your passport. The agent checks to make sure that your identity on the two match.

• Step 3: Security Checkpoint : Your next step is to scan your luggage. This is usually the choke point for any train station but thankfully it’s not as bad as airport security. You should keep your shoes and belt on and put your luggage through the scanner. Once you walk through a metal detector, prepare for a quick but harmless pat down by the security guard.
• Step 4: Find Your Waiting Hall/Gate : Don’t be afraid to find somebody who looks like they work there, show them your ticket and give a questioning look. Almost 90% of the time they’ll point you in the right direction. If you can read Chinese , there should be a board that will display your train number (which you can find on your train ticket) followed by the number of the waiting hall or gate from which you’ll depart. Around the waiting area there are usually small stores or fast food restaurants where you can stock up for the trip (although it’s often more expensive than buying outside).

• Step 5: Board Your Train : Somewhere between 15-20 minutes before the departure time of your train, the doors will open and stewards will check your ticket one last time as you head to the train platform. Just follow everybody else and if you’re still confused, find somebody and show them your ticket.
• Step 6: Enjoy the Ride! You’ll be asked to show your ticket while on the train and sometimes even after you depart, so keep it handy.

Train Station Tips

Here are a few pro tips about train stations that I’ve picked up.

• Stock Up Outside : Purchase all your drinks and food at the stores outside the train station. Everything inside the station will be marked up considerably.
• What Makes it Through Security : It’s worth noting that things like drinks and oversized luggage are permitted through security, so don’t forget to stock up on plenty of water!
• What DOESN’T Make it Through Security : Fuel canisters, lighters, knives and other related items.
• Electrical Outlets and Internet : While some Chinese train stations offer free internet, it’s usually slow. It’s also hard to find electrical outlets so make sure you’re charged up before you arrive.

The best part about modern-day China train travel is that most of the ticketing has moved online.

For now, you MUST have a paper ticket in hand to board your train (that might change in the near future). Thankfully though, you can book it from the comfort of your home country and pick it up once you arrive in China.

Let me show you how as part of this China train guide. There are three main ways to book online:

• 12306 Website : The website 12306.cn is the official China railway website and is the best way to purchase train tickets on your computer. Unfortunately, it’s not the easiest. Aside from the website being all in Chinese, it also requires a Chinese phone number and a Chinese bank account. They don’t accept foreign credit cards right now. Still, for those who will be spending a lot of time in China, it’s a good option.
• Phone Apps : I’ve recently fallen in love with the 12306 phone app, available on both Android (direct download link) and Apple iOS . Like the website, it’s only offered in Chinese and requires a Chinese bank card to use. However, I find it useful for the purpose of checking up-to-date availability (all other apps will have a lag). It’s also possible to purchase tickets on the WeChat and Alipay platforms.
• 3rd Party Providers : For most traveler’s, this will be your only option but thankfully it’s not a bad one. 3rd party providers like China Highlights not only allow you to purchase tickets in English and use your foreign credit card, they’ll also arrange to have the tickets delivered to your hotel for you! In every case, these companies charge a fee, but usually it’s only a few dollars per ticket. Check pricing and availability of your China train here below.

Let me stress this – I highly, HIGHLY recommend you purchase tickets online prior to your departure.

Buying tickets in the station ticket hall is time consuming and difficult, particularly if you don’t have a command of the Chinese language.

It is possible to purchase China train tickets up to 30 days in advance of your departure . This and other rules about buying China train tickets have made this mode of transportation very appealing.

How To Pick Up Your Purchased Tickets

Purchasing the China train tickets is only half the battle – now you need to pick them up.

In order to reduce stress, I like to pick up my tickets prior to arriving at the station so I don’t have to stand in line.

I pick up my tickets at an official train ticket office (火车票代售点 or “Huo Che piao dai shou dian”) which are located throughout every city in China. It usually costs about 5 RMB for them to print your ticket but it is completely worth skipping the hassle at the train station.

With only one exception during a holiday season, I have never stood in line at a train ticket office to pick up my tickets.

Make sure you bring your passport and the reference code you were given when the tickets were purchased. It’s a 10-digit code that begins with one letter and ends in 9 numbers (i.e. “E123456789”).

How to Buy China Train Tickets at the Station

Every train station has a ticket hall, and you can stand in line to buy your tickets here.

Now before we return to the train station, let me say that even if you don’t buy China train tickets online , it’s possible to use the official train ticket office I just mentioned in the section above to purchase tickets in person. There’s a 5 RMB surcharge but there usually isn’t any line.

For those that, for one reason or another, must purchase their tickets at the train station, make sure you arrive with your passport and cash.

If you’re purchasing for multiple people, you’ll need to have their passports on you as well.

It’s always best to approach the agent with a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C in case you don’t get what you want. I would even recommend you have it written down for convenience.

For instance, let’s say you want to go from Beijing to Shanghai on Friday. Your plan of action might be:

• Plan A : Buy 1st class tickets on Friday; in case that’s sold out…
• Plan B: Buy 1st class tickets on Saturday; if even that’s not available…
• Plan C: Buy 2nd class tickets on either day;

This “Plan A, B, C” method is important because there’s nothing worse than waiting in line only to have your plans foiled and with no backup.

You have to leave the window, regroup with your fellow travelers and stand in line again. I’ve done that before and it’s frustrating.

Once you have your ticket in hand, here’s a quick China train guide ticket reference to help you understand what your ticket is telling you.

• Departure station : This should be written in both Chinese and English.
• Train Number : This number is specific to your train and tells you the class of the train.
• Arrival Station : Again, this should be written in both Chinese and English.
• Date of Departure : This is written as year/month/day.
• Time of Departure : This is when the train departs. Boarding usually happens 15-20 minutes prior to departure.
• Seat Assignment : The first number is the train car (车) followed by your seat number (号). Below that you’ll see exactly what kind of seat it is (i.e. 1st class, 2nd class, hard seat, soft sleeper, etc.).
• ID Information : The first few digits of your passport and your last name will be toward the bottom, which means that your tickets can’t be transferred to anybody else.

China Train Guide: Frequently Asked Questions

The following are the most common questions I hear about train travel in China. If there are any questions you think I’ve missed, add them in the comments below!

Officially there are luggage weight and size limits on a China train but they’re never enforced. If you can carry it on your person and it fits through a scanning machine, it will be permitted. The only thing to consider is that there’s no such thing as “checking baggage” on a Chinese train. You have to carry and store it by your seat and often there’s not a lot of room to do so.

Train tickets can be purchased 30 days in advance of the scheduled departure date. Note that many train ticket companies will accept reservation requests much earlier than this, but they can’t physically purchase the ticket until they go on sale 30 days prior to departure.

No, you can’t transfer your ticket because it is attached to your passport number. What you can do is return the tickets for a refund or have them changed at the ticket counter, although it’s not the easiest process.

Getting off the train during stops used to be common but is now highly discouraged. More than likely the train stewardess won’t let you leave unless it’s your stop.

After getting on the train, a steward/stewardess will come and check your ticket, making note of where you’re getting off. At each stop, he or she will (usually) come down the aisles calling out the name of the station and in the case of most foreign travelers will come and tell you that it is your stop.

Yes, you can! In fact, I highly recommend bringing food since the food on the Chinese train isn’t that good and is overpriced. Both food and drink are welcome.

Train Tips from Seasoned Travelers | China Train Guide

As somebody who has taken every type of China train to every size of China train station over the past 10 years, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to make the best of the experience.

Hopefully I can pass along some of this wisdom to you.

The following are a few of the “pro tips” I’ve picked up over the years.

• Download the Baidu Maps app on your phone (available for Apple iOS and Android phones).
• Wherever you are in a city, type in “火车票代售点” – or copy and paste it from here – to search for the nearest train ticket office where you can buy or pick up your tickets.
• If you don’t know a lick of Mandarin, download China Highlight’s China Train Booking app (available on Apple iOS and Android ). It’s possible to purchase tickets through the app but I find it equally useful for planning, letting you know what trains run on what days and approximately how many tickets are available. Note : If you read Mandarin, the 12306 app does the same thing, but is more accurate.
• When picking your tickets, I recommend the middle bunk (中铺 or “Zhongpu”) of a hard sleeper train or the top bunk (上铺 or “Shangpu”) of the soft sleeper train. The bottom bunks always have people sitting on them during the day and the top bunk of the hard sleeper has too little room between the bed and the train car ceiling.
• Bring hand sanitizer, particularly for longer trips. Bring a small book light if you like to read. Once the lights go out at night during an overnight train, you’re on your own.
• If you’re not sure you’ll have a plug to charge your phone on a long journey, buy a cheap external battery pack on Amazon before you leave or you can find plenty to purchase in China. They’re cheap and they’ll give you an extra full battery or two.
• Noise cancelling headphones are great on airplanes. They’re priceless on a China train – I never leave home without mine! Here is a look at my favorite noise-cancelling headphones for travelers .
• When you get off the train and out of the station, you’re probably going to be mobbed by people yelling “taxi”! Ignore them (I just put headphones on and keep walking). Every train station has a place for official taxis to wait and if you can’t find that just walk to the nearest major street and wait for one. The hawkers you meet will always charge you far more than you should pay and usually aren’t even legal.
• Bring your own entertainment – download movies, take along a card deck or whatever else you like. You’re probably not going to like any movie that might be shown on the train – if there even is one.

Final Thoughts | Enjoy the Journey!

We’ve come to the end of my ultimate China train guide for 2024!

Phew…you made it!

I trust you now feel confident to purchase your own tickets and jump on your train. Enjoy the China train experience during your travels here!

Do you have any other questions you’d like to ask? Feel free to leave a message in the comment section below.

Further Reading & Resources

Traveling or Moving to China Soon?

Download "44 Tips You MUST Know Before Traveling to China". These simple but often overlooked tips could make or break your trip !

Download the Tips Here

About Josh Summers

Josh is the founder of TravelChinaCheaper.com who has been living in China with his family since 2006. Over that period of time he has traveled by plane, train, car, motorcycle and even camel to explore almost every corner of the country.

Reader Interactions

September 14, 2016 at 7:03 pm

Great guide! Thanks for the tips about the best sleeper bunk – but how can I choose my seat/bunk? Is there an option on the app or do I have to go to the station? What about fast trains? I want a window seat! Haha 🙂

September 15, 2016 at 10:14 am

thank you. very good summary. i will read this again before i take next trip to china.

September 20, 2016 at 4:08 am

Thanks, Curtis…I’m glad you found it useful!

September 18, 2016 at 10:08 pm

In answer to my own question up there, you can’t book your seat using an English app (eg Ctrip) or the official Chinese app. The only way is to go to a ticket window or to the train station. I went to a ticket window with everything I wanted written in Chinese – and I got everything! A window seat on a G train and middle and lower bunks on sleepers. The prices for lower and middle bunks were cheaper than the quoted Ctrip price, but the G train was the same price, so no idea how that works!

September 20, 2016 at 4:06 am

Sorry for the late reply here, Justine, and thanks for the question (and answer!).

You’re right, using the apps, you can only specify which class of ticket you want to purchase, not the exact bunk or seat position (window, aisle). The good news, though, is that you don’t *have to* do this at the train station. You can also go to the train ticket offices I mentioned in the guide.

September 21, 2016 at 9:36 pm

Oh no worries Josh! I thought I would ask you as you’d just written this guide, and I haven’t been able to find info about choosing a seat or bunk anywhere else!

Yes, I did go to a train ticket office, not the station! The one on my street is tiny, just a window and space for 2 people inside, so I always call it a ticket window! Hahaha.

Thanks again for the guide and help!

September 26, 2016 at 9:17 am

My pleasure! Hope it all goes well.

November 1, 2016 at 11:50 am

wonderful experience for me after being aware from china train service which was much advance.also there are luxery and medium and economy class as well.

December 14, 2016 at 1:35 pm

Great! I’m glad you had a good experience 🙂

December 12, 2016 at 3:00 am

HI josh, is there a way to know on which side the door is going to open a a high-speed train? Tnx Alan

December 14, 2016 at 1:33 pm

Usually, the train attendants will stand in front of the door that will open. Prior to arrival at the station, though, I’m not sure if there’s any indication where the door will open.

October 11, 2017 at 4:27 am

Hi- this is great, very helpful! Quick question about baggage on the train. You mentioned that there is not much storage. If I have a bag that would have to be checked on a plane, will I have issues on a train?

October 11, 2017 at 10:17 am

Thanks, Tiffany! To answer your question…maybe and maybe not. You should be fine but baggage space is first-come, first-serve. If you don’t have room for it you’ll just have to find a place somewhere. That’s the hassle.

July 22, 2018 at 7:14 pm

Josh I am told not expect that the fast train conductors to speak english. If there is an emergency or other significant issue are there written instructions or an app that can be of help?

July 23, 2018 at 2:48 pm

Hey Gary, even if they did speak English, passengers don’t have access to speak with the train conductors at any time. If you have trouble, you’ll talk with the train attendants (again, most of whom don’t speak fluent English). In that case, here are my tips for getting around China without speaking Chinese .

October 13, 2018 at 5:36 pm

thank you for your China train guide and helpful. However, I have searched all over the web, including reading different new paper articles and cannot find, specifically how many pieces of luggage is one adult allowed to carry onto a China High Speed train. I know the weight allowance is 2o KG and the allowed measurement is 130 cm…..but will I be allowed to carry on 2 or 3 suitcases, each measuring 130 cm and each weighing less than 20KG?

October 14, 2018 at 12:15 pm

There are limits, but I’ve never heard anybody enforce them. Worst case scenario, they will ask you to “check” your bags, which is essentially putting it in the freight car for the cost of shipping.

October 19, 2018 at 8:49 am

Josh thanks for the above information. I need clarity if g trains allow off season and group discount on station ticket purchase. I have seen as a general information but not sure if it is applicable on all categories of trains.

October 19, 2018 at 9:51 am

I’ve never seen any type of discount on train tickets. The prices are what they are.

October 24, 2018 at 4:41 pm

Hi Josh, thanks for your veRy useful guide. I’m planning to take a G train from Shaghai to shenzhen, partly so i can see a range of china scEnery for at least the first half oF the journey. However, i’m wondering if you can really see anything at the speed of a g train? Many thanks.

October 25, 2018 at 8:13 am

Absolutely! I love checking out the scenery from the comfort of the high speed train. Everything close to the train goes by quickly, but the landscape just rolls along at a nice pace.

November 9, 2018 at 8:06 am

Hi Josh, thanks for the detailed guide. This is very helpful as we are planning to take a train for the coming visit to China.

Can you help to clarify if it is still true that all first time passengers need to have their personal information verified at the train station before they are able to purchase tickets online? I was told by a local 3rd party provider that this is part of the standard practice in the Chinese railway system. Thanks for your advice.

November 9, 2018 at 12:51 pm

Hi Lee, I’m not exactly sure what this 3rd party provider is referring to. China uses a real-name system for their ticketing, which means that when buying, picking up or using train tickets, you must have your passport with you to prove your identity. That remains true whether you’re buying at the station or online.

December 28, 2018 at 2:09 am

trip.com and the app work well too. Thx for the priceless 火车票代售点 info. Will be using that for sure. I came here trying to find out if i can take my electric unicycle with me. Theyre banned on shenzhen subway 🙁

January 5, 2019 at 9:57 pm

Thanks a million for the tips, its going to help me.

Azhar amin Penang-malaysia

January 8, 2019 at 9:23 am

My pleasure! Glad it was helpful for you.

January 30, 2019 at 10:23 am

hello, thank you for the guide really helpful 🙂

January 30, 2019 at 1:15 pm

My pleasure! I’m glad you found it useful, Nihed 🙂

May 30, 2019 at 3:06 am

Thanks for a great guide.

However there is one i cannot find. Kan you have the train tickets electronically on your cell phone/tablet?

Best regards Tore

May 30, 2019 at 7:39 am

No, not yet. Right now, you must have a physical ticket to get on a train. When that changes, I’ll immediately update this guide.

July 12, 2019 at 1:26 am

hELLO jOSH,

We’re going to buy train tickets (Beijing -> Shanghai) but we don’t know which class to choose, could you help us? We are tall people (2m) and looking for comfort so we choose between 1st class and business class. I found some pictures of 1st class seat where seat width is 47 cm so I’m a little scared of that seat i too narrow for us, what do you think? Business class is very nice but price is also very high.

July 12, 2019 at 9:27 am

I’m 1.88 meters and I found 1st class to be more than comfortable. Business class is, in my opinion, a bit over the top.

August 1, 2019 at 2:41 am

Hi Josh, We used trip.com to purchase train and air tickets and just showed the confirmation numbers to pick up our tickets at the train stations. You don’t mention trip.com. This is an english version of ctrip.com.

October 21, 2019 at 8:46 am

Hello. tks for your piece.

I have plans to do a trip from Datong to Pingyao. I am traveling in two people only. Do you believe we can buy the four tickets of the soft sleeper Cabin and avoid to travel with somebody that i do not know?

kind regards

October 21, 2019 at 8:29 pm

I don’t believe they’ll allow you to buy two tickets on the same passport. You could purchase a ticket using the passport of a friend or family member that isn’t in China. They’ll be considered a “no show”, though, and sometimes those seats get sold to other passengers. You can’t be guaranteed to have your own cabin.

Are you planning to travel or move to China soon?

Don't miss out on these 44 money-saving tips!

© 2024 Go West Ventures LLC   |  Best-Selling China Travel Guide    |    Contact    |    Affiliate Disclaimer    |    Privacy Policy

How to Travel by Train in China: A Complete Guide

Have you ever dreamed of traveling by train in China, the world’s most populous and diverse country? If so, you are not alone. Millions of travelers from all over the world choose to explore China by train every year and for good reasons. Train travel in China is not only fast, convenient, and affordable, but also scenic, cultural, and historical. You can experience the world’s largest high-speed train system, the breathtaking scenery along the routes, and the diverse culture and history of China by taking a train. In this article, we will show you how to travel by train in China, including how to book your train tickets, how to arrive at the station, how to get on a train, and how to deal with your luggage. We will also share some tips and tricks to make your train travel in China more enjoyable and memorable.

Travel by Train in China

If traveling in the inner city, subways and buses are the ideal means of transportation, while for traveling between provinces, trains are the right choice. Despite being developed later than some other countries, China’s railway system now boasts the world’s leading speed, length, reasonable fare, and variety, catering to the needs of people with low to high incomes.

For example, if you’re traveling the same distance from Kunming to Guangzhou, you’ll find more than 20 train options and 60 train ticket options available on the same day. The cheapest ticket class for this route is about 26 USD (190 CNY), with a travel time of 27 hours. On the other hand, the highest ticket class is priced at 208 USD (1,515 CNY) and takes 7 hours and 50 minutes. If you choose to go by plane, the ticket price ranges from 167 to 333 USD (1,217 to 2,427 CNY).

Another noteworthy example is the Beijing – Shanghai leg, which covers a distance of 1,200 km. The high-speed train covers this distance in about 5 hours and costs around 83 USD (605 CNY) per person. In contrast, the Shanghai – Suzhou leg, which is 110 km, takes approximately 25 minutes and the ticket price is about 5.5 USD (40 CNY).

While traveling by plane may offer shorter flight times compared to train journeys, it is important to consider the additional time required for airport commutes (which are usually far from the city center), check-in procedures, security checks, and retrieving luggage.

How to Book Train in China

The official website of China Railway is now available in English. It also allows payment with popular international payment cards such as Visa, Master, and JCB. To access the website, you need to register an account and create a password. Registering is easy. You just simply enter your email and personal information exactly as it appears on your passport. No phone number is required.

Once you’ve registered an account, you can input your departure point, arrival point, and departure date. The platform will then display all available trains, ticket classes, and travel times. Next, you choose the desired train and make the payment using an international payment card. The platform then send you a confirmation email with your ticket details. There’s no need to print your ticket. You simply save the email on your phone and present it at the station. The email will include the passenger’s full name, reservation code, fare, train number, car number, seat number, departure point, destination, departure date and time, and check-in information.

Things to Know When Buying Train Tickets in China

There are two important points to keep in mind when buying tickets. One is that a lot of trains run out of tickets right after they go on sale, so buy as soon as possible. Usually, these websites open to sell tickets 14 days before departure. Second, when registering an account and buying tickets, it is necessary to enter your real information and that of your companions exactly as it appears in your passport. This is because when you board the train, the staff will check your passport to see if it matches the ticket or not.

If you don’t want to buy on the website, you can also buy train tickets through a third-party app, like 12Go . This application supports different languages with supporting channels for you.

In case you can’t buy a ticket online, you can buy it at the station. Nevertheless, the selection will be much less and the date you want to go may not be available.

Arriving at the Station

Many train stations in China are as large as airports, with some big centers. Indeed, Shanghai Hongqiao railway station is even larger than airports. This is because they have metro stations, inner-city bus stations, long-distance bus stations, and even a civil airport. Additionally, some stations feature amenities such as food courts, supermarkets, and souvenir shops. Passengers can purchase food and drinks to enjoy onboard their journey.

The terminal is large, so you will need a lot of time to move, especially when dragging luggage. Therefore, you should aim to be at the station at least 30 minutes before the train’s departure time. In those 30 minutes, you need to complete two procedures:

At the entrances of all stations, there are security checkpoints and baggage screenings. Railway regulations are not as strict as aviation. You can still bring food, liquids, and personal items, but you should avoid carrying potentially dangerous items such as cutlery, chemicals, and explosives. There is a list of prohibited items on the train, clearly stated on the railway website. However, if you are only carrying regular luggage, there is no need to worry. It only takes a few minutes to go through security. Then, find the correct check-in gate to board the train.

Scan documents at the boarding gate (check-in). You do not need to present any kind of ticket because your ticket is already saved in the system, corresponding to the personal document you used to buy the ticket. Chinese passengers just need to swipe their citizen IDs to board the train. For foreign visitors, there will be a separate gate with staff standing by to assist them. You should give your passport to that person. They will enter the passport number into the machine and then return it to you. Thus, when buying tickets for yourself and your companions, make sure to enter accurate information.

All stations have English signs. During the above two steps, you do not need to communicate with the station staff unless there is an issue with your luggage or ticket.

Getting on a Train in China

On most trains, no one will check your ticket. Passengers find the correct carriage and seat number and settle into their seats before the train departs. When compared to trains in other countries such as Europe , Japan , Korea , India , or Southeast Asian countries , trains in China are the most spacious, modern, and clean. Each seat is approximately 50 cm wide, providing ample room for comfort. The legroom is wide enough for individuals up to 1.90 meters tall to sit comfortably. The aisle between the two rows of seats is more than half a meter wide, allowing passengers to easily move about the train. It is also convenient for carrying large luggage. Most seats are equipped with power sockets, dining tables, and storage compartments. Additionally, every car is equipped with clean and comfortable toilets, free hot and cold water dispensers, and multiple electronic screens that display important information such as the departure and arrival stations, train speed, and outdoor temperature in both Chinese and English.

