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China Train Map 2026: High-Speed Rail & Route Guide
By Trip.com
August 11, 2026
Planning a journey through China but feeling overwhelmed by the complexity? China high speed rail map is your must-have for seamless travel across China. This comprehensive guide provides you with everything you need to know, from understanding the China bullet train map, and popular routes to learning how to purchase tickets effortlessly.
About China high speed rail map
Source: Wikipedia
China high speed rail map overview
China boasts one of the world's most extensive and advanced railway networks. As of 2024, China had spanned over 159,000 km (98,798 mi) of railways, making China's railway system the second-largest in the world by length.
By the end of 2023, China had more than 45,000 kilometres (27,962 miles) of high-speed rail, seamlessly linking bustling metropolises and scenic landscapes.
As you can see in the China high speed rail map, the network enables swift travel between major cities, with trains reaching speeds exceeding 350 kilometres per hour (217 mph) on dedicated tracks.
Future plans for China rail track expansion
China's ambitious plans for railway expansion continue to evolve. Future projects aim to enhance connectivity, reduce travel times, and support economic growth across the country.
By 2035, China plans to achieve a nationwide railway operational mileage of approximately 200,000 kilometres, with high-speed rail covering about 70,000 kilometres. Cities with populations exceeding 200,000 will have railway coverage, and cities with populations exceeding 500,000 will be accessible via high-speed rail.
Planned developments include extending high-speed rail to more cities, upgrading existing lines, and integrating rail networks with neighbouring countries as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. You will see an expansion version of China high speed rail map in the future.
List of China train lines
Check the most popular China high speed rail map of China train lines, including conventional and international lines.
China bullet train map
Source: Wikipedia
China's high-speed rail network is organised into a strategic framework known as the "Eight Verticals and Eight Horizontals".
As you can see in the China high speed rail map, this structure ensures comprehensive connectivity across the country, facilitating efficient travel and economic integration between major cities and regions.
- Eight vertical lines
Route | Connecting Cities | Duration |
Coastal corridor(沿海通道) | Dalian (Dandong)-Qinhuangdao-Tianjin-Dongying-Weifang-Qingdao (Yantai)-Lianyungang-Yancheng-Nantong-Shanghai-Ningbo-Fuzhou-Xiamen-Shenzhen-Zhanjiang-Beihai (Fangchenggang) | About 12-14 hours |
Beijing–Shanghai corridor(京沪通道) | Beijing, Tianjin, Jinan, Nanjing, Shanghai (Hangzhou) | About 4.5 hours |
Beijing–Hong Kong (Taipei) corridor(京港（台）通道) | Beijing-Hengshui-Heze-Shangqiu-Fuyang-Hefei (Huanggang)-Jiujiang-Nanchang-Ganzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong (Kowloon) | About 9 hours |
Beijing–Harbin, Beijing–Hong Kong (Macau) corridor(京哈～京港澳通道) | Harbin-Changchun-Shenyang-Beijing-Shijiazhuang-Zhengzhou-Wuhan-Changsha-Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong, and Guangzhou-Zhuhai-Macau. | About 8 hours |
Hohhot–Nanning corridor(呼南通道) | Hohhot-Taiyuan- Zhengzhou-Xiangyang-Changde-Yiyang-Shaoyang-Yongzhou-Guilin-Nanning. | About 10 hours |
Beijing–Kunming corridor(京昆通道) | Beijing-Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan-Xi'an-Chengdu (Chongqing)-Kunming, including Beijing-Taiyuan-Zhangjiakou-Datong. | About 10 hours |
Baotou (Yinchuan)–Hainan corridor(包（银）海通道) | Baotou-Yan'an-Xi'an-Chongqing-Guiyang-Nanning-Zhanjiang-Haikou (Sanya). | About 16 hours |
Lanzhou (Xining)–Guangzhou corridor(兰（西）广通道) | Lanzhou (Xining), Chengdu (Chongqing), Guiyang, Guangzhou. | About 13 hours |
- Eight horizontal lines
Route | Connecting Cities | Duration |
Suifenhe–Manzhouli corridor(绥满通道) | Suifenhe, Mudanjiang, Harbin, Qiqihar, Hailar, Manzhouli. | About 48 hours |
