China High Speed Train Tours 2026/2027
Looking for a different kind of China tour adventure? It could be time to consider a China high speed train tour.
As China has opened up, the desire of western travelers to visit more of this diverse country has increased too. Simply because it is so vast – and vastly different in all corners – it isn’t possible to cover everything in a single tour. It makes a second, or even third China tour, more a fait accompli than a pie-in-the-sky dream. This is one of the reasons that a China train adventure has such appeal. With the rapid expansion of China’s high speed rail network, a high speed train tour of China is the ideal way to create beautiful travel memories with a difference. And because the China rail network is so big – and growing all the time – you can get to just about every part of China by train, including remote and hard to reach locations.
High speed trains: Now it’s China’s turn
Although Japan dominated the high speed train travel for decades, it seems China is leading the high speed train travel race now. When it first launched in Japan in 1964, the Shinkansen was unrivalled. High speed trains emerged in Europe too, making this mode of travel more available internationally.
Now it’s China’s turn. With significant planning and investment in expansion of the Chinese high speed rail network, travel by bullet train makes visiting China an affordable and highly enjoyable way to get around the country.
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The China high speed train network will take you to the full length and breadth of the country – and everywhere in between. Over time, the entire network will be expanded as “eight vertical and eight horizontal” major high-speed rail lines up and down and across the country. Making travel speedy and cost effective, it’s any wonder that travel by high speed train in China using the China Railway High Speed Train (CRH) is used by twice as many passengers as China’s domestic airlines. And that’s a lot of people, even by China standards.
Ready to book and board a China rail adventure with ChinaTours.com?
Why book a China real tour adventure with ChinaTours.com?
A China high speed train tour isn’t your typical China travel adventure.
For a start, it’s designed for customers who are looking to travel a little differently during their China tour. Rather than flying to every destination, travel by train is a welcome alternative. Yes, it’s true high speed train travel is super quick, but it’s very relaxing too.
From inside, the trains are so quiet, they are barely audible. And with large windows, it’s very easy to watch the world slip by from the comfort of your seat. It’s perfect for western travelers who want to see more of China than what’s available through the big cities. All trains offer business, first, second, and economy class seats, and amenities and food are available on board. Once you’re in your seat, you just need to relax and enjoy.
What’s included in our China high speed train tours?
Regardless of where you go in China, there are always lots of people, and the new train terminals designed to service the high speed train network are no exception. They are very busy places! Which is why another good reason to book a China rail adventure with ChinaTours.com is that we take care of every detail. It’s just how we do things .
Forget about collecting your own tickets, muscling through terminal check ins alone, and trying to navigate the confusion of boarding a high speed train that only stops for a couple of minutes in every destination. Our approach makes things easy for you.
Providing a beautiful travel experience, before your China rail tour has even started, we get to share more of the hospitality we’re so well known for. In all our train tour destinations, your local guide will accompany you every step of the way: at ticket collection, checking in, and getting on board. After only one high speed train departure in China, you’ll understand just how valuable this service is.
What’s different about ChinaTours.com China high speed train tours?
There are so many benefits to traveling by high speed train in China on one of our unique private tours. Every China high speed train tour includes:
| Flexible itineraries | Understanding that flexibility is important to our customers, we offer some high speed train tours as private tours, while others are available as small group high speed train tours. Regardless of whether you opt for a private tour or enjoy the company of other like-minded travelers within a small group (maximum of 12 people), the timing of daily activities in each destination is relaxed and designed to fit in with train arrival and departure timetables. |
| Optional fun activities | While our China high speed train adventures are rich in culture, history, attractions, and some of China’s most exciting cities and unusual destinations, we also offer travelers the option of scheduling additional activities. Options like kite-making, calligraphy, kung fu classes, hands on panda experiences and more are just some of what’s in store on our high speed rail tours. |
| Best choice of seats | Your comfort and enjoyment is our priority, that’s why we offer our customers a choice of seats when they book a high speed train tour with us. We arrange first class seats for our Luxury customers and second class seats for our Superior customers, however upgrades are available with prior notice. Just let us know when you make your booking. |
| Same excellent ChinaTours.com service | We pride ourselves on providing exceptional service before, during, and after our China tours – and you can expect more of the same on our high speed train tours. Need anything, just ask us! You will have a dedicated English speaking guide who will look after you from the moment you step off the train until you board again for travel to your next destination. |
| Centrally located hotels | After a day of touring in each destination, it’s good to know there’s not far to go to access food options that suit personal preferences for mealtimes and budgets. With all our four and five star hotels centrally located in every city, it makes getting to highlights and sights that much easier. |
If you’re traveling by high speed train in China, we do everything possible to make sure your adventure creates a beautiful travel memory for you.
