Home / Train /

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 2023, 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 CNY1,000.

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 Apr. 16, 2024 by Brenda Lian -

Questions & Answers on China High Speed Train

Asked by Lil from USA | Apr. 16, 2024 09:45

advice on best high speed train station

Hi, hoping to make a reservation for Wed morning, May 1 on a high speeed train from Hangzhou to Suzhou. We will be staying near the West lake at the WIndham. Can you suggest the most convenient best station to take the train in Hangzhou and the best station to get off in Souzhou for being close to sightseeing?
The plan is then to go on to Shanghai on Thu afternoon on may 2. Which train stations would you suggest for departure and arrival if we will be staying at the Sukothai Shanghai. Many thanks for your expertise

Answers (1)

Answered by Rita | Apr. 16, 2024 20:30

The best departure station is Hangzhou East and Suzhou Railway Station is better as it's close to the famous attractions like Humble Administrator's Garden.
Suzhou - Shanghai train, I recommend Suzhou Railway Station to Shanghai Railway Station which is close to your hotel, only 20min by metro.

Asked by Jiming from MALAYSIA | Apr. 12, 2024 21:07

Shanghai Railway station

What's exit should we take in Shanghai Railway station to our hotel at South Xizang Road, Huangpu,

Answers (1)

Answered by Keith | Apr. 15, 2024 01:40

In which hotel will you stay in? South Xizang Rd. is 5km from Shanghai Railway Station, and you will need to take metro line 1 to People's Square and then transfer to line 8 to Lujiabang. Just follow the direction signs to find the entrance to the metro station.

Asked by Jiming from MALAYSIA | Apr. 12, 2024 21:02

Shanghai Metro card

Can we buy Shanghai metro card in Pudong airport & Shanghai Railway station with cash & if yes, where can we buy it. Also can this Shanghai metro card be used in Beijing, Suzhou & Hangzhou plus where others province.

Answers (1)

Answered by Keith | Apr. 14, 2024 23:20

Yes, you can buy a metro card on the self-service machine or ticket counter at the Pudong Airport or Shanghai Railway Station metro station. It cannot be used in other cities.

Asked by Jiming from MALAYSIA | Apr. 10, 2024 00:47

Shanghai HSR tickets

Will it be high seasons or normal period for us to make booking HSR ticket in Shanghai to Suzhou thru the counter on let's say 25/05/2024. Pls advice

Answers (1)

Answered by Joshua | Apr. 10, 2024 18:45

25/05/2024 is not a public holiday but a Saturday. Since over 200 HSR trains run between the two city, it should not be a big problem to get a ticket at the counter, but not guaranteed.