On the train, there are often staff pushing food carts to sell to passengers at reasonable prices. You can also pre-purchase a wide selection at the station. Please clean your table and seats after eating; there are trash cans and sinks available in every car.

The train ran very smoothly; a full glass of water was placed on the dining table and not a drop was spilled during the 5-hour journey. On the train, there is almost no smell, and no one plays loud music or talks loudly.

Handling the Luggage

The general regulation of China Railways for luggage is not to exceed 10 kg per child and 20 kg for an adult. The sum of the dimensions should not exceed 160 cm. Wheelchairs for people with disabilities are charged separately. At the station, there are almost no scales and tight gauges like at the airport. However, you should not bring too many things, leading to difficulty in moving and the risk of delay due to baggage problems.

For large suitcases, put them in the luggage compartment at the front of each car, and small bags in the tray above the seats. Trains in China are civilized and safe, but you should still carry your passport, wallet, and phone with you wherever you go. If you need assistance, you should ask the station and train staff. They are professional and friendly.

Final Thoughts on Train Travel in China

Train travel in China is a wonderful way to discover the beauty and diversity of this amazing country. By following our guide, you can plan and prepare for your train travel in China with ease and confidence. You can also enjoy your journey onboard with comfort and convenience. Whether you are looking for speed, scenery, or culture, you can find it all by traveling by train in China. So, what are you waiting for? Book your train tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Note: This post contains affiliate links from which I can earn commissions if you use services or buy products from the blog’s partners. If you love the blog, please use the services or buy the products. In that way, you give me support for the blog’s maintenance and development. I appreciate it a lot and thank you for that!

Essential Items

If your next destination requires a visa.

IVISA will help you with their speed, simple, and secured services with just a minimal chance of being rejected.

Find Your Flight and Transportation to The Destinations

You can read my travel tips to Find Cheap Flights . You can also use 12Go to book buses, trains, ferries, or any transportation to places.

Book An Accommodation

Driving yourself will be more enjoyable.

You can easily compare prices and find great deals on Discover Cars .

Protect Yourself and Your Trip

Travel Insurance is Important , especially after COVID-19, there are more possible health issues and pandemics. Please don't forget to have a shield for yourself and your trips!

IF YOU LIKE THE TIPS TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN IN CHINA, ‘PIN IT’ NOW

Khoi Nguyen

Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.

17 Comments

This is a great blog post, because I love traveling, and I love to do it affordably. I am from Europe, and we use the train all the time, even for international travel. I have always dreamed of visiting China one day. I would love to visit Beijing and Shanghai. Thanks for sharing these tips.

China is truly a great place to visit with so many attractions. And traveling around the country by train is one of the best choices.

bright loveland snow

This is one simplest guide to travel around china. so simple and well understanding. thanks

Thanks for your comment!

How wonderful that they have a bathroom. Our commute trains here do not unless you’re traveling for a long trip.

No doubt a very helpful guide to anyone traveling around China in a train. I can’t see this ever being me but still found it interesting to read.

Thanks for your comment! What are you favorite means of transportation when traveling?

China has one of the most extensive rail networks in the world. They also have huge stations like beijing, so it cna be overwhelming and pretty hard to take trains. thank you for your comprehensive guide.

China even has one of the fastest high-speed trains in the world .

This is an amazing resource for Traveling by Train in China. Your guide is perfect for visitors!

I hope this guide can help travelers in China.

Great information! I think visiting China would be a great adventure, and this information is quite helpful to know for exploring.

Are you ready to take an adventure in China now?

Your guide on traveling by train in China is incredibly comprehensive! From booking tickets to navigating stations, you’ve covered it all. The tips and insights you provide make train travel in China seem much less daunting. Thanks for sharing your expertise in such a reader-friendly way!

Thanks for your comment! Just hope that my article is helpful.

Ntensibe Edgar

Oh wow….thank you for this guidance on using the train service in china. it’s so helpful that they’ve got the directions in the english language now. I will definitely try it out when i am there.

China is a good place to visit so you can come anytime and experience the trains.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of new posts by email.

Post Comment

Kyoto: The Ultimate Guide to Japan’s Cultural Capital

If you’re looking for a destination that combines the best of tradition and innovation, nature and

How to Visit Tokyo for the First Time: A Comprehensive Guide

Tokyo is one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world, offering a rich blend of modern a

Sedona: A Guide to the Most Scenic and Spiritual City in Arizona

Have you ever dreamed of visiting a city that combines natural beauty, history, and culture? A city

Reykjavik Travel Guide: How to Explore the Northernmost Capital in the World

Have you ever dreamed of visiting a city that is surrounded by stunning natural wonders, such as gey

Sign up for Newsletter

Discover more from Travel Blog - Blog About Traveling | The Broad Life

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• Find a Tour
• China Tours
• Student Tours
• MICE Travel
• Destinations
• Virtual Tours

Traveling by Train in China

China's high-speed rail network has developed rapidly over the past few years. As a result, China now has the longest high-speed rail network in the world, accounting for more than two-thirds of the commercial high-speed railways in the world, and most big cities are connected by high-speed trains.

China's high-speed trains are super fast and comfortable, making them a good alternative to flying when traveling in China, especially as domestic flights are often more expensive and subject to delays. This article offers a quick guide to traveling by train in China.

Types of Trains and Tickets

China's high-speed rail network includes G, C, and D class bullet trains. G and C class trains usually travel at speeds of 250 km/h to 350 km/h. The D class bullet trains travel at speeds of 200 km/h to 250 km/h. In addition to high-speed trains, China also has Z, T, and K class ordinary trains that travel at speeds of 120-160 km/h.

High-speed trains usually have three different tiers of seats: second class, first class, and business class. Second-class carriages have five seats in a row, while first-class carriages have four seats in a row and more legroom. Business class seats offer the highest level of comfort and space, as well as some free snacks, drinks, and one free meal. In addition, business class travelers have access to a VIP waiting room and don't need to queue for boarding.

Most overnight trains offer hard and/or soft sleeper carriages and some may also provide deluxe soft sleepers. Although sleeping on a train is far less comfortable than in a hotel, it saves both time and the cost of a night in a hotel, making it a good choice for budget or time-conscious travelers. Be aware that sleeper train tickets for many routes are in high demand among locals and you will need to book very early to get a ticket.

Train Ticket Prices and Discounts for Children

Taking the Beijing -Xi'an G class high-speed train as an example, a second-class seat costs 515.5 CNY, a first-class seat costs 824.5 CNY, and a business class seat costs 1627.5 CNY (similar to the full price of a Beijing- Xi'an economy class flight, which is around 1820 CNY). Be flexible with your plans; you may find that discounted flight tickets are cheaper than the high-speed train during particularly slow periods.

Hard sleeper tickets are usually the cheapest. For example, the Z class train's hard sleeper between Beijing and Xi'an costs only 254.5 CNY. The prices for Beijing-Xi'an soft sleeper and deluxe soft sleeper are 415.5 CNY and 765.5 CNY respectively.

Children under 1.2m (3.9 feet) can travel by train for free without their own seat. One adult can bring one child for free. For children between 1.2m (3.9 feet) and 1.5m (4.9 feet), you can buy child tickets, which enjoy a price reduction of half the full ticket price. Ticketed children will have their own seat or berth (in sleeper trains).

Baggage Allowance and Size Restrictions

For G/C/D class high-speed trains, each adult is allowed to take one 20 kg (44 lb) carry-on bag for free, as well as a carry-on of 10 kg (22 lb) for each child. The size (length + width + height) of each carry-on baggage must not exceed 130 cm (51 inches). The length of rod-shaped items must not exceed 180 cm (71 inches). According to official regulations, any overweight or oversized luggage, or luggage exceeding the free allowance, needs to be consigned to a freight car at a fee. Foldable wheelchairs can be taken onto the train and are not counted toward the free carry-on baggage allowance.

Since G/C/D class trains don't have a freight car, your consigned luggage will be transported by another ordinary train, which means your consigned luggage will not arrive together with you. For that reason, we suggest you avoid consigning any luggage when taking G, C, or D class trains in China.

Despite the carry-on baggage rules, railway staff usually do not actually weigh or measure baggage, which means all baggage can usually be taken onto the train unless they look extremely large or heavy, or contain prohibited items. Prohibited items generally include bicycles, animals, explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids, or other dangerous items such as knives or other sharp objects. Your luggage will need to pass through an X-ray machine when entering the station.

Is Smoking Allowed on Trains in China?

Smoking is completely prohibited on G, C, and D class trains, so if you are taking one of these high-speed trains, you won't be bothered by second-hand smoke. On Z, T, or K class trains, however, smoking is allowed in the area in between two carriages. As a result, you may be able to smell the smoke in the carriage, especially if your seat or bed is near the end of a carriage. If you hate the smell of smoke and are worried about the health risk but have to take a Z, T, or K class train, we recommend that you buy a soft sleeper or deluxe soft sleeper which ensures an enclosed cabin and can minimize the amount of smoke that gets in.

Trains Between China's Top Travel Destinations

Beijing-Xi'an- Shanghai Triangle: There are many high-speed trains traveling between Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. It takes around 4.5-6 hours for G class trains to travel between Beijing and Shanghai or between Beijing and Xi'an. The journey between Xi'an and Shanghai takes 6-7.5 hours for G class trains.

Xi'an- Chengdu : There are many high-speed trains traveling between Xi'an and Chengdu. Travel time between the two provincial capitals is around 4 hours.

Train to Guilin : If you are traveling from Guangzhou to Guilin, the high-speed train is a good option since it only takes around 3 hours. If you are traveling from Beijing, Shanghai, or Xi'an, we suggest flying to Guilin since there are fewer choices of high-speed trains and the travel time takes more than 9 hours.

Train to Zhangjiajie : At the time of writing, there is no high-speed train to Zhangjiajie. If you plan to do a Yangtze River cruise , then you can take an ordinary train from Yichang to Zhangjiajie after you disembark from your cruise, which takes around 5 hours. Otherwise, we suggest flying into Zhangjiajie.

Train to Tibet : There is no high-speed train to Lhasa. The ordinary train from Beijing to Lhasa takes just over 40 hours, which means you have to spend two nights on the train. It is often said that traveling to Tibet by train gives you time to adjust to the high altitude since you ascend gradually. On the other hand, however, you may not sleep well on the train, which could add to your altitude sickness. In addition, most travelers have limited time when traveling in China, so we usually suggest that our guests fly to Lhasa and stay there for one or two days to adjust to the altitude before traveling to higher altitude destinations.

Where and How to Buy Train Tickets

China's official train ticket booking website, www.12306.com, is only available in Chinese. Popular travel website Ctrip offers English train ticket query and booking services. You can also go to a railway station or an authorized ticket office to buy a ticket in person (remember to bring your passport). After booking your train ticket online, you can go to any train station or authorized ticket office to collect your ticket by showing your order number and your passport. If you are traveling on one of our tours, we will arrange your train tickets as well as pickup/drop-off at train stations. ■

The China Guide is a Beijing-based travel agency that customizes private tours, educational student tours, and incentive trips across China. We have more than ten years of experience crafting tours for tens of thousands of travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and beyond. We promise all our tours have no hidden fees, no shopping stops, no touristy restaurants, just memorable experiences! Learn more about us or contact us to start planning your perfect China trip .

• A Quick Guide to Chinese Tourist Visas
• Eating and Drinking in China
• Best and Worst Time to Travel to China
• Traveling in China as a Wheelchair User
• Safety Tips for Travelers to China
• Cash or Credit Card? How to Pay for Things in China
• Healthcare in China and Travel Insurance
• Everything You Need to Know about Chinese Toilet
• The Best Souvenirs to Bring Back from China
• How to Book Forbidden City Tickets Online
• How to Avoid the Crowds When Traveling in China
• The 10 Breakfast Foods You Should Try in China
• 10 Movies to Watch Before Your First Trip to China
• Five of the Best Documentaries about China
• Using Your Cell Phone and the Internet While Traveling in China
• The China Guide Rated "Excellent" Since 2012 on Tripadvisor
• 10 Best Tours for First-Time Travelers to China
• Report: Choices of Travelers to China

Exploring China by Train: A Travel Guide

China’s extensive and modern rail network is a convenient and efficient way to explore the country and experience its diverse landscapes and cultures. From high-speed trains that connect major cities to scenic routes that take you through picturesque countryside, traveling by train in China is an adventure in itself. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what the Chinese rail system has to offer and give you some tips on how to make the most out of your train journey in China.

One of the most popular ways to travel by train in China is on the high-speed trains, also known as the “bullet trains.” These trains can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h and connect many of China’s major cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The trains are comfortable, clean, and efficient, and offer a convenient and affordable way to travel between cities.

For those looking for a more scenic route, China has several popular train journeys that take you through picturesque countryside and historic sites. The Qinghai-Tibet railway, for example, takes you through some of the most beautiful and remote parts of China, including the Tibetan Plateau, and the Lanzhou-Xinjiang railway, takes you through the Gobi Desert and the Tian Shan Mountains. These routes offer an opportunity to see China’s diverse landscapes and cultures and are a great way to experience the country’s natural beauty.

When planning your train journey in China, it is important to research the different train classes available and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. There are several classes available, including hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper, and soft sleeper, which offer varying levels of comfort and amenities. Soft sleeper is considered the most comfortable option and provides a private cabin with four beds and air conditioning.

Another important thing to consider is the time of your journey, peak season in China is during Chinese national holidays such as the Chinese New Year, when trains can be very busy and tickets may sell out quickly. It’s recommended to book your tickets well in advance, especially if you plan to travel during these peak periods.

Traveling by train in China is also a great way to meet locals, as trains are an integral part of Chinese culture and daily life. You’ll find people of all ages and backgrounds on the trains, and many are happy to chat and share their experiences with you.

In conclusion, traveling by train in China is an efficient, convenient and an enjoyable way to explore the country. From high-speed trains connecting major cities to scenic routes that take you through picturesque countryside, the Chinese rail system offers a wide range of options for every traveler. Keep in mind to research and plan ahead to make the most out of your train journey in China.

As a note, it is always good to check the travel restrictions and regulations in the country before planning your trip and also, keep yourself updated with the latest situation of the country you are visiting.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

China Train Travel: A How-To Guide

T rain travel in China is best summed up in three words: comfy, convenient, and at times, confusing . At least, that's compared to the country's budget airlines and buses, both of which offer a rickety, hair-rising adventure in itself. If you're happy to fork out a little extra cash and get the China train experience, here's some tips to make the process a little bit smoother!

Train Types

There are a few classes of trains in China, each ranging in seat type, services offered, speed, and overall cleanliness.  Here's a quick run-down of your options:

High-speed Rail

• Modern & clean
• Cover large distances
• Are fast (up to 300km/hr!)
• Non-smoking in entire train (enforced)
• Assigned seating (enforced)

“Regular” trains

• Cheaper than high-speed (often the older version of current high-speed trains)
• Fairly clean
• Non-smoking except between cars

Overnight/ Sleeper Trains

• Provides a “free” night of accommodation
• Fairly comfortable & affordable

China is well serviced by trains, with connections between major cities and even remote locations including Mongolia. Simply search your Point A to B via sites like C-Trip (more on that below), and you'll very likely find a number of trains servicing that route.

How to Buy China Train Tickets

C-Trip  is another user-friendly option that we mostly used throughout our travels in China. The website's English is decent, it has competitive pricing, plus a rewards program that earned us ~$40 USD back which we used on accommodation. Tickets can be bought with credit or Paypal, then pick up at the train station ticket office

You can buy tickets at the train station ticket counters. Take note, the self-service “English” machines won't accept non-Chinese cards, and often aren't fully English anyway, so just approach any of the ticket counters.  It's helpful to have the name of your destination in Chinese in case of potential language barriers. As always in China,  bring your passport . 

You could also buy train tickets from a travel agency (they are abundant in China), simply ask your hotel or Tourist Information Centre.

Train Classes

Once you look to buy tickets, you'll notice there's several classes to choose from, indicated by letters. Here's what those letters mean:

• C, D & G trains : China's best high-speed trains. They're modern, air-conditioned, and most run at 200-300km/hr. Most overnight D-trains are older versions of the high-speed train.
• Z trains : now second best, these were previously China's greatest quality high-speed sleeper trains. Fairly modern with air conditioning.
• T trains : these are the next best after Z trains. Much older models but still functional.
• K trains : these aren't as quick as high-speed trains but are still “fast”, and as such are higher-priced.

Overnight Sleeper Train Types: A Comparison

Upon booking an overnight train, you'll notice  there are several seat options. Here's a quick breakdown of what each entails.

Hard Sleeper

• Cheapest ticket type (and despite the name, isn't actually hard)
• Has thinner sleeping mattresses than the “soft” ones
• Shared compartment/room without doors
• 6 bunks per compartment

Soft Sleeper

• Cheaper ticket type
• Thicker sleeping mattresses
• Shared  compartment/room without doors
• 4 bunks per compartment

Private Rooms

• Priciest ticket type
• 2 bunk compartment
• Some have a private toilet (which sells out FAST)

We've taken all of China's train types – overnight, regular, and high-speed. We were pleasantly surprised by the overnight train experience in the “hard” sleeper class (see above photo). It was quieter and cleaner than expected, and felt like sleeping in a hostel dorm. Some points worth noting:

• There are no seats  (besides your bed), except for 2 tiny hard seats per aisle for the 6 bunks (see photo at end of article). If you're lucky enough to have the bottom bunk (which is the only one tall enough to sit upright in), it also has its own mini table.
• There isn't anywhere to lock your belongings but there is a shelf where everyone puts their bags. Theft seems to not be a concern, but we did sleep with our valuables (phone etc) in our beds to be safe.
• There are no doors to the compartments,  but there are curtains on the windows.
• Lights are turned off automatically at 10PM & people generally are quiet after this time
• The bottom bunk has the most space (you can actually sit up in it), whereas the top two above it you cannot sit upright

China's trains mostly have squat toilets, but are fairly clean with a washing station outside the bathroom. Be sure to bring toilet paper & soap or sanitizer (as you should everywhere in China!).

Some overnight trains have a restaurant car, it depends on the class. Snack carts regularly go by with overpriced food, snacks and bottled drinks. No coffee though except instant on high-speed trains, at a hefty 40 RMB/cup (~$6 USD!).

Nearly all Chinese trains have free water dispensers  that dispense hot water only . So if instant coffee, tea, or instant noodles are your thing, bring 'em along!

Note : free bottles of mineral water  are offered at train stations for certain train classes. Simply show your ticket and see if you’re eligible (or if you speak Chinese, just ask!).

Reading Your Train Ticket

Seat61  has made this great translation picture to help you decipher your ticket. That being said, even without this you'll still be able to ask staff to help you figure your seat and platform out.

Avoiding Headaches & Mishaps

• Give lots of buffer time for train ticket pick-up/boarding – Chinese train stations are HUGE .
• Always bring your passport.
• Check ticket availability online in advance to avoid disappointment. Tickets can sell out in high season (July/Aug).
• All train stations in China involve a security check . Yep, even public subway stations, too. Give yourself LOTS of buffer time to put your bags through x-ray machines, possibly be patted down and maybe have your bags pried through – much like airport security. If you're carrying bottled drinks, you'll be asked to drink them to prove they don't contain harmful contents.
• Eat before boarding & pack snacks. Food is quite inflated on Chinese trains, so it pays to pack food if you can. Convenience/grocery stores have pre-made sandwiches, noodle boxes, or salads. Most train stations have noodle restaurants inside if you want to eat pre-boarding.
• Pack headphones and/or ear plugs . You'll likely need it to block out the movies people watch without headphones and general noisy conversation (though our overnight experience was surprisingly tranquil).
• Bring layers of clothing . You never know if a train will be overly air-conditioned or stiflingly hot. I always wear loose layers for long rides, with easy options to add on if I’m too cold.

And there you have it, (just about) everything you need to know for train travel in China. Having done China's long-distance buses and budget airlines, I'd definitely say train travel is our preference. If you've got a long trip, have the extra pocket cash, or are low on travel sanity, the trains are absolutely worth it.

Questions, comments or info to add? Don't be shy, ask away!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What to expect when you’re travelling by train in China (and why you should definitely do it!)

A little while ago, I travelled from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan , to Beijing, China , a journey of around 4,000 kilometres – all overland.

I love everything about train travel, and I would have done the whole thing by train, except the rail network in Kyrgyzstan is limited. To get to Kashgar, in Xinxiang province in the far west of China, from Bishkek, I took a series of share taxis and private cars. But once in China , it was a whole other story.

The Chinese rail network spans over 130,000 kilometres, including the world’s longest, and fastest expanding, high-speed network. I followed a similar route to Intrepid’s China’s Silk Road journey , in reverse, with a side trip to Xiahe via Lanzhou, using a combination of overnight and day trains, including the bullet train. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

Here are a few reasons why:

1. It’s easier than you might think

Photo by Gemma Sherwood.

You may not speak or read Chinese, and you won’t always be able to find someone who speaks English, or can translate. Still, navigating the Chinese rail system, whether at stations or on the train, is relatively straight forward. Make sure you plan to arrive at the station 30-40 minutes before your scheduled departure, to allow for your ticket and passport to be checked, and baggage to be x-rayed. Tickets clearly display the date, departure time, and train, car and seat numbers. If relevant, the ticket will also include the boarding gate. Platform and waiting room details are displayed on screens in the departure hall. Boarding will usually start 15-30 minutes prior to departure (though it may be shorter at smaller stations where trains only stop for a few minutes).

Worried you might sleep through your stop? No need. On sleeper trains, you hand over your paper ticket to a staff member, who will give you a token corresponding to your stop. Your ticket will be returned to you shortly before arriving at your destination.

TRAVELLING IN CHINA IS EVEN EASIER WHEN YOU’RE WITH A LOCAL LEADER. EXPLORE OUR RANGE OF CHINA SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES HERE

2. Trains are clean and comfortable, even when it’s crowded

While luxury levels vary depending on the class of train, the time of year, and in the case of overnight trains, the type of sleeper, Chinese trains are generally clean, well-equipped and comfortable. During peak season (and festivals), trains book out well in advance, and are often crowded. But this brings its own rewards. The overnight train I took from Kashgar to Turpan shortly after Eid al-Adha, the Islamic holy day, was heaving with people travelling home after visiting their families. But it meant I got to watch The Good Dinosaur on a laptop with a group of children, and converse with a university-educated young wife and mother, who was keen to practice her English after years of not having the opportunity.

