Top 8 Most Scenic Train Rides in China
With the comprehensive railway network, taking train rides of ordinary train or China high speed rail to explore the most beautiful places in China, from Beijing to Tibet, or from Xian to the Silk Road, is relaxing and leisure. The 8 most scenic train rides in China not only connect rivers and mountains, to see marvelous landscape and colorful ethnic real life, but also go through history and culture, show you ordinariness and holiness. Life is a journey, see which train ride you want to start your journey with in China.
Beijing – Shanghai Train: Classical China Trip
Recommended Bullet Train Rides: G107, G109, G113, G117, G121, G411, G129, G133, G137, G43, G141, G145, G155
Major cities on this way: Beijing – Nanjing – Suzhou - Shanghai
Ticket Price: RMB553 for 2nd Class Seat; RMB933 for 1st Class Seat; RMB1748 for Business Class Seat
Beijing and Shanghai are the most classic and popular cities for visitors who are the first time traveling China. This rail route can take you between these two prosperous cities directly; when you see a modern China, you can also catch sight of diligent and simple countryside scenery with endless fields. High speed trains from Beijing to Shanghai, go across Yellow River and Yangtze River, to see the spectacular view of “Mother Rivers” of China flowing into the sea. You can also stop in Nanjing or Suzhou for a while on this way, looking for the history of the ancient capital of six dynasties in Nanjing and experiencing classic gardens of China style and water town in Suzhou.
>> Recommended China Train Tours including Beijing & Shanghai
Kunming – Shanghai Rail: The Beauty of Southern China
Recommended Bullet Train Rides: G1372, G1374, G1376
Major cities on this way: Kunming – Guiyang – Kaili – Hangzhou - Shanghai
Ticket Price: RMB879 for 2nd Class Seat; RMB1475 for 1st Class Seat; RMB2765 for Business Class Seat
Crossing the south of China from Kunming to Shanghai, travel along 30 degrees north latitude to see what is the difference under the similar climate. You will go from highlands to the hills and plains, finding fields, forests and modern cities. Go and stop with the high speed train between Kunming and Shanghai, having leisure time in Kunming, discovering authentic life of Miao people in Guiyang and Kaili, knowing the secret of tea culture and water town in Hangzhou, looking for joy in modernized city, Shanghai. What a rich view of China!
Lanzhou – Urumqi Train: A Ride along Silk Road with magnificent landforms
Recommended Bullet Train Rides: D2701, D55, D2703, D2711
Major cities on this way: Lanzhou – Xining – Zhangye – Jiayuguan – Turpan - Urumqi
Ticket Price: RMB551 for 2nd Class Seat; RMB882 for 1st Class Seat
The China rail journey from Lanzhou to Urumqi, it’s not only a culture route of Silk Road, but also a scenic discovering ride! Walking on the ground of northwest of China, you will marvel at the wisdom of the ancients, wonder how they can connect the world and thrive cultures here under such conditions! Look out of the window when you run on the train, glancing at the wide Yellow River, endless prairie with countless sheep and yaks, holy mountains covered with snow, colorful Danxia mountains, desolate Gobi and boundless dessert… when you come into Xinjiang Province, you will find you are surrounded by forest and dessert. What an amazing nature!
