Exploring China’s Rail System: A traveller’s guide to train types and classes

Taking the train across the third largest country in the world may seem like a daunting task however with over 159,000 kilometres of railways, taking the train is a convenient and often affordable way to see the Middle Kingdom.

Here’s a guide from an Adventure China Alumni from their own experience of taking trains across China.

Buying the ticket

As a tourist, you can buy your train ticket online using apps such as Trip.com. To buy the digital ticket you will need to input your passport details and a photograph of the passport. 

You don’t need to collect a physical ticket or scan a digital one. Instead, bring your passport with you and hand it to the worker at the manual check-in point and at the gate.

Navigating the train station

Once you arrive at the entrance to the train station you will see a series of self-checkin desks. As a foreigner look for and walk towards the sign saying manual check in. Once at the front of the queue present your passport to the member of staff. 

Next up is security which is the same as an airport. Once through it's time to look for your train. Your ticket will have a unique code forming of both numbers and letters. Once you have found your train look for the gate. 

Sometimes the gate will be divided into A and B (for example 19A and 19B). If your carriage falls within the first half of the train, then you will board at A and if your carriage is in the latter part then you will board at B. Do not worry as the digital screen at the gate will say which side to board at. 

Once again, you must go to the manual gate for a staff member to scan your passport to ensure you are on the correct train. Once through find your carriage, store your luggage, find your seat, and enjoy the journey.

High-speed railway

China has the largest high-speed railway network in the world with a total length of 46,000 kilometres / 29,000 miles as of 2024 and more under construction. It has never been more convenient to travel between China's major cities. For example, Xi’an and Shanghai or Beijing and Harbin. High-speed trains have many modern conveniences such as reclining seats, western-style toilets, running water and digital signs in both Mandarin and English. High-speed trains have four different seat classes. The length of your journey will influence your choice of seat.

First Class 

First Class cabins are located either at the front or back of the train and are your most expensive choice. On shorter journeys of under two hours between your departure station and destination first class can be relatively low cost by international standards. On longer high-speed journeys such as those between Shanghai and Xi’an, prices are higher.

 A first-class ticket will get you a larger seat with more leg space and an adjustable headrest. Another benefit of first class is you are guaranteed to have a personal charging port making it ideal for long journeys. First class provides a quieter and more private experience in comparison to the other three classes.

Business Class

Some high-speed trains have cabins for business-class passengers. Business class can be more expensive than the first-class cabin. Business class passengers are entitled to complimentary drinks and snacks making longer journeys more comfortable. The other difference between first class and business class is the seat configuration. Business class cabins have two seats on the left and a single seat on the right with large reclining chairs that have adjustable headrests. Business class is the most luxurious way to travel for passengers willing to spend more money. However, it is important to note that business class may not be available on all journeys.

Second/Economy Class

Second class is the economy / standard seating area of the train. Most cabins are for second-class seats. Second class has smaller seats and more seats per cabin with three seats on either side of the aisle. Legroom is still modest and larger than the room you would get on an economy seat on an aeroplane. Second class seats also have power outlets and reclining seats. Second class is the most economical and still offers many comforts.

Standing class

The cheapest ticket class of the standing class. As the name suggests the standing class does not include a seat. Passengers who book this ticket will have to stand in between cabins. Passengers who choose this option tend to bring along their own seat such as a fold-up chair. Standing passengers are placed near the toilets and other facilities. The standing class offers the least amount of comfort.

In my personal experience having used business class, first class and economy class I would recommend economy class for longer journeys as the seats are still comfortable with ample leg room and the plug sockets offer reassurance that your phone is vital for navigating China. Business class is the best option for early morning journeys under two hours. The larger and more comfortable seats will allow you to catch up on some sleep and the quiet atmosphere of the cabin will ensure your day gets off to a good start. Business class whilst comfortable is not necessarily worth the extra cost.

Regular trains

Regular trains are more common on long-distance routes connecting major cities with more remote ones. Regular trains are commonplace in provinces and autonomous regions such as Tibet, Xinjiang, and Qinghai. Regular trains are older and tend to have fewer modern facilities for example the bathrooms tend to have squat toilets, and the use of digital screens is less prevalent. Passengers can choose from five different ticket types each providing a different level of comfort on those long-distance journeys often taking over 12 hours.

Soft sleeper

The soft sleep cabin gives passengers the most comfortable experience. Soft sleeper cabins are made up of four beds with two upper and two lower beds located within a private compartment. Each bed has a pillow, blanket, and mattress. The cabin has a sliding door providing that extra bit of privacy.

Hard sleeper

The hard sleeper cabin is made of six beds two at the top, two in the middle and two on the bottom. Just like with the soft sleeper a mattress, pillow and blanket are included. There is no door to close the cabin off from other passengers. Each carriage is comprised of several cabins. A small seating area is located on the other side of the aisle from the cabins. The comfort level is modest and is an affordable option ideal for lengthy journeys.

Soft seat

The soft seat cabin provides passengers with cushioned seats which can recline to a point. Leg room is modest. Two seats are on either side of the aisle. The soft seat is ideal for long journeys where you will not necessarily need to sleep. They do offer more privacy than the hard sleeper and hard seat cabins. Although if your journey is a long one a hard sleeper is better for getting some sleep in compared to the soft seat.

Hard seat

The hard seat cabin is less comfortable than the soft seat. The seats in this cabin are not cushioned nor do they recline. They are commonly made from wood or plastic. Passengers sit in rows of six people. On busier journeys, the hard-seat cabin can feel very cramped and noisy. 

Standing passengers

Just like on the high-speed trains passengers can pay for a seatless ticket. Standing passengers are not given a seat but can sit down until the person who reserved the seat comes along. Standing passengers are primarily restricted to between the carriages. This is the cheapest choice and offers nothing other than a ticket to board the train.

Advice for fellow travellers

In my personal experience, the hard sleeper carriage is best for longer journeys. It provides a satisfactory level of comfort and affordability.

However, of an evening, some passengers may choose to stay awake into the early hours of the day playing games and eating which may be a distraction for those trying to sleep on the train. 

If the journey you are embarking on is overnight, you may wish to bring headphones or opt for the soft sleeper cabin. 

I stayed in the soft sleeper cabin on a thirty-hour train ride from Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province to Xining in Qinghai Province. 

In hindsight, for a journey of that length, I would have upgraded to the soft sleeper cabin but the hard sleeper cabin is perfectly tolerable for journeys under 18 hours.

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