Then again, trains aren’t always crowded. One Y Class train I caught in the death of night from Dunhuang to Zhangye was almost ghostly in its emptiness; I had the whole soft sleeper compartment to myself. And it was flash! My compartment was kitted out with a tablecloth, serviettes, a fake rose in a vase, a dehumidifier and adjustable air con. There was WiFi, and flatscreens at the end of each bed – of course neither of these worked but that was beside the point.

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF CHINA’S RAIL NETWORK ON OUR 19-DAY CHINA EXPERIENCE TOUR – DETAILS HERE

3. Train travel is often more convenient than air travel

I have to admit that I did consider taking a couple of flights – travelling overland from one side of China to the other is pretty epic – but trains always won out. And not just because I find the idea of rail travel romantic. Catching an overnight train saves you a night’s accommodation in a hotel. There’s no mucking around with baggage carousels, because your luggage stays with you – in the case of sleepers, in the compartment, and in the case of day trains, on racks above the seats or at the end of the carriage. With high-speed bullet trains now reaching speeds of up to 351 kph (218 mph), it’s possible to travel from Shanghai to Beijing in under five hours. In most cities, rail stations are more conveniently located and easier to get to than airports, saving you time and money. (Note, this isn’t always the case! Some places have multiple stations, and the high-speed network is completely separate, so if you’re travelling independently, be sure to double and triple check which station your train departs from and arrives at!)

RELATED: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A NIGHT (OR TWO) ON AN OVERNIGHT TRAIN

4. The Chinese rail network is modern China

Photo by Chiang Kuo, Unsplash

Perhaps I’m a bit of a nerd about these things, but when you think about it, the Chinese rail network is modern China. Like China itself, the network is expanding and changing so rapidly, it is almost impossible to say with any certainty what it will be like in a year, or six months, or even a week’s time. By the end of 2019, the total length of high-speed network is set to exceed 30,000 kilometres and a prototype for a magnetic levitation or maglev train, designed to travel at speeds of up to 600 kph (370 mph) has been developed. Yet the network also provides access to China’s rich and diverse historical and cultural sites, including out of the way places.

The best way to explore China is with an expert local leader and a small group of like-minded travellers on an Intrepid adventure. Explore our range of tours right here, right now !

Feature photo by lan deng via Unsplash. 

Feeling inspired?

Melissa Fagan

I am a freelance writer currently based in Brisbane, Australia. As a traveller, I am particularly drawn to out of the way places, and have followed my whimsy to Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, Chile’s Isla Navarino, and along the Karakorum Highway to Tashkurgan. Other loves: markets, street food, wild swimming, train rides and listening to people’s stories. See also: flaneuse.

You might also like

The 7 best places to go on a..., 5 reasons to visit sri lanka in the..., why 2024 is the best year to see..., yellowstone vs yosemite: which national park to visit, 6 unique experiences you can have in el..., from delhi to udaipur, here are the five..., cinque terre vs amalfi coast: which destination to..., love at first bite: 10 famous sandwiches from..., galapagos or madagascar which unique destination should be..., central vs south america: how to plan your..., 4 reasons you should take a road trip....

10 Tips How To Travel China By Train

Traditional and modern, serene and hectic, China is one of the most fascinating countries to explore, especially by train. Planning a trip to China can be quite overwhelming, so we have gathered 10 tips on how to travel to China by train.

From packing to booking train tickets, these 10 tips to travel to China by train, will sort any confusion, and ensure the most epic adventure.

• Rail transport is the most environmentally friendly way to travel. This article was written to educate about Train Travel and was made by  Save A Train, The Cheapest Train Tickets Website In The World .

1. Tip For How To Travel China By Train: Do Your Research 

In China, you’ll find there are 2 types of trains: High-speed and traditional trains. It is crucial you do your research in advance, to understand what works best for your travel budget , trip type, duration, and comfortability level. It is particularly important if you are traveling with kids .

China trains – High-speed trains numbered G, D, or C, running at the top speed of 350 km/h. equipped with business/VIP or first-class seats.

The traditional trains titled in L, K are the popular ones and offer hard seats, hard or soft sleepers, and deluxe soft sleeper. Traveling at 160 km\h they are cheaper.

2. Tip For How To Travel China By Train: Book The Right Train Class

Trains in China have four classes: Hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper, soft sleeper.

Hard seat: It is the cheapest train class, and there are usually 5 seats per row. So, if you are traveling on a budget, this is the most popular option, but consider that it is also the most common option among the Chinese. Therefore, you might be in on a very noisy and crowded train trip .

Soft sleep: is a bit softer and with a higher train ticket rate, but more comfortable.

Hard sleeper: 6 berths, and there’s no door for privacy or isolation from the other compartments.

Soft sleep: the best train class on Chinese trains, and highly recommended for those long-distance train trips. It’s the most expensive option, but you’ll be in an isolated cabin, of 4 sleeps, and with personal power sockets. If you are a traveling couple, then the deluxe will be perfect for you.

3. Arrive At The Train Station In Advance

The busiest train stations in China are the largest, chaotic, and will include luggage x-ray procedures. Therefore, you should arrive at least 40 minutes before your train departure time. This way, you’ll have enough time for passport control, security check, and find the train platform.

4. Pack Snacks And Drinks

Food and drinks on board can be much more expensive, than when buying in the city. So, you’d better prepare in advance , buy food and beverages in advance, and not buy overpriced snacks from the food trolleys on the train. Fresh fruit, sandwiches, and even KFC are great snacks for your train trip on China’s high-speed trains .

5. Tip For How To Travel China By Train: Pack Your Toiletry Bag Well

The facilities on high-speed and bullet trains in China are quite modern. You’ll probably find both squat and modern bathrooms on every train. However, you’d better pack your own toilet paper, as this tends to run out super-fast on those fast trains. In addition, not all trains have shower cabins, so pack wet wipes just in case, to stay fresh, and of course travel shampoo bottle and soap.

6. Wear Layers

Wearing layers is always a great idea for train travel, as you cannot moderate the AC on trains. Also, if you are sharing your cabin, you won’t have a designated changing space, and wearing layers means you’ll be prepared for leisure, sleep on sleeper trains , and any passenger, male or female, sharing the train cabin with you.

7. Pack Light

Wearing layers train traveling in China tip leads us to another important tip of packing light. Luggage allowance on trains in China is limited to 20 kg per passenger. While there are rarely on-board checks, the luggage space on trains in China is quite limited, so you’d better pack light, and keep your luggage close to you, or if space permits, in the train cabin, instead of train aisles storage.

If you are traveling during the Chinese holidays , then be prepared for crowded trains. Therefore, you’ll want your backpack close and visible among all the luggage.

8. Buy Train Tickets Online

You can buy the train ticket at the train station, from travel agencies, and through your hotel.

You’ll get the best rates when you purchase your train ticket in China, online. Save A Train would be happy to help you find the ideal ticket for your train trip across China, at the best price. Moreover, you’ll find it easier to book your train ticket on an English-speaking platform, than with the Chinese representatives at the train station, hotel, or travel agency.

9. Bring Earplugs

Unless you are planning to travel 1st class, you should definitely bring earplugs. High-speed trains in China are highly popular among the locals, and the traditional trains might be very busy. So, if you have a long trip across China, pack earplugs for a safe and sound journey.

10. Tip How To Travel China By Train: Book Your Train Tickets In Advance

High-speed train tickets in China tend to run out quickly. Therefore, you should purchase your train ticket at least a month in advance. Tickets sell out as early as 30 days before the departure date. Leaving ticket booking and trip planning to the last minute is a travel mistake to avoid , especially in China.

Train travel is a great way to start your eco-friendly trip across China’s countryside, cities, and views. Here at Save A Train , we will be happy to help you plan your vacation to China by train.

Do you want to embed our blog post “10 Tips How To Travel China By Train” onto your site? You can either take our photos and text and give us credit with a link to this blog post. Or click here: https://iframely.com/embed/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.saveatrain.com%2Fblog%2Ftips-travel-china-train%2F%3Flang%3Den   ‎ – (Scroll down a little to see the Embed Code)

• If you want to be kind to your users, you can guide them directly into our search pages. In this link, you will find our most popular train routes –  https://www.saveatrain.com/routes_sitemap.xml .
• Inside you have our links for English landing pages, but we also have  https://www.saveatrain.com/zh-CN_routes_sitemap.xml , and you can change the zh-CN to /fr or /de and more languages.

Paulina Joukov

Related posts.

Best Day Trips To Take From Berlin

Free Trains This Summer For Teenagers

How To Pack For A Train Trip Across Italy

Translation flags, search blog, search hotels and more..., destination, check-in date, check-out date.

Recent Posts

• Digital Visa for Freelancers: Top 5 Countries for Relocation
• 5 Platforms To Explore Volunteer Programs Worldwide
• New EU Rail Regulations: Better Protection for Passengers
• 7 Amazing Spring Break Destinations In Europe
• Traveling To Europe During Bank Holidays

• WildChina’s Travelogue
• The China Travel Podcast
• Search All Journeys
• Expert-led Journeys
• Small Group Tours
• Mainland China
• Day Experiences
• Global Departures
• Beshan Website
• Education Programs
• Corporate Services
• Cultural Projects and Spaces
• How to Enter China in 2023
• WildChina Restaurant Guides
• A Guide to China’s Trains
• Travel Updates
• Booking Conditions
• Health and Safety
• Traveling to Tibet FAQ
• How Wild is WildChina?
• Award Winning Services
• Recognitions
• Our Leadership
• Our Designers
• Our Experts
• Work with Us
• Our Sustainability Position
• Plan your journey

China’s Trains: A Comprehensive Guide

Linking vibrant cities, enchanting landscapes, and cultural marvels, China’s trains redefine the way you experience the rich tapestry of this vast and vibrant nation.

With the complex network comes a slightly more nuanced system of train classes and seat classes. Each train type and seating class offers unique amenities and comforts, catering to different budgets and preferences.  

Seat classes 

Seat classes, frequently asked questions.

Here’s a breakdown of the different train types in China to help you choose the one for your adventures. 

Train Types 

High-speed trains (g-series, d-series, and c-series).

China’s high-speed rail system or Fuxing Hao (meaning “rejuvenation”) is renowned worldwide for its speed, reliability, and modern amenities.  

G ( Gaosu ) trains are the fastest high-speed trains you can book in China and with top speeds of 400kmph, they are the second fastest commercial trains in the world. The “fastest train in the world” honor goes to the Shanghai maglev train with a top speed of 431 kmh (268mph), but unlike G trains, the maglev only travels between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road station. G trains usually run on middle-to-long distance routes, such as Beijing-Shanghai and Beijing-Guangzhou, and are like airplanes in comfort and luxury, with Wi-Fi available. Put simply, where a conventional train would take more than 24 hours, the G trains will take 7-8 hours depending on the stops. They are daytime trains, i.e., no sleeper compartments here.  

D ( Dongche ) trains are the second fastest train type in China, with an average speed of 250kmph (155mph). D trains are also available as overnight sleeper trains. *Note that these are not as widely available as G trains. 

C ( Chenji Dongche ) trains are intercity trains that run between neighboring cities. Their average speed is 200kmph (124 mph). 

G trains offer three seat classes (business, first and second), while the rest of the train types (D and C) offer two primary seat classes (first and second): 

First Class ( Yidengzuo )* : The first-class cabins on high-speed trains offer spacious, adjustable seats with more elbow room than second-class seats, dedicated power outlets, and fewer seats in a row. * WildChina’s recommended seat class if business class is not available 

Second Class ( Erdengzuo ) : Second-class seats are the most common and most affordable seat class on high-speed trains, with shared power outlets, and smaller elbow and leg room. This is the most popular choice for local travelers, providing a perfect balance between affordability and convenience.  

Business Class: For extra luxury and comfort, G trains offer Business Class seats (business class is higher than 1 st class on Chinese trains). The amenities are similar to what you expect from business class seats on planes: fully reclining seats that turn into beds, more privacy, fewer passengers in the car, free snacks and soft drinks, and a dedicated TV.   (This is WildChina’s recommended seat class.)

Most major train stations feature VIP lounges for business class travelers to relax before boarding, offering complimentary beverages and snacks, access to newspapers and magazines, free Wi-Fi, and more. Additionally, these lounges may provide complimentary porter services for passengers with large luggage and wheelchair assistance for those with special needs during boarding.

On key routes like Beijing-Shanghai, the business class seats have undergone an exceptional upgrade, now offering an extra layer of privacy, luxury, and comfort.

Conventional Trains (Z, T, K, and 4-digit trains) 

China’s conventional (slow) trains offer several seat classes, catering to diverse travel modes. 

Z trains are non-stop express trains, making only the odd stops along the way. The top speed is 160kmph (100mph). They run between major cities like Beijing and Shanghai 

T trains (express trains), K trains (fast trains), and 4-digit trains run at an average speed range of 120 – 140kmph (75-87mph). These conventional trains have been around since the middle of the 20 th century and are an excellent choice if you want to explore the cities at a slower pace, as they stop along most major stops.  

Hard Seat ( Yingzuo ): The most economical choice, hard seats provide a budget-friendly option for short journeys. These seats are, as the name suggests, hard and not the most comfortable. 

Soft Seat ( Ruanzuo ): Soft seats offer a more comfortable experience with cushioned seating, making them suitable for medium-distance travel. 

Hard Sleeper ( Yingwo ): These budget-friendly sleeper options offer three-tiered bunk beds and are suitable for overnight journeys where comfort is a consideration. Hard sleeper cars are open-compartment/ cars, which means less privacy.  

Soft Sleeper ( Ruanwo ): Soft sleeper compartments provide a higher level of comfort with two-tiered bunk beds, bedding, and more privacy. They are perfect for extended overnight travel and provide more privacy as the four-bed cabins have closing doors.  

Refer to the below handy table that summarizes the different train classes, seat types, and amenities available on China’s trains.

Do they speak English at stations / on trains?  

Train staff speak little English, but railway station announcements, including boarding calls, may be provided with English translations.  

Is food included?  

Ticket prices do not include food.  

Is food available on trains ? 

Food is available in dining cars: Car 9 on conventional trains, and usually Car 5 on high-speed trains. Trolley selling snacks and beverages often goes back and forth between cars. You may consider bringing your food, as the choices are limited to few Chinese dishes. For sleeper trains your WildChina guide will take you shopping to get everything you need for dinner, breakfast and lunch prior to your journey.  

What are the recommended baggage types to bring?

Consider bringing baggage with wheels, as most stations have long flights of stairs, but have wheel ramps available.   

Are there porter services to help with luggage?  

Most major city train stations have a porter service which WildChina can book for you. The porter will help carry your baggage on and off the train and through the station. Note that this service is limited to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Xi’an. Get in touch with us to see the availability of your arrival station. 

What are the toilet facilities like?

Toilets and washbasins are public and available at the end of every car. High-speed trains are equipped with a few Western-style toilets across the train. Conventional trains usually only have squat toilets. *As with all Chinese public toilets, you need to bring your own hand soap, toilet paper, and other sanitary supplies. On high-speed trains, Car 5 has an accessible WC with a Western-style toilet and a changing table. Regular trains don’t have accessible WCs.  

What are the most popular routes to take and how much are they?

Here’s a table showing the popular train routes and how much they cost:

Looking for a train to Tibet? Here’s an article on the Qinghai-Tibet railway.  

Already planning a trip with WildChina? Get in touch with your travel designer to add a rail journey to your itinerary. They’ll be happy to advise you on where in your itinerary the best rail connection can be made! 

Interested in planning a new trip with WildChina? Get in touch to begin.

More interesting reads

We’re on hand to help you get the information you need about travel in China, whenever you need it. We’re not robots; we’re real people, travel designers here to help you.

As COVID-19 restrictions and regulations change, we want to make sure that you can travel in a safe and responsible way. Let us know your China travel questions and, within one business day, we’ll personally get in touch via email, phone call, or WeChat (whichever method you’d prefer) to help you answer it.

Beijing Address:

803 Oriental Place, 9 East Dongfang Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100027

Shanghai Address:

A12, 3rd Floor, SIP, No. 1318, North Sichuan Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai

Chengdu Address:

26th Floor, No. 1-2 Hangkong Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan

Yangshuo Address:

No. 26 Furong Road, Yangshuo, Guangxi

+86 10 6465 6602

+1 888 902 8808 (Toll Free)

[email protected]

China High Speed Train Tour, 50+ China Bullet Train Tours 2024

Are you a fan of high speed trains ? Plan to have a China   High Speed Train Tours ? Do you know? Because of its fast speed, convenience, comfort, and safety, and with prices even lower than airplanes, China high speed train has become the preferred mode of long-distance travel for Chinese people. As a new symbol of China , Chinese high speed rail has achieved a historic transformation from nothing to a leading position, with a total length of 40,000 km (by late 2021), which is the longest operational mileage in the world.

Take your time to explore the diversity of China 's vast territory by checking out our China High Speed Train Tour Packages . You can choose your China Bullet Train Tour by Destinations such as Beijing , Shanghai , Hong Kong , Chengdu, Xian , Guilin , Jiangnan , and Chongqing ...You can also join our China Tours with High Speed Train , which will include 1 to 3 connections of bullet trains across China .

Popular China High Speed Train Destinations: (Speeds range from 160 to 350km/hour)

1. Beijing Xian High Speed Train Tours: From China's capital to China's ancient capital, it takes only 4.5-6 hours to cover 1,209km.

2. Shanghai Beijing High Speed Train Tours: From China's biggest city to China's second biggest city, it takes only 4.5-6 hours to cover 1,318km.

3. Xian Chengdu High Speed Train Tours: From Terracotta Warriors to Panda City, it takes only 3.5-4 hours to cover 658km.

4. Chengdu Chongqing High Speed Train Tours: From the Land of Abundance to Mountain City, it takes only 1.5-2 hours to cover 308km.

5. Hong Kong Guilin High Speed Train Tours: From Asia's World City to The City of Rivers and Mountains, it takes only 3 hours to cover 284 km.

Tailor-made Your China High Speed Train Tour with us and Discover the Marvels of China's Speed.

"Excellent Tour, best experience"

"A unique experience despite a difficult context thanks

to an experience team of organisers"

• China High Speed Train Tours
• China Group Tours with Bullet Train
• Train Travel by Destinations
• China Train Rails

Top 9 Popular - China High Speed Train Tours

Would you like to plan a China High Speed Train Tours ? What are China 's most popular bullet train destinations? Here are the Top 9 Popular China High Speed Train Tours that we hand picket for you. Join our China Bullet Train Trips to unveil China 's top tourist cities, from Beijing to Xian , Chengdu , Chongqing , Shanghai , Hong Kong , and Guilin , Jiangnan ... Contact us for an unforgettable high speed train experience across China's vast land while enjoying the country's diverse natural beauty and cultural heritage.

32 China High Speed Train Tours by Destinations

Design Your China High Speed Train Tour with us and Discover the Marvels of China's Speed. How to plan a China High Speed Train Tours? You can detail your China Bullet Train Trips by destinations such as such as Beijing , Shanghai , Hong Kong , Chengdu , Xian , Guilin , Jiangnan , and Chongqing ... These are just a few examples of China high speed train tours in popular destinations in China . Contact us to explore the diverse landscapes across China that align with your interests, duration, and budget.

China High Speed Train Day Tours & Short Tours - See China's High Speed

See China 's High Speed by a China High Speed Train Day Tour & Short Tour with us. If you would like to spend 1 to 4 days to enjoy a Bullet Train Tour you can choose to depart from cities like Shanghai , Beijing , Xian , and Hong Kong . You can visit the Jiangnan region such as Shanghai , Hangzhou , Suzhou , and Jiangnan water towns. You can also explore Chinese painting-like scenery in Guilin and Yangshuo . What's more, a glimpse of China 's ancient capitals like Xian and Luoyang. Contact us for wonderful China High Speed Train Day Tours & Short Tours to have a memorable journey by Chinese Bullet Trains .

6 China Group Tours with High Speed Train - With Best Price

Why choose our China Group Tours with High Speed Train ? As a new symbol of China , Chinese high speed rail has the longest operational mileage in the world, the fastest commercial operating speed, and the highest level of operational network coverage, which has amazed the world. Because of its fast speed, convenience, comfort, and safety, and with prices even lower than airplanes, the China Bullet train has become the preferred mode of China travel for our guests from all over the world. Contact us for a China Group Tour with Bullet Train at the best price.

8 Days Beijing Xian Shanghai Small Group Tour

10 Days Beijing Xian Chengdu Shanghai Small Group Tour

11 Days Shanghai Huangshan Xian Beijing Stunning Group Tour

13 Days Relaxing China Tour with Yangtze Cruise in Small Group

13 Days Shanghai Guilin Yangtze Xian Beijing Small Group Tour

13 Days Essential China Group Tour with Lhasa & Chengdu Pandas

China high speed train rails - quick transfers between china's top cities.

China's high speed train rails are modern, efficient, and well-connected hubs that facilitate quick and convenient transfers between the country's top cities. With trains reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h , travelers can enjoy fast and comfortable journeys, maximizing their time and efficiency. Beijing high speed train rails connect the capital to major destinations efficiently. Shanghai bullet train rails offer seamless transfers and convenient access to the vibrant city. Hong Kong serves as a gateway to mainland China with a smooth transition to the extensive high-speed rail network. Chengdu high speed train rails are a key transportation hub in western China , offering quick transfers to explore the city's famous pandas and vibrant culinary scene. Xian bullet train rails provide easy access to Terracotta Warriors and rich cultural heritage. Guilin high speed train rails are a gateway that leads to picturesque landscapes and the Li River . Contact us to enjoy your China High Speed Train Tour now.

China High Speed Train Tours FAQs - Plan Your China High Speed Train Tours Worry-Free

Traveling through China by high speed rail and bullet train offers numerous advantages and is a popular choice for both domestic and international travelers. It offers a combination of speed, convenience, comfort, and accessibility, making it an attractive choice for travelers seeking efficient and enjoyable journeys throughout China . Here are some reasons why travel to China by High Speed Train :

1). Speed and Efficiency: High speed trains in China can reach speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour, allowing travelers to cover long distances in a fraction of the time compared to other modes of transportation. This efficiency is particularly beneficial when traveling between major cities.

2). Convenience and Accessibility: China 's high-speed rail network is extensive, connecting major cities and popular tourist destinations across the country. This makes it easy for travelers to access a wide range of attractions and explore different regions conveniently.

3). Comfort and Amenities: High-speed trains in China are designed with passenger comfort in mind. They offer spacious seating, ample legroom, and modern amenities such as power outlets, Wi-Fi, and onboard dining options. Traveling by high-speed rail provides a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

4). Safety and Reliability: China's high-speed rail system has an excellent safety record, with strict regulations and advanced technology ensuring passenger safety. Trains operate on a reliable schedule, minimizing delays and providing a predictable travel experience.

