China high-speed rail network stretches across the country, providing a convenient and reliable transportation option for both local and international travelers. In this guide, we provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to use 12306 and Trip.com—from account registration and ticket booking to refund requests—tailored especially for foreign passengers. Be sure to read till the end!
12306 Guide | Overview of China High-Speed Train Rail Map
Source from WIkipedia
In 2024, the number of passengers sent by China's high-speed rail reached 3.272 billion, accounting for 75.9% of the total number of railway passengers sent across the country. By 2024, China's high-speed rail has covered 96% of cities with a population of over 500,000. Currently, only the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Xizang Autonomous Region do not have railways operating at a speed of over 200 kilometers per hour.
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What is 12306?
Source from 12306 Official Website
The Railway 12306 website and the Railway 12306 App are the only official online ticket selling platforms of China Railway, produced by China Railway. In simple terms, 12306 is the official online ticketing platform of China Railway, featuring a mobile App application and a website, providing one-stop services including "purchase, modification and refund".
Types of Trains on 12306
Train Code | Category | Description |
G | High-Speed Electric Multiple Units (EMU) | The fastest category of train, operating on dedicated high-speed rail lines. |
D | Bullet Trains (EMU) | Slightly slower than G trains, often operating on both high-speed and upgraded conventional lines. |
C | Intercity EMU Trains | High-frequency service connecting cities within a metropolitan region or cluster. |
Others | Conventional Trains | 12306 also sells tickets for other train types (e.g., Z, T, K trains), which are slower overnight or long-distance services. |
Booking Train Tickets for Foreigners through Trip.com vs. 12306
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Feature | 12306 | |
Language Support | Excellent. Full English website and app, very user-friendly. | Limited. The app is almost entirely in Chinese. |
Payment Methods | Excellent for foreigners. Accepts international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), PayPal, and more. | Very difficult for foreigners. Only accepts Chinese payment methods: Alipay, WeChat Pay, or UnionPay linked to a Chinese bank account. |
Passport Verification | Seamless. Designed for foreign passports. No extra verification needed. | Complex. Requires a cumbersome process to verify a foreign passport for the first time, often needing to go to a train station counter. |
Customer Support | Reliable English support. Access to customer service via email/chat for help with changes or refunds. | Very limited. Primarily Chinese-only support, difficult for non-speakers. |
Key Features | "Reservation" & "Waitlist" features are clearly explained in English. Integrated with hotels and flights. | Direct access to real-time train schedules and seat availability. |
Best For | Most foreign travelers, first-time visitors, and those who value convenience and English support. | Budget travelers who can read Chinese, have a Chinese bank account, and are comfortable with local apps. |
- For Ease of Use: Trip.com is the undisputed winner for foreigners. The peace of mind and ease of booking are worth the small service fee for most travelers.
- For Saving Money: 12306 is cheaper, but the complex setup and language barrier make it impractical for most short-term visitors.
How to Book China Train Tickets on 12306 for Foreigners?
Source from Unsplash
Steps of Booking China Train Tickets on 12306
- Start Registration
Visit the official 12306 website and click "Register". - Fill in Your Information
Set a username and password. Enter personal details accurately, including: - ID type
- Name (in simplified Chinese characters)
- Gender and date of birth
- ID number
- Valid contact information (mainland or Hong Kong mobile number / email)
- Complete Verification
Enter the verification code sent via SMS or email and submit. - Real-Name Authentication
Complete real-name authentication immediately after registration. It’s usually instant. If not verified within 24 hours, update your info and try again. - Add Frequent Contacts
To book tickets for others, add them under "My 12306" → "Frequent Contacts". Each contact must pass real-name verification. Results are displayed instantly.
Payment Method of Buying China Train Tickets
- Support payment methods such as Alipay, wechat Pay, credit cards and Bank cards of Bank of China.
How to Book China Train Tickets on Trip.com?
Source from Unsplash
Category | Description | Key Points |
Purchase | Users can purchase tickets for the same day up to 15 days in advance through Trip.com. | - Tickets issued within 30 minutes after payment |
Reservation | Reserve tickets that are not yet on sale (16 to 60 days before departure). Trip.com will automatically purchase them once sales begin. | - Automatic purchase when pre-sold starts |
Waitlist | Join a waitlist for sold-out tickets. Trip.com monitors for available tickets 24/7 until 120 minutes before departure and automatically purchases them. | - 24/7 monitoring until 120 mins before departure |
12306 | How to Have a Smooth Train Trip in China?
Source from Unsplash
12306 | Booking Your Tickets
- Book Early: Especially for popular routes, holidays (like Chinese New Year or National Day), and sleeper berths. Tickets for high-speed rail (HSR) go on sale 15 days in advance.
- Use the Right App: The official platform is 12306 (website or app). For English-friendly interfaces, use:
- Trip.com (Very foreigner-friendly, accepts international cards)
- China Travel Guide (Ctrip)
- Choose Your Train Type Wisely:
- G/C Trains: High-Speed Rail. The fastest and most comfortable option for long distances. Ideal for city-to-city travel.
- D Trains: Bullet trains, slightly slower than G trains but still very efficient.
- Z/T/K Trains: Older, slower overnight trains with sleeper cabins. A more social and budget-friendly experience for very long journeys.
- Select Your Seat:
- Second Class: Standard, cost-effective, can be busy.
