Not familiar with China’s trains? The China Train Map makes it simple. For Filipino travelers, it clearly shows the main routes so you can move from city to city without getting lost.
This guide covers the train map, popular routes, and easy steps to buy tickets. It will help you save time and travel smoothly in China.
About the China Train Map
China’s railway system is huge, reaching almost every part of the country, even faraway towns and mountain areas. By 2020, the total railway length was about 146,300 kilometers, making it the second longest in the world after the United States.
What makes China special is its high-speed rail, one of the biggest and most modern in the world. By 2020, the high-speed network covered around 37,900 kilometers, which is nearly two-thirds of all the high-speed train tracks in the world.
China is still expanding. By 2035, the goal is to reach 70,000 kilometers of high-speed tracks. This means more than 90 percent of the population will have easy train access, making travel across China faster and more convenient for locals and visitors, including Filipinos.
8 Major High-Speed Rail Lines in China and Their Maps
China’s high-speed rail network is built on eight major lines, often called the “Four Vertical and Four Horizontal” system. These routes connect most of the country’s biggest cities, making travel faster and easier for both locals and visitors. For Filipino travelers, these lines are the best starting point if you plan to explore China by train.
1. Beijing – Shanghai High-Speed Rail
- Distance: Around 1,318 km
- Average travel time: 4.5 to 6 hours
- Why it’s popular: This is the busiest and most famous high-speed line in China. It connects Beijing, the capital, with Shanghai, the country’s financial hub. Perfect for both business trips and leisure travel.
- Highlight: Super convenient, with frequent trains almost every 10–15 minutes.
2. Beijing – Guangzhou High-Speed Rail
- Distance: Around 2,298 km
- Average travel time: 8 to 10 hours
- Why it’s popular: This line links the north and south of China, passing through major cities like Zhengzhou, Wuhan, and Changsha.
- Highlight: A long ride, but you’ll see different provinces and changing landscapes along the way.
3. Beijing – Harbin High-Speed Rail
- Distance: About 1,200 km
- Average travel time: 7 to 8 hours (fastest trains shorter)
- Why it’s popular: It connects Beijing with Harbin, famous for the annual Ice and Snow Festival.
- Highlight: Best line to take if you’re visiting northern China in winter to see snow sculptures and experience real cold weather.
4. Beijing – Hong Kong High-Speed Rail
- Distance: Over 2,400 km
- Average travel time: Around 9 to 10 hours (direct trains)
- Why it’s popular: This line stretches all the way from Beijing to Hong Kong, connecting the capital with southern China’s biggest cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
- Highlight: Easy access to Hong Kong by train, no need for a domestic flight.
5. Shanghai – Kunming High-Speed Rail
- Distance: Around 2,252 km
- Average travel time: 10 to 12 hours
- Why it’s popular: This line links modern Shanghai with Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, known as the “Spring City.”
- Highlight: Stunning views of mountains, lakes, and countryside. A great option if you love nature trips.
6. Shanghai – Beijing Coastal High-Speed Rail (via Tianjin, Qingdao, etc.)
- Distance: Varies by stops
- Average travel time: Around 6 to 8 hours (depending on route)
- Why it’s popular: Instead of the direct Beijing–Shanghai route, this line goes along China’s eastern coast, stopping in seaside cities like Tianjin, Qingdao, and Dalian.
- Highlight: Perfect for travelers who want to explore coastal towns and enjoy seafood.
7. Chengdu – Chongqing High-Speed Rail
- Distance: About 308 km
- Average travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Why it’s popular: A short but very busy route connecting Chengdu (home of the giant pandas) and Chongqing (famous for hotpot and Yangtze River cruises).
- Highlight: Quick, easy, and affordable. Great for side trips in southwest China.
8. Lanzhou – Urumqi High-Speed Rail
- Distance: Over 1,700 km
- Average travel time: 10 to 12 hours
- Why it’s popular: This route connects Lanzhou in Gansu Province to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, far in western China.
- Highlight: Travel through deserts, grasslands, and the legendary Silk Road region. An adventurous ride for those who want something different.
Railway Lines in China
China has one of the largest and fastest-growing railway systems in the world. It combines traditional railways, modern high-speed rail (HSR), and even international train routes that connect China with other countries. If you’re planning to explore China by train, knowing the key lines and using the national rail map can help you move around with ease.