5). Scenic Views: Traveling by high-speed rail allows passengers to enjoy scenic views of China 's diverse landscapes, including rolling countryside, mountains, and picturesque rural areas. It offers a unique perspective on the country's natural beauty.

6). Environmental Friendliness: High-speed trains are a more eco-friendly option compared to air travel or road transportation. They produce lower carbon emissions per passenger, contributing to a more sustainable mode of travel.

7). Cost-effective: While high-speed train tickets may vary in price depending on the distance and class of travel, they are often more affordable than airfares for similar routes. Traveling by high-speed rail can be a cost-effective option for exploring China .

Yes, China's high speed trains have a strong safety record and are considered safe for travel. The Chinese government has placed a strong emphasis on safety in the development and operation of its high-speed rail network. Several measures are in place to ensure the safety of passengers. These include:

1). Advanced Technology: China has invested in state-of-the-art technology for its high-speed trains, including advanced signaling systems, automatic train protection, and train control systems. These technologies help monitor and control train operations, ensuring safe and efficient travel.

2). Rigorous Safety Standards: China has established stringent safety standards for the design, construction, and operation of high-speed rail infrastructure and trains. These standards cover aspects such as track design, train performance, signaling systems, emergency response procedures, and maintenance protocols.

3). Regular Inspections and Maintenance: High-speed trains and infrastructure undergo regular inspections and maintenance to identify and address any potential safety issues. This includes routine checks of tracks, train components, signaling systems, and other critical systems.

4). Experienced Operators: China 's high-speed rail system is operated by well-trained and experienced personnel who are responsible for the safe operation of trains and the management of emergencies. These operators undergo comprehensive training programs to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.

5). Emergency Preparedness: China has robust emergency preparedness and response systems in place for its high-speed rail network. This includes contingency plans for various scenarios, such as severe weather conditions, natural disasters, or technical failures. The aim is to swiftly address any emergencies and ensure passenger safety.

Yes, Chinese high speed trains do have onboard toilets for passenger convenience. The availability and design of toilets may vary slightly depending on the specific train model and class of service. However, most high speed trains in China are equipped with Western-style or squat-style toilets and all are equipped with a small hand sink and a mirror.

The toilets on Chinese high speed trains are typically located at the ends of each train car, and they are marked with clear signage. They are designed to provide basic amenities and meet hygiene standards. It's important to note that the availability of toilets may be limited in certain sections or during specific times, such as during station stops or maintenance periods.

Passengers are advised to familiarize themselves with the train layout and inquire with the train staff regarding the location and availability of toilets. Additionally, it's recommended to bring personal hygiene supplies , such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as these items may not always be readily available onboard the train.

Overall, China 's high speed trains strive to provide comfortable and convenient facilities for passengers, including the provision of toilets, to ensure a pleasant travel experience.

While the Qinghai- Tibet Railway is renowned for its breathtaking scenic beauty, it is not a high-speed train ride. The Qinghai- Tibet Railway is a remarkable engineering feat that connects Xining in Qinghai Province to Lhasa in Tibet, offering stunning views of the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayan mountain range. However, it operates at a relatively slower speed compared to high-speed trains .

When it comes to high speed train rides in China , there are several routes that offer scenic beauty. Here are some notable ones:

1). Beijing to Shanghai High speed train ride: This route takes you through the picturesque landscapes of the North China Plain, passing by cities, countryside, and the Yangtze River along the way.

2). Chengdu to Chongqing High speed train ride: This route showcases the natural beauty of Sichuan Province, with lush green mountains, rivers, and scenic countryside views.

3). Hong Kong to Guilin High speed train ride: This route takes you through the picturesque karst landscapes of Guangxi Province, with stunning limestone peaks, rivers, and rice terraces.

4). Hangzhou to Huangshan High speed train ride: This route offers views of the beautiful West Lake in Hangzhou and later takes you through the scenic mountains and tea plantations of Anhui Province, culminating in the renowned Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) area.

5). Xian to Chengdu High speed train ride: This route travels through the scenic landscapes of Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, including the famous Qinling Mountains and the charming countryside.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other high speed train routes in China that offer their own unique scenic attractions. The specific beauty of each route can vary depending on the season and weather conditions.

Yes, foreigners can buy high speed train tickets online in China . There are several ways to purchase China bullet train tickets with a passport:

1). Official Websites: China Railway's official website, 12306.cn, allows users to purchase train tickets online. The website is available in Chinese, but it also offers an English version for international users. You can create an account, search for train routes, select the desired train, and proceed with the booking process using your passport information.

2). Third-Party Ticketing Platforms: There are various third-party ticketing platforms available, such as Ctrip, Trip.com, and Qunar, which provide online ticket booking services for high-speed trains in. These platforms often have English language options and user-friendly interfaces, making it easier for foreigners to search for trains and purchase tickets using their passport details.

3). Mobile Apps: China Railway's official mobile app and other third-party apps like Ctrip and Trip.com have mobile versions that allow users to search, book, and purchase high-speed train tickets with a passport. These apps provide convenience and flexibility for travelers to make ticket bookings on the go.

When purchasing high-speed train tickets online, it's important to ensure that you provide accurate passport information as it will be required during the booking process. Additionally, it's advisable to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, to secure your preferred train and seat.

After completing the online ticket purchase, you will receive an electronic ticket, often in the form of a confirmation email or a QR code. Make sure to bring a printed copy or have a digital version of the ticket on your mobile device when traveling, as you may be required to present it along with your passport during ticket checks at the train station. Contact us if you need help for your China high speed train tour.

High speed rail travel in China is generally more affordable compared to air travel for similar distances. However, the cost comparison between high-speed rail and air travel depends on several factors, including the specific route, travel class, time of booking, and availability of discounts or promotions. Here are some key points to consider:

1). Ticket Prices: In many cases, high-speed rail tickets in China are priced lower than airfares for the same distance. High-speed rail offers a cost-effective option, especially for medium to short distances. However, ticket prices can vary depending on factors such as travel season, demand, and availability.

2). Additional Costs: When considering the cost of air travel, it's important to factor in additional expenses such as baggage fees, airport transfers, and potential charges for in-flight services. High-speed train travel often has fewer additional costs, making it a more straightforward and transparent pricing option.

3). Time and Convenience: High-speed rail can provide time savings and convenience compared to air travel for certain routes. While air travel may be faster for long distances, high-speed trains often have the advantage of city-center-to-city-center transportation, eliminating the need for additional travel to and from airports.

4). Travel Experience: High-speed rail travel in China offers a more spacious and comfortable experience compared to air travel, especially for shorter trips. Passengers have more legroom, larger seats, and the freedom to move around during the journey.

It's important to note that there are exceptions where air travel might be more cost-effective, especially for long-distance or international travel. Airlines may offer promotional fares or discounted tickets during certain periods, which can make air travel more competitive in terms of pricing.

Overall, high speed rail travel in China is often regarded as a more affordable option compared to air travel for domestic journeys, especially for shorter to medium distances. However, it's essential to assess individual circumstances, preferences, and specific route details to make an informed decision.

The cost of riding high-speed rail in China can vary depending on several factors, including the distance traveled, the class of service chosen, and the specific train route. It's also worth noting that ticket prices for high-speed trains in China are generally more affordable compared to airfares for similar routes, making high speed trains an attractive and cost-effective option for travel within the country.

Here's a general overview of the cost range for high speed train tickets in China :

1). Short Distances: For shorter distances, such as traveling between neighboring cities, the ticket prices are relatively lower. The cost can range from around 30 to 150 Chinese Yuan (CNY) or more, depending on the distance and class of service.

2). Medium Distances: For medium-distance trips, such as traveling between major cities within a province or region, ticket prices can range from approximately 200 to 500 CNY or more, depending on factors like distance, class, and demand.

3). Long Distances: Long-distance journeys, such as traveling between cities that are far apart or crossing multiple provinces, tend to have higher ticket prices. The cost can range from approximately 500 to 1,500 CNY or more, depending on the abovementioned factors.

4). Class of Service: High-speed trains in China generally offer different classes of service, such as second class, first class, and business class. The ticket prices increase as you move up in class, with business class being the most expensive and offering additional amenities and more spacious seating.

It's important to note that these price ranges are approximate and can fluctuate based on factors like travel season, availability, and promotions. Popular routes or peak travel periods may also have higher demand and potentially higher prices.

To get accurate and up-to-date pricing information for specific routes and travel dates, it's recommended to check the official websites or mobile apps of China's railway authorities, such as China Railway (12306.cn), or Contact us for a memorable China high speed train tour.

Certainly! Here are some interesting facts about trains in China :

1). Extensive High Speed Rail Network: China boasts the world's largest high-speed rail network, with over 40,000 kilometers of track, accounting for more than two-thirds of the world's total. It connects major cities, including Beijing , Shanghai , Guangzhou, and Chengdu, as well as numerous other destinations.

2). Record-Breaking Speeds: China holds multiple speed records for high-speed trains . The Fuxing (formerly known as the CR400) train set a record with a top speed of 603 kilometers per hour during a test run in 2020, making it the fastest commercial train in the world.

3). Impressive Train Stations: China is home to some of the world's largest and most architecturally stunning train stations. For example, Beijing South Railway Station covers an area of 320,000 square meters and has 24 platforms, while Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is an integrated transportation hub with extensive facilities.

4). Maglev Technology: China operates the world's first commercial magnetic levitation (maglev) train, the Shanghai Maglev train . It can reach speeds of up to 431 kilometers per hour and connects Shanghai Pudong International Airport with the city center.

5). Green Initiatives: China is actively pursuing green initiatives in its rail transportation system. It has introduced solar panels on some trains , stations, and trackside infrastructure to generate renewable energy. Additionally, efforts are being made to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in train operations.

6). Innovative Train Designs: China has developed unique train designs to cater to different travel needs. For instance, the Harmony CRH380A train features an aerodynamic shape inspired by the beak of a bird, reducing wind resistance and increasing efficiency.

7). Massive Passenger Volume: China's trains handle an enormous volume of passengers. During the annual Spring Festival travel rush, known as Chunyun, the railway system experiences a significant surge in passengers, with millions of people traveling across the country to celebrate the holiday with their families.

8). Train Ticketing Technology: China has implemented advanced ticketing systems, including e-ticketing and mobile ticketing options. Passengers can conveniently book and manage their train tickets through online platforms and mobile apps.

9). Belt and Road Initiative: China's high-speed rail network plays a vital role in the Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure development project. It connects China to neighboring countries and beyond, facilitating trade, cultural exchanges, and regional integration.

Latest China High Speed Train Tours Reviews from Our Customers

My experience with Asia Odyssey Travel was exceptional as they provided thorough assistance throughout my train tour, from start to finish. From my initial contact with Mike to the follow-up from Lucy, their service was fantastic. Mike maintained excellent communication throughout the entire process, and when I needed to make amendments to my train tickets, he promptly and efficiently resolved the changes. Everything went smoothly, and I couldn't find any faults with their service. I highly appreciate their dedication and professionalism in ensuring a seamless experience.

Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Tibet

Date of Experience: Jun 23, 2023

Tour Customized by: JoJo

You May be Interested in This Tour: 16 Days Classic China, Panda & Holy Tibet Tour in Small Group

Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu/Sichuan

Date of Experience: May 16, 2023

Tour Customized by: Emma

You May be Interested in This Tour: 10 Days China Family Classic Tour with Panda Kingdom

Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Chengdu/Sichuan, YangtzeRiver, Chongqing

Date of Experience: Sep 05, 2019

Tour Customized by: Amy

You May be Interested in This Tour: 15 Days Diverse China Tour with Pandas, Yangtze & Zhangjiajie Mountains

• Car Rentals
• Airport Transfers
• Attractions & Tours
• Bundle & Save
• Destinations
• Trip.com Rewards

Plan Your Travel with China Railway Lines: China Train Map, China Bullet Train Map

April 18, 2024

About China Train Map

Source: Wikipedia

China railway network is extremely extensive and reaches all parts of the country, including remote and mountainous regions. As of 2020, the total operational length of China's railway network is approximately 146,300 kilometers , making it the second-longest railway network in the world, surpassed only by the United States.

China has also developed one of the world's most extensive high-speed rail (HSR) networks. As of 2020, the total length of China's high-speed railway lines is about 37,900 kilometers , accounting for about two-thirds of the world's total high-speed rail tracks. The high-speed rail system has significantly reduced travel times between major cities in China, with trains reaching speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour.

Moreover, China aims to increase the total length of the high-speed railway to 70,000 kilometers by 2035, covering more than 90% of the population.

Visitors can check the above China train map for more accurate information.

Top China High Speed Train Routes

Popular china railway routes: china train map.

China boasts one of the most extensive and advanced railway networks in the world, with high-speed trains (known as Gāotiě) connecting major cities across the vast country. Here are some of the most popular China railway routes, destinations, and related China train maps:

1. Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway(京沪高速铁路)

Connecting the capital city of Beijing with Shanghai, China's largest city, this high-speed rail line is one of the most frequented routes in the country. The journey covers a distance of about 1,433 kilometers and can be completed in as little as 4.5 hours, reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h. Along the way, passengers can stop at major cities such as Tianjin, Jinan, and Nanjing.

Source: from Wikipedia

2. Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway(京广高速铁路)

Spanning over 2,230 kilometers, this route links the northern capital of Beijing with the southern city of Guangzhou. It is one of the longest high-speed rail lines in the world and passes through several important cities, including Shijiazhuang, Wuhan, and Changsha. The journey can take around 8 hours, which is a significant reduction from the 20+ hours it would take by conventional train.

3. Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Railway(沪昆高速铁路)

This route connects Shanghai on the east coast with Kunming in the southwest, traversing a distance of over 2,258 kilometers. The line passes through several provinces and offers access to scenic destinations such as Hangzhou, Nanchang, Changsha, Guiyang, and the beautiful landscapes of Yunnan province. The entire trip takes approximately 11 hours.

4. Beijing-Harbin High-Speed Railway(京哈高速铁路)

Linking Beijing with Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province in northeastern China, this high-speed rail line extends for about 1,700 kilometers. Known for its ice festivals, Harbin is a popular winter destination. The train passes through cities like Chengde, famous for its summer resort and imperial gardens, and Shenyang, an important industrial center.

5. Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link(广深港高速铁路)

This relatively short but very important route connects the major cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen with Hong Kong, facilitating easy cross-border travel. The entire journey from Guangzhou to Hong Kong can be completed in under an hour. This line provides a crucial link for business and tourism between mainland China and Hong Kong.

6. Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Railway(成渝高速铁路)

This route serves the economic corridor between Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, and Chongqing, a major city in Southwest China. The journey covers around 307 kilometers and can be completed in just over an hour, making it an excellent option for business travelers and tourists exploring the region's spicy cuisine and stunning landscapes.

7. Xi'an-Chengdu High-Speed Railway(西成高速铁路)

This line connects Xi'an, home to the famous Terracotta Army, with Chengdu, known for its panda sanctuaries and Sichuan cuisine. The journey covers about 510 kilometers and takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, passing through the Qinling Mountains, which offer a picturesque backdrop for travelers.

8. Hangzhou-Huangshan High-Speed Railway(杭黄高速铁路)

For those interested in natural beauty and ancient villages, the Hangzhou-Huangshan route is a must. It connects the city of Hangzhou, renowned for its historic West Lake, with Huangshan, where the Yellow Mountains (Huangshan) are located. The trip takes about 3 hours and provides access to some of China's most breathtaking landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

China Train Lines

Conventional China Train Lines

China high speed train lines.

• Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway (Jinghu High-Speed Railway)
• Beijing–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway (Jingguang High-Speed Railway)
• Shanghai–Kunming High-Speed Railway (Hukun High-Speed Railway)
• Hangzhou–Fuzhou–Shenzhen High-Speed Railway
• Harbin–Dalian High-Speed Railway
• Beijing–Harbin High-Speed Railway (Jingha High-Speed Railway)
• Beijing–Hong Kong (Taipei) High-Speed Railway
• Hefei–Fuzhou High-Speed Railway
• Xiamen–Shenzhen High-Speed Railway
• Guiyang–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway
• Zhengzhou–Xi'an High-Speed Railway
• Xi'an–Chengdu High-Speed Railway
• Nanjing–Hangzhou High-Speed Railway
• Shanghai–Nanjing High-Speed Railway
• Tianjin–Qinhuangdao High-Speed Railway
• Shijiazhuang–Jinan High-Speed Railway
• Changsha–Kunming High-Speed Railway
• Lanzhou–Xinjiang High-Speed Railway

International China Railway Lines

Source: from Wikipedia/China–Pakistan railway map

• China–Nepal railway
• China–Pakistan railway
• China–Laos railway
• China–North Korea railway
• Yiwu–London railway line
• Chongqing–Xinjiang–Europe Railway
• Yiwu–Madrid railway line
• Trans–Mongolian Railway

Plan your China Railway Travel with Trip.com Now!

Faqs about china train map, can i purchase china train tickets online, how can i use the china train map to plan my trip, does the china train map include high-speed rail lines, are all train stations shown on the china train map.

China Train Map Guide

• 1. About China Train Map
• 2. Top China High Speed Train Routes
• 3. Popular China Railway Routes: China Train Map
• 4. China Train Lines
• 5. Plan your China Railway Travel with Trip.com Now!

<h3>Trending Searches</h3>

More about China Trains

• China High Speed Rail
• China Train Ticket
• China Train Map
• Zhenjiang to Jiaxing South trains
• Wuxi East to Longshan Town trains
• Federal Holiday 2023
• Futian to Jinmen trains
• Zhonghuamen to Lanzhou trains
• cheap hotels in dc
• flight deals to Spain
• Customer Support
• Service Guarantee
• More Service Info
• Website Feedback
• About Trip.com
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Statement
• About Trip.com Group

Other Services

• Investor Relations
• Affiliate Program
• List My Property
• Become a Supplier

• 86-19138970032 (GMT+8 18:00~09:00)

• Beijing Xian Tours
• Shanghai Beijing Tours
• Hong Kong Guilin Tours
• Hangzhou Suzhou Tours
• Kunming Lijiang Tours
• Shanghai Yangtze Cruise Tours
• Chengdu Tibet Tours
• More Short Stay Tours
• China Tours in January
• China Tours in February
• China Tours in March
• China Tours in April
• China Tours in May
• China Tours in June
• China Tours in July
• China Tours in August
• China Tours in September
• China Tours in October
• China Tours in November
• China Tours in December

• High Speed Trains
• China Yangtze Cruise Tour
• Photography
• Desert Adventure
• Ethnic Villages
• Biking Tours
• Kung Fu Tours
• Heritage Sites Exploration
• China Spring Tours
• China Summer Tours
• China Autumn Tours
• China Winter Tours

Notice! 2024 available cruise routes include 4~5 days Chongqing-Yichang(most classic) and 11~12 days Chongqing-Yichang-Shanghai(limited).

• Best-value Yangtze Cruises
• Top Family-friendly Cruise Ships
• Top 3 Luxury Yangtze River Cruises
• Yangtze River Highlights
• Yangtze River Cruise Routes
• Upstream or Downstream?
• Dining & Drinking
• Accommodations
• On-board Activities
• Yangtze Cruise Booking Steps

• Inner Mongolia

• Fanjingshan
• How to Plan Your First China Tour
• How to Plan Beijing Tour
• How to Plan Xian Tour
• How to Plan Shanghai Tour
• How to Plan Guilin Tour
• How to Plan Sichuan Tour
• How to Plan Family Tour
• 2024 China Travel Ideas
• Best Time to Visit China
• What to Pack for Your China Journey
• Updated China Travel News
• Ultimate Chinese Visa Guide
• Chinese Visa Types
• Chinese Visa Requirements
• Do I Need a Visa for China
• Chinese Visa Application
• Chinese Visa Exemptions
• 144-hour Visa Free
• Shenzhen Visa on Arrival
• Hainan 30-day Visa Free
• Embassies & Consulates
• Invitation Letter
• Useful Visa FAQs & Tips
• Entry Regulations
• Baggage Allowance
• Customs Declaration
• Exit Regulation
• How to Book Train Tickets
• How to Collect Train Tickets
• How to Cancel & Alter Train Tickets
• How to Read Train Tickets
• China High Speed Train Types
• Seats Class & How to Choose
• Friendly Facilities on the Train
• The Train Station Departure Process
• Available Food and Drinks on the Train
• Western Toilets on the Train
• Luggage Racks & Baggage Allowance
• Beijing Train Stations
• Shanghai Train Stations
• Guilin Train Stations
• Xian Train Stations
• Chengdu Train Stations
• Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station
• Beijing - Xian
• Beijing - Shanghai
• Guangzhou - Shanghai
• Shenzhen - Shanghai
• Chengdu - Xian
• Shanghai - Hangzhou
• Shanghai - Xian
• Chengdu - Chongqing
• Kunming - Lijiang
• Beijing Capital International
• Beijing Daxing International
• Shanghai Pudong International
• Shanghai Hongqiao International
• Guangzhou Baiyun International
• Hangzhou Xiaoshan International
• Chengdu Tianfu International
• Chengdu Shuangliu International
• Xian Xianyang International
• Shanghai - Beijing
• Hong Kong - Shanghai
• Guangzhou - Beijing
• Chengdu - Lhasa
• Shanghai - Guilin
• Shanghai - Sanya
• Travel in Spring Season
• Travel in Summer Season
• Travel in Autumn Season
• Travel in Winter Season
• Weather in January
• Weather in February
• Weather in March
• Weather in April
• Weather in May
• Weather in June
• Weather in July
• Weather in August
• Weather in September
• Weather in October
• Weather in November
• Weather in December
• Top 10 China Destinations
• Top 15 Things to Do
• China World Heritage Sites
• Top 10 Best Natural Beauties
• Top 10 Museums in China
• Top 10 Old Towns & Villages
• Five Great Mountains in China
• Top 10 Monasteries & Temples
• Top 10 Ski Resorts
• Top 10 Beautiful Lakes in China
• 7 Best Beaches in Sanya
• Top 6 Beautiful Waterfalls
• Panda Volunteering
• Having fun on Ice and Snow Festival
• About Us Who We Are Our Team Why Travel with Us Feedback & Reviews Travel Stories Travelers' Gallery Payment Guide Customer Support Contact Us
• Tour Experiences

Destinations

• Travel Guide

Ultimate Guide for Train Travelling with Children in China

If you want to skip the awful traffic of the highways and often delays of flights for your family vacation in China, you really should try the fashionable high speed bullet train ride which is famous for its fast, safety, punctuality and modernness. Moreover, it will save money and bring your family a lot of fun.

