Why rail
China’s high-speed network is the most practical way to see more than one region. A 4.5-hour train replaces a flight, two airport transfers and a night in a hotel. The stations are in the city, the seats are comfortable, and the view is the country itself.
Book with your passport
Foreign passports work on the official 12306 app and at station counters. The app has an English mode; verification can take a day, so do it before you fly. Your passport is your ticket at the gate. Add your name exactly as it appears on the passport, including the order.
Station flow
Arrive 45–60 minutes early at a large station. Security, then the departure hall, then the gate. Gates usually close 5 minutes before departure. There are no paper tickets to collect for most services; scan the passport. Keep liquids and power banks accessible for security.
Routes worth the window
Shanghai–Hangzhou for a first taste, Beijing–Xi’an for history, Chengdu–Chongqing for food and mountains, and Guilin–Yangshuo for karst scenery. Sit on the left or right depending on the route; ask us and we will tell you which side.