High-speed rail: the default#
China's high-speed network exceeds 48,000 km — more than the rest of the world combined — and it has quietly made domestic flying pointless for most journeys under about 1,200 km. Beijing to Shanghai is 4.5 hours at 350 km/h, city centre to city centre, with no check-in queue and no transfer to a distant airport.
Reading the train number#
The letter prefix tells you the type, and therefore the speed and comfort:
| Prefix | Type | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | Gāotiě, high-speed | Up to 350 km/h | The fastest and most frequent; use these |
| D | Dòngchē, EMU | 200–250 km/h | Slightly slower, cheaper; some have sleepers |
| C | Chéngjì, intercity | 200–350 km/h | Short intercity hops, e.g. Beijing–Tianjin |
| Z | Zhídá, direct express | 160 km/h | Overnight sleepers, few stops |
| T | Tèkuài, express | 140 km/h | Older stock, more stops |
| K | Kuàisù, fast | 120 km/h | Slow, cheap, long-distance workhorse |
For a two-week trip you will use G trains almost exclusively, with perhaps one Z sleeper.
Classes#
- Second class (二等座) — 3+2 seating, reclining, power sockets, tray tables. Comfortable and what most Chinese travellers use. Take this.
- First class (一等座) — 2+2 seating, more legroom, about 60% more expensive. Nice, not necessary.
- Business class (商务座) — 2+1 lie-flat seats, meal included, roughly three times second class. A genuine luxury on a long run.
- Sleepers on Z/T/K trains: soft sleeper (4-berth compartment with a door), hard sleeper (6 berths, open), hard seat (avoid on long journeys).
How to book#
Option 1 — 12306, the official app. The China Railway app now has a full English interface, accepts foreign passports as ID and takes international cards through Alipay. It is the cheapest route (face value, no mark-up) and gives you the full inventory. Register with your passport number exactly as printed; a mismatch will stop you at the gate.
Option 2 — Trip.com or similar. A small service fee (¥15–30 per ticket) buys a friendlier interface, English customer support and easier refunds. Worth it if 12306's verification gives you trouble.
When tickets go on sale: the pre-sale window has changed several times in recent years — plan on tickets appearing roughly two weeks ahead, and check 12306 for the current rule. Popular routes around holidays sell out within minutes of release.
At the station#
Chinese railway stations are the size of airports and run on the same logic.
- Arrive 40 minutes early. Beijing South, Shanghai Hongqiao and Guangzhou South are enormous, and you will queue.
- Security screening at the entrance — bags through an X-ray, a body scan, and liquids inspected. Lighters and large power banks are confiscated.
- Find your waiting hall and gate on the departure board. Boards show train number, destination and gate (检票口).
- Gates open ~15 minutes before and close 3–5 minutes before departure. They close. The train leaves without you.
- Scan your passport at the gate, walk to the platform and find your carriage number, marked on the platform floor.
Chinese trains depart to the minute. So do the gates.
Domestic flights#
Still useful for distances the train cannot handle sensibly: Beijing to Kunming, anywhere to Urumqi, Chengdu to Lhasa, or the leg to Sanya.
- Book on Trip.com or directly with China Eastern, Air China or China Southern.
- Delays are common, especially in summer thunderstorm season and around Beijing and Shanghai. Build slack into connections.
- Umetrip is the app locals use for real-time status; it is more accurate than the airline apps.
- Power bank rules: since 2025, power banks on Chinese domestic flights must show a valid CCC certification mark, and uncertified units are confiscated at security.
- ID at the airport is your passport, scanned at check-in and again at security.
Rule of thumb: under 5 hours by train, take the train. Over 8 hours by train, fly. In between, compare total door-to-door time — the train usually still wins.
City transport#
Metro#
Every major Chinese city has one, most are less than 20 years old, and they are the best way to move around. Signage and announcements are bilingual in every city a visitor is likely to reach.