It's a unique experience to take a China train, especially a Bullet train, with your kids

It may be a little arbitrary, but when it comes to choose between flight and high speed bullet train when planning a family vacation in China, we think that taking high speed train is the most recommended option. China high speed rail is safe, confortable, fast and affordable. Besides, there are lots of ways to make your family travelling by train with children fun and enjoyable too. It can be an great family adventure with enriching experience – playing favorite games with your kid, watching a cartoon movie on IPAD, walking through carriages to hunt for newfangled design and facilities on China’s stylish bullet train, catching beautiful sceneries passing by the window…Choosing to travel by train can get your holiday off to the best possible start.

Travelling by train with children needn't be a hassle. So if you have got a fascinating place to go, got the snacks, stroller, and stuffed animals packed, you can get some useful inspirations from our last-minute expert advices below:

Kids Love Train Travel

A Bullet Train Going Throgh City in Beijing

Buy Discounted Tickets for Your Kids

According to the China Rail Regulations, taking train with children can enjoy discounted fares, or even free of charge as long as meeting some specific requirements. It's good to know that these regulations also apply to foreign travelers. Sometimes it can save a lot of money. Unlike flight which decides the discounts with ages, China trains offer free or discounted train fares according to the division of heights of the kids. There are standard lines painted on the wall or doors at the Ticket Halls, Check-in Passages, and Exists to measure the heights of kids. The train attendant will also make the last height measurement before boarding the train at each door of trains. The actual height is based on shoes-off.

Free of ticket - if your kid is short than 120cm (3.9feet), you don't have to buy a ticket for him (her). Actually there is no a special type of Free Ticket in China's railway system. Your kid(s) can't occupy a seat or bunk, but can buy a Child Ticket (usually half or 75% of the full price of adult ticket). One adult can only bring a kid (below 120cm) who can ride train for free, which means, if you bring two kids below 120cm, only one kid can take train for free, another has to buy a Child Ticket.

Enjoy discounted ticket - Kids whose heights are between 120cm~150cm can buy train tickets at a discount and get their own seats or sleepers. There is no limitation on how many child tickets you can buy. The discounts of Child Tickets based on tickets types: seats or sleepers. It’s usually 50% off for hard seats on regular train, and first class, second class and business class seats on high speed bullet trains, and 25% off for sleepers on regular trains. Please note that there is no children discount offered for sleepers on high speed bullet trains.

When should buy full-price ticket - if your kids are taller than 150cm (4.9feet), you have to buy an adult ticket which have no discount offered.

Note: you can specify the height of your kid in the order form when purchasing tickets online.

Useful Links

How to Read China High Speed Train Tickets

How to Book China High Speed Train Tickets

How to Collect China High Speed Train Tickets

China Train Schedules and Fares

Discounted Ticket for Kids (120cm~150cm)

Measure Height at Railway Station

Having Fun on China Train

How to Choose Your Seats or Sleepers for Family Travel

Currently, there are two types of trains in operation in China: high speed bullet trains (HRS) and regular trains. Generally speaking, high speed bullet trains are much faster, and provide more modern facilities than regular trains. While the regular trains provides more trains to remote areas as well as more options for overnight trains. It’s very important to ensure a quiet and comfortable stay when it comes to travelling by train with your little ones in China.

High Speed Train is the Best Option

Try to choose the modern and new HSR trains (with name of G, D and C), also known as high speed bullet trains, which run at speed between 200km/hr ~ 350km/hr, also provide more comfortable seats, wider spaces and family-friendly facilities. Most high speed trains offers Business Class Seats, First Class Seats and Second Class Seats.

Keep Reading: Understanding China Train Designations (G / D / C Trains)

The Second Class Carriage has five seats in a row, separated by an aisle, that are close together but still relatively comfortable. It’s not recommended for family travel with children because these Second Class carriages are usually crowded. There may be some people talking loud, and eating a variety of foods.

The First Class carriages are more or less empty. The seats are larger (a lot of leg rooms) with two on each side of the aisle, equipped with back cushions, power plugins, mini-table, headphone jacks, etc.

Beyond the First and Second Class Seats is the Business Class Seats which are very confortable leather chairs, quite far apart from each other, with huge and clean windows for sightseeing, and allows you to lie flat comfortably. Besides, there are plenty of rooms for luggages and bags. They are an awesome treat for family travel.

Second Class Seats / First Class Seats / Business Class Seats

China's newest Fuxing Train and its Business Class seat

Choose Soft Sleeper If You Have to Take Regular Trains

The regular trains, usually named after T, K, Z, serve majority part of China, including the big cities and remote small towns. If your family is planning a trip to the remote destinations, and wants to lower the budget, the regular train is an option. But try to avoid the Hard Seats and Hard Sleepers which are not as clean, comfortable and quiet as the Soft Sleepers. There are usually 4 bunks in a Soft Sleeper Compartment. You can close the door to be quieter and private.

Useful tips:

1. There are diaper-changing tables available on high-speed trains

2. An overnight high-speed train is recommended fir you need to travel for long distance, such as from Shanghai to Xian.

3. D-series high speed trains are usually cheaper than G-series high speed trains.

4. If you want to travel to Tibet by train, a soft sleeper is strongly recommended. You may need to spend 2 nights on the train.

China's regular train and its Soft Sleepers

If You Are Travelling with Infant

Don’t be afraid of travelling with infant in China. China trains and railway stations have provide some infant-friendly facilities, including infant waiting room, express check-in, diaper-changing table, etc.

1. Infant is free of charge to take trains in China

According to China Rail Regulation, infant doesn’t have to purchase a ticket, and can share seats/sleeper with his/her guardian. To enjoy a better stay, you can also purchase a child ticket for your infant (usually 50% or 75% of the full fare).

2. There are convenient facilities provided for families with infant

In the railway station: there are infant waiting rooms (or areas) provided in most large railway stations in China, such as Shanghai Hongqiao, Chengdu East, Beijing South, where the moms can feed baby, change diapers, and wait for train boarding. Some railway stations even have some simple entertainment facilities for kids to play. It is also available for families with infant to board train before regular passengers. Some railway stations have no infant waiting room, but paid waiting rooms which usually charge 10 CNY/pp. Check all facilities and services on China high speed trains

On the train: All seats and sleepers on the train are suitable for you kid to sit or sleep on, but you are suggested to bring your infant close to you instead of taking an extra seat because there are no safety belt to fasten you infant to the seats/sleeper, and you also have to pay extra fare for an extra seat or sleeper. In the high speed bullet trains, there is an accessible lavatory with obvious signs for you to change diapers. While on the regular K, T and Z trains, there is no such facility. Drinkable hot water can be obtained at the water dispensers which usually locate at the end of each carriage.

3. Stroller can be taken to board train, but has to be foldable and portable

You can take stroller to board train, but better not bring large ones. It also should be foldable and portable. Avoid hard seats which are too narrow and crowed. If you take regular trains (K,T,Z), soft sleeper is recommended to ensure more rooms for your stroller and other luggages. If you take high speed trains, better choose First Class Seats or Business Class Seats. The stroller can be placed in front of our legs. If you take an overnight highs speed train, sleeper is recommended.

4. Prepare and pack all necessary stuffs for you and your infant

Make sure all necessary stuffs you may need to bring have been packed well before hand, such as the diapers, diaper cream, infant formula, disinfectant gel, children's fever suspension medicine, children's rehydration powder or liquid, mosquito spray, children's fever suspension medicine, children's antihistamine and favorite snacks and small toys. There are only supply of food and drinks on the trains. Put all these stuffs in a portable bag which can be reached within short distance.

If You Are Travelling with Children over 3 Years Old

Train travel can be an interesting adventure for kids. You can make it a precious quality time for your family members to stay together, sit together around a table to talk or play game, or to walk though coaches to meet different people and learn about their culture. A kid can usually acquire some degrees of independence on a train journey.

1. Encourage your child's natural curiosity

Kids love everything about trains, including train itself and interesting facts about train, railway station, railway, etc. We suggest you arrive at the railway station early (about 30mins before) to allow some additional time to savour the sense of adventure - learn to collect tickets, and read different signs in the stations, look at the “big screen” that shows train departures and arrivals, check out the “bullet head” of the high speed trains, see how a train setting out of the station…

2. Pack Food & Drinks

Currently only Chinese food is served on China trains. You can go to Dinning Car to order something, or buy packed meals when the trolley passing by your seats. If you and your kids don’t get very well with Chinese food, you should pack some favorite snacks and drinks on you own. Food & drinks on China high speed trains

3. Plan entertainment for your kids

Even though there are tons of sceneries to see outside the windows, kids also usually get bored easily on the train, so you should also pack some games for your kids to kill time especially when you are going to take a long-distance train. Card, chess, jigsaw… whatever your kids like to play, but don’t take those with very large size and make big noise.

Before your train departure, you can download a train-themed movie on your IPAD for kids to watch while riding the real train.

4. Always keep an eye on your kids, and do not let the kids run around in the carriages

The trains run usually at a high speed especially the bullet trains. And there are always some passengers walking through the aisle (usually to fetch hot water). You should always to keep an eye on your kids, and do not let them run in the carriages in case of falling down or getting hurt. If you really need to leave your kids alone, you can ask the train attendant to take care of them. Well if you are taking a high speed train (which is not as long as a K, T, Z train), you can walk with your little ones to through carriages to stretch your legs, or to have a rest in the dinning car.

Recommended High Speed Rail Routes for Family with Children

The spring is the blooming season. You can have a delightful vacation to the southern China where you can not only enjoy a pleasant weather with the average temperatures roughly the same as in autumn (about 50-72 F), but also marvel at the colorful blossoms in the ancient gardens and villages and vast rape flower fields. There are also many chances to experience ethnic festivals during the Spring season. You are suggested to wear layered clothing because there usually a temperature difference between daytime and night.

Keep Reading to Plan Your China High Speed Train Travel

• Top 10 Most Popular Routes
• 8 Most Beautiful Railways in China
• Top 10 Advantages of Train Travel in China
• Ultimate China Train Travel Guide
• Most Useful Train Travel Tips & Advice
• China High Speed Train Facts
• High Speed Train Seats & How to Choose
• China High Speed Train Maps
• How to Board/Disembark a Train
• Everything about the Tickets
• Updated China Train Schedules and Routes 2024

Recommended Tours

Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

9 Days East China & Mt. Huang Tour by High Speed Train

Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou / Huangshan

10 Days China Family Tour with Panda Reserve Visit

Beijing / Xian / Chengdu / Shanghai

6 Days Best Hong Kong Guilin Tour with Guangzhou Layover

Hong Kong / Guangzhou / Guilin

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts or guests

• Your Question:
• Your Email:
• Affordable and valuable price
• 100% tailor-made packages
• Highly rated customers reviews
• Efficient customer support

China Tours

• Top 10 China Tours
• Classic China Tours
• China Tours from Beijing
• China Tours from Shanghai
• China Tours from Hong Kong
• China Tours from Chengdu
• Short China Trips
• Customize China Tour
• China Panda Tours
• Family Tour with Kids
• High-Speed Train Tour
• Silk Road Travel
• Yangtze River Cruise
• Hiking & Trekking Tours
• Photography Tours
• China Minority Travel
• Beijing Shanghai Tours
• Shanghai Yangtze Tours
• Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Tours
• Chengdu Lhasa Tours
• Suzhou Hangzhou Tours
• Guilin & Yangshuo
• Zhangjiajie

“Very good experience”

“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”

“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”

Any questions, please email us at: [email protected] or call us at: 86-19138970032 (Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. GMT+8)

• Terms & Condition
• Privacy Policy
• Customer Support

Copyright © 2011-2024. All rights reserved.

Cookie policy

We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Continue using our website means you agree with our cookie policy. For more info, please read here .

• Visa Application Helpline

Subscribe to our newsletter

Learn how to live a sustainable long-term travel lifestyle.

By signing up, you agree to the our terms and our Privacy Policy agreement.

Top 27 Places to visit in Darjeeling, Explore the Beautiful Hills of Darjeeling

Top 10 things to do when traveling to shimla: shimla travel guide, the ultimate paris travel guidelines for first timers | top attractions & things to do.

The Ultimate China Travel Guide: Unlocking China’s Splendors

China, a country of immense beauty and captivating diversity, is a destination that promises to leave you with an indelible impression on every traveler. With its rich tapestry of ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and modern marvels, this vast nation offers something for every type of adventurer.

In this blog, I will share with you the ultimate China Travel Guide to assist you in uncovering the most unforgettable experiences that this extraordinary country has to offer.

Find the best time to visit China, plan your trip, explore top destinations, and budget for your adventure to make the most out of your trip to China!

WHAT IS COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE?

The Ultimate China Travel Guide: How to Plan a Trip to China

A trip to China can be an exciting adventure, as it offers you a rich tapestry of cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and historical marvels. However, to make the most of your journey and avoid unnecessary hiccups, thorough planning is essential.

But why should you put so much effort on planning this trip? Thorough planning is essential for a successful trip to diverse China as it:

• It maximizes your overall experience.
• It eases communication with locals.
• Planning simplifies the visa application process.
• It helps in optimizing your budget for the trip.
• It also allows customization of your visit to match your interests.

Step-by-Step Guide on Trip Planning

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you plan your trip to China effectively:

Determine Your Travel Goals: Identify the regions and attractions you want to explore, whether it’s the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army, or the bustling streets of Beijing.

Set a Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on your trip and allocate funds for different expenses such as flights, accommodations, food, and activities accordingly.

Check Visa Requirements: Depending on your nationality, China’s visa requirements may vary. Research and apply for the appropriate visa well in advance.

Choose the Best Time to Visit: China experiences different climates in different regions. Consider the weather and your preferred travel dates when deciding the best time to visit.

Book Flights: Search for flights to China, compare prices, and book your tickets. Major international airports like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are common entry points.

Accommodation: Research and book your accommodations, considering your budget and preferred location. Options range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels.

Create an Itinerary: Plan your daily activities and sightseeing. Include popular attractions, local experiences, and time for relaxation.

Learn About Local Culture: Familiarize yourself with Chinese customs and etiquette, which can enhance your travel experience.

Pack Smart: Pack suitable clothing and essential items for your trip, considering the weather and activities.

Stay Informed: Keep an eye on travel advisories and any specific travel restrictions or health-related guidelines related to China, especially if you’re traveling during unusual times.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared for your adventure in China and can focus on immersing yourself in the country’s wonders!

Tips on Visas, Flights, and Accommodations

• Visas: Check the Chinese embassy or consulate website for the most up-to-date visa requirements. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date.
• Flights: Use flight comparison websites or apps to find the best deals on airfare. Be flexible with your travel dates to potentially score lower prices.
• Accommodations: Consider booking your accommodations through trusted platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com , or directly through hotels’ websites. Read reviews and select lodgings that cater to your preferences.

Best Time to Visit and Travel Restrictions

Here is a complete guide covering all the seasons:

Spring in China

Spring in China is a beautiful time to visit, with landscapes bursting into bloom. The weather is mild and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. This makes it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and visiting temples and gardens!

Some of the best places to visit in China during the spring include:

• Beijing : The Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, and the Temple of Heaven are all must-see attractions in Beijing. During the spring, the city’s parks and gardens are also in full bloom.
• Shanghai : Shanghai is a vibrant city with a lot to offer visitors. In the spring, you can enjoy the city’s many parks and gardens, visit the Bund waterfront, or take a boat trip on the Huangpu River.
• Xi’an : Xi’an is home to the Terracotta Warriors, one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of all time. In the spring, you can also visit the city’s many temples and mosques, or take a day trip to Mount Huashan, a sacred mountain known for its challenging hiking trails.
• Guilin : Guilin is known for its stunning scenery, including limestone karsts, rivers, and lakes. In the spring, you can take a boat cruise on the Li River to see the karsts up close, or visit the nearby town of Yangshuo for its laid-back atmosphere and scenic bike trails.

Summer in China

Summer in China can be hot and humid, especially in the south. Average temperatures range from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius, with high humidity levels. However, there are still many things to see and do in China during the summer, such as visiting beaches, hiking in the mountains, and attending festivals!

Some of the best places to visit in China during the summer include:

• Sanya : Sanya is a popular beach resort town in southern China. In the summer, you can enjoy the city’s many beaches, go swimming, snorkeling, or diving.
• Lijiang : Lijiang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved ancient town. In the summer, you can enjoy the town’s many canals and bridges, or take a day trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
• Harbin : Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province in northeastern China. It is known for its cold winters and its annual International Ice and Snow Festival.

Autumn in China

Autumn is another beautiful time to visit China. The weather is mild and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. The leaves on the trees turn red and yellow, creating stunning scenery throughout the country.

Some of the best places to visit in China during the autumn include:

• Beijing : The Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven are especially beautiful in the autumn, when the leaves on the trees turn red and yellow.
• Jiuzhaigou National Park : Jiuzhaigou National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning lakes, waterfalls, and forests. In the autumn, the park’s leaves turn red and yellow, creating a magical landscape.
• Huangshan Mountain : Huangshan Mountain is a sacred mountain in Anhui province. It is known for its towering granite peaks, pine trees, and clouds. In the autumn, the mountain’s leaves turn red and yellow, creating a breathtaking sight.

Winter in China

Winter in China can be very cold, especially in the north. Average temperatures range from -10 to 5 degrees Celsius, with snowfall common in many parts of the country. However, there are still many things to see and do in China during the winter, such as skiing, visiting hot springs, and attending festivals!

Some of the best places to visit in China during the winter include:

• Harbin : Harbin is known for its cold winters and its annual International Ice and Snow Festival. During the festival, you can see giant ice sculptures, snow castles, and ice slides.
• Yabuli Ski Resort : Yabuli Ski Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in China. It is located in Heilongjiang province and offers a variety of ski trails for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
• Guilin : Guilin is also a popular winter destination, as the weather is mild and there are fewer tourists than in the summer.

No matter what time of year you choose to visit China, you are sure to have a memorable experience!

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in China

1. the great wall of china.

First on this list is The Great Wall of China , an architectural marvel that is etched into history. It beckons you to embark on an awe-inspiring journey through time. Located in northern China, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance.

You must visit here to experience the majestic allure of China’s rich history and resilience. Visiting this iconic structure allows you to walk in the footsteps of emperors and soldiers, offering a profound connection to the nation’s past.

The main attractions you must visit along the Great Wall include popular sections like Badaling, Mutianyu, and Jinshanling, each with its unique features and scenic vistas. You can hike along the wall, explore watchtowers, and capture breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape!

Best Time To Visit The Great Wall of China: The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn when the weather is pleasant, and the landscapes burst with color. To avoid the crowds, consider weekdays and early mornings for a more serene experience.

2. The Terracotta Army

Next is the Terracotta Army , an archaeological wonder nestled in Xi’an that invites you to delve into the fascinating world of ancient history and artistic mastery. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a testament to the power and legacy of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang!

You must visit here to view this testament to human ingenuity and artistry. It’s an ancient marvel that showcases the craftsmanship of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots, created over two millennia ago to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin. A visit offers you a rare glimpse into the depths of China’s rich imperial history!

The main attractions you should visit within the site include the three massive pits containing the Terracotta Army, each revealing different aspects of the ancient soldiers’ roles and weaponry.

Best Time To Visit The Terracotta Army: The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn when the weather is pleasant and the site is less crowded. Arrive early in the morning to make the most of your visit and avoid the midday rush.

3. The Forbidden City

Another amazing place to visit in China is The Forbidden City , a UNESCO World Heritage site that beckons you to embark on a journey through the heart of imperial China. Located in the heart of Beijing, this historic palace complex is a must-visit destination if you seek a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Chinese history.

You must visit Forbidden City because it is an unparalleled repository of Chinese culture and heritage. As the former imperial palace for over five centuries, it offers you a unique opportunity to witness the grandeur and opulence of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The main attractions within the Forbidden City you must visit include the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the Imperial Garden. Don’t miss the Palace Museum, which houses countless treasures, or the awe-inspiring Meridian Gate!

Best Time To Visit The Forbidden City: The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn when the weather is mild, and the gardens are in full bloom. Avoid the peak summer and winter months to enjoy a more comfortable experience.

4. The Li River Scenic Area

The next best place to visit in China is The Li River Scenic Area . Here, You get to explore an enchanting natural landscape that has inspired poets and artists for centuries. Located in the Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, this destination beckons you to experience the sublime beauty of the region.

You must visit here to experience the otherworldly karst landscape, where picturesque limestone peaks rise dramatically from the water’s edge. As you drift along the river on a leisurely cruise, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery straight out of a traditional Chinese painting.

The main attractions you must not miss within the Li River Scenic Area include the unique karst formations such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Nine Horses Mountain, and the Yellow Cloth Shoal. The charming town of Yangshuo, with its vibrant street markets, is another highlight you must explore.

Best Time To Visit The Li River Scenic Area: The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn when the weather is pleasant, and the landscape is at its most picturesque. The lush greenery of spring and the golden hues of autumn enhance the region’s natural beauty.

5. The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Next place on this list is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park which is a natural wonder that invites you to step into a realm of surreal landscapes and captivating beauty.  Located in Hunan Province, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers!

If you love nature, you must visit here to explore its towering sandstone pillars and lush greenery, which served as inspiration for the breathtaking landscapes in the movie “Avatar.” It offers an otherworldly experience that feels like a journey through a fantasy world!

The main attractions within the park you can explore include the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, the mesmerizing Tianzi Mountain, and the awe-inspiring Golden Whip Stream. The Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, the world’s highest and longest glass-bottomed bridge, is also a thrilling addition to your visit.

Best Time To Visit The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn when the weather is comfortable, and the landscape is at its most vibrant. To avoid crowds, aim for weekdays and early mornings.

6. Potala Palace

The Potala Palace , a UNESCO World Heritage site in Lhasa, Tibet, invites you to embark on a spiritual and architectural journey like no other. Perched on the Red Hill, this iconic palace is a testament to Tibetan culture, history, and the enduring legacy of Buddhism.

You must visit here to explore this symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and a reflection of Tibet’s rich heritage. It’s not only an architectural masterpiece but also a pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide. Visiting here is an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the spiritual and cultural heart of Tibet!

The main attractions within the Potala Palace include the White Palace, the Red Palace, and the sacred chapels and shrines. The murals, sculptures, and ancient artifacts provide you a glimpse into Tibetan history and artistry.

Best Time To Visit The Potala Palace: The best time to visit is during the spring or early autumn when the weather is relatively mild, and the skies are clear. Be aware that the palace has limited daily visitor slots, so it’s advisable to book your tickets well in advance.

7. Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum

The next amazing place to visit in China is the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum . Located in Xi’an, China, it is an archaeological wonder that invites you to journey back in time to the ancient Chinese empire. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a testament to the First Emperor’s grandeur and the rich history of the Qin Dynasty.

You must visit here as this museum is home to the renowned Terracotta Army, an army of life-sized clay soldiers and horses that were buried alongside the First Emperor to protect him in the afterlife. It’s also a remarkable display of ancient craftsmanship and an extraordinary historical artifact.

