China's high-speed rail (高铁) is the best way to travel between cities — fast, punctual, and city-center to city-center.
Buying tickets as a foreigner
- 12306 app or website — register with your passport, English interface available
- Trip.com — easiest option, small service fee, English support
- Station ticket windows — bring your passport; queues can be long
Tickets go on sale 15 days before departure at set times. Popular routes (Beijing–Shanghai, holiday weekends) sell out in minutes — book the moment sales open.
Seat classes
| Class | What you get | Price (Beijing–Shanghai) |
|---|---|---|
| Second | 3+2 seats, comfortable, most travelers | ~¥550 |
| First | 2+2, wider, quieter | ~¥930 |
| Business | Lie-flat pod, lounge access | ~¥1,750 |
At the station
- Arrive 45–60 minutes early — stations are huge, with airport-style security
- No paper tickets needed: scan your passport at the gates (there's a manual lane for foreign passports)
- Check the giant departure board for your train number and gate
- Gates close 3–5 minutes before departure — trains leave on the second
On board
- Luggage: no strict weight limit; overhead racks and end-of-carriage storage
- Hot water dispensers for tea/instant noodles; food trolleys and delivery to your seat via 12306 app
- Clean toilets (both squat and western); power outlets at most seats
Pro tip: Screenshot your ticket confirmation with train number, carriage, and seat. Conductors may check passports mid-journey — totally routine.