🚆 Conventional Train Lines in China
| Region | Major Railway Lines |
|---|---|
North China | Beijing–Harbin Railway Beijing–Shanghai Railway Beijing–Kowloon Railway Beijing–Baotou Railway Tianjin–Pukou Railway Datong–Qinhuangdao Railway Shijiazhuang–Taiyuan Railway |
East China | Shanghai–Kunming Railway Shanghai–Nanjing Intercity Railway Shanghai–Hangzhou Intercity Railway Hangzhou–Ningbo Railway Nanjing–Qidong Railway Xinyi–Changxing Railway Ningbo–Taizhou–Wenzhou Railway |
Central China | Beijing–Guangzhou Railway Wuhan–Jiujiang Railway Zhengzhou–Jiujiang Railway Wuhan–Yichang Railway Jiaozuo–Liuzhou Railway Hankou–Danjiangkou Railway |
South China | Guangzhou–Shenzhen Railway Guangzhou–Maoming Railway Guangzhou–Meizhou–Shantou Railway Nanning–Kunming Railway Litang–Zhanjiang Railway Guiyang–Guangzhou Railway |
Southwest China | Chengdu–Kunming Railway Baoji–Chengdu Railway Chengdu–Chongqing Railway Sichuan–Guizhou Railway Neijiang–Kunming Railway Panzhihua–Kunming Railway |
Northwest China | Lanzhou–Xinjiang Railway Baotou–Lanzhou Railway Lanzhou–Qinghai Railway Qinghai–Tibet Railway Northern Xinjiang Railway Southern Xinjiang Railway |
Northeast China | Harbin–Dalian Railway Changchun–Tumen Railway Harbin–Manzhouli Railway Binzhou–Shenyang Railway Jilin–Hunchun Intercity Railway Shenyang–Dandong Railway |
🚄 High-Speed Rail Lines in China
China’s high-speed rail (HSR) is the pride of its railway system. It is the largest in the world, with trains reaching 300–350 km/h. These lines make traveling between cities fast, comfortable, and affordable.
Some of the key HSR routes include:
- Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway
- Beijing–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway
- Shanghai–Kunming High-Speed Railway
- Hangzhou–Fuzhou–Shenzhen High-Speed Railway
- Harbin–Dalian High-Speed Railway
- Beijing–Harbin High-Speed Railway
- Beijing–Hong Kong High-Speed Railway
- Hefei–Fuzhou High-Speed Railway
- Xiamen–Shenzhen High-Speed Railway
- Guiyang–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway
- Zhengzhou–Xi’an High-Speed Railway
- Xi’an–Chengdu High-Speed Railway
- Nanjing–Hangzhou High-Speed Railway
- Shanghai–Nanjing High-Speed Railway
- Tianjin–Qinhuangdao High-Speed Railway
- Shijiazhuang–Jinan High-Speed Railway
- Changsha–Kunming High-Speed Railway
- Lanzhou–Xinjiang High-Speed Railway
🌐 International Railway Connections
China’s railways don’t stop at its borders. Some lines connect to neighboring countries and even Europe, making overland travel possible for adventurous travelers.
- China–Nepal Railway
- China–Pakistan Railway
- China–Laos Railway
- China–North Korea Railway
- Yiwu–London Railway Line
- Chongqing–Xinjiang–Europe Railway Line
- Yiwu–Madrid Railway Line
- Trans-Mongolian Railway
🚄 Plan Your Train Journey in China with Trip.com
If you’re a Filipino planning to explore China by train, Trip.com is one of the easiest ways to book your tickets. It’s a trusted international travel agency with 24/7 customer service in different languages, a simple booking process, and support for international payments. You can also find discounted train tickets and bundle your bookings with hotels and flights — all in one place.
🔍 12306 vs Trip.com — Which One is Better for You?
When buying train tickets in China, you’ll usually choose between:
- 12306 — the official China Railway website
- Trip.com — an international travel platform trusted by travelers worldwide
12306 is official and fee-free, but it can be tricky for foreigners. It mainly works in Chinese, has limited service hours, and doesn’t always accept international payments. Trip.com, on the other hand, is built for convenience — it’s user-friendly, available in English, open 24/7, and supports multiple payment methods.
🆚 12306 vs Trip.com
| Feature | 12306 (Official Website) | Trip.com (Travel Agency) |
|---|---|---|
Booking Source | Official China Railway site | International travel agency |
Extra Fees | No extra charges | May include service fee |
Service Hours | 5 AM – 1 AM (till 11:30 PM Thu) | 24/7 available |
Website Reliability | Sometimes slow or errors | Stable and easy to use |
Customer Support | Chinese only, limited hours | Multilingual, 24/7 support |
Payment Options | Mostly local methods | Credit cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay |
Other Services | Train tickets only | Hotels, flights, tours, and more |
❓ FAQ: China Train Map
Do I need to know Chinese to use the train map?
Do I need to know Chinese to use the train map?Are all trains in China high-speed?
Not all. China has both conventional trains and high-speed trains (HSR). The map usually shows both, but high-speed lines are highlighted more clearly.How do I buy tickets using the train map?
You can check the map to see your route, then book tickets online through platforms like Trip.com or at the train station ticket counters.Can I use the train map for international routes?
Yes. The national train map also shows international connections, such as trains to Hong Kong, Mongolia, Laos, and even Europe.Is the train map updated regularly?
Yes. China’s railway system expands every year, and updated versions of the train map are released to reflect new routes and stations.