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China High Speed Train (Bullet Train)

China high speed trains, also known as bullet or fast trains, can reach a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph).

Over 2,800 pairs of bullet trains numbered by G, D or C run daily connecting over 550 cities in China and covering 33 of the country's 34 provinces. Beijing-Shanghai high speed train link the two megacities 1,318 km (819 mi) away in just 4.5 hours.

By the end of 2024, China keeps the world's largest high speed rail (HSR) network with a length totaling over 45,000 km (27,960 mi). The world's longest HSR line, Beijing - Hong Kong High Speed Railway, extends 2,440 km (1,516 mi).

Top China High Speed Train Travel Routes:

More Bullet Train Pictures(35)

Why travel by high speed trains?

1. Fast:

The present operational speed of China trains high speed type is 200-350 km/h (124-217 mph), greatly shortening the travel time. The duration from Beijing to Shanghai has been shortened from 15 hours to about 4.5 hours.

2. Punctual:

Different from flights, they are less influenced by weather or traffic control, hence able to arrive on time.

3. Convenient:

HSR trains are scheduled more frequently than normal ones and many of the high speed railway stations are reachable by subway, making a rail journey much more convenient than before.

China Bullet Train Video

4. Reasonablely priced:

Although China high speed train tickets generally cost more than a non-bullet train ticket, it is still cheaper than a flight ticket most of the time. From Beijing to Shanghai, a soft sleeper non-bullet rail ticket costs around CNY500, a second class seat China high speed rail ticket costs around CNY550, while the full airfare of an economy class is over CNY850.

5. Comfortable:

The carriages are much better equipped than the old-generation carriages, and rival the facilities of an airplane. The seats are wider and softer, the windows are bigger, and the washrooms are cleaner…

6. Safe:

The fast trains are operated by advanced technological communication systems to ensure passengers' safety to the uttermost.

Ticket Types

Tickets on bullet trains are generally divided into four types - second class seat, first class seat, business class seat, and VIP seat. On a few overnight D trains, sleepers are provided, and sometimes standing room tickets are available when all seats are sold out. On some short inter-city HSR lines, China Rail Pass is available, which is a prepaid card for self-service check-in at a railway station.

China High Speed Train Types

The types mainly include the popularized Hexiehao and the new type Fuxinghao.

	Hexiehao (CRH)	Fuxinghao (CR)
Top Speed	300 km/h (186 mph)	300-350 km/h (186-217 mph)
Appearance	Silver or white with blue belt	Silver with red belt, or white with golden belt
Space	370 cm high; narrower legroom	405 cm high; wider legroom
Electrical Socket	Standard type under the seats	Standard and USB types beside the seats
Wifi	Partially available	Available on all
Types in Service	CRH380A, CRH380B, CRH2, CRH3C… numbered by G, D or C	CR400AF & CR400BF numbered by G or C

Facilities

Facilities on these highballs are of high standard, similar to those on an airplane. The seats can be rotated towards the moving direction; the seatback can be adjusted to a wanted angle; each passenger is offered a foldable small table; electrical sockets are available; and it is even possible to use Wi-Fi.

High Speed Railway Network

More High Speed Railway Maps

Since the earliest high speed rail line, Beijing - Tianjin Inter-City High Speed Rail Line opened in 2008, China has developed a dense high speed railway network reaching 45,000 km (27,960 mi), accounting for 2/3 of the world's high-speed rail tracks.

There are mainly four north-south and four east-west trunk lines, and some inter-city lines, greatly shortening the travel time within China.

According to the plan, the high speed rail will reach 50,000 km (31,070 mi) by 2025. The network will include eight north-south and eight east-west trunk lines, linking all big and medium-sized cities with a population of 500,000.

