China’s Train Network: A Traveler’s Guide
China's Train Network
Train: Most cities in China are linked by almost 90,000 kilometres of railways. China’s internal expansion and suggestions for intercontinental lines from China to Russia, Germany, London, and Southeast Asia to Malaysia will increase the size. China’s trains are clean, pleasant, and cost-effective. The rail network is expanding in speed, coverage, and quality. The new HSR network has super-trains reaching 200km/h and 380km/h.
Best Way to Travel China: High-Speed Trains
Top reasons to prefer high-speed rail over other modes of transportation:
· Far More Scenic
It’s hard to beat resting on a train while seeing China’s countryside. Flights are faster, but you lose the beauty between large cities. Trains frequently pass through places you’d never see, making every ride an experience and handy.
· Comfort
As any traveller knows, sitting in an aircraft coach seat or on a bus for hours is uncomfortable. Trains excel in this, too. China’s fast trains provide contemporary amenities, including comfortable seats, toilets, and high-speed Wi-Fi. Their chairs are broader, softer, and more than aircraft and bus seats. They provide greater legroom than normal planes.
· Fast and Punctual
China has very fast high-speed trains. They run 200-350 km/h. G trains, the fastest bullet trains, can shorten the 15-hour Beijing-Shanghai trip to 4 hours and 48 minutes. These trains are dependable and almost usually on schedule. High-speed trains are less affected by weather and traffic than buses and aircraft. This makes them more reliable than conventional transportation.
· Common Departures to Major Cities
Anywhere in China, a high-speed train will likely leave soon. These trains travel multiple times a day to most major Chinese cities. China’s bullet trains are the most convenient option regardless of your schedule due to their large range of destinations and frequent service.
· Fairly Priced
Although not the lowest, China’s high-speed rail tickets are affordable. They cost more than a traditional rail ticket but are cheaper than airline tickets. A bullet train is great for fast, economical travel.
Available Tickets
High-speed railway tickets in China are separated into VIP, business, first, and second classes. Second-class tickets are the cheapest, while VIP tickets are the costliest. Overnight D trains offer sleeper options. You may select a soft or luxury soft sleeper. Standing room tickets are occasionally discounted when all seats are sold out.
Baggage Allowance
Similar to a flight, bullet train luggage is limited in size and weight. Luggage cannot exceed 60x35x35 cm (24x14x14 inches) on most trains, which restrict 20 kilograms (44 pounds). You may bring a smaller bag, handbag, or backpack. You may carry extra weight or luggage on the train but may pay more.
Conclusion
There are many ways to get across China, but few compare to its high-speed rail network. Travelling around China via bullet train is hard to surpass due to its low cost, comfort, and amenities.
FAQs
Is it easy to use the train in China?
Train travel in China is perhaps simpler than you think! Cheap, timely Chinese trains are a terrific way to tour the nation. Let’s examine rail travel… The China Railway divides domestic trains by speed and service “classes.”
In China, how many people use trains for transportation?
China’s national rail services carried fewer than 1.7 billion passengers in 2022, down roughly one billion from the year before.
Which train in China is the best?
The fastest Chinese train is the Shanghai maglev at 431 km/h (268 mph). State planners selected conventional-track high-speed trains for the national HSR network, keeping the maglev train on its 30 km (19 mi) track.
