Here is a map for the most up-to-date high speed train map from travelchinaguide.  There are numerous slower trains that are not on this map.  Most train stations in city centers only use the older trains which are used for shorter distances to various towns but are for the most part not useful to foreigners anymore.

Here is the link: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/images/map/train/high-speed-railway.jpg

The website <www.chinatravelguide.com> is one of the better in China for current and reliable information about in-China travel for trains and buses and local transit information. I’ve used it for information for several cities and it is a maintained up-to-date site.  Questions can be asked relating to travel and responses are prompt.

Regarding high speed trains, one takes a high speed train in China for 8 reasons that I can see.

  1. Fast
  2. Clean and maintained
  3. High frequency out of Wenzhou
  4. Safe
  5. Inexpensive for the distance traveled
  6. Punctual
  7. Comfortable.
  8. No airport waiting – just arrive 5-10 minutes before train departure

Unfortunately, not many high speed train stations are in city centers, although they all have local city buses to the cities they serve, some stations are connected to metros and all have taxis.  Some have hotel shuttles and some like Ningbo high speed station are in the city, which is great.

For Chashan residents, there is a single China Rail ticket office near the food night market near Wenzhou University.  It is an actual train wicket!  When going there, one does not ‘shop’ for tickets.  The attendant speaks no English so have the following ready:

  1. Train number eg. D2342
  2. Day of the week and date
  3. 1st or 2nd class
  4. Passport in hand.

He will print you a blue machine readable ticket within seconds. Be prepared with some knowledge of other trains if yours is full. There is no schedule available here. One is expected to have a smart phone handy to figure things out if one’s train is not available.

tip** Tickets are searchable by passport number by the China Rail system, especially useful if a ticket is lost or purchased online via various agencies.

There are ticket vending machines at all stations but these cannot be used by passports, only by resident cards.

Gates to the trains close between 2 – 10 minutes of a train departure, depending on station.  The ticket becomes unusable when the gate ticket reader flashes red.  If you miss the train because of being tardy, return to the station master counter, show the ticket and it is possible to use the ticket to prove you just missed the train by minutes and you might get a free ticket to get on the next train.

The ticket system is not punitive in nature when changing tickets.  One does need to go to a station to change a ticket, however, and there are charges ranging from 0-20% of the ticket price to change the dates or get a refund.  Change the ticket at least 2 hours before departure.

hi speed