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China High-Speed Trains: G, D and C Types, Speeds and How to Book
China’s high-speed trains come in three types, identified by the letter in front of the train number. G trains are the fastest, running at up to 350 km/h on dedicated ballast-free track. D trains run at 200–250 km/h and stop more often. C trains are short intercity hops at up to 200 km/h. Anything lettered Z, T or K is a conventional train at 160 km/h or below, not high-speed at all.
To book, you need your passport: register it in the official 12306 app, buy at a station counter, or have us handle the reservation as part of a tour. Popular routes on public holidays sell out, so book five to ten days ahead where you can. Our step-by-step booking guide walks through the process, and the sections below are the starting point if you are still choosing routes.
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 (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 (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 (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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
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
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. Compare them side by side in our high-speed train seat guide, and see what is actually on board — power sockets, toilets, the dining car and why the Wi-Fi rarely works for overseas visitors.
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.
Spacious First Class Seat with 2+2 Seats in a Row
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between G, D and C trains in China?
The letter is the service class. G trains are the fastest, running at up to 350 km/h on dedicated high-speed track with the fewest stops. D trains run at 200 to 250 km/h and call at more stations. C trains are intercity services at up to 200 km/h, usually between two neighbouring cities or within one province. Z, T and K trains are conventional trains at 160 km/h or below.
How fast do China high-speed trains actually go?
Up to 350 km/h in regular G-train service. Beijing to Shanghai, 1,318 km, takes about four and a half to six hours depending on the number of stops, and Beijing to Xian around four hours.
How do I book a China high-speed train ticket with a foreign passport?
Three ways. Register your passport in the official 12306 app and book there; buy at a station ticket counter, showing the same passport; or have your tour operator reserve the seats for you. Whichever way you book, the passport you booked with is the ticket, and you must bring it to board.
How far in advance should I book?
Five to ten days ahead is enough for most routes. Around Chinese New Year, the October National Day holiday and other public holidays, popular routes sell out much earlier and extra trains are added at short notice.
Which seat class should I choose?
Second Class is comfortable and the best value, with five seats per row. First Class has four seats per row and more legroom. Business Class, available on G trains, has fully reclining seats and includes meals. Overnight sleeper berths exist on a small number of long-distance services.
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!