Major High Speed Rail Lines

Line	Open Date	Length (km)	Speed (km/h)
Beijing-Shanghai	2011/06/30	1,318	300 - 350
Beijing-Guangzhou	2012/12/26	2,298	200 - 300
Beijing-Xi'an	2012/12/26	1,216	250 - 300
Shanghai-Guangzhou	2014/12/10	1,647	250 - 300
Shanghai-Kunming	2016/12/28	2,252	300 - 300
Xi'an-Shanghai	2016/9/10	1,509	250 - 300
Xi'an-Chengdu	2017/9/30	643	250
Guangzhou - Shenzhen - Hong Kong	2018/9/23	141	200 - 300

Inter-city High Speed Trains

Line	Open Date	Length (km)	Speed (km/h)
Beijing-Tianjin	2008/08/01	119	300
Guangzhou-Zhuhai	2012/12/31	117	200
Guangzhou-Shenzhen	2011/12/26	116	300
Shanghai-Nanjing	2010/07/01	301	300
Nanjing-Hangzhou	2013/07/01	249	300

High Speed Train Worldwide

Currently, 16 countries and regions worldwide have bullet trains running on their land, including China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, and United Kingdom. The total length has reached 40,000 km (24,855 mi) and the speed varies from 200 km/h (124 mph) to 350 km/h (217 mph). China high speed train tickets are the lowest among all.

See Also:

High Speed Era in China Railway History

Overnight Trains

China Train Travel - A Beginner’s Guide

- Last updated on Nov. 01, 2024 by Grace Yang -

Questions & Answers on China High Speed Train

Asked by a from SINGAPORE | Nov. 19, 2024 05:55

Choosing seats

Hi, i would like to buy 1st class or business class train tickets but i would like to specify that the seats should all be adjacent. would i be able to do so? i see that i am able to choose a window or aisle seat but i'm not sure if the seats will be adjacent or not.

Answers (1)

Answered by Rita | Nov. 19, 2024 21:48

You can choose adjacent seats when booking. Usually, if you make the booking together, the seats will be automatically adjacent.

Asked by XiuLin from SINGAPORE | Nov. 19, 2024 02:30

high speed train from Guangzhou international airport direct to Shenzhen luohu

If there is, please let us know where to take this hi speed train from Guangzhou airport direct to Shenzhen

If there is no such direct train, how do we go from Guangzhou international airport to Shenzhen Luohu by hi speed train
How long does it take ?
How much does it cost ?
Can we book through Travel China Guide and how much is the administrative fee ? thank you

Answers (1)

Answered by Rita | Nov. 19, 2024 19:56

No high speed train directly from GZ Airport to SZ. The nearest train station from the airport is Guangzhou Railway Station. From the airport to GZ station, take metro line 3 to Jiahe Wanggang. transfer to line 2 to the train station and take a bullet train to Shenzhen Railway Station, then walk to Luohu Port following the direction boards. It may take 3-4h and about CNY 110. You can book the train ticket through TravelChinaGuide and the service fee is as low as USD 6.

Asked by cm.chia from MALAYSIA | Nov. 13, 2024 18:55

will it be crowded in scenics sights around china on 1st ,,,5th of may 2025

Answers (1)

Answered by Bonnie | Nov. 14, 2024 19:25

Yes, it will be super crowded by then.

Asked by Soong from MALAYSIA | Nov. 11, 2024 17:47

Train C4102 Chengdu South to Huanglongjiuzhai

if i buy the train C4102 at 8.20 am from Chengdu South to Huanglongjiuzhai :-
1. Can i board the train from Chengdu East (8.37) for the same train?
2. Will this train pass by Songpan Station, if yes can i alight at Songpan Station?

Answers (1)

Answered by Marcy | Nov. 12, 2024 18:04

I believe it's C4012 at 08:20 am from Chengdu South.
1. You can board the same train at Chengdu East but you need to go through the manual check-in channel.
2. The train does not pass by Songpan, so you can't alight there.

Asked by JM from CANADA | Nov. 07, 2024 21:52

Wifi ?

Does High-Speed Train provide Free Wifi during the journey? Thank you !

Answers (1)

Answered by Marcy | Nov. 10, 2024 19:27

Yes, you can scan the QR code on the armrests. But it seems to have unsteady signals, especially when going through tunnels.