The main attraction within the museum is, of course, the Terracotta Army, but it also includes various other artifacts and exhibits that provide you insights into the life and times of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall is a must-see addition.

Best Time To Visit Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum: The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn when the weather is comfortable, and the crowds are less overwhelming. Be sure to arrive early to avoid the peak visitor hours.

8. The Bund

The Bund , a historic waterfront promenade in Shanghai, is another gorgeous place for you to experience the city’s rich past and vibrant present. This iconic destination is a testament to Shanghai’s evolution from a trading port to a modern metropolis.

You must visit here to experience this captivating juxtaposition of old and new. On one side, you’ll find a collection of colonial-era buildings showcasing European architecture, while on the other, you’ll be greeted by the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong.

The main attractions along The Bund you can visit  include the Peace Hotel, Customs House, and the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, which takes you beneath the river to Pudong. The area comes to life at night when the buildings are illuminated, creating a breathtaking urban spectacle!

Best Time To Visit The Bund: The best time to visit is in the evening, as the Bund truly comes alive with its dazzling lights and stunning skyline views. The months of spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather for exploring this iconic waterfront.

9. Leshan Giant Buddha

The Leshan Giant Buddha is another perfect place to visit in China. Located near Leshan City in Sichuan, It is a monumental masterpiece of ancient art and engineering that calls you to explore its serene majesty. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a captivating symbol of Buddhism’s enduring influence and a testament to human ingenuity.

You must visit here to see the largest stone Buddha statue in the world, standing at a towering 71 meters (233 feet) in height. Carved into the cliffside during the Tang Dynasty, it’s not just a testament to religious devotion but also an incredible engineering marvel. Visiting here offers a profound sense of reverence and appreciation for both history and culture!

The main attraction is, of course, the Giant Buddha itself, which you can explore from various vantage points, including a boat ride on the river. The surrounding area also includes temples, shrines, and stunning natural scenery, providing a well-rounded experience.

Best Time To Visit Leshan Giant Buddha: The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are relatively smaller. Plan your visit in the morning to avoid the midday rush.

10. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

The last, but certainly not the least, best place to visit in China is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding , nestled in the heart of Sichuan. It offers you a unique opportunity for panda enthusiasts and nature lovers to witness the world’s most beloved endangered species up close. This renowned research facility is a sanctuary for giant pandas and is dedicated to their conservation and breeding.

You must visit here and get a rare chance to observe giant pandas in a semi-wild environment. As the leading center for panda research and breeding, it plays a crucial role in preserving these iconic creatures. Your visit not only supports their conservation but also offers a remarkable educational experience!

Of course, The main attraction is the giant pandas themselves. You can watch them roam, play, and even eat bamboo, which is their favorite food. The base is also home to other wildlife species, including red pandas, which adds to the experience.

Best Time To Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding: The best time to visit is during the morning when the pandas are most active and before the crowds arrive. Spring and autumn are ideal seasons, as the weather is comfortable, and the pandas are often more active.

The Best Part of China to Visit

China, a diverse and culturally rich country, offers a range of regions for you to discover, tailored to your preferences as a traveler.

• Coastal Cities:
• Shanghai : A modern hub where you can enjoy shopping and vibrant nightlife.
• Beijing : Immerse yourself in history at the Forbidden City and Great Wall.
• Hong Kong : Experience a unique blend of eastern and western influences in this bustling city.
• Scenic Natural Landscapes:
• Guilin : Delight in picturesque karst landscapes and explore ancient villages.
• Zhangjiajie : Hike among the breathtaking “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain.”
• Jiuzhaigou Valley: Find serenity in crystal-clear lakes and cascading waterfalls.
• Historical and Cultural Sites:
• Xi’an : Discover the Terracotta Army and walk along the ancient city wall.
• Chengdu : Experience history, culture, and savor delicious Sichuan cuisine.
• Pingyao : Step back in time in a well-preserved walled city from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
• Ethnic Minority Regions:
• Yunnan : Immerse yourself in unique cultural experiences and explore ethnic diversity.
• Tibet : Embark on a spiritual and adventurous journey to discover Tibetan culture and high-altitude landscapes.

In conclusion, the best part of China for you to explore depends on your specific interests as a traveler.

How Much Does It Cost to Visit China

The cost of visiting China can vary widely depending on your travel style, preferences, and the cities you plan to explore. Here’s a breakdown of typical expenses for a trip to China:

• Accommodation: Accommodation costs vary from budget to luxury options. In major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, a mid-range hotel might cost $80 to $100 per night, while luxury hotels can exceed $200. Budget travelers can find hostels or guesthouses for $30 to $50 per night.
• Food: Chinese cuisine is diverse and budget-friendly. Street food and local restaurants offer affordable meals for as little as $5, while dining in upscale restaurants can cost $20 or more. A daily food budget can range from $15 to $40, depending on your preferences.
• Transportation: Transportation in China is efficient and budget-friendly. Subway and bus rides are usually under $1, while long-distance bullet train tickets range from $50 to $200. Domestic flights cost $100 to $300, but consider economical high-speed trains for city-to-city travel when budgeting.
• Activities: Entrance fees to popular tourist sites vary, with some costing $10 to $30, and others being free. Cultural activities, shows, and guided tours may add to your expenses. Budget an extra $10 to $30 per day for activities.

Budgeting tips:

• Opt for local street food and eateries to save on food costs.
• Consider using public transportation and walking to explore cities.
• Plan your trip during the shoulder seasons to find better deals on accommodation and flights.
• Purchase a local SIM card or use Wi-Fi to avoid international data roaming charges.

China offers a wide range of options to suit different budgets, from affordable backpacking to luxurious travel. Careful planning and research can help you make the most of your budget and have a memorable experience in this diverse and culturally rich country.

China offers everyone a wide array of attractions, each steeped in history and culture. Planning a trip to China involves thoughtful consideration of expenses and preferences. From choosing accommodations to savoring the diverse culinary scene and utilizing efficient transportation, you can personalize their experiences to match their budgets and interests.

With all the incredible wonders and experiences China has to offer, doesn’t the charm of this country call out to you?

If you enjoyed reading about ways to make the most of your China trip, do check out our other travel inspiration blogs. If you have your own adventurous stories to share, we would love to hear from you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What are five fun things to do in china.

Five fun things to do in China include exploring the Great Wall, visiting the Terracotta Army, enjoying traditional tea ceremonies, experiencing vibrant street markets, and trying authentic Chinese cuisine.

Is China cheap or expensive?

China’s cost can vary, but it’s generally considered an affordable travel destination, offering both budget and luxury options.

What is China unique for?

China is unique for its rich history, diverse cultures, stunning natural landscapes, and the Great Wall, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.

Is China tourist friendly?

China is generally tourist-friendly, with many English-speaking services and a growing tourism infrastructure.

Who visited China the most?

China’s most visited by tourists from within Asia, with countries like South Korea, Japan, and the United States also contributing significant numbers.

What is a popular activity in China?

A popular activity in China is practicing Tai Chi in parks, a traditional martial art that promotes health and relaxation.

What is China’s favorite food?

Popular Chinese foods include dishes like Peking duck, dumplings, and various regional cuisines, with rice and noodles being staples.

Related Posts

Maldives travel guide: tourist places, culture & budget breakdown to plan a trip to maldives, top 25 best countries to visit: your ultimate travel destination guide, the 20 best things to do in medina: make your pilgrimage even more satisfying, the top 13 highest motorable roads in the world: dangers & route details.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

China Itinerary: The Perfect Two Week Itinerary in China

China, the second largest country in the world, is one of the most diverse and contrasting destinations on the planet. Ancient traditions and complex history are sharply contrasted with the modern and futuristic architecture and transport. China can be loud and chaotic, and also rustic and remote. Having travelled extensively through the country, it really is like nowhere I’ve even been. And planning our China itinerary was one of the biggest challenges.

The country is vast, with so many stunning national parks and natural wonders, bustling cities and ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s certainly overwhelming to work out where to include in your China itinerary.

I travelled around China with my Dad, which was incredible. Despite the extreme July temperatures we faced, we kept up with each other and were definitely on the same page when it came to deciding where to go and what to do.

So here’s my suggested China itinerary. It’s ideal for first-time visitors who are keen to absorb as much as possible in two weeks. This itinerary will take in the bustling metropolises of Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, home to an awesome panda sanctuary. Away from the cities, it will take in Suzhou, known as the ‘Venice of the Orient’ and the magical riverside town of Yangshuo. It will also visit the otherworldly landscapes of Zhanjiaje National Park and the dizzying heights of Tianmen Mountain.

Let’s jump in!

China Itinerary: Essential Information

Visa requirements for china.

First things first, how to travel to China!

Most nationalities need a visa to enter China, including those from the US, the UK, EU and Canada. It’s most likely you need to visit your nearest Chinese embassy to get this.

In the UK, the Chinese embassies are located in Manchester and London . Check the latest on China entry requirements on the FCO website here.

Top tip: Your passport needs to be in good condition in order to apply for visa. Mine had water damage from 5 years prior, and was rejected. Luckily, I had enough time to apply for another one!

Some countries’s citizens are exempt from needing Chinese visas, including Singapore and Japan. Definitely check the most up to date information at your relevant country’s travel advice page.

How to get to China

There are a large number of international airports in China, with many offering direct flights to the UK. However, for tourism purposes, it makes most sense to land into Beijing Airport (PEK) which is the capital of China. Alternatively, you could land into Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG).

Other airports with direct routes to the UK, and other major international destinations include Chengdu and Guangzhou.

For this itinerary, I suggest flying into Beijing and departing from Chengdu. We found this straight forward to book with British Airways, who offers direct flights for both of these airports.

Other airports serving the main airports in China including:

• China Southern
• China Airways
• China Eastern
• United Airlines
• American Airlines

Getting around China

China is vast, but fortunately, well connected. Flying is the most efficient and convenient way to travel around China, and the domestic network is very comprehensive.

The main airlines covering domestic routes include:

• Shanghai Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines

To explore the country, we used a mixture of domestic flights and train travel to ensure an authentic experience. I’ve flown on Air China, Shanghai Airlines, China Southern and China Eastern. I can definitely recommend all these airlines for a safe and comfortable flight, but they can all be a little delayed sometimes.

Train travel

Trains in China are awesome – especially the high speed trains, many of which reach speeds of up to 400mph. I recommend including several trains throughout a China itinerary for the experience. It can also be more convenient as the stations are typically closer to the town/city centre than airports.

Whilst the train experience is often air conditioned and comfortable, the ticket purchasing experience is not.

You can book the tickets in advance online , but there’s two challenges here. Firstly, the official website is nearly entirely in Chinese. Then, there are tiny subtle differences in the language that can mean you book the wrong station. For example, Suzhou and Suzhou. One is the popular town consisting of beautiful waterways near Shanghai, and the other is in the middle of nowhere. But their names are the same.

Furthermore, the tickets either need to be collected at the station, or be delivered to a Chinese address. For many travellers this wouldn’t be feasible.

After making the above mistake, we chose to arrange the rest of our train tickets at the train station the day before. Some of the train stations in China are massive, particularly Beijing and Shanghai. So we found this to be a great way to familiarise ourselves with the station beforehand and without bags.

The high-speed trains in China aren’t cheap, but are efficient, comfortable and an exciting experience. You definitely pay a premium for business class too.

If you’re travelling around China on a budget, then consider opting for the older trains which still operate. They’re a fraction of the cost.

The Seat61 guide is the ultimate resource for booking all train travel in China.

The Maglev train

This train serves Shanghai’s Longyang Road Station to Pudong International Airport (PVG). It’s an 8 minute journey, covering 30km at a top speed of 430km/h (267mi/h).

The unique element of this train is that it runs on magnetic levitation and Shanghai is the only place in the world to have this kind of train.

The Maglev train reaches its ultra-high speeds by using magnets’ opposite poles on the railway track to create levitation. In fact, it is the world’s fastest train!

Fares for the Maglev train in Shanghai are CNY50 (approx. £5.75/USD$7) which is more expensive than subway the whole way. But for the unique experience of travelling by maglev train, I highly recommend!

You can buy tickets at a machine at Longyang Road Station, and the train departs every 15-20 minutes.

Travelling by bus is the cheapest way to get around China, but definitely the slowest. In a two week trip, I wouldn’t recommend opting for buses as it will highly impact the time you can spend in each place.

Furthermore, bus stations (particularly the one in Beijing) are huge and confusing, with few signs in English. It could easily become a stressful experience with luggage if you’re running late.

Buses within the cities are often modern, clean and frequent, but again the language barrier can prove challenging on the bus system.

The subway is an extremely efficient way to get around, and it nearly always has the station name translated into English. Subway trains are modern, clean and fast and easy to navigate for first time visitors.

We used the subway extensively in Beijing and Shanghai and found it to be excellent. And despite the sheer number of people using it, they manage to scan every bag and every person before you head underground on the escalator. Very impressive!

Like many cities around the world, you need a rechargeable smart card which you can buy from a machine or a cashier. The fares are super cheap (normally around 2-5 CNY) which is 20-50p or USD$0.30-0.70).

Taxis are plentiful and generally quite cheap. The drivers rarely speak English, even in Beijing or Shanghai so always take a business card from your hotel with the address on it.

We found some taxi drivers to be somewhat unwilling to take us as foreign tourists. We’re still unsure why, but one driver even refused to take us from the bus stop to the Great Wall of China, despite us pointing at a picture of it in a guidebook.

When is the best time to travel to China?

As China is such a vast country, spanning five different time zones and dozens of different climate zones, deciding when to go very much depends on what you’re planning to see and do, and personal preferences.

Generally, the best times to visit are during the transition seasons of spring (April and May) and autumn (September to October). During these months, the temperatures are warm but comfortable. Best of all, the crowds are lower!

The summer months, particularly July and August can be scorching hot, with extreme humidity and heavy rainfall. The crowds can also be high during this time.

I wouldn’t necessarily say avoid visiting during these months. But I’d prepare for extreme heat and humidity. I went in July and although we experienced a heatwave with daily temperatures in excess of 45c (113 degrees), we had an amazing time.

A key time to avoid visiting is during the Chinese New Year, which depending on the lunar calendar, tends to fall in January or February each year. Lasting around 10 days, this is a major holiday period for Chinese people and everywhere gets seriously busy.

Visiting China in the winter means much of the country is very cold, particularly Beijing. However, if you want to see the Great Wall of China covered in snow, then this is a great time to visit!

Other useful information

It’s a well known fact that China is very strict on internet and social media use. Internet use is heavily controlled and sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram are blocked. However, the way around this is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). You can set this up in your home country before arriving. Some of the best VPN apps for your phone or laptop are:

This guide here on the best VPNs in China may be useful, as well as this detailed guide to the best Apps in China .

In terms of WiFi on the go, I found it could be quite hit and miss. I would generally recommend a local prepaid SIM if you want to stay connected whilst travelling in China. You can arrange this in arrivals at the airport, as you need ID and you’d already have your passport on you.

You can arrange a 30-day SIM card to be delivered to your hotel using this service, which I highly recommend.

Food in China

Everyone in the world knows something about Chinese food. Whether it’s the familiarity of your local takeaway, or the much discussed fact that the Chinese eat meats such as dog.

I’m pleased to report that I found it fairly easy to avoid unusual meats I didn’t want to eat. You can avoid going to the markets that sell and prepare these meats, and you can opt for the vegetarian option on menus.

We often selected chicken with our meals, and as much as we certainly hope we only ate chicken, we can’t ever be 100% sure.

If you are very unwilling to eat anything too foreign, it’s best to politely refuse any gestures from locals to eat at their homes. This could happen, and if it does, you may run the risk of being presented with a meat you don’t want to eat.

You could join a foodie tour, such as this small-group Lonely Planet food in Beijing tour with a local guide. This is a great way to get to grips with the cuisine, with the guidance of a local!

We found a good mix of international and Chinese restaurants all over China. In some more rural places, such as Zhangjiajie, there was a short street of restaurants, so we picked one and hoped for the best. In other places, such as Chengdu or the other big cities, there is a great variety of restaurants.

Yangshuo, the penultimate place in my China itinerary is famous for mangos during the summer months. This charming town is packed with smoothie stands, so you can enjoy the most fresh and delicious mango drinks all day long.

Food is generally really affordable throughout China, but at major tourist attractions, such as the Great Wall of China, we found the food to be extortionate.

We also found beer was readily available throughout China, even in cafes during the day.

Language in China

One of the most challenging aspects of travelling in China is the language barrier.

The official language of China is Mandarin, which differs to Hong Kong, where the main language is Cantonese. There are also hundreds of dialects throughout the country. We quickly found out that actually, speaking English is quite uncommon, even in the big cities. In more rural areas such as Zhangjiajie, it was rare.

Unfortunately, we found more local people who didn’t want to try and help us than those that did. I don’t want to say this is a poor reflection of the Chinese people, but few people wanted to let us even attempt Mandarin using the translations from our guidebooks.

We also found entire receipts passed to us in Mandarin, and to be honest, we had no idea what they said or what the amount came to.

Overall, I would say China is the most challenging place I have travelled around. With so little written in English, and often little help from locals, there were times we spent totally lost and wandering around.

Google Translate app has definitely helped things along, you just need to find someone who’s willing to stop and help you.

Cultural customs

Although China isn’t conservative like the Middle East, I do recommend dressing without bearing too much skin if you’re a woman. I wore shorts and a t-shirt most days and this was fine.

In terms of the Chinese people, it depended where we were as to our interactions. At a colourful night fair in Yangshuo, a local family thrust their baby into my arms and crowded round me for a photo and were so friendly, despite the language barrier.

But in Zhangjiajie, we couldn’t get a single local to stop and help us with the walking routes on a map. In Ghangzhou, we had our only really bad experience where some airport taxi drivers were nasty verbally. They even put their middle fingers up when we asked how much to a hotel.

On the other hand, we had some wonderful experiences where despite the total language barrier, a train station steward patiently helped us when we had got on the train to the wrong Suzhou. He allowed me to type into Google Translate to ask questions and responded back by typing in my phone. Another man at an airport hotel which was fully booked in Ghangzou arranged for a friend to pick us up and take us to a hotel in town, for a very good rate.

You will also notice things like spitting in the street and throat hacking, but it isn’t normally as bad as you might have expected.

Travel independently or join a tour?

Joining a tour to explore China can be a great idea, especially to help you navigate the very tricky language barrier. With a local guide leading the way, it can be a great way to visit all of the top places without getting too lost or stuck along the way. You also have the added benefit of a wealth of local knowledge, particularly around the dinner table or at cultural attractions.

We travelled independently, which made for an exhausting but rewarding experience. It allowed us to also make last minute changes, such as deciding to forfeit a night in Guilin and add an extra night in Yangshuo, as it was so amazing. We were also able to add in down time when we needed to, or upgrade hotels when we urgently needed an extra good shower.

So it is definitely down to personal preference, and if you’re looking to travel around China solo, it may be nice to join a tour. We didn’t often see that many other Western tourists along our way.

Alternatively, you could travel around China independently, and joining guided tours to complement this. For example, the Great Wall of China is actually a bit of a headache to get to on local bus and taxi, and this is a great example of an activity best done as a tour.

Ultimate China 2 Week Itinerary

So let’s go! This China itinerary is aimed at first-time visitors who want to take in some of the country’s best known destinations, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu as well as lesser known charming corners. I’ve picked Zhangjiajie for its incredible landscape and scenic routes, as well as Yangshuo, my personal favourite place in China. However, I’ve also included some alternative destinations in China to visit.

I suggest using a mixture of trains and planes to keep the travel times lower, but this China itinerary will still be fast-paced and action-packed!

If you’d prefer to slow this itinerary down, I recommend removing one destination and spending longer in other places.

Here’s an overview of the route:

• Beijing: Day 1-3 (including a day trip to the Great Wall of China)

Suzhou: Day 4

Shanghai: day 5-6, zhangjiajie: day 7-8, tianmen mountain: day 9, yangshuo: day 10-12, chengdu: day 12-14.

Beijing: Day 1-2

The capital of China and an ancient city dating back over 3,000 years. Today, Beijing is a city of extreme scale and size, both traditional and technologically advanced.

For one, it is the world’s most populous capital city with almost 21 million residents, but the second most populous city in China (after Shanghai). Beijing is also home to the world’s busiest and longest subway, as well as the second busiest airport in the world.

To put simply, Beijing is both vast and hectic, but also organised and contained. That being said, as a tourist, the main sites to see are in a fairly concentrated area in the heart of Beijing. It is easy enough to see the key tourist attractions over the course of two days, complemented by a day trip to the Great Wall of China . So let’s dive in on what there is to see in Beijing in three days.

Forbidden City

This was the first attraction in Beijing that I visited after landing at Peking airport, and I found it fascinating, despite the poor weather we endured that day.

Visiting the Forbidden City was a great crash course in Chinese history, as this imperial palace has served as the home of Chinese emperors for almost 500 years. The whole complex is vast, but due to the extreme July heat and some impending jetlag, we managed to explore the highlights of the Forbidden City in a full afternoon.

Arriving at lunchtime, (which I wouldn’t normally recommend for a key tourist attraction), actually worked in our favour and we got through the line to buy tickets quite quickly.

However, if you are visiting in the morning for a full day, I would strongly recommend booking a guided tour which includes skip-the-line access too.

Tiananmen Square

Opposite the Forbidden City is the famous Tiananmen Square. Take in the huge Mao Portrait over the entrance to the Forbidden City. This has been the setting for many protests, particularly those in 1989 pushing for democracy. There is no entry fee here, and you may find yourself here several times throughout your visit, as it is located above a central and convenient subway station.

If you visit at dawn or dusk, you’ll have the opportunity to see the huge national flag raised or lowered by the guard, which is a great spectacle.

Jingshan Park

Located behind the Forbidden City is Jingshan Park, a former private imperial garden. There is no entry fee here either and you’ll regularly see locals practicing tai chi or walking in small groups.

Inside, there is also a small hill to climb for excellent 360 degree views of the city and the recently restored Shouhuang Temple, which was originally built in 1749.

This excellent tour here takes in the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Jingshan Park with a local English-speaking tour guide over a half day.

Explore the Hutongs

Hutongs are older-style residential areas based around a network of traditional alleyways. There are several sprawling hutongs throughout Beijing, but some are more geared towards tourists.

We loved spending a half day exploring Nanluogo Xiang . It’s packed with boutique stores, cafes and restaurants, that is equally popular with locals and tourists. You’ll see lots of young cool Beijing locals and plenty of interesting fashion.

Nanluogo Xiang is the home of hip cocktails bars tucked away in hidden courtyards, alongside locals gossiping and catching up over xiangqi , a version of Chinese chess.