>> Recommended Train Tours along China Silk Road: 20-day China Silk Road Train Tour
Xining – Lhasa Train: Go for Holy Land
Recommended Rides: Z223, Z6801, Z21, Z265, Z165
Major cities on this way: Xining – Golmud – Nakchu - Lhasa
Ticket Price: RMB781 for Soft Sleeper
A ride from Xining to Lhasa, take you to holy Tibet from the gate of highland. Have a common life with Hui people; walking by the blue Qinghai Lake with vast grassland, watching idle cattle and sheep, you may want to settle down. Start your Buddhist culture journey from Ta'er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), passing by devout pilgrims in Golmud and Nakchu, and then reach the roof of the world, Tibet, along the “way to the heaven”. Hearing monks chanting, peace your mind under the sacred mountains and lakes…
>> Recommended Train Tours to Lhasa 12-day China Tibet Train Tour
Guilin – Lijiang Train: Explore Marvelous Karst Landform with Ethnic Customs
Recommended Bullet Train Ride: D3941
Major cities on this way: Guilin – Kunming - Lijiang
Ticket Price: RMB621.5 for 2nd Class Seat; RMB992.5 for 1st Class Seat
Optional Ride: Guilin – Dali
Recommended Bullet Train Rides: D3949, D3961
Major cities on this way: Guilin – Kunming - Dali
Ticket Price: RMB549 for 2nd Class Seat; RMB876.5 for 1st Class Seat
Follow this ride to explore the charming Karst landscape and idyllic lifestyle of Miao, Yao and Bai people in Guilin and Yunnan Province (Kunming, Lijiang and Dali). Take Li River cruise or bamboo raft among mountains and rivers in Guilin; enjoy a rural life of Chinese style by walking around Yangshuo or Longji Rice Terraces Area. Hop on the high speed train to Lijiang, watching the beautiful paddy fields outside the window. Slow down you pace or lay in a bench in Lijiang, make yourself a part of it. This is the best way to enjoy a relaxing vacation.
Hangzhou – Xiamen Train: Passion and Soft all in the East
Recommended Bullet Train Rides: G2385, G2379
Major cities on this way: Hangzhou - Mount Huangshan - Wuyuan - Mount Wuyishan – Nanjing - Xiamen
Ticket Price: RMB439 for 2nd Class Seat; RMB719.5 for 1st Class Seat, RMB1347.5 for Business Class Seat
This rail ride shows you around high mountains and romantic water town, and provides you both fantasy countryside scenic and culture of nation. Get on the train, to hike Mount Huangshan Mount Wuyishan; seeing the sea of clouds on the top; pass through Hong Village and Wuyuan, feeling a live Chinese ink painting of village or countryside. Head down to Nanjing or Xiamen, Fujian Tulou (Earth Buildings) and beautiful city beaches will come into your eyes.
Hongkong – Guilin Train: See Modern City and Pastoral Scenery on One Trip
Recommended Bullet Train Rides: G408, G320
Major cities on this way: Hong Kong – Shenzhen – Guangzhou - Guilin
Ticket Price: RMB379 for 2nd Class Seat; RMB607 for 1st Class Seat, RMB1138 for Business Class Seat
If you want to experience diverse lifestyles on a single China tour, run into the bullet train in the prosperous Hong Kong and drop off in laid-back Guilin. Look for authentic Hong Kong cuisine among the high-rise financial center; look down from the Victoria Peak seeing the city under the spotlights. As the buildings turn into fields outside the window, you reach Guilin, and a feeling of freedom wraps you. Drifting on the bamboo raft in Li River, put yourself into a watercolor of nature. Stroll in West Street in Yangshuo, discovering the interesting stories behind foreign residents.
>> Recommended Train Tours including Hong Kong & Guilin: 16-day Cultural & Scenic China Rail Tour from Hong Kong
Chengdu – Kunming Train: Take A Leisure Life with Lovely Panda and “Geological Wonders”
Recommended Bullet Train Rides: G2883, G2885, G2887, G2889
Major cities on this way: Chengdu – Chongqing – Guiyang - Kunming
Ticket Price: RMB487.5 for 2nd Class Seat; RMB797.5 for 1st Class Seat
If you are a fan of adorable giant panda and want a leisure journey as well, the train ride from Chengdu to Kunming will be a nice route. After getting close to panda as a volunteer, passing by Leshan Giant Buddha, you will go over raging torrents and Yangtze River, coming to “the city of hills”, Chongqing, and Guiyang. When snow covers the top of mountain, grotesque stone forest and ancient houses appear into your eyes, you are reaching Kunming soon. Wander in Kunming like a laid-back local, you will like here.
>> Recommended Train Tours including Chengdu & Kunming: 13-day South China Train Tour