China High Speed Train Types

You know China has the largest high-speed railway network in the world with currently over 100 cities in China with a population greater than 1 million and expected to grow to 221 cities by 2025, linking by high speed trains. Taking high speed train to see and explore the vast China is one of the most fashionable ways to travel within China. The train experience would be delightful with relatively cheap tickets, painless security, comfortable seats, air-conditioned cabins and plenty of legroom.

So, want to take some minutes to figure out what types of high speed trains are you going to take? What is the highest speed you can experience during your bullet train journey? What are the huge differences between high speed trains and normal trains in China? Let's learn together!

Fuxing train - the fastest train reaching up to 400km/h

Before starting, you should make clear what are Hexie Hao, Fuxing Hao and Vibrant Express.

● Hexie Hao (Chinese: 和谐号; literally: Harmony): It is known as the CRH series EMU and has root in foreign technology, which includes CRH 1, CRH2, CRH3, CRH5 and CRH6. While, the later variants of Hexie Hao such as CRH380A are designed by Chinese company without foreign technology. The highest speed can reach up to 350km/h.

● Fuxing Hao (Chinese: 复兴号; literally: Rejuvenation): It is next-generation EMU called CR series developed by China with independent intellectual property rights. There are usually two train sets - CR400AF and CR400BF. For the operation of Fuxing trains, the travel time between Beijing and Shanghai is shorten to 4 hours and 18 minutes for 1318 kilometers with the highest speed reaching up to 400km/h.

● Vibrant Express (Chinese: 动感号; literally: Vibrant): The vibrant CRH380A has been modified to a new model called MTR CRH380A, served under the brand Vibrant Express specially for Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Line. It is the only high speed train model China exported, and it mainly runs on Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High Speed Railway. Get more details about Hong Kong High Speed Trains.

The above name given are based on electric multiple unit (EMU). You can find the corresponding "Hexie Hao, Fuxing Hao and Vibrant Express" and Chinese characters on the high speed trains. Besides the different generations and trainsets, China high speed trains can be generally classified into three types according to its speed and track: G train, D train and C train. When booking your train, you can select from "G", "D" or "C" series with different durations and prices. Not all high speed routes are with three series of high speed trains. Some are only with G trains, some are only with D trains and while some are only with C trains. Normally C trains are intercity trains with short distance. Know their features one by one!

G Trains - the Fastest & Most Advanced Train in China

G train ("Gaosu Dongche", high speed EMU Train, 高速动车), is the latest generation CRH (China Railway High-speed), all with a speed of 250-400km/h. G trains run on ballast-free tracks, with leading and advanced operational outfit. G-series high speed trains usually serve between major and popular cities in China. They run during the day and would finish the last trip before 12am.

The following routes are highly recommended to take G trains to explore classic parts of China.

Many G Trains Going Through Wuhan

Recommended Route	Distance	Duration	Frequency	Price
Beijing - Shanghai	1318km	4h18' - 6h17'	38 daily G trains	Second Class Seat: ￥553 First Class Seat: ￥933 Business Class Seat: ￥1748
Beijing - Xian	1216km	4h20' – 6h2'	17 daily G trains	Second Class Seat: ￥515.5 First Class Seat: ￥824.5 Business Class Seat: ￥1627.5
Xian - Shanghai	1509km	6~7.5 hours	9 daily G trains	Second Class Seat: ￥669.5 First Class Seat: ￥1095 Business Class Seat: ￥2114
Shanghai - Huangshan	662km	4~4.5 hours	2 daily G trains	Second Class Seat: ￥304 First Class Seat: ￥505.5 Business Class Seat: ￥948.5
Beijing - Huangshan	1306km	5h33' - 6h51'	8 daily G trains	Second Class Seat: ￥548.5 First Class Seat: ￥924 Business Class Seat: ￥1732.5

For more G train infos, please go and see G-series Train & Features.

D Trains - the Second Fastest High Speed Train in China

D train ("Dongche", EMU Train, 动车), is the second fastest high speed train usually running at a speed from 200km/h to 250 km/h, with highest speed of 250 km/h. It is the earlier generation CRH (China Railway High-speed), mostly used on the popular rail lines connecting more stations and intermediate cities. They run in the day as well as at night. Some long-distance overnight D-series trains are equipped with soft sleepers.

The following routes are highly recommended to take D trains to explore different parts of China.

