1. Can you explain all the information included on a China train ticket?

2.Categories of train:

Chinese train numbers usually start with a letter, which indicates the category of train. The better the category of train, the faster it is likely to be, and the more modern & comfortable the carriages are likely to be. Slightly higher fares are charged for the better train categories.

C, D & G trains (modern high-speed daytime & sleeper trains): These are top-quality high-speed trains with ultra-modern air-conditioned coaches and streamlined power-cars at each end. Some are 200-300km/h daytime electric trains, a few D-trains are top-quality 200km/h sleeper trains.

Z trains (high-quality express sleeper trains): The previous top-quality sleeper train, the 'Z' trains are now the second best, but still with very modern air-conditioned coaches.

T trains ('extra fast'): Trains with a 'T' in the train number are the next best category, see the photos below.

K trains ('fast'): Trains with a 'K' in the train number are 'fast'. Slightly higher fares are charged for better categories of train.

A typical T or K category Chinese train...'T' & 'K' category trains may not be as glamorous as the front-rank 'D' or 'Z' category trains, but even these T or K trains are usually very comfortable, often modern & air-conditioned.

3. Classes of seat & sleeper

Chinese trains generally have 4 classes, although you won't find every class on every train. Generally speaking, soft sleeper is the best, the following is respectively hard sleeper, soft seat, and hard seat.

Soft sleeper: Soft sleepers are spacious 4-berth compartments with two upper & two lower berths by night, converting to two sofas for daytime use, which is normally called luxury train class.

Hard sleeper: Hard sleeper consists of open-plan carriages with a broad aisle on one side of the car, bays of 6 bunks (upper, middle & lower) on the other side.

Soft seat & hard seat: Short distance daytime trains often only have hard class seats, though some inter-city trains have both soft & hard class.

4. How to buy tickets at the station ?

It's easy to buy tickets yourself at the station, but remember to take your passport with you.In big cities such as Beijing or Shanghai you should look for the special ticket window for foreigners.

Chinese Railways don't have a central reservation system, only local computer reservation systems based in each city that aren't linked to each other. Therefore, most of stations can generally only sell you a ticket for a journey starting at that station, not for journeys starting elsewhere.

5. How much luggage can I carry aboard the train?

A: The China Ministry of Railways stipulates that the weight of small luggage that you may carry with you on the train is limited to 20 kilograms (44 pounds). Large baggage exceeding the limit can be checked into the train and the related formalities will need to be transacted at the railway station before your departure.

6. How far in advance should I book a domestic (within China) train ticket?

It's the China Railway policy to issue the tickets 10-12 days before departure, so you need to book the tickets 12 days in advance. For Chinese festivals such as May Day (May 1st, 3 day holiday), National Day (Oct 1st, 1 week holiday) and Chinese New Year, train ticket demand is extremely high. If you plan on travelling during these times, you should make the reservation as early as possible.

7.How is the restaurant cars, toilets, smoking like on the train?

Toilets: Chinese trains generally have both western & 'squat' toilets, but it's always a good idea to take your own supply of toilet paper. The toilets on the modern D & Z category trains are immaculate, so no worries there!

Restaurant cars: Most long-distance trains have a restaurant car, with waiter service of drinks, snacks & meals. The best trains on key routes such as Beijing-Shanghai have menus in both Chinese and English.

Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in the sleeping-car compartments or corridors on Chinese trains, but is allowed in the vestibules between carriages and in the restaurant cars.

8. Do the train stations broadcast in English?

The announcements at the train stations are broadcast in Chinese. However, in some big cities like Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai, and some hot tourism ciites, they are also broadcast in English.