What is China's High-Speed Rail is a rail network that offers 200–350 kph (124–217 mph) trains is an HSR network. Now, China has the largest high-speed rail network in the world. At the end of 2023, there were about 45,000 kilometers (26,961 miles) of high-speed rail lines in service.

The 16 major high-speed rail routes consist of eight North-South and eight East-West connections, covering a total length of 45,000 kilometers (26,961 miles). As of the end of 2023, 80% of the construction for these high-speed rail routes has been completed, and the entire project is expected to conclude by 2028.

The Eight North-South HSR Lines are:

The Eight East–West HSR lines in China:

The Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway encompasses the Beijing-Shanghai, Nanjing-Hangzhou, and Hefei-Hangzhou sections. Notably, the Beijing to Shanghai section holds significant importance due to the economic prosperity of both cities. They serve as key hubs for hundreds of international corporations that have established their Chinese headquarters there.

Additionally, these cities are sought-after tourist destinations, often included in the travel plans of international tourists exploring China. The fastest high-speed train G21 and G28 both completes the Beijing-Shanghai single-way trip in just four hours and 18 minutes

Read more about the Beijing–Shanghai HSR Travel Route to get ideas for planning a trip.

Beijing–Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong High-Speed Route is the longest passenger dedicated high-speed rail line in the world, consisting of Beijing–Guangzhou, Guangzhou–Shenzhen and Shenzhen–Hong Kong high-speed railways. The Beijing–Guangzhou HSR section was opened in 2012. And the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong HSR section was put into service in September, 2018. It connects North China, Central China, and South China.

G79 and G80, the exclusive pair of high-speed trains operating between Beijing and Hong Kong, complete the train journey in eight hours and 30 minutes.

This high-speed rail route links Beijing, the capital of China, with Harbin, the capital of the northernmost province. Harbin, and its neighboring cities, attract numerous tourists, especially during winter (from December to February), known for its popular skating activities. Consequently, train tickets for this route during the winter months tend to be in high demand and may be relatively challenging to secure.

Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, plays a crucial role as it shares borders with three Southeast Asian countries: Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The Beijing-Kunming high-speed railway serves as a vital corridor facilitating communication between China and Southeast Asian nations. In April 2023, the Kunming to Vientiane international high-speed railway became operational, enabling tourists to embark on a train journey from Beijing to the capital of Laos in just two days.

This route connects Baotou, a northwestern city in China, with Haikou, the capital of the southernmost province. The total length of this high-speed railway is 2,800 kilometers (1,739 miles), but currently, only 2,000 kilometers are operational. Construction is ongoing in the northern sections of the railway, and the entire project is anticipated to be completed by 2026.

Lanzhou, a significant stop on the ancient Silk Road, and Guangzhou, a crucial port for the maritime Silk Road, now offer tourists the opportunity to visit Silk Road relics in both cities within one day, thanks to the convenience provided by the Lanzhou-Guangzhou high-speed railway.

The Coastal high-speed railway seamlessly connects Dalian, a coastal city in northern China, with Beihai, a coastal city in the southern part of the country. Notably, every station along this route is strategically located in coastal cities. The total length of this extensive railway exceeds 5,000 kilometers (longest high-speed rail route in China).

While the majority of the sections are currently operational, some segments in Guangxi and Guangdong provinces, the southernmost parts of the route, are still under construction. The construction is expected to be completed by August, 2024.

Starting from Hohhot, Inner Mongolia and ending at Nanning, Guangxi, the Hohhot-Nanning high-speed railway winds past six provinces. Currently, only several sections in Hunan and Guangxi provinces are still under construction. It is anticipated to be completed by 2026.

The scenery along the Shanghai-Kunming route is very beautiful thanks to the karst landscape and minority culture. Thousands of people in Shanghai hop on a train to Kunming or Guiyang in order to escape from the hustle and bustle of their daily life.

The high-speed railway in southern China serves as a crucial link, connecting Guangdong, one of the nation's most developed provinces, with the western provinces of Guangxi and Yunnan. This vital infrastructure enables travelers, be they tourists or businessmen, to traverse between these regions in a mere seven hours.

The high-speed railway offers tourists a seamless journey from Beijing to the Inner Mongolia region and Gansu province, unlocking a treasure trove of historical and cultural wonders along the way. As travelers embark on this exhilarating bullet train ride, they're presented with opportunities to explore significant sites steeped in the rich history of the ancient Mongol Empire. From the awe-inspiring Mausoleum of Genghis Khan to the breathtaking expanses of the Hulun Buir Prairie, every stop promises an immersive experience, allowing visitors to delve into the legacy and majesty of this legendary empire.

This high-speed railway connects the coast of East China sea and Chongqing, the mountain city of China.

Regional intercity HSR lines are short-distance, passenger-dedicated high-speed lines connecting cities in the same province, area, or regional. They are independent from the national high-speed rail grid, with an average speed of 200 to 250 km/h, sometimes up to 300km/h. Operational intercity HSR lines in China are listed below:

See more Popular Train Travel Routes.

Shanghai's Maglev Train was the first magnetically levitated high-speed train line in operation in the world. It is owned and operated by Shanghai's city government. All other high-speed trains in China are owned and operated by China Railway Corporation.

Shanghai's Maglev Train, launched in 2004, has a maximum speed of 431 kph. It runs between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai's Longyang Road Metro Station at intervals of 15 to 20 minutes. The journey only takes about 8 minutes, and a one-way ticket is 50 yuan.

If you are interested in experiencing a bullet train in your China trip, please see our popular tours below for inspiration:

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