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Bring your passport As of June 1st, 2011, new regulations are in force. Foreigners must show their passport to purchase tickets for the fast trains. Chinese citizens show their ID cards. |
China is building a high-speed passenger rail network, similar to French TGV or Japanese Shinkansen “bullet trains” but far larger. The overall plan calls for 13,000 km of lines in a national high-speed passenger network by 2012, and 20-odd thousand by 2020. Over 8,000 km (5,000 miles) were already in service as of 2010.
These are easily the best way of getting around China where available. The trains are clean, comfortable and modern. Seating is comparable to that in an airplane. Most tickets are for assigned seats; no-seat tickets are sometimes sold in limited numbers, but unlike regular Chinese trains, there is never a mad crush with more people sitting in the aisles than in seats. Also unlike other trains, no smoking is allowed, including toilet and between carriages. Prices are reasonable and, on most routes, departures are frequent.
The fast trains are called CRH, China Railway High-speed. At some train stations there is a separate CRH ticket office or even vending machines; at others, CRH tickets are sold at separate counters in the main ticket office. In either case, just look for the “CRH” signs or logo. Note that non-Chinese can no longer use the vending machines; you must go to a counter so they can check your passport.
The speeds attained vary considerably from line to line. The technology used also varies. Nearly all the rolling stock is now manufactured in China, but much of the technology comes from abroad. The Canadian company Bombardier, Japanese Kawasaki, German Siemens and European Alstom have been involved.
See China#Get_around for more general information on rail travel in China.