Trains in China — High-Speed Rail Guide & 12306 Timetable

The fleet: what China's bullet trains look like

Two families dominate the network: the Fuxing (复兴号, lit. “rejuvenation”) series — China's newest trains running at up to 350 km/h — and the older Hexie (和谐号, “harmony”) series still doing the bulk of daily work. All are streamlined, all-electric and immaculately maintained. You can tell the generation apart at a glance: Fuxing trains have a smooth, shark-nosed cab and a red or gold stripe; Hexie trains have a longer, pointier nose and a white-blue livery.

A CR400 Fuxing train — China's newest high-speed trains with a smooth shark-nose cab and red stripe, running at 350 km/h on flagship routes

CR400AF / CR400BF — Fuxing

Speed: Up to 350 km/h

China's flagship. Fuxing trains run the fastest services (Beijing–Shanghai in 4.5 hours) and have the widest seats, full WiFi and touchless restrooms. G trains on main lines are overwhelmingly Fuxing.

CRH380A — Hexie

Speed: Up to 380 km/h (designed)

The classic long-nosed workhorse, built by CSR (now CRRC) from 2010. It held the world speed record of 486.1 km/h in a 2010 test. Still common on G services at 300 km/h.

CRH380B — Hexie

Speed: Up to 380 km/h (designed)

A Siemens Velaro-derived design from Bombardier/CNR (now CRRC), with a distinctive silver-blue nose. Also runs 300 km/h G services across the network.

CRH2A — Hexie

Speed: Up to 250 km/h

A Kawasaki-derived design from Sifang, originally built for 250 km/h. It is the typical D-train — comfortable, cheaper, and able to run on upgraded conventional lines that pure high-speed trains cannot.

G vs D: what the letters mean

Every Chinese bullet train's number starts with a letter that tells you its speed class. G (高速动车组, “high-speed EMU”) is what travellers usually call “gao tie” — the fastest class. D (动车组, “EMU”) is the slower, cheaper sibling. C trains are short intercity shuttles. The letter is a guide, not a guarantee: a non-stop D can beat a stop-heavy G on the same route, so always compare total time and fare on 12306.

	G — High-speed EMU	D — EMU
Top speed	300–350 km/h	200–250 km/h
Typical second-class fare	≈ ¥0.46–0.48 per km	≈ ¥0.31 per km
Lines used	High-speed dedicated lines only	HSR lines plus upgraded conventional lines
Seat classes	Business, first, second (and more)	Usually first and second class only
Typical trains	CR400 Fuxing, CRH380 series	CRH1, CRH2 (not 2C), CRH5
Priority on the line	Highest — D trains give way	Lower than G

On lines capped at 200 km/h, G and D second-class fares are the same. The practical rule: compare total time, number of stops and fare on 12306 — the letter alone does not tell you which is better for your trip.

Seat classes compared

G trains offer up to four ways to sit: business class (a lie-flat pod on flagship routes), first class (wide and quiet), second class (comfortable standard), and standing tickets sold when seats are sold out. D trains usually offer only first and second class. Prices below are typical one-way fares on the Beijing–Shanghai line (2026).

Class	Photo	Layout	Seat width	Recline	Typical fare (Beijing–Shanghai)	Best for
Business class		2+1 per row	≈ 55 cm	Lie-flat (180°)	≈ ¥1,748	Lie-flat comfort on long flagship routes
First class		2+2 per row	≈ 48–50 cm	≈ 30° recline	≈ ¥933	Worth the upgrade on 3+ hour trips
Second class		3+2 per row	≈ 43 cm	≈ 20° recline	¥526–673	Great value for most journeys
Standing (no seat)	If you spot an empty seat, you may sit there for a while until the ticket holder arrives. You can also bring a small folding stool and set it up in a vacant aisle spot.	Aisles and vestibules	—	—	Same as second class	Short hops only; avoid on 3+ hour rides

Fares are typical one-way prices on the Beijing–Shanghai route (2026). Standing tickets cost the same as second class and are sold only when seated tickets are gone.

A note on standing tickets (无座)

During holidays or peak days, 12306 may sell standing tickets for sold-out trains. They cost exactly the same as second class and let you board any carriage, but you have no seat — expect to stand in the aisle or vestibule, or sit on the floor near the doors. For rides under an hour it is fine; for long journeys, keep checking 12306 for a later train with seats, or pay the small fee to change your ticket.

The Shanghai Maglev

The world's only commercial high-speed maglev line — and still the fastest train you can buy a ticket for anywhere. It shuttles between Pudong Airport and Longyang Road station in 7–8 minutes, floating on a magnetic field with no wheels at all. Riding it is a tourist attraction in its own right.

Fast facts

Route: Pudong Airport ↔ Longyang Road (2 stops, no intermediates)
Journey time: 7–8 minutes (7 min 20 s standard)
Top speed: 431 km/h in peak windows; ≈300 km/h most of the day
Hours: Longyang Road 06:45–21:40; Airport 07:02–21:42; every 15–20 min
Metro transfer: Longyang Road → Metro lines 2, 7, 16 and 18

Fares

Standard one-way	¥50
With same-day boarding pass	¥40	Show your same-day flight ticket at the counter
Round-trip	¥80	Valid 7 days
VIP one-way / round-trip	¥100 / ¥160	Front cabin with panoramic views

Good to know

Gates close 5 minutes before departure — arrive early.
If your flight lands after 21:00 at Pudong, the maglev is gone; take Metro Line 2, the airport link line or a taxi.
International credit cards (Visa/Mastercard/Amex) can tap directly at the gates since 2025 — no ticket counter needed.
The 431 km/h full-speed run happens in daytime peak windows (roughly 09:00–10:45 and 15:00–16:45); ride then if you want the record speed.
Maglev tickets are separate from China Railway tickets — they are not bookable on 12306.

Check timetables on 12306

Pick your departure station, arrival station and date — the timetable below loads directly from 12306.cn, the official China Railway booking site, so every train, time and fare is exactly as the railway publishes it. The embedded window is the official 12306 page; if it does not render on your device, use the “Open on 12306” button.

The timetable below is the official 12306.cn page of China Railway — every train number, time and fare is exactly as published. If the window does not display on your device, use the “Open on 12306” button.