China Train Pictures

Trains in China are divided into various types according to their speed, which are identified with a capital Chinese phonetic letter and digits. For example, G is 'High Speed', D is 'Electric Multiple Units', C is 'Intercity EMU'; all the three types look similar and are generally considered as high speed or bullet type. Z means 'Direct Express', T means 'Express', K means 'Fast'; all the three types are normal type. For those powered by steam, they have accomplished their missions and are now a matter of history.

Inside G as well as D and C trains (which are also called bullet trains), the first class and second class carriages are the most frequently used by passengers. The first class carriages are spacious and have fewer seats, but the tickets are more expensive than in second class. A second class carriage has about 100 seats, and they are similar to the economy class on an airplane. Inside Z, T, K and other normal speed trains, the carriages can be divided into deluxe soft sleeper, soft sleeper, hard sleeper, soft seat and hard seat. 

All passengers need a ticket to get onboard, which can be bought at railway stations, online or over the phone at most 15 days prior to departure. The boarding procedures can be generally divided into: security check – enter the station – waiting – ticket check – boarding. Upon arrival, there are usually clear signs on the platforms showing the exit.

China has very dense railway lines on its territory. Along the lines, many stations are built for passengers to board or get off the train. Each of the stations has its own unique appearance. Once inside, there is usually a ticket office, a waiting hall, platforms and many other facilities.

Each passenger is allowed to take a certain amount of luggage into the carriage, inside which there are luggage racks and cabinets. At some railway stations, there are red capped luggage porters to help passengers transfer luggage from the railway terminal into a carriage or from a platform to a railway exit for certain charges.