Undoubtedly, Beijing and Shanghai often come to your ear before you really visit China. Beijing is China's most well-known city, the capital with over 3000 years of history as well as the top-rated city preserving numerous historic and cultural legacies. By less than half a day high-speed train travel from Beijing, you can meet Magic City - Shanghai, the largest and most prosperous city with west and east style culture and the best showpiece of China. There are over 40 daily trains running from Beijing to Shanghai from about 6:30 to 21:30, and most of them are high-speed trains and 2 normal slow trains (T trains).
Among all the high-speed trains, about 30 G trains depart from Beijing South Railway Station and arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station with a duration of 4.5~6 hours, while the D trains leave from Beijing South Railway Station and Beijing Railway Station but get to Shanghai Railway Station finally after running about 12 hours. (Note: The D trains from Beijing to Shanghai are all overnight bullet trains leaving in the evening.)
Beijing Shanghai High Speed Railway Map
As one of the most influential high-speed railways connecting two principal cities in China, the Beijing Shanghai High-Speed Rail is also an important longitudinal line of the “Four Vertical & Horizontal” system of the national railway network. With the highest running speed of 350km/h, it begins from Beijing South Railway Station，extends 1318km in total, passes 7 provinces and 23 stops at Jinan West (济南西), Nanjing South (南京南) or maybe Tianjinn West (天津西) etc, and at last, arrives at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (D bullet trains will terminate at Shanghai Railway Station).
Location: No.12 Yongwai Avenue, Fengtai District, South Beijing (北京市丰台区永外大街12号)
Beijing South Railway Station is the largest and most important high speed train station in Beijing. It is located about 40km (1hr's driving) to Beijing Capital International Airport & 8km (25mins' driving) from Tiananmen Square. You can get to the station from Beijing Capital Airport by taxi for about 1 hour, or take the No.10 Airport Bus. Still, you can transfer to Metro Line 4 or Line 14 from downtown area to get there.
Location: No.1500, Shengui Road, Minhang District, West Shanghai (上海市闵行区申贵路1500号)
Next to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is about 40 mins' driving to Shanghai Museum and 45 mins' driving to Yuyuan Garden. You can take Metro Line 10 to Terminal 1 of Hongqiao Airport and then walk few minutes to Terminal 2. If you will go to Pudong Airport, taking a taxi for around 1 hour and 20 minutes is the most convenient way. Meanwhile, there are two subway lines (Metro Line 2 & 10) available for transportation to central city area.
Location: No.303, Moling Road, Jingan District, North Shanghai (上海市静安区秣陵路303号)
Shanghai Railway Station is one of the major train stations of Shanghai, both serving 170 high speed trains (G & D trains)and 53 normal (K, T, Z trains) every day. The station is located about 15 mins' driving to Shanghai Museum, 30 mins' driving to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and 1 hour to Shanghai Pudong Airport. From here, you can take Metro Line 1, Line 3 and Line 4 to transfer to downtown or other places in Shanghai, or get to the Pudong Airport by airport bus.
Second Class Seats: The most common type, featuring a "3+2" configuration (5 seats per row, with sections A/B/C as a three-seat block and D/F as a two-seat block). The seat width is approximately 48-50 cm, and the distance between rows is about 90-100 cm, making it suitable for short-distance travel or passengers with budget constraints. First Class Seats: Adopt a "2+2" configuration (4 seats per row, with two seats in sections A/C and two in D/F respectively). The seat width increases to 54-56 cm, and the row spacing is approximately 110-120 cm, offering more spacious room—ideal for passengers seeking greater comfort. Business Class Seats: Available in "1+2" or "1+1" configurations (2-3 seats per row). The seat width reaches 70-80 cm, and the row spacing can extend up to 130-150 cm (in some train models, seats can recline 180° to form a "bed"). The space is most comparable to that of an airplane's business class cabin, with strong privacy.
Foreign tourists can book train ticket online or via a ticket agency, or buy the tickets physically at the train station with your valid passport. Train ticket alteration and cancellation are only available at ticket counters or 12306 APP.
1) Prepare your passport and China Visa; 2) Get to the right train station at least 30 mins in advance; 3) Collect your train ticket (currently passengers can board train without paper ticket in most China train stations, only passport is required); 4) Read your train ticket; 5) Pass the security control; 6) Pass through Security & Luggage Checks; 7) Find the right waiting room; 8) Cross the ticket checking gate; 9) Get to the right platform; 10) Get on your train.
Passengers don't need to check luggage separately. Each passenger is allowed to carry luggage in certain weight and volume, but without limitation of amount and types.
All high speed trains in China are equipped with advanced facilities and good service, including luggage racks, air-conditioner, power socket, dining car, hot water, etc.
Beijing, the massive capital city of China for centuries, offers you much to discover and explore. You can visit the Forbidden City to witness the history of mighty imperial ancient China, hike the incredible Great Wall to get a lifetime memory, or wander along the traditional hutongs to experience the authentic local life...Usually, 2 to 4 days are needed to have an essential trip in Beijing which will cover the most popular attractions - Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Hutongs, etc. Now, it is available to have 144 hours Visa-Free Transit in Beijing, and you can go for a Beijing trip to explore all the stunning attractions in the city even without applying for a visa.
If you have more days, you can go for an in-depth Great Wall hiking or photography, and explore more hidden attractions in the city.
Beijing and Shanghai are two most popular tourist destinations in China. They are two of the places you must go, if you visit China for the first time, both having diverse things to do, high-quality accommodation, amazing food, featured cultural activities. You can travel either from Beijing to Shanghai or from Shanghai to Beijing. In Beijing, you can hike the Great Walls, visit the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and many other must-see attractions. While in Shanghai, you need at least 2~3 days to visit the Must-visit sites including the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai World Financial Center in Lujiazui, various historical architectures, Yu Garden, City God Temple along the Bund and busy Nanjing Road, etc. Local culture lovers can use one extra day to visit Tianzifang, Zhujiajiao Water Town, while family travelers can have fun in Shanghai Disney Resort. Meanwhile, you can also experience Maglev Train and energetic nightlife, taste diverse snacks to make your Shanghai tour interesting and memorable.
In Shanghai, you need at least 2~3 days to visit the Must-visit sites including the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai World Financial Center in Lujiazui, various historical architectures, Yu Garden, City God Temple along the Bund and busy Nanjing Road, etc. Local culture lovers can use one extra day to visit Tianzifang, Zhujiajiao Water Town, while family travelers can have fun in Shanghai Disney Resort.
Beijing Xian Shanghai are golden triangle cities often visited together for a week holiday. Besides Beijing and Shanghai, you can use 2 or 3 days to visit the main attractions in Xian including the incredible man-made wonder, the Terracotta Warriors, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Muslim Quarter, and Xian Ancient City Wall.
Or, with more time in Shanghai, you can extend the trip to the nearby cities of Shanghai such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, Huangshan Mountain, and further to Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road, Tibet and more phenomenal destinations to enrich your WeTrip.
As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, WeTrip has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, etc., in China. Travel with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You are free to choose from our most popular Beijing Shanghai tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in China.
Our Tailor-made Group Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing
Clients from USA Visited Forbidden City
Our Customers Paul & His Wife Visited the Bund
Customized Shanghai tour with Yu Garden for Timothy Family
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