China's High Speed Trains: Everything You Need to Know Before You Ride (+ How to Book the Easy Way) For Beginners and Non-Chinese Speakers

I'll be honest: before I took my first high speed train in China, I was a little intimidated. A new country, a massive rail network, everything in Mandarin. Would I end up on the wrong train, at the wrong station, heading to the wrong city entirely?

Spoiler: none of that happened. What did happen was one of the smoothest, most impressive travel experiences of my life. After riding the rails from Shanghai to Beijing and through the stunning Sichuan to Chongqing corridor, I'm here to tell you that China's high speed trains are genuinely one of the best ways to travel in the world, and you absolutely need to experience them.

Here's everything you need to know before you go, from how to book China train tickets as a foreigner to exactly what happens at the station.

How to book China train tickets: skip the stress, use Klook

China's official rail booking app (12306) doesn't easily accept foreign credit cards, and it was a genuinely frustrating experience for me as an international traveller. You can book in person at the station, but I wouldn't recommend it: there might be no availability left, and you'll be hoping someone speaks enough English to help.

The easiest option by far? Book through Klook.

Step 1: Search your destination and travel date

You'll notice that trains more than 14 days after your search date have a little clock icon below them. This means they're pre-sale: you're reserving before official sales open. Klook books the tickets once they're released (usually around 2 weeks out) and sends you a confirmation once it's done. They say it's subject to availability, but I've personally never had an issue getting tickets.

Step 2: Choose your timing

Next you'll choose your departure time, and prices vary depending on when you travel. Popular routes have MANY trains departing throughout the day. Remember to check your start and end stations carefully, as some cities have more than one.

Step 3: Pick your seat class

You'll also choose the type of seat you'd like. Personally, I find both second and first class very comfortable, and some trains also have a business class option. Here's how they compare:

Second Class: a 3 plus 2 layout and the standard option. Power outlets and plenty of legroom. Honestly, it's better than economy on most flights.

First Class: a 2 plus 2 layout with wider seats and more space. Worth it for longer journeys like Shanghai to Beijing if you want to stretch out.

Business Class: fully reclining seats, the most premium option.

Step 4: Check out and apply your discount

You'll be brought to the checkout page. There's a small fulfilment fee, but don't worry: you can use my code ALYDIGITALKLOOK to get 5 to 10% off your booking.

I use Klook for all my China train bookings and it genuinely takes the hassle out of the whole process.

What to expect when you reach the train station

I'd recommend arriving at least 45 minutes to 1 hour before your train, especially if it's your first time, in case you lose your way or run into any issues.

The boards showing all the train information may not have any English. So keep track of your TRAIN NUMBER from your Klook account, and use that to find your gate (or "ticket check") number. The ticket check is where you scan your passport, which is your ticket.

At the stations I've been to, there have been two checkpoints where you scan your passport:

1. Once when you first enter the station.
2. A second time when you're queuing at your gate, just before boarding.

There are automated gates that locals use by scanning their ID cards, and there are manual scans by staff for all of us passport holders. Always walk over to the queue where a staff member is scanning manually. People tend to queue anywhere, so just be patient, wait your turn, and when you reach the front, show the staff your passport and they'll scan you in.

Why take the high speed train in China?

Let's start with the obvious question: why train over plane?

China has built the largest and busiest high speed rail network on the planet, over 45,000 kilometres of track connecting more than 550 cities. These bullet trains hit speeds of up to 350 km/h (217 mph). That's not just fast for a train, that's faster than most of us will ever travel on land in our lifetimes.

Beyond the wow factor, here's why it makes practical sense for travellers:

• City centre to city centre. Stations are in the heart of cities. No 90 minute airport transfer, no 2 hour check-in buffer. You arrive, board, and go.
• More comfortable than flying. Wider seats, room to walk around, no pressure changes, no middle seat nightmares.
• Reliable and punctual. I've never had a delayed high speed train in China. Not once.
• Scenic. On the Chengdu to Chongqing leg, my face was pressed to the window the whole ride. Mountains, valleys, rice terraces, it's stunning.
• Surprisingly affordable. Especially if you book in advance and grab a discount.

Tips for first-time riders

1. Bring your passport. Foreign travellers board using their passport. You'll need it at the security gate and again at the ticket check.
2. Arrive early. Give yourself at least 45 minutes before departure. Stations can be huge.
3. Know your station. Many Chinese cities have multiple train stations. Shanghai has Hongqiao and Shanghai Station. Beijing has Beijing South (for most high speed trains) and Beijing West. Always double-check you're heading to the right one.
4. Book ahead for peak season. During national holidays (Golden Week in October and Chinese New Year in January or February), trains sell out fast. Book as far ahead as you can.
5. Download Klook before you travel. It makes booking and managing tickets so much easier from your phone.
6. Relax and enjoy it. Seriously. This is one of the great travel experiences. Put your phone down (after taking photos) and appreciate that you're hurtling across China at 300 km/h in a seat more comfortable than most long-haul flights.

Popular high speed rail routes to know

Some of the routes worth knowing, with rough journey times:

• Shanghai to Beijing: about 4.5 to 6 hours
• Chengdu to Chongqing: about 1 to 1.5 hours
• Xi'an to Chongqing: about 5 to 6 hours
• Shanghai to Chongqing: about 7 to 10 hours

Final thoughts

China's high speed rail network is one of those things that genuinely changes how you see travel. It's fast, comfortable, reliable, scenic, and, when you use the right platform and a discount code, very affordable.

If you're visiting China, don't just use the train as a way to get between cities. Make the journey part of the experience. Grab a window seat, watch the landscape change, and appreciate the engineering marvel you're riding on.

Ready to book? Head to Klook and use code ALYDIGITALKLOOK at checkout for 5 to 10% off your China high speed rail tickets.