I took my first G-train from Beijing to Shanghai in 2023. I had a carry-on, a camera bag, and a seat I didn't know how to find. By the time I figured out where car 8 actually was, the train had started moving.
By my fifth trip, I was the person helping confused foreigners find their seats. Here's what I learned.
🚄 Understanding the Train Codes
China's rail system uses letter codes:
G (高铁) — High-speed rail, fastest (300+ km/h), most expensive
D (动车) — High-speed, slightly slower (200-250 km/h)
C (城际) — Intercity (short routes, e.g., Beijing-Tianjin)
Z (直达) — Direct overnight trains (slower but long-distance)
K/T — Regular trains (budget, slower, overnight)
For most travel between major cities, G or D is what you want. The G trains are impressively fast — Beijing to Shanghai in 4.5 hours at 350 km/h.
💺 Seat Selection: The Strategy
| Seat Position | Best For | Downsides |
|---|---|---|
| Window (A/F) | Scenery, photography, sleeping | Takes effort to get out |
| Aisle (C/D) | Frequent exit, business travelers | People bump you |
| Middle (B) | Nothing — avoid middle seats | Cramped, both sides occupied |
| First car (1-2) | Quiet, close to exit, business class | More expensive |
| Near dining car (9) | Easy food access, more walking traffic | Louder, people pass through |
The best strategy: book in advance (12306 app, 15 days before travel). Choose your car and seat. If you didn't book a specific seat, you'll be assigned one at the window.
🧳 Luggage Rules
What You Can Bring
• 20kg per person (standard ticket), 35kg (business class)
• Size limit: 130cm combined dimensions (length + width + height)
• Personal items (backpack, laptop bag) as additional carry-on
• Power bank (under 100Wh, check airline rules if connecting flights)
• Food and drinks (no alcohol above 70%)
• Folding bicycles (disassembled, in carrying bag)
Storage: overhead bins above seats, or at end of each car. There's also space between seats in some cars. Larger luggage can go in the dedicated luggage area at car entrances.
🍱 The Dining Car Reality
The dining car (餐车, car 9 on most G-trains) serves hot meals, instant noodles, water, and snacks. Prices are higher than outside — expect 30-60 RMB for a basic meal. Not great food, but warm and convenient.
Many Chinese passengers bring their own food — convenience store bentos, steamed buns, fruit. This is completely normal. Just don't eat anything with very strong smell in the car.
"On my fourth trip, I realized: the best meal on the train is what you bring yourself. I bought 一鸣酸奶 (Yiming yogurt) and a全家 (Quanjia) pork floss sandwich from the convenience store before boarding. It was better than the dining car, half the price, and I ate at my seat. This is the hack."
🔌 Practical Things Nobody Tells You
Power outlets: Every seat has a power outlet (usually below the armrest or between seats). Bring a Chinese three-prong adapter if your plug is different. USB-C ports are becoming more common on newer trains.
Toilets: Western-style toilet at end of each car. Usually clean. Bring your own tissue — some trains don't provide it. The toilet flush is often automated — don't stand too close after pressing.
Temperature: Usually cold. Very cold. Bring a layer or a scarf. If you're in a short-sleeve T-shirt and the AC is blasting, you'll be miserable for 4 hours.
The announcement: In Chinese and English. Listen for your station — they'll announce it 10-15 minutes before arrival. If you're near the door, you can usually see the station approaching through the window.
😰 The Mistakes I Made
1. Standing in the wrong spot to board.
At major stations (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou), the platform is long and the cars are numbered. Find your car number on the platform indicator (on the floor or on a sign) before the train arrives. Then stand in the corresponding spot. Don't stand anywhere — the doors open in specific spots.
2. Not having my ticket ready.
The conductor will check your ticket when you board (and sometimes during the trip). Have your ticket (paper or on your phone) ready before boarding. Foreign passports require manual ID verification at some stations — allow extra time.
3. Eating smelly food.
I brought mapo tofu on the train once. The woman next to me gave me a look that could have curdled milk. I understood. Mapo tofu is for home, not for a sealed metal tube with recycled air.
4. Trying to change seats without asking.
If you want to switch seats with someone, ask nicely and explain why. Some people have specific reasons for their seat choice (motion sickness = window, work = aisle near outlet). Don't assume it's fine to swap.
🌅 Why Taking the Train Beats Flying
In China, for routes under 6 hours, high-speed rail is often better than flying:
• No 2-hour early check-in required
• City center to city center (no airport transit)
• Stable WiFi on most routes (bring your own VPN)
• You can walk around during the trip
• View of the countryside vs cloud cover
• Usually cheaper than flights on popular routes
"On my last Beijing-Shanghai trip, I watched the flight vs train decision play out in real-time. My flight would have cost 900 RMB and 5 hours (including airport transit). The G-train was 650 RMB and 4.5 hours. I took the train. When I arrived Shanghai and checked my phone — my flight-taking colleague was still at the airport waiting for security."