10 Best Train Journeys to Travel around China

China's railway network extends in all directions and runs north-south or near the sea and mountains, providing convenient transportation. Traveling by train, you can reach many beautiful places in China economically. Here are the 10 best train journeys in China, letting you admire the scenery and understand each city deeply.

1. The Ancient Capitals Route

  • Route: Beijing – Datong – Pingyao – Xi’an – Luoyang – Kaifeng – Nanjing – Shanghai
  • Length: 2,710km
  • Duration: 12-17 hours
  • Price: ¥ 1,130 ($157)  
  • Highlights: Imperial history, ancient architecture, cultural relics
  • Train journey to the Great Wall of China

    Throughout China's long history, the capital has been relocated numerous times, giving many cities the title of "ancient capital." Take a China train trip to explore these ancient capitals, you’ll marvel at Beijing's royal architectures and the Great Wall, experience Buddhist culture in Datong, and discover Central Plains civilization in Luoyang and Kaifeng.

    >> Recommended 13-Day Journey through China’s Ancient Capitals

    Recommended Trains and Timetables

    RouteTrain No.DepartureArrivalDuration
    Chengdu → JiuzhaigouC1608:36 11:112h 35min
    Jiuzhaigou → Chongqing(Transfer in Chengdu)C9472+G861910:4214:033h 21min
    Chongqing → ZhangjiajieG243313:5516:272h 32min
    Zhangjiajie → WuhanG119410:0215:085h 6min
    Wuhan → Huangshan G144513:3016:353h 5min
    Huangshan → ShanghaiG731813:5016:432h 53min

    >> Check out how to book China train tickets

    2. The Silk Road Odyssey

  • Route: Beijing – Datong – Xi’an – Dunhuang – Turpan – Kuqa – Kashgar – Urumqi
  • Length: 6,652km
  • Duration: 48 hrs (2 days) 
  • Price: ¥1,809 ($252) 
  • Highlights: Gobi Desert, sand dunes, oasis, bazaars

  • Once, the Silk Road was a trade and cultural route paved by ancestors. Today, high-speed trains in China are racing along a familiar path. As the longest train journey in China, this route allows you to admire the Mogao Caves, witness the stunning sunset in Turpan, and experience the exotic charm of Kashgar. The International Bazaar in Urumqi is also a must-visit during the China Silk Road train tour.

    >> Recommended 20-Day China Silk Road Train Tour

    Recommended Trains and Timetables

    RouteTrain No.DepartureArrivalDuration
    Beijing → DatongG253108:2010:061h 46min
    Datong → Xi’anG245510:05 14:534h 48min
    Xi’an → DunhuangD273710:21 21:2411h 3min
    Dunhuang (Liuyuan South) → TurpanD57516:3219:543h 22min
    Turpan → KuqaK978322:32 06:157h 43min
    Kuqa → KashgarG3154T952106:357h 46min
    Kashgar → UrumqiG7259Z651809:0011h 30min

    3. East Coastal Express

  • Route: Beijing – Tianjin – Mount Tai – Qufu – Yantai – Qingdao – Nanjing – Suzhou – Shanghai
  • Length: 2,355km
  • Duration: 15 hours
  • Price: ¥1,047 ($146) 
  • Highlights: Mountains, sea, Confucius Temple, classical gardens
  • China train trip to Shanghai

    When traveling from China’s Beijing to Shanghai by train, if you wish to enjoy scenery and experience Chinese culture simultaneously, take this route. Visit the Tianjin Eye for night views, climb Mount Tai in Shandong, experience Confucian culture in Qufu, and enjoy seascapes in Yantai and Qingdao. Don't miss the romantic gardens in Suzhou before heading to Shanghai on your China train trip.

