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China High-Speed Rail Network — Complete Overview

Everything a first-time foreign traveler needs to know about China's 38,000-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.

Last verified 2026-04-19 in person

China's high-speed rail at a glance

  • 38,000+ km
    Network length

    Largest in the world — roughly the distance to circle the planet.

  • 350 km/h
    Top speed (G-class)

    Beijing–Shanghai and Beijing–Guangzhou corridors; quieter than a cafe at cruise.

  • 50+
    Cities connected

    All provincial capitals except Lhasa (no HSR yet).

  • Passport
    Booking + entry

    Book with your passport number. Tap passport at orange gates to board.

G, D, and C — the three train classes

ClassTop speedWhat it's for
G (Gaosu)300–350 km/hThe fastest HSR. Long corridors like Beijing–Shanghai, Beijing–Guangzhou.
D (Dongche)200–250 km/hOlder lines and regional routes. Cheaper; often scenic.
C (Chengji)~200 km/hIntercity shuttles — e.g. Beijing–Tianjin, the easiest HSR day trip.

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

Shanghai

Xi'an

Chengdu

Chongqing

Guilin

Hangzhou

Suzhou

Guangzhou

Shenzhen

Hong

Nanjing

Kunming

Qingdao

Harbin

Wuhan

Tianjin

Xiamen

Lhasa

Lanzhou

Luoyang

Datong

Pingyao

Lijiang

Top 30 routes by distance

Pricing shown is 2nd-class range, verified monthly against Trip.com.

RouteDistanceDuration2nd classDaily trains
Beijing West → Guangzhou South2,298 km8h – 11h¥703 – ¥103317On map →
Beijing West → Guilin North2,100 km10h – 13h¥649 – ¥9523On map →
Shanghai Hongqiao → Chengdu East1,988 km10h 55m – 14h¥721 – ¥99215On map →
Shanghai Hongqiao → Guilin North1,900 km11h – 15h¥317 – ¥7614On map →
Beijing West → Chengdu East1,800 km7h 30m – 12h¥784 – ¥103411On map →
Shanghai Hongqiao → Guangzhou South1,800 km6h 45m – 9h¥810 – ¥91924On map →
Beijing West → Chongqing North1,700 km7h 15m – 10h¥330 – ¥94112On map →
Shanghai Hongqiao → Shenzhen North1,580 km10h 20m – 12h¥552 – ¥71022On map →
Shanghai Hongqiao → Xi'an North1,509 km6h – 8h¥233 – ¥72428On map →
Chengdu East → Guilin West1,460 km11h 30m – 14h¥445 – ¥51620On map →
Beijing South → Shanghai Hongqiao1,318 km4h 18m – 6h¥626 – ¥69551On map →
Beijing Chaoyang → Harbin West1,249 km5h 20m – 7h 40m¥600 – ¥64824On map →
Beijing West → Wuhan1,229 km4h 20m – 5h 50m¥562 – ¥63447On map →
Beijing West → Xi'an North1,216 km4h 10m – 6h 5m¥515 – ¥57832Full guide →
Shanghai Hongqiao → Xiamen North1,100 km5h – 7h¥495 – ¥58030On map →
Chengdu East → Kunming South1,100 km6h 20m – 8h¥264 – ¥27324On map →
Beijing South → Qingdao770 km3h – 4h 30m¥354 – ¥36824On map →
Xi'an North → Chongqing West730 km4h 40m – 6h 40m¥384 – ¥46426On map →
Hangzhou West → Wuhan700 km4h 30m – 5h 40m¥307 – ¥38130On map →
Xi'an North → Chengdu East670 km3h – 4h¥263 – ¥30080On map →
Beijing Fengtai → Pingyao Ancient City600 km3h – 4h 20m¥239 – ¥2804On map →
Xi'an North → Lanzhou West575 km3h – 3h 50m¥118 – ¥23889On map →
Guangzhou South → Guilin West500 km2h 35m – 3h 30m¥181 – ¥21873On map →
Xi'an North → Pingyao Ancient City470 km2h 50m – 3h 40m¥150 – ¥15911On map →
Kunming → Lijiang440 km3h – 4h¥166 – ¥19910On map →
Xi'an North → Luoyang Longmen360 km1h 30m – 2h 10m¥70 – ¥17598On map →
Chengdu East → Chongqing North308 km1h 15m – 2h¥85 – ¥191143Full guide →
Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing South301 km1h – 1h 45m¥55 – ¥171346On map →
Qinghe → Datong South285 km1h 40m – 2h 30m¥151 – ¥17045On map →
Hangzhou East → Nanjing South270 km1h 15m – 1h 45m¥115 – ¥249153On map →
Hangzhou West → Suzhou South170 km1h 25m – 2h¥75 – ¥144179On map →
Shanghai Hongqiao → Hangzhou East160 km45m – 1h 15m¥34 – ¥87328On map →
Guangzhou South → Hong Kong West Kowloon Station141 km47m – 1h 20m¥185 – ¥21560On map →
Guangzhou South → Shenzhen North130 km30m – 50m¥72 – ¥75507On map →
Beijing South → Tianjin120 km33m – 1h 2m¥39 – ¥55299On map →
Shanghai Hongqiao → Suzhou North86 km23m – 40m¥31 – ¥46634On map →

How to book China high-speed rail tickets as a foreigner

  1. Pick a booking channel. The 12306 English app is cheapest (no markup); Trip.com and Klook charge a small service fee but are easier to pay with a foreign card. See our 12306 English walkthrough →
  2. 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.
  3. Enter your passport number exactly. Any mismatch and the gate will reject you. Middle names — skip them if your passport does.
  4. 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).

Frequently asked questions

How long is China's high-speed rail network?
China's HSR network is over 38,000 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 verified in person monthly (last verified 2026-04-19). Use the linked booking sites for live fares and live-sold-out checks.

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