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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 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:

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.
 

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.

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.
Second Class Seat First Class Seat
Business Class Seat Seats Difference

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 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.
 

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
 

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
 

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 Mar. 27, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on China High Speed Train
Asked by irene ow from SINGAPORE | Mar. 27, 2024 20:13Reply
Can advise how to take bullet train from Hongkong airport to shenzhen Metropark hotel
I like to take bullet train from Hongkong airport to shenzhen metropark hotel can advise where to take the train and where to alight in shenzhen.
Asked by Jennifer from AUSTRALIA | Mar. 25, 2024 17:15Reply
What's the best price for a high-speed rail trip between Beijing and Shanghai?
We are looking to travel from Shanghai to Beijing and return but we are getting very expensive quotes. Is there a rail pass in China, like there is in Japan? Or what is the most cost-effective way to undertake this travel?
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Mar. 26, 2024 01:19
00Reply


If you need to travel between the two frequently, between Beijing to Shanghai, China Railway provides Multi-ride package, 20-ride within 90 days costing CNY 11,240 for second class seat (CNY562 for each ride), which allows you travel between the two city for 20 times in 90 days and saves you much money.

FYI: sometimes the flight ticket costs only CNY 400-500.
Asked by Ligen from USA | Mar. 12, 2024 15:04Reply
When do I receive the tickets?
Hello there,

I have booked and paid for high speed train ticket below:

Beijing - Shanghai
Shanghai - Xi'an
Xi'an to Lhasa for a Soft Sleeper

When is the ticket available? Is it at the Train Station when I get there, do I get a QR code, do I get an email?
Answers (1)
Answered by TravelChinaGuide | Mar. 14, 2024 18:18
00Reply


Dear Ligen, the tickets will be released by the official 14-15 days before departure. We will get you the e-tickets right on the day they turn available and send you an email. On the departure day, you can show your passport to enter the railway station and get onboard; there is no need to collect the paper tickets. If you want the paper tickets as souveniors, collect them at the ticket counters of any railway station by showing the passport. Have a nice day~
Asked by sam | Feb. 21, 2024 04:11Reply
seat selection
can i select the seat as i am traveling with family
Answers (1)
Answered by Hailey | Feb. 21, 2024 22:05
00Reply


Generally, you can try to select but the result is not guaranteed.
Asked by Barbara from AUSTRALIA | Feb. 08, 2024 05:50Reply
is there high speed train covering the major sites on silk road ?
For example, if I fly into Dunhuang going to Urumqi, Turpan, Jiayuguan is there high speed train covering part of the route at least ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Helen | Feb. 18, 2024 20:01
00Reply


Yes, of course. Trains are available from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, from Jiayuguan to Turpan, and from Turpan to Urumuqi.
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