    Recommended Trains and Timetables

    RouteTrain No.DepartureArrivalDuration
    Beijing → TianjinC256108:3809:1537min
    Tianjin → Tai’an (Mt. Tai)G44810:4312:472h 4min
    Tai’an → QufuG23316:5717:1711h 3min
    Qufu → YantaiG559010:4014:143h 14min
    Yantai → QingdaoC652215:5117:201h 29min
    Qingdao → NanjingD318713:0817:574h 49min
    Nanjing → SuzhouG722508:4509:521h 7min
    Suzhou → ShanghaiG710308:52 09:2533min

    4. Southeast Coast Discovery

  • Route: Hong Kong – Guangzhou – Chaozhou – Xiamen – Quanzhou – Fuzhou – Wuyishan – Ningbo (Putuo) – Hangzhou
  • Length: 1,912km
  • Duration: 13 hours
  • Price: ¥1,122 ($156) for a second-class seat
  • Highlights: Old streets, island scenery, mountains, Buddhist culture

  • Traveling in China by train to appreciate the scenery along the southeast coast is a unique experience. On this China train trip, you admire Guangzhou's Canton Tower and Chaozhou’s ancient architecture, and enjoy the scenery of islands in Xiamen and Fuzhou. If you love Chinese tea, try Wuyi Mountain's rock tea and Hangzhou's West Lake Longjing tea.

    >> Recommended 11-Day Relaxing China Tour

    Recommended Trains and Timetables

    RouteTrain No.DepartureArrivalDuration
    Hong Kong → GuangzhouG658208:22 09:1559min
    Guangzhou → Chaoshan (Chaozhou)G293114:3517:112h 36min
    Chaoshan → XiamenG302213:25 14:481h 23min
    Xiamen → QuanzhouG559008:5909:1819min
    Quanzhou → FuzhouC652213:4214:431h 1min
    Fuzhou → WuyishanG24209:0210:191h 17min
    Wuyishan → Ningbo (Transfer in Hangzhou)G1636+G751913:52 17:554h 3min
    Ningbo → HangzhouG750609:04 09:5147min

    5. Fairyland Mountains and Mysterious Landscapes

  • Route: Chengdu – Jiuzhaigou – Chongqing – Zhangjiajie – Wuhan – Huangshan – Shanghai
  • Length: 3,267km
  • Duration: 20 hours
  • Price: ¥1,532 ($213) 
  • Highlights: Peculiar mountains, lakes, forests
  • China train trip to Zhangjiajie

    The mountains and water landscapes of China never disappoint tourists, and this China train trip is one of the most scenic routes. Starting your tour from Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas, you will see the colorful lakes of Jiuzhaigou, the magnificent mountains of Zhangjiajie, and the peculiar pines and rocks of Mount Huang. 

    Recommended Trains and Timetables

    RouteTrain No.DepartureArrivalDuration
    Hong Kong → GuangzhouG658208:22 09:1559min
    Guangzhou → Chaoshan (Chaozhou)G293114:3517:112h 36min
    Chaoshan → XiamenG302213:25 14:481h 23min
    Xiamen → QuanzhouG559008:5909:1819min
    Quanzhou → FuzhouC652213:4214:431h 1min
    Fuzhou → WuyishanG24209:0210:191h 17min
    Wuyishan → Ningbo (Transfer in Hangzhou)G1636+G751913:52 17:554h 3min
    Ningbo → HangzhouG750609:04 09:5147min

    >> Recommended 15-Day Scenic & Historic China Tour

    6. Minority Cultures and Landscapes

  • Route: Guangzhou – Guilin – Zhaoxing – Guiyang – Kunming – Dali – Lijiang – Shangri-La
  • Length: 1,948km
  • Duration: 13 hours
  • Price: ¥869 ($121) 
  • Highlights: Ethnic villages, karst peaks, snow-capped mountains, lakes

  • This China train journey allows you to fully experience the customs and cultures of China’s ethnic minorities. While admiring the karst mountains of Guilin, you can enjoy the Zhuang's songs and dances. Explore the Dong villages in Zhaoxing and ancient Naxi culture in Lijiang. Visit the sacred Songzanlin Monastery in Shangri-La, and your soul will be purified.

    Recommended Trains and Timetables

    RouteTrain No.DepartureArrivalDuration
    Guangzhou → GuilinG372609:0211:242h 22min
    Guilin → Zhaoxing (Congjiang)G226413:26 14:0438min
    Zhaoxing → GuiyangG370215:4917:001h 11min
    Guiyang → KunmingG288513:3216:262h 54min
    Kunming → DaliD866808:49 11:032h 14min
    Dali → LijiangC37309:13 11:312h 18min
    Lijiang → Shangri-LaC8713:4914:591h 10min

    >> Recommended 14-Day South and West China Tour

    7. Tibetan Spiritual Journey by Train

  • Route: Xi’an – Lanzhou – (Xiahe) – Xining – Lhasa – Shigatse
  • Length: 2,975km
  • Duration: 27 hours
  • Price: ¥817 ($114) 
  • Highlights: Danxia landform, mountains, alpine lakes, Tibetan Buddhist culture
  • China train trip to Tibet

    The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is a paradise for the eyes. Take a China train trip to Lhasa, during which you can visit Lanzhou for its ink-wash Danxia landform, and encounter the fairyland-like Chaka Salt Lake in Xining. Upon arriving in Lhasa, visit the sacred Potala Palace. For a deep dive into Tibetan Buddhism, head to Tashilhunpo Monastery and spin prayer wheels in Xigaze during your China Tibet train tours.

