Zhangjiajie High Speed Trains | Take High Speed Train to Zhangjiajie 2025/2026

Located in Northwestern Hunan Province, China, about 320km (199 miles) away from the capital city of Hunan - Changsha, Zhangjiajie is China's one of the top popular tourist destinations, attracting numerous tourists there each year. Wulingyuan Scenic Area of there, which includes Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie and Yangjiajie, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its unique sandstone pillars, which inspired the floating mountains in the movie "Avatar".

Popular Zhangjiajie High Speed Train Railway Routes

With Zhangjiajiexi/Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (张家界西站), the high-speed train station especially serving Zhangjiajie tourism, officially in operation, you can easily access direct train lines to major metropolitan areas such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Additionally, popular tourist cities like Guilin, Chongqing, and even Hong Kong are also well-connected, offering convenient travel options for visitors. For those coming from nearby cities like Changsha, the high-speed train service provides a quick and efficient journey. The station also offers easy access to nearby tourist attractions such as Furong Ancient Town and Fenghuang Ancient Town, both of which are renowned for their historical charm and picturesque scenery. Can't wait to plan a bullet train tour to "Avatar World"? Contact us to make a perfect itinerary.

Zhangjiajie High Speed Rail Map

Beijing–Zhangjiajie High Speed Trains

Beijing operates not only flights to Zhangjiajie, but also high speed trains and normal trains. The high speed train railway was put into operation newly in 2021.

High Speed Trains: The high speed trains to Zhangjiajie depart from Beijing West Railway Station, arrive at Zhangjiajie West Railway Station after about 11 hours, passing by cities in Hebei Province, Hubei Province and Hunan Province, such as Shijiazhuang, Wuhan, Changsha, etc. It's a long trip but can see many different landscape, cities and towns. The ticket prices are about 950~3,000 RMB.

Normal Trains: Beijing sends 1 Z-train and 2 K-trains traveling to Zhangjiajie each day. All the trains arrive at Zhangjiajie on the second day, for the whole journey takes at least 18 hours. But thanks to the long-time journey, you can have a deep communication with the beautiful sightseeing outside the windows, traverse from Norther China to central area. Better get a Soft Sleepers to lie down comfortably during the journey.

Zhangjiajie Tianzi Mountain

The Great Wall

Shanghai–Zhangjiajie High Speed Trains

Railway Stations: Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站) & Jinshanbei Railway Station (金山北站) → Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station (张家界西站)

Duration: about 9 hours

Except Beijing, Shanghai is also a top gateway city for foreign travelers to explore China. Known as the most energetic center of China, Shanghai enjoys huge transportation network, both high speed train and air to all across China. And the city itself is a perfect tourist destination to witness modern and traditional architecture, skyline and night view.

High Speed Trains: The journey from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie is about 9 hours, which is a bit long as a high speed rail because there are middle stops in Hangzhou, Nanchang, Changsha, Fenghuang and many other cities. If your time allows, you can travel Zhangjiajie with Hangzhou, Changsha, Fenghuang Ancient Town, etc. together to shorten your train ride. The ticket prices are about 750~1,400 RMB.

Normal Trains: There are usually a few daily K-trains from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, all overnight trains arriving on the next day. The trains depart from Shanghainan/Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站) and Songshanbei Railway Station (松山北站). The travel time ranges from about 14.5 to 16.5 hours. Soft Sleeper Berth is most recommended since you will have a quite long journey on board.

Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower

Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge

Guangzhou–Zhangjiajie High Speed Trains

When planning a trip from Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie, you'll be pleased to know that there are many direct trains available. Whether you prioritize the speed and comfort of high-speed trains or the budget-friendly nature of normal trains, there are options to meet your needs and preferences.

High Speed Trains: From Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie, there are many daily direct high-speed trains available. Departure stations include Guangzhounan Station (广州南站), Guangzhou Station (广州站), Guangzhoubei Station (广州北站), Guangzhoubaiyun Station (广州白云站), and Xintang Station (新塘站). You can choose the departure station closest to your accommodation when purchasing tickets. The earliest high-speed train departs around 07:30, and the latest around 16:00, all arriving on the same day. The fare of second class seat is about ¥500 to ¥600. Travel times range from approximately 5 to 7 hours.

Normal Trains: Guangzhou offers a few daily direct regular trains to Zhangjiajie, departing from Guangzhoubei Station (广州北站), Guangzhou Station (广州站), and Guangzhoubaiyun Station (广州白云站). These overnight trains arrive the next day, with travel times ranging from approximately 12.5 to 14 hours.

