China Train Tours 2025/2026: Travel in China by High-speed Train
China’s extensive high-speed rail network, together with its increased comfort and speed, has made China train tours a more popular and more sustainable travel option for visitors. At present, tourists can get to most parts of China by high-speed trains, no matter whether they want to visit the top popular cities/destinations, or are planning to reach some remote areas.
Compared to flying, traveling by high-speed train is more punctual, typically costs less, and most importantly, offers you a memorable experience with ever-changing scenery outside the window. With China tours by rail, you also have a chance to get closer to the locals, providing a real glimpse into local life. Take one of our China high-speed train tours, exploring China fast, conveniently and efficiently, at a reasonable price!
Most Popular China Train Tours
These are our best-selling train tours in China, covering the popular tourist destinations like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, Huangshan, and culture-rich destinations like Pingyao, Silk Road, Lhasa, etc. Get inspired and start planning your journey with our sample tours. Our travel consultants are always happy to help you customize your own China train tours according to your specific likes, budgets, and requirements.
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Explore Southwest China with diverse minority villages & stunning sceneryExplore
Discover cultural & historical relics along the Silk Road; Train ride to far west China with wild and eye-catching scenery
Explore imperial sites in Beijing, Terracotta Army in Xian, Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Qing-style buildings in Pingyao
A lifetime China exploration with stunning culture & natural beauty: Forbidden City, Great Wall, wonders of Mt. Huangshan
Meet lovely pandas, Leshan Giant Buddha, Terracotta Army; Visit holy Tibet from Xining by Qinghai Tibet Railway
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Explore China’s best highlights: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Army, pandas, natural beauties along the Yangtze River
East China tour by bullet train with Shanghai highlights, Suzhou gardens, Hangzhou West Lake, awe-inspiring Mt. Huangshan
China Golden Triangle Cities with West Lake and tea culture in Hangzhou, beautiful scenery of Mt. Huangshan
China High-speed Train Tours with Stunning Culture & Scenery
Would you like to take the rail to experience the best of China’s breathtaking landscapes and diverse cultural heritage? The China train tour packages will treat you to some of the most stunning destination accessible by high-speed rail, as well as gorgeous landscapes and unique cultural experience along the way. Feel free to contact our travel consultants if you have any ideas for own trip.
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Time-and-money efficient tour with Zhangye Rainbow Mountain, Mogao Grottoes, cultural relics and nature wonders in Xinjiang
Silk Road culture and nature exploration to Xining, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar
Visit China Folk Culture Village in Shenzhen, Windows of the World; Marvel at Karst scenery & rice terraces in Guilin
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Explore 4 ancient cities: Terracotta Army in Xian, Pingyao Ancient Town, Datong Yungang Grottoes, Beijing imperial sites
Travel China from south to north, with modern cities, ancient capitals, stunning natural landscapes, lovely pandas
Explore best modern and traditional parts of Shanghai, famous Suzhou gardens, iconic historic highlights in Xian
Lifetime Tibet train tour by Qinghai-Tibet Railway; Visit Ta’er Monastery, sacred palaces & monasteries in Tibet
Train ride from Xian to Lanzhou. Bingling Grottoes, Labrang Monastery & Sangke Grassland in Xiahe
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family’s best-rated service across trusted platforms.
4.9(out of 5)
5/5
February 5, 2025
From the get-go, Nancy displayed outstanding professionalism, promptly providing a detailed itinerary covering our stay duration, accommodations, transportation (including domestic flights, train and private mini-bus services), and activities in each city. She also shared valuable pre-departure materials covering travel tips in China, airports and train station checking-in processes, mobile and internet usage, and all destinations' weather forecasts.
November 24, 2024
Our Luoyang tour began taking the high speed train from Xian North Station. The Driver picked us from the hotel at 6.00am to the train station. We were met at the Luoyang Station by our guide, Ms Cecilia.
We headed for lunch at a big restaurant. She is very knowledgeable, patience and understanding. Overall, we were very happy and satisfied with the whole tour organised by China Xian Tour. Both the guides, drivers were accommodative, punctual and deserve thumbs up!
December 18, 2024
Everyting was well arranged and went smooth regarding guides, drivers, hotels, transportation, etc during our 15 days roundtrip. Traveling was smooth with the drivers and the help of the guides. All of them were so helpful, friendly. Getting on the train or flight and the instructions for next pickup point were to meet the new driver and guide were clear.
November 30, 2024
We booked our summer break with China Xian Tours. This time we flew to Xining to ride the world’s highest train to Lhasa from where we continued on a private tour via Xigaze, Mount Everest Base Camp, and Jilong to Kathmandu. Sophia was as usual most helpful providing different options, and managed to get us the hard to acquire tickets for the train. She is always ready to respond quickly to inquiries or assist when needed.
China Train Tours by Destinations
For those who expect to a Tibet tour by train, this trip uncovers Xining-Lhasa-Tsedang highlights, iconic lakes and monasteries, and impressive scenery en route.
With the scenic Xining-Tibet train that encompass Chengdu, Xi’an, Xining, and Lhasa, you can discover a wealth of cultural and natural marvels.