    Recommended Trains and Timetables

    RouteTrain No.DepartureArrivalDuration
    Xi’an → LanzhouD268509:00 11:472h 47min
    Lanzhou → XiningD265715:4916:4859min
    Xining → LhasaZ2115:3211:4220h 10min
    Lhasa → ShigatseC439108:5511:352h 40min

    8. Grasslands & Desert Adventures

  • Route: Beijing – Hohhot – Yinchuan – Xi’an
  • Length: 1,741km
  • Duration: 15 hours
  • Price: ¥692 ($96) 
  • Highlights: Grasslands, deserts, vineyards

  • China boasts not only picturesque landscapes but also vast grasslands and deserts waiting to be explored. Start your train journey in China from Beijing, and the Huitengxile Grassland in Hohhot is calling you. Go camel riding and sandboarding in the Shapotou Desert of Yinchuan, which is very exciting. If you are fond of grape wines, go on a China wine tasting tour in Yinchuan and Xi’an.

    Recommended Trains and Timetables

    RouteTrain No.DepartureArrivalDuration
    Beijing → HohhotG249108:3011:012h 31min
    Hohhot → YinchuanK151710:2019:429h 22min
    Yinchuan → Xi’anD353913:42 17:093h 27min

    >> Recommended 6-Day China Grassland & Desert Discovery Tour

    9. The Snowy Wonderland of the Northeast

  • Route: Beijing – Shenyang – Changbai Mountain – Harbin
  • Length: 1,703km
  • Duration: 10 hours
  • Price: ¥831($116) 
  • Highlights: Snow views, cultural mix, icy activities
  • China train trip to Harbin

    If you travel to China from Singapore, Malaysia, or other non-snowy places, you're in luck, as you can take a China train journey to Northeast China in winter to experience its ice and snow kingdom. Feast your eyes on Shenyang's exotic architecture and Changbai Mountain's stunning snowy scenery. Harbin's winter is romantic; dive into the Ice and Snow World or ski in Yabuli for an unforgettable experience.

    Recommended Trains and Timetables

    RouteTrain No.DepartureArrivalDuration
    Beijing → ShenyangG96308:5011:192h 29min
    Shenyang → ChangbaishanG94312:2215:583h 36min
    Changbaishan→ HarbinD53514:2218:183h 56min

    >> Recommended 11-Day Northeastern China Tour

    10. Travel around Taiwan by Rail

  • Route: Taipei – Taichung – Sun Moon Lake – Tainan – Kaohsiung – Jiufen – Taipei
  • Length: 755km
  • Duration: 11 hours
  • Price: NT$2,285 ($77) 
  • Highlights: Mountains, lakes, night markets

  • Taiwan in China is also a beautiful place worth visiting. Just embark on a China train trip around the island. Along the route, you can appreciate Sun Moon Lake's enchanting scenery, visit the artistic villages in Taichung, soak in the stunning views of harbors in Kaohsiung, and taste delicious food at Jiufen’s street.

    Recommended Trains and Timetables

    RouteTrain No.DepartureArrivalDuration
    Taipei → TaichungTze-Chiang 11509:0011:212h 21min
    Taichung → TainanTze-Chiang 12515:2317:161h 53min
    Tainan → KaohsiungTze-Chiang 10311:0011:3636min
    Kaohsiung → RuifangTze-Chiang 17612:5218:405h 48min
    Ruifang → TaipeiFLT 401308:4109:2140min

    >> See more China train tours or customize your own China train travel itinerary.

    Keep Reading

  • Top 8 Most Scenic Train Rides in China
  • Top 7 Reasons to Travel by Train in China
  • Must-knows Before Making a Train Travel Plan in China
  • Top Chinese Niche Destinations Accessed by Train


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