Guangzhou City View

Guilin–Zhangjiajie High Speed Trains

Railway Stations: Guilin Railway Station (桂林站) & Guilinbei/Guilin North Railway Station (桂林北站) → Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station (张家界西站)

Duration: about 7.5 hours

Nowadays, travelers can take direct high speed trains to Guilin to enjoy Karst landscape and delicious food after their Zhangjiajie trip. The train journey is about 7.5 hours with a cost around 350~550 RMB while the landscape along the way is magnificent.

Go to the Right Train stations in Guilin
Guilin has four train stations running high speed trains, including the Guilin Railway Station (桂林站), Guilinbei/Guilin North Railway Station (桂林北站), Guilinxi/Guilin West Railway Station (桂林西站) and Yangshuo Railway Station (阳朔站). Only the former two stations operate high speed trains to Zhangjiajie. Guilin Railway Station is more recommended as it is located in the downtown area.

Li River Cruise in Guilin

Our guest visiting Zhangjiajie

Changsha–Zhangjiajie High Speed Trains

Railway Stations: Changsha Railway Station (长沙站) & Changshanan/Changsha South Railway Station (长沙南站) → Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station (张家界西站)

Duration: about 2 to 3.5 hours

High Speed Trains: Changsha is not only the capital of Hunan Province, but also the largest and most important transportation rail hub in Hunan. You can choose from more than 40 daily high speed trains from around 06:00 in early morning to 21:30 in the evening.

Normal Trains: Meanwhile, Changsha offers several daily normal trains from Changsha Railway Station to Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station and Zhangjiajie Railway Station. The travel time for normal trains ranges from about 3 to 5.5 hours, and three types of tickets are offered: hard seat, hard sleeper and soft sleeper.

Zhangjiajie Railway Stations

Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station (张家界西站)

Address: Wulingshan Avenue, Shadi Street, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan 湖南省张家界市永定区沙堤街道武陵山大道

Transportation: Located on the outskirts of Zhangjiajie city, Zhangjiajiexi/Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (张家界西站) is a modern transportation hub primarily serving high-speed trains. This station plays a crucial role in connecting the city to major destinations across China, offering fast and efficient travel options.

Zhangjiajie Railway Station (张家界站)

Address: Guanli Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan 湖南省张家界市永定区官黎路

Transportation: Located near the downtown Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie Railway Station (张家界站) is the main hub for regular train services in the city. Serving numerous regional and long-distance destinations, this station plays a vital role in connecting the city with various parts of China such as Kunming, Guiyang, Tianjin, and Changchun. Its location makes it easily accessible from different parts of the city, ensuring a smooth travel experience for those visiting the breathtaking natural attractions of Zhangjiajie.

High Speed Train Tips

Booking Tips

Book your tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons. You can book tickets up to 30 days in advance through the official 12306 website or mobile app. Consider booking during off-peak hours for better availability and lower prices.

Travel Preparation

Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure. Bring your passport or ID card for ticket collection and boarding. Check the weather conditions in Zhangjiajie and pack accordingly. Don't forget to bring snacks and entertainment for longer journeys.

Onboard Experience

Enjoy the comfortable seating and modern amenities. Most trains offer food and beverage services. Take advantage of the free WiFi available on many trains. Don't miss the beautiful scenery passing by your window - it's one of the best parts of high-speed train travel in China.

Safety and Etiquette

Follow all safety instructions and keep your belongings secure. Be respectful of other passengers by keeping noise levels down and following designated smoking areas. Keep your ticket and ID ready for random checks during the journey.

Travel with WeTrip

We WeTrip are very willing to help you with the high speed train tickets booking, tour customization and local guide and transfer arrangement, so you can be able to experience the superb bullet train in style and enjoy all the highlights of your ideal destinations in China without any worry. If you are interested, please feel free to contact our professional travel consultants who are here ready to build your own tour to best suit for your needs and likes.

Useful Resources

Official China Railway Website

For the most up-to-date information about train schedules, ticket availability, and booking, visit the official China Railway website:

Visit 12306.cn

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book China high-speed train tickets as a foreigner?

You can book through the official 12306 app (passport registration required), at train station ticket counters with your passport, or through WeTrip's booking service. We recommend booking 5-10 days in advance for popular routes.

What's the difference between G, D, and C trains in China?

G-trains (Gaotie) are the fastest at 300-350 km/h, D-trains (Dongche) run at 200-250 km/h, and C-trains (Chengji) are intercity trains at 200 km/h. G-trains offer the most comfortable experience with business, first, and second class seats.

Can I use my passport to board a Chinese train?

Yes, foreign passports are accepted at automated ticket gates in most major stations. Simply scan your passport at the gate. Some smaller stations still require manual verification at staffed counters.

What's the Beijing to Shanghai bullet train schedule?

There are 50+ daily G-trains between Beijing and Shanghai, running from 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM. The journey takes 4-5.5 hours depending on stops. Second class tickets start from ¥553 (~$77 USD).