This scenic Xining to Lhasa train tour takes you to Lhasa landmarks, Yamdroktso Lake, and Silk Road culture highlights.
Make the most out of your time in Tibet and Silk Road on this train tour, traveling from Lhasa to Xining, exploring Lanzhou, Dunhuang, and Xinjiang.
Discover treasures of China silk Road has to offer such as Three brilliant grottoes, Danxia & Yadang landform, ancient temples & Great Wall, Weijing Tombs, desert view.
Explore the genuine essences of Xian, Gansu, and Xinjiang, as you visit historical heritages, ethnic bazaar, ancient ruins & architecture, and natural wonders.
Experience ancient grottoes, desert fun, visit ethnic people, heritages & ruins, and Heavely Lake during this Silk Road train journey
Experience the magnificent Buddhist grottoes, Danxian landform, gobi desert, Tibetan-style life & monastery, historic architecture, exotic culture of the Silk Road.
All must-see attractions: the Great Wall of China, Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Summer Palace…
Travel from Beijing to Xian by bullet train, and visit Terracotta Warriors, City Wall and Bell & Drum Tower Square.
With 4-hour high-speed train journey from Beijing to Pingyao, you can visit Pingyao Ancient Town, Wang Family Courtyard, and Shuanglin Temple.
Discover the speed and beauty of traveling through Beijing and Huangshan. Experience the timeless lure of Forbidden City and Great Wall, and hike on Yellow Mountain.
This train trip start in Shanghai, with visits to the Bund, Yu Garden, many skyscrapers, and continues to Xian to meet Terracotta Army.
By high speed train, this China tour leads you to visit Beijing’s highlights from Shanghai in 2 days: Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Suqare.
Travel from Shanghai to Huangshan by fast train to visit 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Yellow Mountain and Hongcun Ancient Village.
Get away from the hubbub of Shanghai, and take a high speed train to Jiuhuashan Mountain for fresh air and beautiful mountain vista.
Designed with family fun in mind, this China train tour covers all heritage sites in Beijing and Xian, as well as active programs including Mount Huashan hiking.
Venture around the enchanting Xian and Luoyang by bullet train, savor the history and culture when touring terracotta warriors museum, Longmen Grottoes, and Shaolin Temple.
If you are seeking a destination nearby Xian, Pingyao, only 3.5-hour high-speed train trip away, is the best choice.
This one week package tour from Xian is specially designed with the emphasis on the Silk Road, with a fantastic adventure to Tianshui, Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Dunhuang.
China Group Tours by Bullet Trains - With Best Price
This 9-day classic China tour package is crafted for first-time visitors to China. Explore China’s Golden Triangle cities including Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai by both high speed train and flight.
From
$ 1270
Connected by high speed trains, this Silk Road itinerary is a favorite choice for adventure seekers to explore the highlights and undiscovered jewels on this ancient trading route.
From
$ 1460
Discover the wonders of Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou Valley: panda base, Leshan Giant Buddha, and Huanglong National Park.
Classic China tour by train and fight will showcase incredible ancient marvels, unique natural landscape, and bustling international metropolises.
From
$ 1580
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China Train Travel Tips
How to Choose a Train Type & Seat Class in China?
The two main train types in China are high-speed trains (or bullet trains) and normal trains (or ordinary trains). Learn the different train types in China, and the seat classes on each train type.
Xi’an to Chengdu Trains: Schedules, Stations, and Tickets
High-speed trains between Xi’an North Railway Station and Chengdu East Railway Station take about 3 to 4.5 hours to complete the journey and cost around CNY 263 (USD 37) for a second-class seat.
Train Travel to Xian from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu
For your China tour to Xian by train, see the high speed trains, normal trains and overnight trains from Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu to Xian.
Xi’an North Railway Station: Train Schedule
Find useful information on the timetable (including train numbers, duration, and ticket prices) from Xi’an North Station to other cities, as well as guidance on how to get to Terracotta Warriors.
FAQs on China Train Tours
The high-speed rail (HSR) network in China is designed to travel at 200–380 km/h (120–240 miles per hour). For your China train tour, usually you can experience the speed at 200 to 250 km/h.
International tourists can buy train tickets from all Chinese railway stations/ticket outlets, 95105105 (the official hotline), and the English website and mobile app of 12306.cn (China Railway online ticketing platform). You may also contact us to book China train tickets.
China operates the world’s most sophisticated network of high-speed railways and has a safety record that exceeds that of commercial aviation, with no passenger deaths due to accidents in the last 10 years.
China’s high-speed railway seat types are classified into second-class seats (basic seats), first-class seats, business seats, special-class seats, business seats and sleepers (basic soft sleepers and superior soft sleepers)
All the high-speed trains in China are clean, comfortable and fully air-conditioned with dining cars, and Western-style and squat toilets.
First thing you need to know, the food or meal is not included in your ticket price. If you need to order food or drinks, you can go to the dinning car, which is usually in the fifth and thirteenth carriage. There are a selection of Chinese foods and few Western options.
Additionally, there are food trolleys available for those who want to buy some snacks,fruits, and drinks.
