Navigating China’s High-Speed Trains: A Pro Travel Guide

website.\n\nThe website is 12306.cn. \n\nThey have an English translated website and app. \n\nWe recommend downloading the app for easy referencing. \n\nYou can also add other passengers to your account and purchase tickets for them, \n\nprovided that you have their passport information.\n\nThe quirk is you cannot purchase tickets for someone that is using a Chinese passport or ID. \n\nWhen we first booked our train tickets, \n\nthe website allowed us to book up to 4 trips online\n\nbefore we had to verify our identification at the train station.

\n\nNow, online verification is available, \n\nwhich makes it even more convenient for non-Chinese speakers. \n\nThe website will ask for a picture of your passport page. \n\nOnce you upload it, your identification is now verified.\n\nYou can use international credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, \n\nor also Alipay and WeChat Pay to buy tickets.\n\nSome things to keep in mind when using the official website:\n\nYou cannot reserve tickets more than 15 days ahead. \n\nEven though the website and app is in English,\n\nit's useful to learn a few key phrases

\n\nsince many train station names that include the four cardinal directions are not translated well.\n\n"Bei" means North, "Nan" means South, "Dong" means East, and "Xi" means West.\n\nThe second booking platform we recommend is third-party website Trip.com.\n\nThey charge a booking fee.\n\nWith Trip.com, you can reserve tickets up to 60 days in advance,\n\nunlike 12306, which only allows reservations 15 days in advance.\n\nHowever, please note that these advance reservation tickets are not officially confirmed at the time of booking. \n\nEssentially,

you will be placed on a waitlist for the tickets,\n\n and once 12306 releases them, Trip.com will automatically secure your tickets for you.\n\nThis website is easier to navigate for English-speakers, \n\nwith the translation for the cardinal directions if it is a part of the station name. \n\nThe website also indicates the province of the city to help prevent misbooking cities with similar spellings. \n\nFor instance, the station "Suzhou" is spelled the same in English \n\nfor locations in both Jiangsu Province and Anhui Province, \n\nbut they have

different Chinese characters.\n\nThe Trip.com website is useful in highlighting these distinctions.\n\nWhen booking tickets on 12306,\n\n I found having the Trip.com website open alongside it was helpful. \n\nYou??ve booked your tickets so let's talk about arriving at the train station. \n\nArrive early.\n\nWe try to be at the station at least an hour before our train departure time.\n\nSome stations are huge and at peak travel times,\n\n there can be a line to get through security. \n\nWhen entering the train Station, there will be an ID check. \n\nThis

is the first checkpoint you will present your passport.\n\nLook for the line that says ??manual channel,'\n\nor for these characters: ??????.\n\nThe other lines do not have the ability to scan passports. \n\nNext, you will undergo a Security Check. \n\nYour luggage goes through a conveyor belt X-ray scanner,\n\nwhile you will go through a metal detector\n\nand a manual scan with a detector wand by security staff.\n\nAfter the security check, you can check out the eateries or shops some stations have. \n\nCheck your ticket and the departure board for the

Boarding Gate information of your train.\n\nThe information is usually in both Chinese and English,\n\nunless it is a smaller station\n\nThe board lists what the status of your train is. \n\nHere are some important statuses you may see and the colors they may be in. \n\nBoarding Gates usually open 15 minutes before departure. \n\nWhen your train is ready to board, line up at the line usually marked ??Manual Channel,?? \n\nor simply where there is a person to check your passport.\n\nUsually, this line is the furthest most right or left of the

gate.\n\nHave your passport ready to present to the staff. \n\nTake the stairs, elevator, or escalator down to the platform.\n\nIf you are not boarding the train at its first station, \n\nyou will need to line up at the platform for the incoming train.\n\nAlong the platform, there are signs on the ground indicating where to line up for your coach.\n\nSince trains can vary in length, the signs are color-coded,\n\nand the color assigned to your train can be found on the departure boards.\n\nAll coaches are clearly labeled with the train number, departure

and arrival stations, and the coach number.\n\nYou are now on the train!\n\nFind your seat using the seat numbers displayed above the windows.\n\nIn addition to overhead racks,\n\nthere are luggage racks located at the back of the coaches,\n\nas well as space behind the last row of seats for luggage.\n\nSecond class seats feature charging ports, reclining seats, and tray tables.\n\nIf you are hungry, trolleys come by with drinks and food to purchase.\n\nThere are also hot water stations at the end of each coach.\n\nYou can use it to make tea or instant

noodles. \n\nOn the train, you may find restrooms with either a western toilet, squat toilet,\n\n or wheelchair access located between the coaches. \n\nThe type of restroom can vary between the carriages,\n\nso take a walk around to find the type you prefer.\n\nLet??s talk about getting off the train and exiting the station.\n\nThe train only stops briefly at each station.\n\nHave your luggage ready if your destination isn??t the last stop. \n\nYou will pass through exit machines when exiting the station.\n\nAgain, look for the Manual Channel line and

have your passport ready to scan. \n\nCongratulations! You have arrived at your destination! \n\nAlways refer to the official China Railway website for the most up-to-date information,\n\nas procedures may have changed. \n\nHave you ever experienced riding China??s high-speed trains?\n\nShare your adventures in the comments.\n\nWhere did you travel to on your journeys? \n\n Thank you for watching and happy travels!