China Railway
- Schedule
- Reviews
About China Railway
A railway journey is a convenient way to explore the country. No matter whether you are after a quintessentially old school experience with a slow long-haul train or a super modern highspeed express, a train travel allows you to get to your destination in style and enjoy the trip at its most. China Railway is one of the operators you can book a train ride with. Before confirming your booking, remember to check the date of your travel, class, price and conditions of your fare.
What are the Main Stations of China Railway?
The main stations covered by China Railway’s route map include
- Hong Kong West Kowloon
- Shanghai Hongqiao
- Guangzhou South
- Beijing West
- Beijing South
- Xian North
- Zhangjiajie West
- Shanghai
- Chengdu East
- Kunming
What are the Most Popular Routes of China Railway?
Here are some of the routes offered by China Railway which enjoy the greatest popularity with travellers:
What are the Train Classes & Prices of China Railway?
Depending on the length of your trip and your preferences you can choose a first or second class ticket in a sleeper coach for an overnight trip or opt for a hard or soft seat if available. Note that the choice of ticket classes depends both on the route and the length of your trip. Basically, your train may feature first class berths but you will not be able to book one if you are doing just a short two-hour stretch. In general, second class berths are a good choice for longer trips, and soft seats get you covered if your train ride is supposed to take under 4-5 hours.
Pros & Cons of Train Travel
Pros of Train Travel
- The best thing about railway travel is no traffic jams. Even on rush-hour, long weekends or during the high season
- An easy online booking process – you do not need to go to the railway station, which was the case in many places not so long ago!
- Prices for train tickets are usually more affordable compared to airplane tickets yet for certain destinations and trips the total travel time can be almost the same
- While rail travel is obviously slower than air travel, railway stations are often located in the centre of the city which saves you a sack of time getting to/from there while airports are almost always are quite a long way out of the city
- Travelling by night allows you to save on a hotel room and sleep well at the same time – opposite to a night bus where even the sleeping class is a huge compromise
- On certain routes luxury service is available
Cons of Train Travel
- For longer trips a train ride is definitely more time consuming than air journeys
- Trains do ride on schedule but being out of schedule is not unheard of for train travel – and delays can be huge, so if you are planning a connection to your flight, carefully check the time your train arrives at the station and think twice.
- Cleanliness is sometimes an issue with second and third class tickets, and with toilets, too.
- If your train makes a lot of stops, in some cases it is difficult to figure out when to get off as stops are not always clearly announced or marked with the exception of an electronic screen.
China Railway Company Reviews
A
Train #G6562 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Sep 21, 2026
I don’t take the train
G
Train #G1406 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Sep 15, 2026
Just a stunning place to see and visit I'll go again and stay longer next time
F
Train #C86 First Class Seat, China Railway, Aug 31, 2026
Easy and helpful staff
M
Train #D88 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Aug 30, 2026
Everything perfect and on-time
A
Train #C91 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Aug 20, 2026
We received the tickets 4 days before departure.
We were delayed by one hour, but the information provided on board regarding the delay was clear. We took this service another time as well, with no issues.
The train was very spacious.
However, we were not given any choice of seats, which meant that the two of us were not seated together but On either side of the main aisle. There were empty seats available, though.
A
Train #C91 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Aug 20, 2026
We received the tickets immediately after placing the order (the booking was made 4 days before departure).
There were no issues during the journey, and the train was very spacious.
However, we were not given any choice of seats, which meant that the two of us were not seated together, but 5 rows apart. There were empty seats available, though.
R
Train #C86 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Aug 20, 2026
Very good
K
Train #G3750 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Jul 6, 2026
Was Great, fun, interesting, comfortable ride.
T
Train #C86 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Jun 20, 2026
Great trip. Quick. Clean. Organised. We arrived on time.
S
Train #D84 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Jun 15, 2026
Very well organised, clean, modern, comfortable
P
Train #C82 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Jun 4, 2026
Excelente service. Left and arrived on time and the train was very comfortable.