- First Class: Wider seats, more legroom, quieter cabin.
- Business Class: Premium service, luxurious seating, often includes amenities.
- Sleeper Berths: For overnight journeys. Soft Sleeper is a private 4-bunk cabin; Hard Sleeper is an open-plan 6-bunk cabin with less privacy.
12306 | Preparation is Everything Before You Go
- Get Your Passport Ready
- Pick Up Tickets (If Needed)
- Pack Smart
121306 | At the Station: Navigating the Hub
- Arrive Early: Major stations like Beijing West or Shanghai Hongqiao are enormous. Arrive at least 60-90 minutes before departure to navigate security and find your gate.
- Security Check: All bags go through an X-ray scanner, and you walk through a metal detector (similar to airport security).
- Find Your Gate: On your ticket, look for your Gate Number. Check the massive electronic boards for your train number and departure time to confirm the gate and its status.
- Boarding: Gates open 10-15 minutes before departure. You will scan your passport at the automatic turnstile to get to the platform. Double-check your carriage and seat number on the screens before boarding.
12306 | Onboard Etiquette & Comfort
- Storing Luggage: There are overhead racks for small bags and larger space at the end of each carriage for big suitcases.
- Noise Level: Chinese trains are generally quiet. Be mindful of your phone conversations and media volume. Using headphones is expected.
12306 | Arrival and Exiting
- Pay Attention to Stops: Listen for announcements (usually in Mandarin and English) and watch the electronic display in your carriage. Stops can be very brief (1-2 minutes).
- Exiting the Station: Follow the crowds to the exit. You will need to scan your passport one last time to exit the station complex.
12306 | Popular Routes of China Speed Train
12306 | 8-Hour Tour of the Yangtze River Delta
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G8388 / G8982 Trains
In 2024, the Yangtze River Delta "Super Loop" was launched, connecting Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang—three provinces and one municipality.
Every morning at 10:30 AM, the doors close, and train G8388 slowly departs from Shanghai Station. After more than 8 hours of travel, it arrives at Shanghai South Station at 6:30 PM, completing the fascinating round trip that starts and ends in Shanghai. This route perfectly showcases the poetic, picturesque, and elegant scenery of Jiangnan.
12306 | 6-Hour Tour Around Poyang Lake
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D6266 / D6268 Trains
As early as 2018, the first "Around Poyang Lake" bullet train began operation. This train journey traverses the Poyang Lake urban cluster, taking approximately 6 hours. It passes through cities like Nanchang, Jiujiang, Wuyuan, Jingdezhen, Shangrao, and Yingtan, offering tourists a unique 6-hour adventure.
Nestled against the Yangtze River to the north and Poyang Lake to the east, with Mount Lu rising in the south, this area boasts stunning landscapes and holds significant strategic transportation importance. Historically, it was praised as "the eyebrow of the world’s rivers and mountains"for its beauty.
12306 | 7-Hour Tour of Shandong Province
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G5557 / C665 Trains
Next, we arrive in Shandong, a populous northern province where the folk tunes of Yimeng Mountain meet the coastal scenery of Qingdao.
Starting from Jinan, you can climb Mount Tai in Tai’an, overlook the world, and stand among the sea of clouds to experience the grandeur of nature. You can also hike Laoshan Mountain in Qingdao, admire the lush peaks, listen to the roaring waves, and embark on a journey between mountain and sea. On the land of Qilu, there is a unique geological landscape—Daigu landform. These formations stand like hats, tables, or cones between heaven and earth. From a distance, they resemble towering castles, majestic and towering in groups.
12306 | 7-Hour Tour of Heilongjiang Province
Source from Unsplash
D7933 / D7921 Trains
Now, let’s journey to China’s northernmost high-speed rail loop. Departing from Harbin, Heilongjiang, you can reach the vast rice fields of Jiamusi in just 3 hours. Along the way, enjoy the scenery of the easternmost regions, the white mountains and black waters, and the wonders of volcanic barrier lakes.
In late August, the Lesser Khingan Mountains still enjoy ample sunlight and rainfall. Walking deep into the secluded forest, you might spot squirrels watching your steps from the trees, mallards and mandarin ducks foraging leisurely in the streams with their young, and the calls of white-naped cranes echoing from afar through the pine forests. From mid-September, the Lesser Khingan Mountains enter deep autumn. The magnificent Wuhua Mountain is vibrant and passionate, with visitors wandering through birch forests, quietly enjoying the tranquility of the sea of trees.
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FAQs about 12306
Can foreigners use the 12306 app?
Apart from simplified Chinese version, 12306 online ticketing platform also provides an English version in both website and mobile app. The English version is a simplified version to facilitate foreign passport holders for ticketing services. Tips: The English platform is for foreign passport holders only.What does 12306 mean?
For those who often travel by high-speed rail in China, "12306" should be a familiar name, as it is the title of China Railway online ticketing platform.Can foreigners buy China high speed rail tickets online?
The 12306 website is only available in Chinese and English, and offers limited payment options which can be challenging for foreigners to use. You will also need to verify you account first by submitting a photo of your passport before purchase.What ID do I need for 12306 train?
When purchasing real-name tickets, please show a valid ID document of the passenger. Foreign passengers can purchase real-name tickets with valid passports that can be used according to related regulations.