Another hutong area worth visiting is Wudaoying Hutong which is quieter and offers a more authentic experience.

These are easily self-explored, but you can join a local rickshaw driver for a guided tour which is awesome or a small group cycling tour .

Eat at the Wangfujing Street Market

We loved this market, although we stumbled upon it by accident as our hotel was very close. Turns out, this is one of the best places to go to in the evening in Beijing. The street food section is an curious array of insects and seafood on sticks, but there are some more normal options too, such as delicious fruit salads.

This market is loud and chaotic but a great way to feel part of local life.

Make sure to also try the famous Peking duck at a local restaurant such as Sheng Yong Xiang.

This awesome evening foodie tour by tuk tuk takes in the best of the Beijing food scene, from peking duck to street food and locally brewed beer.

Visiting the Beijing Olympic Park

As a huge fan of the Olympics, this was a must for me. Seeing the Bird’s Nest stadium was awesome, and this is now a popular area for locals to spend their evenings amongst the fountains and enjoying the light display.

You can also see the Water Cube venue, which came back into use for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

You can visit the Olympic Park and the nearby Beijing Zoo with this excellent tour here .

798 Art District

This neighbourhood is home to the burgeoning artistic scene in Beijing, and there are dozens of world-class art galleries here to peruse. Located within a former factory complex, this area has been transformed to house exhibitions from local artists, to world-famous artists.

Where to stay in Beijing

There are a huge number of places to stay in Beijing, covering all budgets and preferences. I’ve popped some suggestions here:

Budget hotels:

For those looking for great value, but authentic stays, one option is to stay in a small guesthouse along one of the narrow alleys of a hutong. My suggestion for this would be The Orchid , in the local hutong of Gulou, where a double room starts from £91 (USD$111).

Another option is LeZai Hotel located in Shajing hutong, where rates start at about £40 per night (USD$40).

Mid-range hotels:

We chose to stay in the Crowne Plaza Wangfujing for its excellent location and comfortable stay, and would highly recommend.

The Hotel Eclat offers amazing bang for buck, with 20 of the rooms offering private pools in the heart of the city. The rooms are also themed so book ahead for greater variety to choose from. Rooms start from £147 per night (USD$180).

Luxury hotels:

PuXuan , also in Wangfujing and opened just last year. It has a fabulous spa and excellent views across the city. Double rooms start from £215 per night (USD$263)

Or for the ultimate luxury stay, consider the Rosewood Beijing where double rooms start from £225 per night (USD$276).

Great Wall of China: Day 3

The iconic Great Wall of China is highly likely to be top of your list of things to do and see in China. And for good reason. It’s an incredible day trip, and one I’d love to go back to do again. We chose to do it our trip entirely by public transport, which was quite fiddly however we were some of the first to arrive and therefore had an incredible experience of being some of the few people on the wall.

How to get to the Great Wall of China

There are several points where you can see the Great Wall of China – after all, it is over 13,000 miles long!

The area of Badaling is the closest to Beijing’s city centre, and unsurprisingly is the busiest section. It’s also very touristy.

Mutianyu is a little further, and although it is still really popular, it is far less busy than Badaling. There’s also the added bonus of a cable car to head up to the Great Wall, and the thrill of a luge to descend again.

If you want to see the Great Wall with far less crowds, the sections you should consider are Jiankou, Simatai, Gubeikou, Jinshanling and Huanghuacheng. These take a little longer to get to, but a return trip can still be done in a day. You could also take a day trip to these sections:

• Badaling Great Wall and Ming Tombs Coach Tour from Beijing
• Beijing: Jinshanling Great Wall Group Tour with Lunch
• Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town Transfer with Ticket
• Mutianyu Great Wall Full-Day Group Tour
• Great Wall Hiking: Small Group to Jinshanling and Simatai
• Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Small Group Hike
• Ming Tombs Underground Palace & Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour

We chose to go to the Mutianyu section. Although we followed instructions to the bus station and onwards, we actually found it a very frustrating journey. The route is:

• Take the subway to Dongzhimen 东直门 Station.
• From here, head to ground level and to the Dongzhimen Bus Station (Jiaotongju 交通局) to take the #916 to Huairou 怀柔
• Take a taxi on the street to Mutianyu 慕田峪

So this sounds wonderfully straight forward, I know.. I wish it had been though.

We got to the Dongzhimen Bus Station fine, but spent probably 30 minutes or more on a wild goose chase around the station looking for the right bus stop. We asked locals and were sent in so many different directions. However, we eventually boarded and carefully watched for 怀柔 (Huairou) to come up on the electronic board at the front of the bus, so we knew when to disembark.

When we finally got to Huairou, we had a far harder job getting a taxi than we expected. We actually found a local hospital and waited to jump into a taxi there instead, but once in it, our taxi driver really struggled to understand where we wanted to go. Despite us pointing to a very clear picture of the Great Wall of China (that was displayed in his taxi..).

Somehow, we made it to Mutianyu fine, and fortunately were some of the first people to arrive that day. We were there well before the tourist buses. You can buy tickets on the day as the gates, before proceeding through to the tourist village. Naturally, there’s every kind of souvenir under the sun to buy.

There is a cable car to take you from the tourist village at Mutianyu to the actual Great Wall which was awesome. The views were phenomenal. At the top, we explored in both directions, but there’s only so far you can go, as some of the wall has crumbled and the path has been destroyed.

Arriving early is definitely the way to go, as well as going on a midweek day. The proof is in my photos!

When we were ready to head down, we joined a short queue for the luge (like a toboggan on a metal shute). I highly recommend doing this – it was thrilling and a totally unexpected highlight of our day.

Back in the tourist village, we stopped for a very overpriced lunch before navigating the bus system back to Beijing city centre.

It’s time to leave the hustle and bustle of Beijing. Suzhou is a logical next stop as it is on the train route between Beijing and Shanghai.

This beautiful town is made up of waterways and is referred to as the ‘Venice of the Orient’. I personally thought it was a little bit like Hoi An in Vietnam.

I would recommend a full day and night in Suzhou, so you can explore this beautiful town in light and darkness, when all the red lanterns are lit up. You could alternatively visit as a day trip from Shanghai , but it means coming back on yourself if you travelled there from Beijing.

When leaving Beijing, ensure you have the correct Suzhou on your ticket so you don’t repeat the mistake we made (see travelling by train above).

Just under half of this city’s area is covered by water, including streams, ponds and waterways. The city dates back more than 2,500 years, with the traditional design of the city still preserved today.

The best things to do in Suzhou are centred around boat rides on the Shantang River or exploring one of the 60 beautifully kept gardens, with the Humble Administrator’s Garden being my favourite. It dates back to 1509 and was built under the rule of the Ming Dynasty. The entrance fee is CNY90 (£10/USD$12.50).

Suzhou is also a wonderful place to soak up day-to-day life by stopping by local teahouses, sampling the local Jiangsu Style dishes or buying some of the best silk products in the world.

I recommend staying in the Holiday Inn Express Suzhou New District .

Wow, Shanghai. What a city. Shanghai is China’s largest city and is positioned on the Yangtze River Delta. It serves as the economic and trade centre in China, and is one of the key economies in Asia.

People say you either love or hate Shanghai. I really liked it and preferred it to Beijing. Although I enjoyed my time in Beijing, and particularly all the sightseeing, I did find the city felt rather grey.

Shanghai on the other hand is full of colour and light, and there is a real a buzz and energy around this cosmopolitan city.

Whilst there are less historic attractions in Shanghai, the city is considered one of the cultural hubs in China with a world renowned opera and popular cuisine.

A really nice way to see the city is on a hop-on hop-off bus tour , which will give you live commentary from a guide on board as you drive around the city.

Visit the Bund and Modern Shanghai

The Bund is a wide promenade along the river, where visitors can experience stunning panoramic views of the city. On one side is the futuristic skyline, comprising some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world and the dazzling Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Did you know, you can go to the top of this awesome building? Buy your skip-the-line ticket to its viewing platform here .

On the other side, behind the promenade are beautiful colonial buildings, offering a true contrast of old and new.

Book a half-day Bund sightseeing tour here.

Explore the French Quarter

One of the oldest parts of Shanghai is the Former French Concession (FFC), an area known for its unique architecture blending European style with old-style Chinese homes, called Shikumen.

This area is big (almost 8km wide), and stretches west from the Bund. One of my favourite aspects of the French Quarter are the beautiful tree-lined avenues, which also provide some much needed shade. There’s also countless cafes, bars, restaurants, boutique stores, art galleries and antique stores to browse, and even some hip breweries. This area is popular with expats in Shanghai and also with tourists.

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful streets is Wukang Lu, which has cafes with plentiful outdoor seating and is very charming. Other highlights of the FCC include Fuxing Lu, which is full of cool art galleries or Wulumuqi Road, which has some awesome antique stores.

The French Concession can easily be explored on a self-guided tour using a paper map, but it’s also an excellent idea to consider a guided tour to learn more about the history of the area. Here’s a few suggestions:

• Craft Beer Tasting in Former French Concession
• Evening Walking Food Tour in the FFC
• Half-Day Old Shanghai Small Group Bike Tour (Day & Night)
• Shanghai French Concession 2-Hour Walking Tour
• Shanghai 3-Hour Afternoon Tea Tasting and Dessert Tour
• 3.5-Hour Old Shanghai City Tour

Find zen in Shanghai’s Gardens and Temples

Shanghai, like most cities in China has countless gardens, each housing traditional Chinese buildings or classic temples.

Some of the gardens are like finding an oasis in the heart of the city, and one of the best is Yu Yuan (Happiness Garden). Another highlight is visiting the serene Jade Buddha Temple, surrounded by peaceful Chinese Gardens.

Arrange a 2-hour walking tour of the beautiful Yu Yuan gardens here.

Where to stay in Shanghai

If your budget can stretch to a stay in one of the hotels lining the Bund, then this certainly would make for an incredible stay. Not only is this close to many of the main attractions in Shanghai, but is an amazing opportunity to sleep in one of the beautiful buildings.

We stayed in the InterContinental Shanghai Pudong , which is an amazing luxury stay near the main train station, which is also an excellent location. Make sure to read my review of the Intercontinental Shanghai Pudong here .

Here are my suggestions of the best hotels in Shanghai, covering all budgets:

Affordable: Shanghai Fish Inn East Nanjing Road . At around £11 per night, this is a great value stay, in an excellent location with some very good reviews. Also, the Bund Riverside View also has some great reviews (from £26 per night).

Mid-range: The Radisson Blu Shanghai New World Hotel (£64 per night) or the Ji Hotel (£63) a night for comfortable stays, with a few extra amenities.

Luxury: There’s no shortage of luxury hotels in Shanghai. As well as the Intercontinental Shanghai Pudong , these are some of the best:

• Waldorf Astoria
• The Peninsula
• Mandarin Oriental Pudong
• The Ritz Carlton Pudong

We knew with our two weeks in China that we wouldn’t want to spend the whole time visiting different cities. We researched for hours to decide which natural wonder or national park to visit in China.

Zhangjiajie was chosen in the end for its otherworldly landscape, which are huge towering karst pillars, some of which reach dizzying heights of over 1,000m. This national park is also said to have been the inspiration for the popular movie ‘Avatar’, although this has led to a huge increase of daily tourists to the park.

Zhangjiajie is actually China’s first designated national forest park (awarded in 1982), and it clear to see why. Spread across 30sqkm within the wider Wulingyuan Scenic Area of Hunan Province, days in Zhangjiajie national park can easily be spent exploring and hiking through this magnificent natural wonder.

We flew from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, so this section of the trip could easily be switched for another national park in China, if you prefer.

Hiking in the national park

Our days in Zhangjiajie were some of our most challenging, as it was very hard to know where to go and how to do it. For example, the maps have very little English on them, and a lot of the routes are inaccurate. There are also shuttle buses to jump on, but these were not clear which route they were going to and as mentioned, few people were keen to stop and help us. The queuing system was also hectic with a bit of pushing and shoving.

In the end, we spent two full days hiking in Zhangjiajie. We chose to start early and make long full days of exploring. At the entrance were always huge Chinese groups waiting to start walking and they always had a guide with a flag on a stick and a huge speakerphone. We just felt we had to get away from the sheer number of people and noise quite quickly. It would take just 10 minutes to be in complete peace and quiet. Honestly, despite trying to use the map/incorrect signage and work out the shuttle bus systems, we never really knew where we were going.

But somehow, we managed to hike nearly 35km each day, plus more than 50,000 steps and saw all of the amazing sites. The temperature was around 35c in July, and it was definitely exhausting work as most the paths are staircases. It can be very tiring and taxing on the legs, especially in the heat. But there are plenty of local stalls on the paths selling food, snacks, water, ice lollies etc, so you don’t need to carry too much with you.

On the second day, we did end up finding a cablecar to take us all the way back to the entrance which saved our legs, but cost a little extra. There is also a huge elevator (lift), called the Bailong Elevator. It’s said to be the longest outdoor elevator in the world, stretching nearly 330m up the cliffside. We considered it for a while, but at 72 CNY (£8.50/USD$10) each way, we chose to walk. I don’t think we fully appreciated the extent of walking we were set to do in Zhangjiajie National park, but it was sure worth it – especially to avoid the crowds.

There is also the world-famous glass bridge at Zhangjiajie National Park. We didn’t do this, but you can read a full guide to the bridge walk here .

You can definitely arrange day tours to Zhangjiajie in advance, which could be a good idea if you don’t do well with getting lost or confused! Here are a few ideas:

• 3-Day Tour to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (from Zhangjiajie city)
• Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Ticket with Glass Bridge and Cruise

Or, if you don’t fancy walking, you can pay for a lift on one of these seats carried by local guides (when they’re not napping!).

Entrance fee

The entrance fee to Zhangjiajie national park is CNY245 (£28/USD$35). Although the ticket covers you for unlimited entry over 3 days, you’re likely to only use it for a couple of days. The entry fee, together with the elevator ticket can make it a more expensive few days. But, I really do believe it’s well worth the cost and the landscape is like nowhere else on the planet.

Which routes to take?

Our favourite day was following the Golden Whip Stream trail. It took us straight away from the crowds, and pass trickling streams, crystal clear lakes and along the base of the huge towering cliffs. The path was flat for the first few kms, going over stunning bridges before ascending steeply into the mountains. Choosing to hike means you’ll also see far fewer people on the route, but we did see a few elderly Chinese locals actually speed past us in both directions which was quite disconcerting!

Where to stay in Zhangjiajie National park

You can’t actually stay in the park, but the main accommodation area is in the nearby town of Wulingyuan. From here, it’s a 20 minute walk to the park entrance.

I would really make sure to pick a comfortable hotel here, even though you’ll only be in the hotel to sleep. You’re likely to come back from the hiking so exhausted, hot and sweaty, you’ll want a proper shower and a comfortable bed.

My top suggestions would be:

• Pullman Zhangjiajie (£48 per night)
• Crown Plaza Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan (£71 per night)
• Whispering Mountains Boutique Hotel (£29 per night)

This beautiful mountain is located back in Zhangjiajie and is well worth visiting during your time in the area. It is not in Zhangjiajie National Park.

We managed to visit Tianmen Mountain as a full day outing, before heading onto the airport in the evening. So therefore we didn’t need to stay in Zhangjiajie overnight. We simply took a taxi arranged by our hotel in Wulingyuan back to Zhangjiajie early in the morning, which took around 40 minutes. Then we left our bags at a local hotel right by the cable car ticket office (for a small cost), before collecting them at the end of the day and before going to the airport. The cable car ticket office is very close to the bus station and train station, so this works really well.

Although left luggage is not a formal service they offer, they were happy to do so and others had done the same thing.

Tianmen Mountain is also known as ‘Heaven’s Door Mountain’, due to the huge opening at its summit. It’s the largest hole of its kind, almost like a giant doorway at the top of the mountain. Known as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, there are 999 stairs up to this huge hole, and it’s a challenging climb!

The main things to do at Tianmen Mountain is to enjoy the journey to the summit (an adventure in itself), as well admire the stunning views from the top. There’s a cliff edge walkway, which winds its way around 1.6km along the cliff face with a drop of more than 1,400m. The railing is pretty sturdy, but this is not for those with a fear of heights! This one has a solid floor, but there are two other glass walkways for those looking for a thrill!

There are two options to ascend to the summit: take the world’s longest cable car or one of the world’s most precarious drives – with 99 hairpin bends! If you are prone to car sickness, I do not recommend doing this drive!

We chose to jump in a minibus for the drive up (doing this road downhill seemed way too scary), and then take the cable car for the descent. The cable car is very steep, and covers 7kms in about 30 minutes.

The cable car starts at 7.30am in the summer months (8am in winter) and I strongly recommend getting there at least 30 mins before this opens. The lines can get very long and the Chinese tour groups join en masse, making it very noisy and chaotic.

My favourite place on this China itinerary! We initially planned to do one night in Yangshuo, and one night in Guilin. But upon arrival, we were just so blown away by Yangshuo, we decided to cancel visiting Guilin.

Yangshuo is like a South East Asia backpacking town, but in China. It is charming, quaint and a wonder to explore, but the best bit is the humour of the locals. At some point, someone must have decided to place a giant stuffed teddy bear at a bar stool at the front of their restaurant. And before long, all other venues in Yangshuo followed suit. So now as you explore the pretty town, nearly every bar or restaurant has an oversized bear sitting at the front! Sometimes he has his big paw wrapped around a beer glass or he might be sitting at a table waiting for you to join. We even saw one bear with his head in his paws. He must have had too much to drink…

Aside from the local humour, and the charming laneways, Yangshuo has a lot to offer. The mesmerising Li River winds through both Guilin and Yangshuo. It is flanked on both sides by towering limestone karst mountains, and teeny villages.

Days in Yangshuo can be spent exploring the beautiful countryside and calming riverside settings backed by the magnificent karst scenery. We chose to hire bikes to cycle alongside the river to rice terraces. It was a lovely, relaxing day where we jumped in the river to cool off.

In the evenings, make sure to head back to the river at sunset to watch the local fisherman . The age-old technique uses their beautiful cormorant birds who assist them in the fishing.

We explored ourselves but we did get quite lost at times along the river and amongst the karst towers. One idea would be to join a guided hiking tour with a local English-speaking guide . Not only can you take in the scenery whilst following them, but they will share interesting facts about the area.

If you end up being short on time you can visit Yangshuo from Guilin on a full day guided tour along the Li River .

Longji Rice Terraces

An iconic image of China is of course, the rice terraces located a few hours from Guilin. Construction of the Longji Rices Terraces started back in the late 1200s during the Yuan Dynasty. However, they were not completed until the Qing Dynasty in the early 1500s.

We chose not to visit after deciding to spend more of our time in Yangshuo, but these are highly impressive and often a highlight on visitors’ itineraries in China.

A day at the Longji Rices Terraces can be spent hiking along the maze of trails between the terraces. There are stunning viewpoints along the way.

If staying in Yangshuo, it’s likely to be easier to join a tour to the Longji Rices Terraces to take care of the logistics and planning.

Where to stay in Yangshuo

As a huge fan of the Banyan Tree group, I highly recommend staying at Banyan Tree Yangshuo (£226 per night) for the best luxury stay in Yangshuo.

Other great options covering all budgets in Yangshuo include:

• Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
• The Bamboo Leaf Yangshuo
• Yangshuo 11 Hostel

Another city we loved in China was Chengdu. Famed as the home of spicy Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu is also the place to go in China to see pandas!

Together with the Great Wall, seeing the pandas in Chengdu was one of things I was most excited about. It was an incredible day out, and even better than I expected. Chengdu itself is also a great city to spend some time in too, with some awesome shopping and markets.

Chengdu Panda Reserve

Where do I start! This is one of the best things to do in China, and in my opinion, totally unmissable.

The panda centre is easy to get to from Chengdu . Simply jump on bus #198 or #198A from the Chengdu zoo stop in the city. Or grab a taxi for CNY 50, which takes 30 minutes from the heart of Chengdu, depending on traffic. Or arrange a 4-hour private your with drop-off and pick-up here .

Ensure to arrive early in the morning in order to see the pandas at their most active. They’re lazy creatures and after spending the morning tumbling, rolling around and chomping on bamboo, they often snooze for the rest of the day. The park opens at 7.30am and ticket entry is CNY 58 (£7/USD$8.50) per person, with children under 1.3m free.

The panda reserve in Chengdu is awesome, and you can easily spend a full day here. There are plenty of huge enclosures to see the pandas, and they have lots of climbing frames and toys. My favourite part was the baby enclosure, were we even saw tiny baby pandas in an incubator!

If you want to interact and hold pandas, you can visit as a volunteer for the day. However, it is rather expensive and we didn’t do this. You can book this online here , and it is approximately £285 per person for the full day interaction.

Explore Chunxi Lu

This 1km long pedestrianised shopping street is a must-visit in Chengdu. From authentic antiques and local goods, to boutique stores, there are 700 shops to tackle. Make sure to also visit the six storey Chunxi Road Market too.

An evening foodie and beer tour is a great way to explore Chunxi Lu.

Leshan Buddha

Leshan, which is a 1.5hr bullet train ride from Chengdu, is home to the world’s largest carved stone Buddha in the world. You can visit this as a day trip yourself on one of the tourist buses, or book onto a local tour such as this one .

The sheer size of the Buddha is overwhelming, as he stretches more than 71m into the sky.

Where to stay in Chengdu

As with the other big cities in China, there’s a huge number of places to stay in Chengdu. You can definitely find some excellent value hotels in Chengdu. Here’s my pick of the best:

• The Temple House (from £188 per night)
• Crowne Plaza City Centre (from £47 per night)
• InterContinental Century City Chengdu (from £76 per night)
• Shangri-La Chengdu (from £79 per night)
• Renaissance Chengdu (from £46 per night)

Other Places to Visit in China

In my opinion, this suggested two week China itinerary covers a number of the key highlights. If you have 3 weeks in China or longer, or if Zhangjiajie or Yangshuo do not appeal perhaps, then you could consider the below destinations:

Xi’an was once known as the gateway to the Silk Road, today it is best known for the Terracotta Warriors. There are over 8,000 life-size statues who were created during the reign of China’s first emperor to guard his tomb. Another highlight in Xi’an is to explore the old city walls and enjoy the view across the city and of everyday life.

You can book your train ticket easily online using this tour service from Beijing to Xi’an here.

Mt. Hua Shan is a great place to visit for thrill-seekers, and visiting here can be easily done as a day trip from Xi’an. The infamous Hua Shan plank walk is located here, where you side step along a plank fixed to the side of a cliff. This is considered the world’s most dangerous hike and supposedly over 100 people have died here. If anything, the mountains themselves are worth visiting even if you don’t do the plank walk and you can ascend to the summit of Hua Shan by cable car. You can visit all five peaks which each having stunning views and provide glimpses of the Yellow River below on several different hiking routes.