What to expect on one of China’s high speed trains
With a high speed train network spanning 30,000 kilometers and growing, you’ll discover China’s high speed trains are among the very best in the world. From every perspective, including design, technology, speed and comfort, they are virtually unsurpassed, and there’s no question they make traveling between destinations in this incredible country an enjoyable and relaxing experience. Our tours only seat customers in first or second class seats, where you’ll enjoy generously-sized chairs separated by a spacious aisle. Other features include reclining facilities in chairs, ample legroom, adjustable neck pillows, protective headrest wings, and headset socket (first class). Designed with comfort in mind, you may find yourself sleeping en route rather than taking in the countryside that’s whizzing by at speeds up to 300 kilometers per hour! Food is available on-board, together with professional service from train stewards who look after passengers during travel. Have more train questions? We can answer them. Send us an inquiry and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.
Travel by train and experience China from the ground
Wherever you are in the world (but especially China), airports are busy places. This is just another reason to consider a China train tour as an alternative to travel by plane between cities. Although you will find the same check in requirements as a western traveler, there is far less likelihood of delays, particularly with the reputation of high speed trains for punctuality and efficiency. In fact, one thing you’ll notice is how quickly arrivals and departures occur. On a high speed train, you have to be quick, however, our customers can relax knowing they’ll be assisted by their local guide with check in and boarding in every destination.
China Train Tours 2026/2027
Bringing together the best in highlights, wonderful destinations, culture, and traditions, these China train tours offer great appeal to the traveler wanting a relaxed way to experience the country from the ground. In addition to the Golden Triangle cities of Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, our China train tours also take in less well-known destinations like Luoyang, Pingyao, Kunming, and Dali. We even offer an exceptional train tour along part of the route of China’s Silk Road, starting in Xi’an and then making the journey to Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, and Urumqi. Of course, we can always customize a tour for you too if there’s somewhere particular you want to visit. The design for your next travel memory is just an enquiry away.
A note about our high speed train tours
Please be aware our high speed train tours are not a step on/step off train tour. High speed train travel provides an alternative to flying between destinations.
Discover High Speed Train Fun Facts
China’s high-speed trains are considered the best in the world and it’s not hard to see why when you learn more about them with these high speed train fun facts. From overnight cabin accommodation to the world’s longest railway to award-winning design, there is much to discover, learn, and enjoy when you travel this way.
Have an overnight high speed train adventure
Have an overnight high speed train adventure
From Xian to Shanghai, we arrange an overnight high speed train adventure for customers, allowing them to experience China’s high speed sleeper train.
Travel the Beijing-Shanghai high speed train route
Travel the Beijing-Shanghai high speed train route
Looking for adventure between Beijing and Shanghai? Then why not travel the 1318 kilometers on one of the busiest high speed railways in the world. At a maximum speed of 380 kilometers per hour, this route is the longest section of railway constructed in a single phase. It is also one of the busiest high speed railways in the world with an incredible 244 bridges populating the line. Other fun facts: the 164-km long Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge is the longest bridge in the world and it takes just four hours to travel the full distance between Beijing and Shanghai. Hold on!
Experience the longest railway in the world
Experience the longest railway in the world
There are lots of biggest and oldest sights in China, and now they have the longest high speed railway in the world. Combining the sections from Beijing to Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou to Wuhan, Wuhan to Guangzhou, Guangzhou to Shenzhen, and Shenzhen to Hong Kong, this line is the longest high-speed railway in the world after it opened in September 2019. At a distance of 2,298 kilometers, 37 stops, and a design speed of 350 kilometers, it’s any wonder it’s breaking new records. In 2025, this route will be superseded by the Baotou to Haikou high speed railway at 3,000 kilometers, it will cross seven provinces, have 80 stops, and travel at speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour.
Discover mastery of train travel
Discover mastery of train travel
Traversing some of the most challenging geography of anywhere in the world, the Chengdu-Guiyang high speed railway sets new standards in engineering design. Linking two capital cities in southwest China’s Sichuan and Guizhou provinces, traveling this high speed train route takes just three hours. Not only does this train route provide the opportunity to see a beautiful part of the country, it also provides local people – many of whom have been land-locked for centuries due to the complicated geological conditions – the chance to explore beyond their local region. The 648 kilometer long rail line has 24 stops and has made a unique region more accessible.
Explore on an award winner
Explore on an award winner
Traveling from Xian to Chengdu? Then you’ll be in good company. The 658 kilometer long railway that links Xian in Shaanxi province (northwest) and Chengdu in Sichuan province (southwest) was awarded the FIDIC Outstanding Project Awards in 2019. The train line runs through the Qinling Mountains and has reduced train travel time from 16 hours to just three hours. Incredible!
Looking for fast and fancy?
Looking for fast and fancy?
Shanghai’s Maglev train is the fastest of all China’s high speed trains, traveling at a phenomenal 431 kilometers per hour. It travels 30.5 kilometer distance from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Longyang Road Station in 7 minutes and 20 seconds. Blink and you might just miss the whole trip!
Our tour guide Ken made the trip so special!
