At present, train is still the primary means of transportation in China. The sprawling network of rails goes every part of the country including the so-called “ Roof of the world”, Tibet. Beijing is the hub for the railway line that heads north to south, consisting of the following lines: Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, Beijing-Shanghai Railway, Beijing-Kowloon Railway and the Beijing-Harbin Railway. The line that heads from west to east has its hub located in Zhengzhou. Apart from domestic rail lines, trains now can also run to Moscow of Russia, Pyongyang of North Korea and Hanoi of Vietnam.

Travel by rail is an enjoyable, relaxing, and inexpensive way to see China's countryside. New or modernized equipment has replaced the old train systems in most areas. Travelers who lack the time to cover vast distances by train can still get a delightful taste of rail travel by journeying on popular short distance routes from Shanghai to the nearby cities of Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing, or Hangzhou; or from Beijing to Tianjin. Amenities have been added to first-class train travel (known as "soft seat"), including comfortable waiting lounges at some train stations.

Symbol Z represents the train is a non-stop faster train. The train is well equipped and it serves as the most comfortable train in East Asia. Although the highest speed of the train is about 170km/hour, it can reduce vibration effectively. The train is equipped with automatic air conditioning (AC) and controlled lights. It provides soft sleep and soft seat and the soft seat is also used for airplane seat. The toilets in the train are tidy and equipped with considering the standard of 3-star hotel facility. On the train, you can also enjoy bars and some entertainments. And do not be worry about the safety problem on the train. There are trustful policeman on the train and the train is a non-stop train.
Symbol T represents the train is a faster train.
Symbol K represents the train is a fast train.


There are four classes on Chinese trains

• Hard seat (Yingzuo, YZ): This is the cheapest way to travel.
• Soft seat (Ruanzuo, RZ): This class is not often available.
• Hard sleeper (Yingwo, YW): This is a sleeping car, for both day and overnight travel. 6 beds per compartment. The "compartments" are open to the passageway
• Soft sleeper (Ruanwo, RW): 4 beds per compartment, with each compartment being separate

International Trains
There are several international lines linking China and some of its neighboring regions and countries, including:

• Train No. K97, Beijing-Kowloon
• Train No. K98, Kowloon-Beijing
• Train No. 99, Shanghai-Kowloon
• Train No. 100 Kowloon-Shanghai

There are trains from Beijing to Ulan Bator in Mongolia, Moscow in Russia, Pyongyang in North Korea and Hanoi in Vietnam.

Although train travel in China is comfortable, convenient but train ticket is sometimes hard to come by, especially in the busy transportation periods including the Chinese New Year, May First Holiday and the National Holiday. Many travel agencies and major hotels provide train ticket booking service for a small charge. If you want to travel via train, we recommend you book your tickets through a travel agency or hotel, which will save you a lot of hassle.

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