China High-Speed Rail Introduction

China's high-speed rail network is characterized by trains designed to operate at speeds of 200-350 km/h (124-217 mph). Currently, China boasts the world's longest high-speed railway network, which is continuously expanding. By the end of 2022, China is projected to have an operational high-speed rail network spanning 42,000 kilometers (26,097 miles).

China High-Speed Rail Network

China's high-speed rail network is one of the most extensive and technologically advanced in the world. The extensive high-speed rail network connects major cities and regions across the country, allowing convenient travel between a wide range of destinations without the need for air travel.

China's high-speed rail network spans over 37,900 kilometers (23,500 miles), making it the world's largest. It connects major cities, regions, and popular tourist destinations across the country, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, and more.

High-Speed Trains in China

High-speed trains, commonly known as bullet trains, operate with speeds ranging from 200 to 350 km/h (124 - 217 mph). These trains efficiently connect numerous major cities and popular tourist destinations. With their convenience and speed, high-speed trains have emerged as a preferred mode of transportation for travelers exploring China.

High-speed trains in China offer a comfortable, fast, punctual, and safe travel experience. The onboard facilities are modern and of a high standard. The seats on these trains are comparable to those on airplanes, providing ample legroom. In addition, the ticket prices are reasonable when compared to western standards.

The Advantages of Taking High-Speed Train

1. Speed and Efficiency: Chinese high-speed trains are known for their impressive speed, which can reach up to 350 km/h (217 mph) on some routes. This allows travelers to reach their destinations quickly and efficiently.

2. Comfort and Amenities: High-speed trains in China are designed with passenger comfort in mind. They offer spacious seating, modern facilities, and amenities such as power outlets, Wi-Fi, and even food and beverage services on many routes.

3. Cost-effectiveness: High-speed trains in China often provide a more cost-effective option compared to air travel, especially for shorter distances. As ticket prices are generally lower than airfares, a high-speed train can be a budget-friendly choice.

4. Accessibility: High-speed train stations in China are typically located within or nearby city centers, making them easily accessible. This reduces transportation time, eliminates the need for lengthy airport transfers, and can contribute to overall travel efficiency.

5. Scenic Journeys: China's remarkable landscapes can be appreciated during train journeys, as many high-speed routes pass through beautiful regions, allowing passengers to enjoy the scenery along the way.

China High-Speed Train Types

Based on their running speeds, high-speed trains in China can be categorized into three types: G trains, D trains, and C trains.

China's high-speed trains can be classified into two categories based on their models and technologies: Hexiehao (CRH series EMU) and Fuxinghao (CR series EMU).

Seat Classes on High-Speed Trains

Daytime high-speed trains in China provide passengers with a choice of seating options, including second class, first class, and business class seats. On the other hand, overnight sleeper high-speed trains offer both hard sleeper and soft sleeper.

Second class

Second class is the most commonly chosen and popular seating option on high-speed trains in China, primarily due to its affordable ticket fares. In the second-class seating arrangement, there are five seats in each row labeled as ABC+DF. Seat A and F are positioned by the windows, while seats C and D are adjacent to the aisle. Seat B is situated in the middle.

The seatback can be adjusted, but not to a flat position. A tray table is attached to each seatback. Power sockets are available at the bottom of each seat. Toilet is available at the end of each carriage.

You can put your baggage in the luggage rack on the top of the carriage, or in the luggage closet at the connection of each carriage.

First class

First-class ticket price is about 1.5 times as second-class ticket fare. On some high-speed trains, first class is the highest seat class.

What's first class like:

• There are four seats arranged in a row (AC+DF). Seat A and seat F are located by the window. Seat C and seat D are aisle seats.
• The seatback is adjustable.
• Each seat has a foldable tray table, which can be found in the armrest.
• Power sockets are available at the bottom of each row of seats.
• First class is usually in the first or last carriage of each high-speed train. An automatic door separates it from second class carriage.
• Toilet (western or squat-style) and washbasins are available at the end of the carriage.
• There is luggage rack above the window.

First Class versus Second Class

• First class seat is wider than second class seat.
• Distance between two rows is wider than second class, providing more leg room.
• First class provide more privacy and is quieter than second class.

