Question 1

How long is China's high-speed rail network?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

How fast is China's high-speed rail?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Can foreigners book high-speed rail tickets?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Where do I pick up tickets at the station?

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 5

What is the difference between G-, D-, and C-trains?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

How early should I arrive at the station?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

Is the map updated in real time?

Accepted Answer

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.

Route	Fastest	2nd class	Daily
Shanghai → Suzhou	23m	¥31 – ¥46	634
Guangzhou → Shenzhen	30m	¥72 – ¥75	507
Shanghai → Nanjing	1h	¥55 – ¥171	346
Shanghai → Hangzhou	45m	¥34 – ¥87	328
Beijing → Tianjin	33m	¥39 – ¥55	299
Hangzhou → Suzhou	1h 25m	¥75 – ¥144	179
Hangzhou → Nanjing	1h 15m	¥115 – ¥249	153
Chengdu → Chongqing	1h 15m	¥85 – ¥191	143
Xi'an → Luoyang	1h 30m	¥70 – ¥175	98
Xi'an → Lanzhou	3h	¥118 – ¥238	89
Xi'an → Chengdu	3h	¥263 – ¥300	80
Guangzhou → Guilin	2h 35m	¥181 – ¥218	73
Guangzhou → Hong Kong	47m	¥185 – ¥215	60
Beijing → Shanghai	4h 18m	¥626 – ¥695	51
Beijing → Wuhan	4h 20m	¥562 – ¥634	47
Beijing → Datong	1h 40m	¥151 – ¥170	45
Beijing → Xi'an	4h 10m	¥515 – ¥578	32
Shanghai → Xiamen	5h	¥495 – ¥580	30
Hangzhou → Wuhan	4h 30m	¥307 – ¥381	30
Shanghai → Xi'an	6h	¥233 – ¥724	28
Xi'an → Chongqing	4h 40m	¥384 – ¥464	26
Beijing → Harbin	5h 20m	¥600 – ¥648	24
Beijing → Qingdao	3h	¥354 – ¥368	24
Shanghai → Guangzhou	6h 45m	¥810 – ¥919	24
Chengdu → Kunming	6h 20m	¥264 – ¥273	24
Shanghai → Shenzhen	10h 20m	¥552 – ¥710	22
Chengdu → Guilin	11h 30m	¥445 – ¥516	20
Beijing → Guangzhou	8h	¥703 – ¥1033	17
Shanghai → Chengdu	10h 55m	¥721 – ¥992	15
Beijing → Chongqing	7h 15m	¥330 – ¥941	12
Beijing → Chengdu	7h 30m	¥784 – ¥1034	11
Xi'an → Pingyao	2h 50m	¥150 – ¥159	11
Kunming → Lijiang	3h	¥166 – ¥199	10
Beijing → Pingyao	3h	¥239 – ¥280	4
Shanghai → Guilin	11h	¥317 – ¥761	4
Beijing → Guilin	10h	¥649 – ¥952	3

China High-Speed Rail Map

All 36 high-speed rail corridors