A
Train #G6373 Second Class Seat, China Railway, May 30, 2026
check in with passport did not work. Finally they sorted it out but didnt speak English so i didnt know what was going on, I got on the train in the nick of time. train is great, fast, comfortable but the stress of being there early and nearly missing the train because the system didn't work spoilt it for me
J
Train #D88 Second Class Seat, China Railway, May 30, 2026
Pick up was early, aircon, good seats for the 1h 40m journey we did and we also arrived early to our drop off. Would use again
M
Train #C92 First Class Seat, China Railway, May 30, 2026
It was supposed to be first class, but you had to wait in line with everyone else, except business class passengers. The back of the seat was hard. The train was quiet and did not induce discomfort for me. There were sick bags in the pocket. I rarely if ever get seasick. The train seems to be built for higher speeds than it travelled at. Mobile phone availability was very spotty once the train entered the mountains. Many long tunnels after about 1/3 of the distance. Although at the stations this line is called the Lao-China Railway, on the train they consistently say China-Lao Railway.
S
Train #G2904 Second Class Seat, China Railway, May 25, 2026
Very easy everything
C
Train #D86 Second Class Seat, China Railway, May 20, 2026
Must improve clearness in toilets
T
Train #D575 Second Class Seat, China Railway, May 20, 2026
No view, thus it takes a lot of time. Why no hustle after 800 km?
S
Train #C85 Second Class Seat, China Railway, May 19, 2026
Fast, on time, helpful staff
M
Train #C91 Second Class Seat, China Railway, May 17, 2026
Everything went smooth. Very professional staff.
L
Train #D86 Second Class Seat, China Railway, May 17, 2026
The ticket shouldn’t be sold here from Kunming if the paper ticket for foreigners needs to be collected from Kunming South! It was quite confusing and stressful when we checked the ticket the night before and in the end decided to take a risk and head direct to Kunming South. Thankfully this was the right thing to do and we were allowed to board but who knows what would have happened if we’d gone to Kunming Station…
J
Train #K11 Hard Seat, China Railway, May 17, 2026
It wasn’t clear that certain products, like deodorant and sunscreen bottles, were not allowed. These were taken away during check-in, and the staff handled the situation in a rather unfriendly manner.
M
Train #G2051 Second Class Seat, China Railway, May 16, 2026
12go is not a reputable train ticket agent; out of 15 tickets I paid for, almost all of them
were cancelled by the agent. Never again 12go
C
Train #C92 Second Class Seat, China Railway, May 8, 2026
Nice way to travel between cities. Speed train affortable.
M
Train #D88 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Apr 25, 2026
Four times the actual cost of buying tickets at the station.
K
Train #C97 First Class Seat, China Railway, Apr 19, 2026
The train was great, very comfortable seats fast journey, everything on time. The problem was at the station. Luang Prabang station is a starting point for several international trains. As a result, it has something approaching airport style security, very lax in some ways but can be quite pedantic if you are stopped for a check. I was, and they confiscated an aerosol deodorant I’d been using (I thought it pretty, but wasn’t overly bothered). But they also confiscated a small Swiss Army knife that has travelled with me halfway around the world, via several airports, many other buses and trains and 3 border crossings without issue. Someone in Laos is going to get a very nice present at my expense. I wouldn’t mind, but unlike an airport, they do not separate domestic from international travellers. I was not leaving the country. The penknife was in the baggage that would have gone in the hold had I been travelling by air. As I was leaving the check area, I heard the lady next to me complaining that they were taking the table knife she’s been using to eat her food with. It’s all so petty and pointless.
J
Train #G6079 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Apr 18, 2026
It was good, +you could bend the chairs back so you didn’t need to sit up straight all the time.