Business class

Business class is available on G trains and a few C trains. There is only one business carriage on a high-speed train. Business class is the most luxurious and most expensive class on a high-speed train. Business class carriage is separated to first and second-class carriages by automatic doors, providing private and high-end comfortable travel experience. Soft drinks and snacks are offered for free.

Passengers who holding business class tickets can go to the VIP waiting lounge for fast check-in. A business ticket fare is triple as second-class ticket fare and twice as first class ticket fare.

Seats on business class carriage:

• Three seats on a row (AC+F). Seat A and F are window seats and C seat is aisle seat.
• The first row only has two seats, called sightseeing seats. But some sightseeing seats don’t have window view and provide less leg room than other business class seats.
• Seats are soft and covered with leather.
• Business class provide more elbow and leg room than first and second classes.
• The seat back can be electrically adjusted. All seats can be reclined to a flat position.

Other facilities that business class provides:

• Power sockets are available on seat armrests.
• Each seat has a foldable tray table, which can be found in the armrest.
• Power socket is available at the seat armrest.
• Well-maintained toilet (western or squat-style) and washbasins are available at the end of the carriage.

Soft Sleeper

Soft sleeper class is available on overnight high-speed trains such as Beijing - Shanghai, Shanghai - Xi’an and Beijing - Guangzhou high-speed trains. It is the same as on regular trains. There are four bunk in a private compartment, two upper bunks and two lower bunks. A lockable door keeps the compartment private and quiet.

What is soft sleeper like:

• There are eight compartments in each soft sleeper carriage.
• Boiling water is provided at the end of each carriage.
• There are luggage closets at the top of each compartment. And luggage racks are also available on the top of the aisle.
• Toilet and washbasins are available at the end of each carriage.

New Soft Sleeper

A variant of soft sleeper available on select high-speed train routes is the new soft sleeper. Unlike traditional soft sleepers, the new soft sleeper does not have lockable compartments. Instead, there are two rows of double-deck bunks on each side of the aisle. Each bunk is arranged in parallel to both the aisle and the train's running direction.

The new soft sleeper bunk is 77 inches (195 cm) long and 30 inches (75 cm) in wide. Each bunk has curtains for privacy concerns. A reading light, a power socket and small table are available for each bunk. Each bunk is located by the window, including all upper bunks.

Luggage can be put under the lower berth. There is also a small luggage rack for each bunk to put small bags in.

Compared to traditional soft sleeper, new soft sleeper might seem a bit noisy as there is only curtain for each bunk to keep private.

Also read Train Types and Seat Classes in China.

What You Need to Know About China High-Speed Train

1. High-speed trains stop at each station only for a few minutes. So start pack your belongings ten minutes before the arrival time for getting off and not to get off if it is not your destination.
2. Unlike regular trains, smoking is not allowed on high-speed trains.
3. Dinning car is available on high-speed trains. But food onboard is more expensive and with limited choices. It is a good idea that you bring you own food and snacks.
4. Boiling water is offered at the end of each carriage. But you need to bring your own bottle.
5. Toilet paper is offered, but always run out. Always bring your own toilet paper.

Popular High-Speed Rail Lines in China

Beijing - Shanghai High-Speed Railway

• Opened: 2011
• Distance: 1318 kilometers (817 miles)
• Number of trains: 42 pairs of high-speed trains
• Travel time: 4-6 hours for G trains, 12 hours for D trains
• Terminals: Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao railway stations for G trains, Beijing Railway Station and Shanghai/Shanghai South railway stations for D trains
• Main stops: Beijing, Tianjin, Jinan, Nanjing, Shanghai

Beijing - Xi'an High-Speed Railway

• Distance: 1200 kilometers (744 miles)
• Number of trains: 18 pairs of high-speed trains
• Travel time: 4-6 hours
• Terminals: Beijing West Railway Station, Xi’an North Railway Station
• Main stops: Beijing, Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xi’an

Xi'an - Chengdu High-Speed Railway

• Opened: 2012
• Distance: 658 kilometers (408 miles)
• Number of trains: 42 pairs of high-speed trains
• Travel time: 3-5 hours
• Terminals: Xi’an North Railway Station, Chengdu East Railway Station
• Main stops: Xi’an, Hanzhong, Guangyuan, Chengdu

