China train types
According to the speed of trains, Chinese trains can be divided into various classes. The names of the trains always are the combination of letters and numbers and the first letter always refer to the types of the trains. For example, Z19, Z refers to the non-stop train; D316, D refers to Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train.
G – High-Speed Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train
G prefixed EMU high-speed Trains is one of the fastest long distance passenger trains in China. The highest speed of the train can reach 400km/h. The speeds are not the same of different routes. At some routes, the speed may be limited to 300km/ h- 200 km/h
► G Train Basic Equipment
Train Type | High Speed Bullet Train |
Chinese Name | 高铁 (Gao Tie) |
Max Speed (per hour) | 350km |
Air Condition | Equipped |
Toilet | Western Style |
Comment | The most comfortable, most expensive and fastest long distance train in the Chinese rail network. |
Mainly Coverage | Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Train Beijing-Guangzhou High Speed Train Beijing-Xi'an High-speed Train |
► C – Intercity EMU Train
C prefixed Intercity EMU train is also one of the fastest trains in China. This kind of train runs for two nearby cities as short-distance train. For example, Beijing-Tianjin Intercity EMU Train, 120km.
► C Train Basic Equipment
Train Type | High Speed Bullet Train |
Chinese Name | 城际列车 (Cheng Ji Lie Che) |
Max Speed (per hour) | 350km |
Air Condition | Equipped |
Toilet | Western Style |
Comment | C trains link nearby cities rather than distant locations but are just as quick and comfortable as that of the Gaotie. |
Mainly Coverage |
► D – Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train
Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train, also known as Hexie Hao, is a kind of fast train running between large cities or busy routes. The highest speed of the train is 250km/h. The Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train now runs between Beijing and Shanghai, Shanghai and Suzhou, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, etc.
► D Train Basic Equipment
Train Type | High Speed Bullet Train |
Chinese Name | 动车(Dong Che) or 和谐号(He Xie Hao) |
Max Speed (per hour) | 250km |
Air Condition | Equipped |
Toilet | Western Style |
Comment | Not the fastest, but greater coverage than G and C trains. Can be 30-50% cheaper than G trains for the same route. |
Mainly Coverage | Now runs between Beijing and Shanghai, Shanghai and Suzhou, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, etc.. |
► Z – Direct Express Train
Direct Express Train is the one only slower than high speed trains, such as Intercity EMU Train, Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train, in China. The high speed of it can reach 160km/h. The Direct Express Train departs from the origination station and runs direct to the terminal station without stops. Quite a few of the Direct Express Trains have a few stops.
► Z Train Basic Equipment
Train Type | Normal Train |
Chinese Name | 直达特快 (Zhi Da Te Kuai) |
Max Speed (per hour) | 160km |
Air Condition | Equipped |
Toilet | Western Style |
Comment | Depending on your destination, they are not really “none-stop” trains, these have fewer stops than T trains. |
► T – Express Train
Express Train has a few stops during the journey. Most of the stops are big cities. The Express Train’s highest speed could reach 140km/h. Most of the trains are equipped with air conditions. There are two different sleeper and seat for passengers: soft sleeper, hard sleeper, soft seat, hard seat.
► T Train Basic Equipment
Train Type | Normal Train |
Chinese Name | 特快 (Te Kuai) |
Max Speed (per hour) | 140km |
Air Condition | Equipped |
Toilet | Not all the trains equipped with Western-style toilet |
Comment | Trains generally only stop at large cities and province capitals, more crowded and less modern than high speed and direct trains. |
► K – Fast Train
The highest speed of the fast train is 120km/h, more stops than express train. Most of the trains are equipped with air conditions. There are two different sleeper and seat for passengers: soft sleeper, hard sleeper, soft seat, hard seat.
► K Train Basic Equipment
Train Type | Normal Train |
Chinese Name | 快车 (Kuai Che) |
Max Speed (per hour) | 120km |
Air Condition | Not all the trains equipped |
Toilet | Not all the trains equipped with Western-style toilet |
Comment | Trains generally stop at mid to large cities or towns. |
► Four-digit Number Train - Regular Speed Train
Trains with a four-digit number and no letter prefix are known as locals. They are the slowest trains in China and stop at every station en route. While significantly cheaper than other types if trains, they often lack heat and air conditioning and have Chinese toilets only.
► Four-digit Number Train Basic Equipment
Train Type | Normal Train |
Chinese Name | 普快 (Pu Kuai) |
Max Speed (per hour) | 80km |
Air Condition | Not all the trains equipped |
Toilet | Chinese toilet only |
Comment | They are the slowest trains in China and stop at every station en route. |
► L – Temporary Train
Aiming to ease the train transportation during the festival periods such as the Spring Festival, the National Day, L Train will be temporary added. No official timetable on the train website because of its unfixed factors such as the train numbers, the departing time, and also the serving periods. If you have other choices, do not take the temporary train, as it is very slow, and easily delay.
► L Train Basic Equipment
Train Type | Normal Train |
Chinese Name | 普快 (Pu Kuai) |
Max Speed (per hour) | Not fixed |
Air Condition | Not all the trains equipped |
Toilet | Chinese toilet only |
Comment | If you have other choices, do not take the temporary train, as it is very slow, and easily delay. |