Get onboard
By Lin Shujuan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-16 10:27
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China has one of the biggest and busiest rail networks in the world, and trains link almost every town and city. A Chinese train journey is an experience in itself.
Here is some basic information to help you plan your train travel in China.
Train schedules:
Visit www.chinatravelguide.com for information in English
Get a downloadable China train timetable in Chinese at http://www.shike.org.cn/
For Duncan Peattie's Quick Reference timetable in English for trains running between the biggest cities (see main story), visit www.chinatt.org
Find a map of Chinese railways in English at www.johomaps.com/as/china/chinarail.html
Categories of train:
Chinese train numbers usually start with a letter, which indicates their speed and service. The better the speed and service, the higher the fares.
C and D trains are top-quality high-speed trains with ultra-modern air-conditioned coaches. Some are 200-300km/h daytime electric trains, while a few D-trains are 200km/h sleeper trains. The previous top-quality sleeper train, the "Z" trains, also have very modern, air-conditioned coaches.
The T trains are the "extra fast" ones, while K trains are "fast".
Ticket reservation:
Reservations for the best D, C or Z-category express trains open 10-20 days before departure, but reservations for other trains open just 5-10 days before departure. You cannot buy tickets before reservations open. Tickets are best booked at least 2-3 days in advance, except during for the peak periods (Spring Festival, May Day and National Day holidays) when they should be booked as soon as reservations open.
Where to buy:
At the station: It is easy to buy your tickets at the station, but remember to take your passport with you. In big cities such as Beijing or Shanghai you should look for the special ticket window for foreigners. But generally you can only buy a ticket for a journey starting at that station, not for journeys starting elsewhere.
Through agents: There are usually many train ticket agents in big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, who charge an additional 5 yuan for each ticket. Most locals should be able to put you in touch with one, or you can ask your hotel to book it for you. Some agents can also organize a home delivery of your ticket/s, at an additional charge.
Reservations online: You can visit www.chinatripadvisor.com, www.chinatraintickets.net, www.china-train-ticket.com, or www.train-ticket.net, who sell train tickets for Beijing-Shanghai, Beijing-Hong Kong and Shanghai-Hong Kong. Kowloon-Guangzhou Railway Corporation (local trains in Hong Kong plus through trains HK to Beijing and Shanghai): www.mtr.com.hk.