D High Speed Trains at Chongqing North Railway Station

Recommended Route	Distance	Duration	Frequency	Price
Guilin - Chongqing	757km	4h22' - 5h43'	23 daily D trains	Second Class Seat: ￥255.5 First Class Seat: ￥408
Lanzhou - Urumqi	1777km	12~12.5 hours	4 daily D trains	Second Class Seat: ￥551 First Class Seat: ￥882
Yichang - Wuhan	318km	2~3 hours	57 daily D trains	Second Class Seat: ￥84.5 First Class Seat: ￥137
Shanghai - Yichang	1150km	6.5~8 hours	10 daily D trains	Second Class Seat: ￥347.5 First Class Seat: ￥416 New Sleeper: ￥520 Deluxe Soft Sleeper: ￥900
Wuhan - Shiyan (Wudangshan)	442km	3.5~4.5 hours	4 daily D trains	Second Class Seat: ￥141 First Class Seat: ￥225
Kunming - Lijiang	478km	3~3.5 hours	3 daily D trains	Second Class Seat: ￥220 First Class Seat: ￥351

For more D train info, please go and see D-series Train & Features.

C Trains - High Speed Trains Running between Two Neighboring Cities

C train ("Chengji Dongche", Intercity EMU Train, 城际动车), is a kind of high speed train generally running between neighboring cities or only cities within a province, operating service on high-speed track at designed speeds at and below 200km/h (124 mph).

It is a time-saving as well as money-saving way to travel two destinations in a short distance by C train. No matter you are planning a long China tour and want to add some single attraction close to the big city into your bucket list, like Tianjin near Beijing, Leshan Giant Buddha / Dujiangyan Panda Base / Mount Qingcheng near Chengdu, Hangzhou West Lake near Shanghai, or looking for a short break in one hot destination with in-depth exploration to its neighbor destinations, you can choose the fast and convenient c-series high speed train as the transport.

The following routes are highly recommended to take fast intercity trains to visit destinations nearby major cities.

China High Speed Intercity Trains - C Trains (Running from Beijing to Tianjin)

Recommended Route	Distance	Duration	Frequency	Price
Beijing - Tianjin	122km	0.5 hour	over 160 daily C trains	Second Class Seat: ￥55 First Class Seat: ￥88 Business Class Seat: ￥174
Chengdu - Leshan	135km	1 hour	18 daily C trains	Second Class Seat: ￥54 First Class Seat: ￥86
Chengdu - Emeishan	162km	1~1.5 hours	12 daily C trains	Second Class Seat: ￥65 First Class Seat: ￥104

For more C train info, please go and see C-series Train & Features.

Z/T/K - Not High Speed Train Type - Speed at or below 160km/h

Z, T and K series trains belongs to China normal train (or China regular train). It is the conventional train in China usually with a speed at and below 160km/h (99mph). After the year of 2014, all the normal trains are colored in "GREEN", so it also can be called "green train".

● Z - Non-Stop Express ("Zhida", 直达): The highest speed is 160km/h (99mph). It runs directly to destinations non-stop for overnight train or several stops at large stations.

● T - Express ("Tekuai", 特快): The top speed is 140 km/h (87mph). Have a limited number of stops along their routes, only in major cities.

● K - Fast ("Kuaisu", 快速): It runs with its speed not exceed 120 km/h (75mph). This series of trains stop at more stations than T-series, usually at middle and large stations.

Qinghai Tibet Train with Gorgeous Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains View

Not every province and destination is linking by high speed train at present. Taking normal train to visit some places are still essential. For travelers who want to travel to Tibet by train, normal train from Beijing, Chengdu, Xian or Lanzhou will be your best choice at present. Zhangjiajie, the surreal Avatar world, has only normal trains well linked with Yichang and Changsha, etc.

For more normal train info, please check China Normal Train, Advantages & Disadvantages & Recommended Routes.

Your Next Step - Choose Your Favorite Seats on High Speed Trains

After having a basic understanding about China high speed train types, it is time to check the different classes of seats on G, D or C trains.

On the G trains, it usually provides three types of seats: First Class Seat, Second Class Seat and Business Class Seat. And on the D trains, there only are First Class Seats and Second Class Seats. On some overnight D trains, some sleeping berths are offered for a better comfortable longer train trip.

To let you know the features of each kind and class of seats on the high speed train, you can check the seat arrangement, size, equipment, and pictures of Second Class Seat, First Class Seat, Business Class Seat and New Sleeper, Deluxe Soft Sleeper and Soft Sleeper.

For more Seats Info, please go and see High Speed Train Seat Classes.

First Class Seat on China High Speed Train

Spacious First Class Seat with 2+2 Seats in a Row

Travel with WeTrip for China High Speed Tour

If you want to explore beautiful China by high speed train, WeTrip will book the most suitable high speed train schedules among G trains, D trains or C trains based on your tour arrangement. There is no need to worry about which types of train to take! What you need to do is tell us your favorite seat type, and we'll try our best to book the type for you. Why not discover China with WeTrip with a superfast speed?! Go!