- Fares are distance-based, typically ¥3–10.
- Pay by opening the transport QR code inside Alipay (Transport → select city) and scanning at the gate on entry and exit. This works in almost every major city and needs no local card.
- Security screening on entry: bags go through a scanner. Allow an extra two minutes at rush hour.
- Rush hours (07:30–09:30, 17:30–19:30) in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou are genuinely crowded.
Taxis and DiDi#
DiDi is China's Uber, has an English interface, and pays automatically through your linked Alipay or WeChat. It is the simplest option for a foreigner because you type the destination rather than pronouncing it. Drivers may call to confirm — if you cannot speak Chinese, use the in-app message templates.
Street taxis are cheap (flag-fall ¥10–14, then about ¥2.5/km) and metered. Drivers essentially never speak English. Show the destination in Chinese characters on your phone. Insist on the meter; refusing to use it is illegal and a red flag.
Bikes and scooters#
Shared bikes (Meituan, HelloBike) are everywhere, cost ¥1.5–3 per 30 minutes, and unlock by scanning the QR with Alipay. In flat cities like Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu they are the fastest way to cover 2–4 km, and the protected bike lanes are excellent.
Long-distance buses#
Relevant where the rail network does not reach: parts of Yunnan and Guizhou, mountain areas, and the last leg to scenic parks. Modern sleeper coaches are reasonable; rural minibuses are not. Buy at the station counter with your passport, or through the local bus mini-program on Alipay. Journeys are slow and roads in the mountains are winding.
Boats and ferries#
- Yangtze cruises from Chongqing to Yichang through the Three Gorges, 3–4 days, a genuine highlight
- Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, half a day, the classic karst cruise
- Hong Kong–Macau ferries, plus the 55 km bridge with cross-border buses
- Hainan ferries from Guangdong
Suggested rail times between major cities#
| Route | Fastest G train |
|---|---|
| Beijing – Xi'an | 4 h 20 min |
| Beijing – Shanghai | 4 h 20 min |
| Beijing – Datong | 1 h 40 min |
| Xi'an – Chengdu | 3 h |
| Chengdu – Chongqing | 1 h 10 min |
| Shanghai – Hangzhou | 45 min |
| Shanghai – Suzhou | 25 min |
| Shanghai – Huangshan | 2 h 30 min |
| Guangzhou – Guilin | 2 h 20 min |
| Guangzhou – Hong Kong West Kowloon | 50 min |
| Kunming – Dali | 2 h |
| Chongqing – Zhangjiajie | 4 h 30 min |
Frequently asked questions#
How do I book train tickets in China as a foreigner?#
Use the official 12306 app, which has an English interface, accepts foreign passports as ID and takes international cards through Alipay. Alternatively use Trip.com for a small service fee and English support. Tickets are electronic — your passport is the ticket, scanned at the gate.
Do I need to print my Chinese train ticket?#
No. Chinese rail is fully paperless. You scan your passport at the station gate and at the platform. Older guidance about collecting a paper ticket at a window is out of date for foreign passport holders on the main network.
How early should I arrive at a Chinese train station?#
Forty minutes. Stations are airport-sized, entry requires security screening, and boarding gates close three to five minutes before departure. Trains leave exactly on time and do not wait.
Is it better to fly or take the train in China?#
Take the train for journeys under about five hours of rail time — it is faster door to door, more reliable and cheaper. Fly for genuinely long distances such as Beijing to Kunming, anywhere to Urumqi, or the leg to Lhasa.
How do I pay for the metro in China?#
Open the transport QR code inside Alipay, choose your city, and scan the code at the gate on the way in and again on the way out. It works in nearly every major Chinese city with no local transit card needed. Fares are ¥3–10 depending on distance.
Is DiDi available in English?#
Yes. DiDi has a full English interface, lets you enter destinations in English, and charges your linked Alipay or WeChat automatically. It is the easiest ride option for a visitor who does not speak Chinese.