Getting around · High-speed rail
China High-Speed Rail Network — Complete Overview (2026)
Everything a first-time foreign traveler needs to know about China's 50,000-km HSR network: the train classes, the stations, the tourist routes, and how to book with a passport. For a quick per-route answer, use the planner tool.
China for Travelers EditorialUpdated Rail data verified 2026-04-19
- Network
- 50,000+ km
- largest in the world
- Top speed
- 350 km/h
- G-class flagship corridors
- Cities
- 50+
- all provincial capitals bar Lhasa
- Booking + entry
- Passport
- book with it, tap it to board
G, D, and C — the three train classes
| Class | Top speed | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| G (Gaosu) | 300–350 km/h | The fastest HSR. Long corridors like Beijing–Shanghai, Beijing–Guangzhou. |
| D (Dongche) | 200–250 km/h | Older lines and regional routes. Cheaper; often scenic. |
| C (Chengji) | ~200 km/h | Intercity shuttles — e.g. Beijing–Tianjin, the easiest HSR day trip. |
Need the full picture — including conventional Z / T / K trains and all 9 seat classes (商务 / 一等 / 二等 + 软卧 / 硬卧 / 硬座) with real prices from 5 sample routes and a per-traveler decision tree? See the train types and seat classes guide →
30 major stations covered
Click any station on the map — or pick one from the list below — to see its lines, metro connections, and foreigner tips.
Beijing
Xi'an
Chengdu
Guangzhou
Shenzhen
Nanjing
Kunming
Qingdao
Harbin
Wuhan
Tianjin
Lhasa
Lanzhou
Datong
Pingyao
Lijiang
Yangshuo
Zhangjiajie
Changsha
Top 30 routes by distance
Pricing shown is 2nd-class range, verified monthly against Trip.com.
How to book China high-speed rail tickets as a foreigner
- Pick a booking channel. The 12306 English app in 2026 takes a passport + foreign card directly; Trip.com resells the same seats at the same 12306 face fare — no booking fee — and is easier to pay with a foreign card and skips the account setup (Klook is another English-facing option). See our 12306 English walkthrough →
- Book 10–15 days ahead. Seats open 15 days before departure. G-class business class and popular routes (Beijing–Shanghai Friday evenings, holidays) sell out first.
- Enter your passport number exactly. Any mismatch and the gate will reject you. Middle names — skip them if your passport does.
- At the station, scan your passport at the orange gate. No printing needed. Allow 30 min (45 min at Beijing West / Shanghai Hongqiao; 60 min at Hong Kong West Kowloon for immigration).
Trip.com resells the same 12306 tickets with English checkout and a foreign-card-friendly flow — at the same face fare, no booking fee.
Affiliate disclosure: we earn a small commission on Trip.com bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is China's high-speed rail network?
- China's HSR network is over 50,000 km long (2026), the largest in the world. It connects more than 50 major cities at speeds of 250–350 km/h, and continues to expand by 2,000–3,000 km per year.
- How fast is China's high-speed rail?
- The fastest services — G-class 'Fuxing' trains on the Beijing–Shanghai and Beijing–Guangzhou corridors — run at up to 350 km/h. D-class trains run at 200–250 km/h, and C-class intercity trains at around 200 km/h.
- Can foreigners book high-speed rail tickets?
- Yes. You can book with your passport via the 12306 English app, Trip.com, or Klook. Seats open about 15 days in advance. Collect your ticket — or go paperless — at the station using the orange passport-reader gates.
- Where do I pick up tickets at the station?
- Most stations now support paperless entry: just tap your passport at an orange automated gate. If you booked via an agent and the ticket was not bound to your passport, use the manual ticket window (英文/English窗口 usually available at major stations).
- What is the difference between G-, D-, and C-trains?
- G-trains (高速动车) are the fastest HSR, typically 300–350 km/h, used for long corridors like Beijing–Shanghai. D-trains (动车) run at 200–250 km/h on slightly older or regional lines. C-trains (城际) are short intercity shuttles, e.g. Beijing–Tianjin.
- How early should I arrive at the station?
- For domestic HSR, arrive 30 minutes early; allow 45 minutes at Beijing West and Shanghai Hongqiao, which are enormous. For Hong Kong West Kowloon (cross-border immigration), arrive at least 60 minutes early.
- Is the map updated in real time?
- No. Schedules and pricing are compiled from Trip.com and 12306 and refreshed monthly (last verified 2026-04-19). Use the linked booking sites for live fares and live-sold-out checks.
Related
- The planner tool
Pick two cities, get fastest train + flight comparison + booking link.
- 12306 English walkthrough
Register, book, pay, and board with a passport — every step.
- Beijing → Xi'an by train
The most popular HSR route for first-time visitors.
- Chengdu → Chongqing
A train every 15 min — the easiest intro to China HSR.