Jiuzhaigou and the Jiuzhai Valley National Park

Located north of Chengdu in Sichuan is this magnificent world of crystal clear alpine lakes, stunning cascades and ancient forests. At the heart of the national park is the multi-coloured, striking Five Flower Lake.

There is a limit of 5,000 people per day to this national park, so it could be a good idea to join a tour from Chengdu or to arrive very early.

The national park is both a UNESCO World Heritage site and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

To get to the national park, you need to fly to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu (or other cities in China). As it is located high in the mountains, there is no train here but there are long distance buses going from cities around China to Jiuzhaigou.

You can also arrange this excellent 4-day tour in advance from Chengdu taking in both Jiuzhaigou and Tibet.

Two weeks in China

So there’s my guide to two week China itinerary for a first-time traveller. As you can see, there are some amazing experiences on offer in this China itinerary and that’s just selecting a handful of places to see in China.

There are countless destinations to visit in China, but we picked each of our places for very distinct reasons. Beijing and Shanghai to visit the two biggest cities in China, both of which are packed with history and culture. Zhangjiajie and Yangshuo to explore rural China and enjoy some outdoor adventures, and then Chengdu for the pandas, of course!

And Suzhou and Tianmen Mountain were included in our China itinerary as they slotted in nicely to our plans.

I hope this proves useful in planning for your trip to China!

Feel free to drop me a line if you would like any further advice on anything to do with travel in China. And if you’ve enjoyed this guide, then please do share using the below links!

Wanna see more? Check my Instagram  here , my Facebook  here  or my Twitter  here !

Disclaimer: This visit to China was entirely paid for by myself, and there was no involvement from the tourism board or a hotel. This is an independent guide.

Enjoyed my China itinerary guide? Pin it!

You may also enjoy:

El nido palawan, philippines – everything you …, the best vegan and plant-based cafes …, staying at the holiday inn mai …, ethical elephant experience in luang prabang, ….

Hi, thankyou so much for sharing your trip. your blog is amazing also all the pictures makes me want to visit there very soon. your blog is very helpful 🙂

Thank you so much for sharing your 2 week Itinerary!

It’s made me super eager to get back to Beijing as I loved it so much and would love to explore more and see how things are now. You’ve included some amazing`ing sounding ideas which I’d love to do!

China is really one of the most beautiful country filled with lots of modern and historical attractions. I had a chance to visit China with tourist group from Abu Dhabi and we had a great stay their, we especially liked the Great China Wall. I am planing to visit again with next group.

Hi, Thanks for the detailed explanation and tips. I’ve been reading a lot about the country and your posting is the most helpful and inspiring. I am planning to travel solo to China next November starting in Shanghai and ending in Beijing, for two weeks. is it safe for a solo female to travel around China? Thanks again

Great tour. Thanks so much. We are planning for May 2024.

Quick question: How did you get from Zhangjiajie to Yangshuo or Guilin? I did some research and it’s not easy by train or plane.

Sorry for the late reply! I flew between the two, with a stopover in Guangzhou – it wasn’t overly easy! Landed in Guilin and travelled by bus to Yangshuo!

Great Itinerary!!!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s connect

China successfully tests maglev trains in vacuum tube, eyeing future speeds of 4,000 kph

China's new high-speed train doesn't roll along railways, it flies through tubes.

There are hopes it will one day connect cities and villages across the country, running at speeds of up to 4,000 kilometres per hour.

The magnetic-levitation (or maglev) train can clock speeds of 623 kph in tests — almost 200 kph quicker than the fastest train in service.  

It is yet to be rolled out, but in February it went even faster, during a test of technology crucial to the train's high speed. 

For the first time it travelled stably through the 2-kilometre low-vacuum tube, according to China's state run Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).

CASIC is yet to reveal the speed it reached, but said it was faster than its previous record of 623 kph. 

How does the train go so fast?

The train is moved and suspended above the ground using magnetic-levitation technology — basically using the push and pull forces of magnets to guide, speed or slow the train.

This means the maglev train is much lighter, as it doesn't need wheels and brakes and other heavy bits of engineered steel to keep it safely on a railway.

To help keep friction down, China's latest superconducting maglev train is suspended, using three types of magnets, in a low-vacuum pipeline to "fly".

This generation is designed to reach up to 1,000 kph — faster than most people will ever travel on an airplane.

Unless you're Taylor Swift, whose private jet can still outpace the maglev train … just.

What are the main challenges?

UK high-speed rail expert Professor Andrew McNaughton told the ABC there were several difficulties in building large maglev networks.

Firstly, all new infrastructure, like the low-vacuum tunnel in China, has to be built and no older trains or railways are compatible. 

Secondly, the energy requirement is "very substantial", Professor McNaughton said.

"The third is that the volume of people between just two destinations is insufficient to justify the cost — unless it is two mega cities," he explained.

"Various studies have suggested that the construction and operational cost of maglev is probably four to five times that of a conventional high-speed railway."

Because of the velocities involved, noise is a big problem and means additional measures, like expensive tunnels and sound barriers, would need to be installed around communities.

"Lastly, whilst a maglev can operate around 500 kph compared with a conventional high-speed train at 350kph, the time saved — unless over a very long distance — is not huge and certainly not enough to justify the cost," Professor McNaughton said.

How will a train this fast change things?

Commuters can come into cities from further away, and the increased speed of logistics will be a boon for most businesses.

Because the train is capable of going up to 1,000 kph, there are other positives too.

When that kind of speed can be reached, trains can basically compete with planes.

A train capable of the high-speeds China is aiming for would likely have a big impact for a large country, said associate professor Jonathan Couldrick from the ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics.

"Imagine commuting 400 kilometres in around half an hour — that would be a game changer for the population centres," he told the ABC.

"And so you can actually have growth areas away from the capital cities, and people commute in in the morning."

Mr Couldrick said the fast trains could also be better for the environment.

He has estimated that completely replacing regional passenger aircraft with ultra-high-speed trains in some countries where people have to travel vast distances could reduce carbon emissions by 3 or 4 per cent.

Designers want to push the limits of the train and Mao Kai, the technical chief of the project, told Chinese media it could ultimately reach a blistering 4,000 kph.

That's even faster than the record 3,529.6 kph reached in 1976 by the almighty SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft — the fastest manned aircraft in history.

How does it compare to other high-speed trains?

In places like Japan and France, high-speed trains have been around for decades.

Since 2010, about 10 countries have developed high-speed trains — ones that can travel more than 250 kph.

But they run on railways and can't achieve speeds much beyond 350 kph, railway expert Associate Professor Philip Laird from the University of Wollongong told the ABC.

Except for the TGV in France, which holds the record for the fastest commercial train on steel wheels .

In special test conditions, a modified version can race along at 574.8 kph, but with passengers aboard it usually operates at speeds of about 320 kph.

The Shanghai maglev currently holds the record for the fastest train in service.

At 460 kph, the 30-kilometre journey between Shanghai's Pudong airport and Longyang Road station takes only about seven and a half minutes.

Japan's fastest bullet train can hit a maximum speed of about 320 kph,   Dr Laird said.

But Japan also has a 42-kilometre test track on which it has run a maglev train at 503 kph, but that train is not expected to be in service until 2030 at the earliest, according to Dr Laird.

When Japan's new generation of maglev trains rolls out, they are expected to run at maximum speeds of 500 kph between Tokyo and Nagoya.

In October, Indonesia unveiled a high-speed railway that runs for about 150 kilometres between Jakarta and Bandung.

With maximum speeds of 350kph, the Whoosh is the fastest railway line in South-East Asia and was built by China at a cost of about $7.65 billion.

India has also been hard at work building a high-speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

It is due to be opened by 2027, Dr Laird said. 

Could maglev connect Australia's distant cities?

Australia has been looking at connecting cities with high-speed rail for about 40 years.

Despite the huge costs involved with acquiring land and building the network, the  High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) was created last June to take the idea from paper to reality.

The federal government has also committed almost $80 million to the greatly anticipated high-speed rail line from Sydney to Newcastle .

Whether they would be keen to take it a step further and build a maglev rail remains to be seen, but Dr Couldrick is sceptical.

He estimated the cost to construct a maglev system in Australia would be, conservatively, about $1,000 per metre — for the magnets alone.

"That's $1 million per kilometre, on top of all the other infrastructure costs" he said.

"The cost–benefit may not be there"

Dr Laird said he was optimistic Australia would one day have a high-speed rail network, but it would take a while to construct.

He also was unsure about the likelihood of a maglev system but believes a high-speed rail network could be built incrementally.

"This has been the case in Japan —  it started off with just over 500 kilometres (of high-speed railway lines) in 1964," he said.

"Now they have about 3,000 kilometres."

Professor McNaughton said the only place where a maglev would make sense would be between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

But, because maglev needs entirely new infrastructure and cannot run on existing lines while its dedicated track is built, the whole network would have to be completed before the first train could run.

"That's one heck of an infrastructure project," he said.

"If there are barely enough people travelling to justify high-speed rail — four planes an hour is one high-speed train, really — then justifying maglev at several times the cost isn't going to be remotely likely."

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Virgin claims world's first passenger test ride on super high-speed hyperloop system.

'Move on': Report pours cold water on renewed calls for high-speed east coast rail

Japan's maglev train sets new world record of 603kph

• Community and Society
• Environment
• Government and Politics
• Rail Transport Industry
• Science and Technology
• World Politics

• Panda train offers special journey for passengers
• A special train decorated with giant panda images inside and out left Chengdu West Railway Station on Thursday, bound for cultural and scenic attractions such as the Sanxingdui Museum and Jiuzhaigou Valley along the Sichuan-Qinghai railway.

It is the first panda-themed tourist train named after Shifang, a county-level city in Sichuan, and is also painted the color of the bronze artifacts unearthed from the Sanxingdui Ruins in Sichuan.

Launched in 2021, the panda train is a high-end boutique tourist train operated by China Railway Chengdu Bureau Group.

The Shifang panda train, created through the cooperation of Shifang Hengyang Cultural Tourism and Sichuan Chengdu Railway International Business Travel Group, is an upgraded version of the previous panda train.

Chen Xuan, head of the travel group's Sichuan Southwest Rail International Travel Agency, said the Shifang panda train is capable of accommodating more passengers and providing more comprehensive functions to better meet the demands of tourists.

With a total capacity of 466 seats, it has 17 carriages, including three high-end soft sleepers, 10 high-end hard sleepers, one dining carriage, one multifunction entertainment carriage, one caravan carriage and one power generating carriage.

The train is also equipped with professional "panda butlers" to provide one-stop services that integrate catering, accommodation, transportation, travel and entertainment, Chen said.

To meet individual demands, the train can also provide tailor-made services, including afternoon tea, karaoke and a specialty restaurant, she said.

A tourist surnamed Li from Beijing said she was traveling with her husband and four-year-old grandson to experience the panda train.

"There are panda elements everywhere on the train, and my grandson loves it so much," she said.

Song Qiu, deputy director of Sichuan's culture and tourism department, said the panda train, which has made 75 trips and carried more than 20,000 passengers, has received a good response from the market and industry.

She said the panda train regularly showcases Sichuan's intangible cultural heritage such as face-changing acts from Sichuan Opera, and prepares a rich variety of Sichuan cuisine for passengers.

"It not only offers visual appeal, deliciousness and entertainment, but also allows tourists to deeply experience the unique charm of Sichuan's Bashu culture," Song said.

Zhong Shu, head of the tourism management department at Sichuan Chengdu Railway International Business Travel Group, said the company will launch several themed routes for the Shifang panda train, covering major tourist attractions and distinctive landscapes across the country.

"These routes will include historical and cultural journeys, natural scenery journeys and special gourmet journeys, offering passengers diverse travel options," he said.

Go to Forum >> 0 Comment(s)

Add your comments....

• User Name Required
• Your Comment

China and EU trade tensions risk a full trade war, European Chamber president warns

• Medium Text

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

Reporting by David Kirton; Editing by Alex Richardson

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Business Chevron

Spotify's monthly user numbers miss estimates on lower promotions

Spotify on Tuesday reported quarterly monthly active users (MAU) of 615 million, missing its own estimates, as the Swedish music streaming company spent less on marketing activities to draw in more listeners.

Explore China's 7 Most Scenic Train Journeys

• China Train
• Int’l Train from China

The 7 most scenic train journeys provide not only beautiful sceneries at terminus cities, but also charming views outside the trains' windows on the way. Instead of seeing the same sea of clouds on an airplane, your trip is enhanced by seeing different landscapes through a train's windows.

Read on to see which train route you want to start your journey with.  

1. Chengdu to Kunming — "Geological Museum" Route  

• Length: 1,096 km (681 mi)
• Duration: high-speed train: 6 hours approx; normal-speed train: 19 hours approx.
• Price: 487.5 yuan (72 USD) for a second class; 372.5 yuan (60 USD) for a soft sleeper
• Train schedule: 3 high-speed trains and 4 normal-speed trains per day (departure from 08:51 to 16:06)
• Scenery: mountains and cliffs, deep canyons, great rivers in southwest China, long bridges

This railway line has been in service since July 1970. It was praised by the United Nations as one of the three wonders of humanity's conquest of nature in the 20th century, along with the former Soviet Union's Sputnik 1 in 1957, and the Moon rocks brought back by the United States' Apollo.

It runs through southwest China, which has 56 complex geographical regions of mountains and rivers . From Chengdu's plains area, with an altitude of about 400 meters, the train goes up to altitudes of about 2,000 meters , traveling through tunnels and across mountains. The complex geography along the railway line gives this route the name of "geological museum".

Recommended Bullet Train's Timetable and Price

• Departure station: Chengdu East Railway Station
• Terminal station: Kunming South Railway Station

Please note: the prices for the first and second class train tickets saw a 6% increase in 2023, but the price for business decreased by around 55%. It is now much more cost-effective to take a business class seat.

• Chengdu's must-sees: Giant Panda s, Jinli Old Street , Magical Face Changing   
• Kunming's must-sees: the Stone Forest , Western Hills Park
• Recommended tour: 6-Day Yunnan Ethnic Minorities Tour

2. Beijing to Shanghai — High-Speed Train in Prosperous Cities

• Length: 1,318 km (819 mi)
• Duration: 5 hours approx.
• Price: 553 yuan (89 USD) for a second class seat
• Train schedule:  45 high-speed trains (depart from 06:20 to 21:21)
• Scenery: endless wheat fields, the Yellow River, countryside scenery with colorful roofs, the Yangtze River

Beijing and Shanghai are two of the most popular cities for first-time travelers to China . This high-speed train route is very popular and definitely worth a ride during your China trip. It is a trip that combines some of China's main urban landscapes with cultivated countryside scenery and mountains in between. The new and modern facilities on the train ensure you have a comfortable journey.

The scenery is not as spectacular as the Chengdu–Kunming route, but the thing to admire is China's infrastructure and expansive urban areas. The route gives a ground level view of the core of China along with some beautiful scenery including the agricultural areas.

Recommended Direct Trains' Timetable and Prices

For this route, we suggest that you leave Beijing before noon for the best scenery . Before noon, there are 15 G class trains that depart from Beijing from 06:43 to 12:00.

The fastest G1, G3, G7, G11 and G21 trains departing from Beijing (or G2, G4, G8, G10 and G22) departing from Shanghai) takes 4 hours and 28 minutes with one stop in Nanjing South. G1/G2 leaves at the ideal time of 09:00, so if you want a fast trip with the best scenery, they are the best two to take.  

"Fuxinghao" High-Speed Trains Between Beijing and Shanghai

"Fuxinghao" is the newest type of high-speed trains, with the top speed of 350 km/h. The trains are equipped with WIFI abd each seat has a power socket. Currently, 35 out of 45 Beijing-Shnghai high-speed trains are Fuxinghao, and 32 out of 42 Shanghai-Beijing trains are Fuxinghao.

• Beijing must-sees: the Forbidden City , the Great Wall , Temple of Heaven
• Shanghai must-sees: the Bund , Yu Garden , the Jinmao Tower
• Recommended tour: 3-Day Essence of Shanghai and Watertown Tour
• See Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Train for the timetable, price, and transportation guide.

3. Xi'an to Urumqi — Silk Road Journey in a Vast Desert Landscape

• Length: 2,526 km (1,570 mi)
• Duration: 30 hours approx. (1 night and 1 day or 2 nights and 1 day on the train)
• Price: 734.5 yuan (106 USD) for soft sleeper
• Train schedule: 10 normal-speed trains (depart from 03:46 to 13:03)
• Scenery: the Yellow River, Jiayuguan Fortress, the Gobi Desert 

Xi'an has a long history, being the first of China's four Great Ancient Capitals. There are many historical buildings and heritages . Urumqi is the largest city in Western China, with colorful Uyghur ethnic group culture and the Silk Road culture.

This is a Silk Road journey, as well as an adventure journey. It is full of Western China's scenery and delicious food on the way. You will be in the wilderness of the Gobi Desert.

Recommended Direct Train's Timetable and Price

• Departure station: Xi'an Railway Station
• Terminal station: Urumqi Railway Station
• Xi'an's must-sees: the Terracotta Army , Ancient City Wall , Muslim Food Street
• Urumqi's must-sees: Urumqi Grand Bazaar , Heavenly Lake , Red Hill
• Recommended tour : 2-Day Essence of Xi'an Tour

4. Dali to Lijiang — Most Relaxing Route  

• Length: 159 km (99 mi)
• Duration: 2 hours approx.
• Price:  80 yuan (12 USD) for a soft seat
• Train schedule:  1 normal-speed trains and 2 high-speed trains (depart from 12:19 to 18:15)
• Scenery: snow-capped mountains, Erhai Lake, blue sky without air pollution

You can see snow-capped mountains from the train, and appreciate Erhai Lake's beautiful scenery. The blue sky, green mountains, and clear water form a great watercolor painting of nature . You can put on your earphones to listen to quiet music. This is a relaxing way to enjoy your vacation.

• Departure station: Dali Railway Station
• Terminal station: Lijiang Railway Station
• Dali must-sees: Three Pagodas, Erhai Lake , Dali Ancient City
• Lijiang must-sees: Lijiang Ancient Town , Jade Dragon Snow Mountain , Tiger Leaping Gorge
• Recommended tour: 3-Day Essence of Ancient Lijiang Tour

5. Hefei to Fuzhou — Most Beautiful China Countryside Scenery

• Length: 808 km (502 mi)
• Duration: 4½ hours approx.
• Price: 357 yuan (57 USD) for a second class seat
• Train schedule:  22 high-speed trains (depart from 08:26 to 17:43)
• Scenery: the Yangtze River, historical memorial archways, wetland views

This train route passes through many scenic sites in southeast China, mostly natural scenery and countryside scenery . It also passes through cities with three World Heritage sites — the Yellow Mountains (Huangshan City), Mount Wuyi (Wuyishan City), and Mount Sanqingshan (Shangrao City). Thus, it's regarded as "the most beautiful rail line" in China. The comfortable environment on the high-speed train makes this tour a more impressive one.

• Departure station: Hefei South Railway Station
• Terminal station: Fuzhou Railway Station

There is a lot of beautiful scenery at the stations along the way; you can get off at one of them and enjoy your trip. We recommend that you get off at Huangshan North for spectacular views of the Yellow Mountains . Picturesque villages, famous for quaint architecture and spring scenery, can be seen nearby.

• Recommended tour: 4-Day Trekking Tour in the Yellow Mountains

6. Xining to Lhasa — Way to the Sky

• Length: 1,956 km (1,215 mi)
• Duration: 22 hours approx.
• Price: 781 yuan (113 USD) for a soft sleeper
• Train schedule:  7 normal-speed trains (depart from 12:20 to 23:20)
• Scenery: snowcapped mountains, a great lake view, grassland

This train route is popular for travelers who want to visit Tibet — the roof of the world . It is the longest high altitude train trip in the world , and the scenery is beautiful, stark, and almost otherworldly — it is named as the "way to the sky". Most of this route is over 4,000 meters and it goes above 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) several times.

See more about the Qinghai-Tibet Raiwlay

The reward of the route is to see a starkly beautiful part of the world that was almost inaccessible. Instead of city views, you'll see mostly desolate wilderness or pastures . After the train has left Xining Railway Station for about 1 hour, you can see the boundless blue lake — Qinghai Lake. The stunning views outside the train's windows will impressive you during your trip.

See more about Scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Raiwlay

Recommended Tibet Tour:

• 7-Days Tibet Tours by Train from Xining
• Xining must-sees: Qinghai Lake , Kumbum Monastery
• Lhasa must-sees: Jokhang Temple , the Potala Palace , Bakhor Street
• Recommended tour: 5-Day Lhasa Classics and Holy Lake Yomdrok Tour

Travel Tips for This Route

Summer is the best time to travel by train: We recommend that you take the train in summer to enjoy better scenery and to see the native people out and about and camping alongside the train tracks with their yak herds. But it is very hard to get tickets on a tibet train from June to Octobet . We suggest that you book tickets on tibet trains as early as possible .

Each cabin is supplied with oxygen that comes out of little vents or, if you prefer, you can insert a tube to inhale it.

All foreign travelers are required to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit . See more detailed requirements and how to apply for the Tibet Permits for Traveling in Tibet .

Read more about Tibet Trains .

7. Lhasa to Shigatze — Travel to Mount Everest by Train

• Length: 253 km (157 mi)
• Duration:  2½  hours approx.
• Price: 82.5 yuan (13 USD) for a soft seat
• Train schedule: 3 high-speed trains (depart from 11:07 to 18:10)
• Scenery: the Lhasa River, Brahmaputra Grand Canyon

This railway is an extension of the Qinghai–Tibet railway, with an average altitude of 3,500 km (2,174 mi). It makes Tibet travel more convenient for travelers, especially those who want to see Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world.

The train runs through the Brahmaputra Grand Canyon with magnificent views of the Brahmaputra River through the train's windows. Along the railway line, you can see local farmers and yaks . And most of the time, you can appreciate a plateau landscape of mountains and meadows .

2 Direct Trains' Timetable and Prices

• Departure station: Lhasa Railway Station
• Terminal station: Shigatze Railway Station
• Shigatze must-sees: Mount Everest , Tashilhunpo Monastery
• Recommended tour: 8-Day Lhasa and Everest Base Camp Tour 　

You Might Like

• High-Speed Train in China (Bullet Train)
• The Differences Between Chinese and Western Railways
• How to Choose Between Train Types and Seat Classes in China
• China High-Speed Railway - 8 Main China High-Speed Routes, Maps , and Development

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

More travel ideas and inspiration, sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why China Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Southeast Asia
• Japan, South Korea
• India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri lanka
• Central Asia
• Middle East
• African Safari
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty & Referral Program
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China