China high speed rail

[beanstalk6]

Nobody checks, actually. So long as you are not having huge cases or odd shaped items, you are not going to be stopped.

Taking my train to shanghai tomorrow from hangzhou
I understand the baggage requirements are 130cm + 20kg
but for 1st class - how many baggage can I bring in?
Have one big size @130cm and small size 108cm

 

[jywy2005]

Also to note that their escalators are very narrow and crowded… so not advisable to bring big and heavy bags. They dun have elevators at all.

 

[froztheart]

Also to note that their escalators are very narrow and crowded… so not advisable to bring big and heavy bags. They dun have elevators at all.

Or worst, stairs.
Not saying there isn't lifts, but for those that are used to SG's convenience, its different overseas.

 

[jywy2005]

Or worst, stairs.
Not saying there isn't lifts, but for those that are used to SG's convenience, its different overseas.

Yes. Major cities still ok. But those 3-4 tier ones. Better bring cabin size luggage.

 

[Panerex]

hi all

I will be touching down Beijing Capital Airport at 7am.

Would like to take High Speed Rail to Xi'An.

Is this the website https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html to advance book tickets?

If i do not have a China mobile number, will I still be able to use this site?

If not, what's the alternate option (s) to book in advance?

Many TIA

 

[jywy2005]

hi all

I will be touching down Beijing Capital Airport at 7am.

Would like to take High Speed Rail to Xi'An.

Is this the website https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html to advance book tickets?

If i do not have a China mobile number, will I still be able to use this site?

If not, what's the alternate option (s) to book in advance?

Many TIA

Just book using Trip.com

At train station, just show passport to enter. No need physical or e-ticket

 

[hawkwind]

hi all

I will be touching down Beijing Capital Airport at 7am.

Would like to take High Speed Rail to Xi'An.

Is this the website https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html to advance book tickets?

If i do not have a China mobile number, will I still be able to use this site?

If not, what's the alternate option (s) to book in advance?

Many TIA

Trip.com is easier to use. No need local number. Fully English but there's a small fee for booking tickets. Also all hotels in Trip are eligible for foreigners unlike Western platforms.

 

[caesium5]

hi all

I will be touching down Beijing Capital Airport at 7am.

Would like to take High Speed Rail to Xi'An.

Is this the website https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html to advance book tickets?

If i do not have a China mobile number, will I still be able to use this site?

If not, what's the alternate option (s) to book in advance?

Many TIA

@jywy2005 recommendation to book using Trip.com is the "safest".

Was there early this year, the following is what I did.
1. Register account with 12306
- using gmail
2. Book tickets on the website https://www.12306.cn/ (the chinese version)
- receive confirmation of booking via email
3. At train station, show passport at the manual gates (see image below)
- no proof of tickets required

 

[jywy2005]

Also Remember to use manual gate aka 人工通道 for entry at train check-in gate.

 

[froztheart]

hi all

I will be touching down Beijing Capital Airport at 7am.

Would like to take High Speed Rail to Xi'An.

Is this the website https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html to advance book tickets?

If i do not have a China mobile number, will I still be able to use this site?

If not, what's the alternate option (s) to book in advance?

Many TIA

Also Remember to use manual gate aka 人工通道 for entry at train check-in gate.

Nowadays, able to scan passport to enter without going to the manual - 人工通道 for entry.
Unless passport scan fail, then head to the manual lane.
Similar to how one enter Malaysia, if eGate fails, head to manual lane instead.

Utlilised it and scanning was 50/50 for me, not sure if its deal to dirtiness/passport scanner error etc. but at least able to scan compared to previous visits.

 

[hfngshnll]

those newer gantry gates that have the partial black hood over the glass bed scanner are the ones that you can do your own passport scanning. the manual entry lane 人工通道 are equipped with this type of scanner.

the lower tier cities that joined the high speed rail network more recently tend to have these newer gantry gates 100%.

the existing established big cities some have, some have partial upgrading in progress, some totally do not have any yet.

my experience so far is most of the time no problem to scan thru, sometime need to retry. once in a while cannot get the green light. when at the manual entry lane, even without the green light, the train staff will just waive you off to enter, lol.

 

[hfngshnll]

for booking, i use the 12306 phone app all the time to buy tickets, where you can choose your seats to be window or aisle. i think the 12306 web version booking cannot do this choosing, correct me if i am wrong here.

for payment, select international card, and key in the details, once payment successful, the app will show confirmation and indicate your seat and the check in gate number. you will also get confirmation email.

i have done the passport scan verification steps, and i do not have any china phone no.

 

[froztheart]

those newer gantry gates that have the partial black hood over the glass bed scanner are the ones that you can do your own passport scanning. the manual entry lane 人工通道 are equipped with this type of scanner.

the lower tier cities that joined the high speed rail network more recently tend to have these newer gantry gates 100%.

the existing established big cities some have, some have partial upgrading in progress, some totally do not have any yet.

my experience so far is most of the time no problem to scan thru, sometime need to retry. once in a while cannot get the green light. when at the manual entry lane, even without the green light, the train staff will just waive you off to enter, lol.

Right, seems like they are upgrading their hardware. Didn't notice there's a difference in scanner since most of the time rushing to take HSR.

 

[jywy2005]

If you are rich enough to purchase the business class train tickets, after baggage scan, can go to the business class lounge to relax and enjoy your drinks and tidbits, and use the toilets. Have train staff to escort you to board the train directly.

The lounge is only available in 1st tier cities or the more established ones.

 

[froztheart]

If you are rich enough to purchase the business class train tickets, after baggage scan, can go to the business class lounge to relax and enjoy your drinks and tidbits, and use the toilets. Have train staff to escort you to board the train directly.

The lounge is only available in 1st tier cities or the more established ones.

Tried and don't see a point.
But like you said, if one have cash to burn, sure...

 

[hawkwind]

Tried and don't see a point.
But like you said, if one have cash to burn, sure...

Good to experience. It's really not expensive on the less popular routes.

 

[froztheart]

Good to experience. It's really not expensive on the less popular routes.

Yup, dependent on routes.
Just priority boarding and lounge nia, I can make do without it.

 

[hawkwind]

Yup, dependent on routes.
Just priority boarding and lounge nia, I can make do without it.

Well the seats are definitely much more luxurious, spacious and service is much better.

 

[beanstalk6]

Good to experience. It's really not expensive on the less popular routes.

First class and business class are cheaper than any other country in the world, if you limit the discussion to HSR, mile for mile.

 

[travelherethere]

Thank you for all the helpful sharing above! My first time actually buying a hsr ticket. I used trip to reserve the hsr tickets in advance as my Chinese a bit cmi.

Trip sent a msg today saying bookings are open and they will keep trying to secure the tickets up till the day before date of travel. A bit kancheong sia haha, because the the reservation page did say it was 17% chance of securing tickets.

For plan b, are my options now only just to try to register for 12306 and try the waitlist? This is for the Chengdu to HuanglongJiuzhai station ticket.