D
Train #K12 Hard Seat, China Railway, Apr 16, 2026
It's the holiday season so I should have guessed it - crowded and sat at opposite end of train from my partne. First class next time at this time of year
J
Train #D43 1st Class Sleeper, China Railway, Apr 10, 2026
It was quite uncomfortable and super crowded but had worse rides
G
Train #D902 EMU Sleeper, China Railway, Apr 8, 2026
The train is great, but for the train station in Shenzhen, you need to do a dry run if you plan on using the metro to get there and carry heavy luggage, otherwise you may walk a long time before finding your way to the station.
L
Train #G5828 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Apr 4, 2026
The website communicated regularly and kept us up to date re our high speed rail tickets from HK to Futian
G
Train #C82 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Apr 3, 2026
Comfortable even though we were in second class
K
Train #C8024 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Apr 1, 2026
Proactive train stewardess, always remind all to keep volume down
P
Train #K11 Hard Seat, China Railway, Mar 19, 2026
.
B
Train #D1979 First Class Seat, China Railway, Mar 19, 2026
It was quick and easy and they even helped me with a changed that need to be done.
P
Train #G3821 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Mar 15, 2026
Small issues with ticket issuance.
J
Train #G906 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Mar 11, 2026
Smooth procedures. Great train.
M
Train #C91 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Mar 1, 2026
Quick and well organized
D
Train #C85 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Feb 20, 2026
Very good
M
Train #K11 Hard Seat, China Railway, Feb 17, 2026
Everything ok, the train is excellent as the 12go service. But mind your multi tool knife in your luggage or backpack, the check control will trough away (precisely, they keep it for them). I lost a 150$ multi tool, my father's gift...
A
Train #C91 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Feb 17, 2026
Efficient, clean modern train station.
B
Train #C86 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Feb 6, 2026
Great service ,train very comfortable,journey was on time .Everything went smoothly.
Thank you
C
Train #C81 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Feb 5, 2026
Such easy process
B
Train #C86 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Feb 1, 2026
There was a problem my ticket which required that I purchase another ticket at the train station.
I have contacted 12GO support for a refund on the initial ticket.
If this is proceeds smoothly, then please change my rating to five stars and count me in as another happy customer.
Thanks very much!
C
Train #C91 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Jan 29, 2026
Was such an easy process
I
Train #C86 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Jan 29, 2026
Everything on time, no problems, clear rules.
D
Train #C85 First Class Seat, China Railway, Jan 23, 2026
Woman in the ticket office pretended that she doesn't know what 12Go is about. She told us "No" and asked to call the agency. Didn't know what she meant by that. Then she served young Asian tourist and entered their Booking information from 12Go. Could not find their tickets. Then we asked to do same for us. She reluctantly typed the booking info and believe or not found our tickets! Hallelujah, Praise the lord! This woman either didn't feel like typing the booking number or just purely enjoyed not giving people tickets.
Following that airport security checks to get through the train station, passport checks scanning, etc. They took my Swiss knife away as I can't take it on a train. On a flight at least you can check things in, in the main luggage. Anyway, going back to the same train station, luckily so hopefully can get this knife back for a 'small fee', which is not that small at all.
The train journey was good though, first class seats were nice, reclining and comfortable. However, everything else was cheap plastic. Strange choice of colour scheme of the seats. Nevertheless, nice to travel at 161kph through Laos.
F
Train #D87 First Class Seat, China Railway, Jan 19, 2026
It was a nice and smooth jerney
S
Train #D940 EMU Sleeper, China Railway, Jan 19, 2026
Punctual, helpful and reliable
L
Train #C91 Second Class Seat, China Railway, Jan 17, 2026
Everything well organised
M
Train #S503 Standing, China Railway, Jan 8, 2026
Great train, everything worked as expected and on time. A bit difficult to find the right station / terminal, and we were confused because the entrance (security check) was unmanned and locked until 20 minutes before departure - we were there 2 hours in advance “just in case”. Was also not obvious how to check in using passport, but luckily staff is friendly/ helpful, despite language barrier. Would definitely go again, but show up 30 minutes early, not 2 hours 😅