Shanghai - Hangzhou High-Speed Railway

• Opened: 2010
• Distance: 166 kilometers (103 miles)
• Number of trains: 135 pairs of high-speed trains
• Travel time: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
• Terminals: Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou East Railway Station
• Main stops: Shanghai, Jiaxing, Hangzhou

Beijing - Tianjin Intercity Railway

• Opened: 2008
• Distance: 120 kilometers (74 miles)
• Number of trains: 159 pairs of high-speed trains
• Travel time: 30 minutes to 1 hours
• Terminals: Beijing Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station, Tianjin Railway Station, Tianjin West Railway Station, Tianjin South Railway Station
• Main stops: Beijing, Tianjin

Guangzhou - Shenzhen Intercity Railway

• Opened: 2011
• Distance: 102 kilometers (63 miles)
• Number of trains: 200 pairs of high-speed trains
• Travel time: 29 minutes to 1.5 hours
• Terminals: Guangzhou Railway Station, Guangzhou East Railway Station, Guangzhou South Railway Station, Guangzhou North Railway Station, Shenzhen Railway Station, Shenzhen North Railway Station, Futian Railway Station
• Main stops: Guangzhou, Futian, Shenzhen

Guangzhou - Hong Kong High-Speed Railway

• Opened: 2018
• Distance: 141 kilometers (87 miles)
• Number of trains: 34 pairs of high-speed trains between Guangzhou and Hong Kong; 80 pairs of high-speed trains between Shenzhen and Hong Kong
• Travel time: 1 hour between Guangzhou and Hong Kong; 20 minutes between Shenzhen and Hong Kong
• Terminals: Guangzhou South Railway Station, Shenzhen North Railway Station, Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station
• Main stops: Guangzhou, Humen, Futian, Shenzhen, Hong Kong

Other High-Speed Rail Lines

• Beijing - Guangzhou
• Shanghai - Suzhou
• Guangzhou - Guilin
• Beijing - Zhangjiakou
• Shanghai - Huangshan
• Xi'an - Pingyao
• Guangzhou to Guilin Trains
• Guangzhou to Shenzhen Trains

How to Get to Pazhou Complex

The Pazhou Complex is situated on Pazhou Island in the Haizhu District of Guangzhou. With a total area of about 1.1 million square meters, it is divided into several exhibition halls, including the Main Exhibition Hall and the International Exhibition Hall. It is one of the largest exhibition centers in Asia and is famous for hosting the Canton Fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair.

From Guangzhou South Railway Station

To get to Pazhou Complex from Guangzhou South Station, you have several transportation options:

By Metro

• Exit Guangzhou South Station and head to the nearby Guangzhou South Railway Metro Station.
• Take Line 2 (Guangzhou South - Jiahewanggang direction) and ride for approximately 7 stations.
• Get off at Changgang Station and transfer to Line 8 (Changgang - Wanshengwei direction).
• Ride Line 8 for about 5 stations and alight at Pazhou Station.

Please note: Pazhou Complex has two main entrances (East and West entrance). Check the specific entrance you need to reach before exiting the metro station.

By Taxi

• Exit Guangzhou South Station and find a taxi stand or use a ride-hailing app like DiDi or Uber.
• Inform the driver that you want to go to Pazhou Complex (specifically mention the East or West entrance based on your destination).

Please note: It can be helpful to show the driver the Chinese address or a map of your destination, if possible.

From Guangzhou East Railway Station

By Metro

• Take Line 3 (Airport North - Panyu Square direction) and ride for approximately 10 stations.
• Get off at Kecun Station and transfer to Line 8 (Wanshengwei - Fenghuang Xincun direction).
• Ride Line 8 for about 4 stations and alight at Pazhou Station.

Booking Your Train Tickets with Train Spread

Buying China train tickets online with a travel agency like Train Spread is the most convenient. Train Spread makes train ticket online booking available to you to save you a lot of time and hassle. All inquiries will be handled by our local travel specialists who have a lot of experience in booking train tickets and are good at planning train travel routes. 

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