China has one of the biggest and busiest rail networks in the world, and trains link almost every town and city. Chinese trains are a safe, comfortable, and cheap way to travel around China, and a Chinese train journey is an experience in itself.
How do you plan your first train trip successfully? This page will help you understand and plan your train trip in China, and how to board your train.
How to Choose Between Train Types and Seat Classes in China?
Trains are classified by their speed and service in China, represented by a train code. A train code is comprised of a letter (G, D, C, Z, T, or K) or no letter (number only), which indicates a train's type.
G, D, and C trains are known as high-speed trains while other traincodes are classed as normal trains. There are business class seats, first class seats, hard seats, and soft and hard sleepers on different trains.
A business class seat is the most expensive but the most comfortable, while soft sleepers will save your time and a night's hotel bill. Speeds, prices, services, and equipment vary betweendifferent types of trains.
Which train type and which seat class will fit your timetable and budget? You will find the answers through how to choose train type & seats.
Which Train Station Is Better?
You may find there are two or three stations in one city. A lot of foreigners get confused with the stations. Many people go to the wrong station then, unfortunately, miss their trains. Make sure you go to the right station.
For example, in Beijing there are stations called Beijing South, Beijing West, and Beijing. Main bullet trains will depart from Beijing South Railway Station; some will depart from Beijing West RailwayStation, while most of the ordinary overnight sleeper trains will depart from Beijing Railway Station. If you want to take the high-speed trains, you need to go to Beijing South Railway Station.
Main Bullet Train Stations
High-speed trains and ordinary trains are located at different stations. You need to select and go to the correct train station. Here is a list of major high-speed train stations in China.
Huangshan North Station| Major Train Stations for Bullet Trains | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beijing South Railway Station 北京南站 | Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station 上海虹桥火车站 | Hangzhou East Railway Station 杭州东站 |
| Xi'an North Railway Station 西安北站 | Zhengzhou East Railway Station 郑州东站 | Nanjing South Railway Station 南京南站 |
| Shijiazhuang Railway Station 石家庄站 | Tianjin South Railway Station 天津南站 | Shenzhen Railway Station 深圳站 |
| Xiamen North Railway Station 厦门北站 | Nanning East Railway Station 南宁东站 | Hong Kong West Kowloon 香港西九龙站 |
| Hankou Railway Station 汉口站 | Shenzhen North Railway Station 深圳北站 | Chongqing North Railway Station 重庆北站 |
| Guangzhou South Railway Station 广州南站 | Chengdu East Railway Station 成都东站 | Guiyang North Railway Station 贵阳北站 |
| Guilin North Railway Station 桂林北站 | Shangrao Railway Station 上饶站 | Changsha South Railway Station 长沙南站 |
| Sanya Railway Station 三亚站 | Xining Railway Station 西宁站 | Kunming South Railway Station 昆明南站 |
How to Buy a Train Ticket?
Trains in China can take you to many popular destinations, and it would be a fantastic experience to take a bullet train during your China tour. However, it can be difficult for you to buy a ticket in China. For China's domestic trains, there are six ways to purchase the tickets: How to buy train ticket.
China Railway doesn't sell international train tickets online, including those to and from Hong Kong, so you need to purchase them through agents in China. China Highlights can help you to purchase train tickets to Mexico, Vietnam, and Ulaanbaatar, as well as other destinations.
We provide a Train Ticket Booking Service. Simply choose a train, fill in the dates and passenger information on the request, and pay. China Highlights provides detailed and helpful English guidance, a 24/7 service, and also a ticket delivery service.
*For international trains, you will need to enter the box called' International Train from China' on our train page or you won't find any results.
How to Board and Get Off a Chinese Train?
It may be very convenient for you to board/get off a train in your country, but there are some extra things to do to get on and off a train in China.
How to Board a Chinese Train?
You need to get to the right station, go through the security check to enter the station, find the right waiting area, and wait until you have your tickets checked. Then go to the platform where your train and car is. Make sure you have your passports with you. Read more.
How to Get Off a Chinese Train
You will need to pay attention to the train's schedule. Station announcements usually come at least 10 minutes before each stop.Follow the crowd and read the overhead instruction sign of "Exit(出站口)", and you will get to the correct exit. Stations vary but, if you are very lucky, there will be an escalator.
Remember to have your ticket readily accessible, as the ticket will be inspected again at the exit gates either by a member of staffor a machine.
Things you will need to know after disembarking from a China train: How to get off a train
How to Go to Your Hotel or Destination After Getting Off the Train?
Generally speaking, train stations are transportation hubs of cities, and it is very convenient to travel to somewhere else from a train station, especially in large cities. Usually, many public buses have stops at train stations.
By Subway or Bus
In large cities with subways, you can always find two or three subway stations around a train station. Subways usually operate until about 11pm. For example, the last subway service from Beijing West Railway Station on Line 9 is at 11:29pm.
Most of the public buses usually operate from 6am to 10pm. Buses that travel along main routes with a high population density often operate until 11pm, if you are lucky.
By Taxi
If you get off a train at midnight, the subways and buses may be out of service. But there are always official taxi lanes in the street directly in front of a train station. Some large train stations have underground taxi centers, such as Beijing West Railway Station. As many taxi drivers in China can't speak English, you'd better take a note with the Chinese name and address of your hotel or destination on it. (We, at China Highlights, would be happy to help you out with this.)
You are recommended to take a taxi displaying a lighted 'taxi' sign and a taxi meter.
Taxi in ChinaBy Private Transfer Service
Our Beijing local travel agency provides a safe, reliable, fast, and comfortable airport transfer (train station transfer) service, with a 24/7 customer service. We assist with hotel and airport staff communication, and are experienced in dealing with unforeseen circumstances, such as tracing lost luggage and dealing with visa problems.
How to Access Socia Media in China?
Some websites are blocked in China, including Google, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. However, you can access these websites by using a VPN service. Many companies provide VPN services. Please find one in your app store.