🇨🇳 中国

China operates the world's largest high-speed rail network by a wide margin, with over 45,000 km of high-speed track as of 2025 -- more than the rest of the world combined. China Railway High-speed (CRH) and the newer CR Fuxing trains operate at up to 350 km/h on dedicated lines, connecting Beijing to Shanghai in 4.5 hours (1,318 km), Beijing to Guangzhou in 8 hours (2,298 km), and Beijing to Xi'an in 3.5 hours. The network is managed by China State Railway Group and has grown from virtually nothing in 2007 to a continental-scale system in under two decades. Tickets in China are sold primarily through the official 12306.cn website and app, which requires an international passport for foreign travelers. Third-party services like Trip.com offer English-language interfaces with small booking fees. Seat classes on high-speed trains include Business Class, First Class, and Second Class. Chinese ID or passport must be presented at real-name verification gates before boarding. Bookings typically open 15 days in advance for most routes. Conventional trains (T, K, Z, and ordinary class) serve cities not yet reached by high-speed rail and offer sleeper options for overnight travel. Sleeper classes (hard sleeper and soft sleeper) are comfortable and economical for long journeys. China has no equivalent to a tourist rail pass; tickets are purchased individually. WeChat Pay and Alipay are preferred for domestic purchases, but international credit cards are accepted on 12306.cn.