Beijing–Lanzhou corridor(京兰通道) | Beijing, Hohhot, Yinchuan, Lanzhou. | About 10 hours |
Qingdao–Yinchuan corridor(青银通道) | Qingdao, Jinan, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Yinchuan. | About 12 hours |
Eurasia Continental Bridge corridor(陆桥通道) | Lianyungang, Xuzhou, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Lanzhou, Xining, Urumqi. | About 7-10 days |
Yangtze River corridor(沿江通道) | Shanghai-Nanjing-Hefei-Wuhan-Chongqing-Chengdu, including Nanjing-Anqing-Jiujiang-Wuhan-Yichang-Chongqing, and Wanzhou-Dazhou-Suining-Chengdu. | About 20-30 hours |
Shanghai–Kunming corridor(沪昆通道) | Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Changsha, Guiyang, Kunming. | About 11 hours |
Xiamen–Chongqing corridor(厦渝通道) | Xiamen, Longyan, Ganzhou, Changsha, Changde, Zhangjiajie, Qianjiang, Chongqing. | About 10-12 hours |
Guangzhou–Kunming corridor(广昆通道) | Guangzhou, Nanning, Kunming. | About 8-10 hours |
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International China railway lines
Source: MDPI official
China's international railway lines serve as regional connectivity and economic integration. Spanning across Asia and extending into Europe, these railways enhance trade efficiency, reduce transportation times, and promote cultural exchange between China and neighbouring countries.
Here are some popular international China train routes from the China high speed rail map.
Route | Connecting Cities | Duration |
China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) | Chengdu, Chongqing, Yiwu, Zhengzhou, etc. to cities in Europe (e.g., Duisburg, Hamburg) | About 12-18 days |
China-Laos Railway (中老铁路) | Kunming, Vientiane | About 10-14 hours |
China-Vietnam Railway (中越铁路) | Nanning, Hanoi | About 12-14 hours |
China-Mongolia Railway (中蒙铁路) | Erenhot, Ulaanbaatar | About 1-2 days |
China-Russia Railway (中俄铁路) | Manzhouli, Zabaykalsk | About 5-7 days |
China-North Korea Railway (中朝铁路) | Dandong, Pyongyang | About 6 hours |
China-Kazakhstan Railway (中哈铁路) | Urumqi, Almaty | About 30 hours |
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China high speed rail map: Popular China railway route
China's railway system offers scenic and efficient routes that cater to diverse travel interests:
1. Beijing to Shanghai
The Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway is one of China's busiest and most popular. Connecting the capital city Beijing with the financial hub Shanghai, this route covers approximately 1,318 kilometres and takes about 4.5 hours.
Source: Wikipedia
2. Beijing to Guangzhou
The Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway connects Beijing in the north with the southern metropolis of Guangzhou. Spanning approximately 2,298 kilometres, and typically complete the journey in around 8 hours.
Source: Wikipedia
3. Shanghai to Hangzhou
The Shanghai-Hangzhou railway route links the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai with the historic city of Hangzhou, famed for its West Lake and traditional Chinese gardens. High-speed trains complete the journey in about 1 hour.
Source: Wikipedia
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4. Xi'an to Chengdu
The Xi'an-Chengdu railway route spans the historic city of Xi'an, known for the Terracotta Warriors, to Chengdu, famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine and Giant Panda. It take 3-4.5 hours of the whole journey.
Source: China Discovery official
5. Chengdu to Lhasa
The Chengdu-Lhasa railway route crosses rugged terrain and mountain ranges to reach the mystical Tibetan. This route spans over 3,000 kilometres and takes about 35 hours, including the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Source: Travel Tibet China official
6. Guangzhou to Shenzhen
The Guangzhou to Shenzhen railway route connects two major economic hubs in the Guangdong Province. The distance between Guangzhou and Shenzhen by railway is approximately 147 kilometres. High-speed trains on this route typically complete the journey in about 30-40 minutes.
Source: Wikipedia
FAQ about China high speed rail map
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