Is China safe for tourists in 2026?

Yes, China is one of the safest countries for tourists. Violent crime is extremely rare, public transportation is reliable, and major cities have extensive security infrastructure. See our safety guide for detailed tips.

Do I need a VPN to use Google and WhatsApp in China?

Yes, many Western apps and websites are blocked in China. We recommend downloading a VPN before your trip. Read our complete VPN guide for recommended services and setup instructions.

How do I pay for things in China as a tourist?

Mobile payment (Alipay and WeChat Pay) is dominant in China. Both apps now support international credit cards. Cash is accepted at most places too. See our payment setup guide.

How much does a China trip cost per day?

Budget travelers can expect $50-80/day, mid-range $100-200/day, and luxury $300+/day. This includes accommodation, food, transport, and attractions. Our budget guide breaks down costs by category.

China High Speed Train Travel & Highlight Destinations

Why Taking a High Speed Train to Travel Popular Destinations in China?

How would you plan your China tour? Always choose an airplane? Why not try the high speed train?

Taking a flight is not the only popular way for your China travel. As the so rapid completion and development of high speed rails in China, planning a China tour by the high speed trains is becoming more "IN". Not only with the highest running speed of 350km/h that is a shining point to experience, the new bullet trains also provide more better environment and new facilities in the carriage for you to enjoy freely. Furthermore, a lot of popular destinations and transportation hubs, such as Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and so forth, have connected each other by the bullet trains with so short traveling time at present. Therefore, you are highly recommended to get on a bullet train to discover the wonderful culture, history, landscape, gourmet and other highlights in China around the corner.

Top Popular High Speed Rails in China

Among all the high speed rails crisscross in China, there are top 9 popular rails selected by WeTrip. You could take a bullet train to travel along the rail to savor the special charm of the passing destinations.

Beijing to Shanghai - A Journey from Tradition to Modernity

Length: 1318 km; 4.5 ~ 6 hours (highest speed: 350 ~ 400 km/h)

Via: Tianjin, Jinan, Qufu, Xuzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, etc.

Schedules: 40 daily trains during 06:00 ~ 21:00

Beijing Shanghai high speed train travel needs only about 5 hours between the two major economical centers. More surprisingly, the world known fastest at present Fuxing trains have been running on this rail. Get on Fuxing train to experience the super speed in the world between Beijing and Shanghai!

Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall in Winter

Beijing to Xian - Ancient Capitals Exploration

Length: 1212 km; 4.5 ~ 6 hours (highest speed: 250 ~ 350 km/h)

Via: Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Mount Huashan, etc.

Schedules: 30 daily trains during 06:30 ~ 20:30

High speed train between Beijing and Xian has perfectly linked the old capitals in China with 4.5 hours. Plan a travel to the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Ancient City Wall of Chinese historical charm together with the world advanced speed train, your holiday to China would be really cool and enviable.

Xian Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Summer

Xian to Chengdu - Encounter with Terracotta Warriors & Pandas

Length: 643 km; about 3.5 ~ 4 hours (highest speed: 250 ~ 350 km/h)

Via: Jiangyou, Jianmen Pass, Guangyuan, Guanghan, etc.

Schedules: 60 daily trains during 06:00 ~ 20:00

What a really "star" in the eyes of Chinese people and many international tourists! Needing only about 4 hours, this rail would take you to get close to the impressing Terracotta Warriors and adorable Giant Pandas, and moreover to taste the diverse kinds of delicious gourmet in Xian and Chengdu to treat your taste buds.

Our Guests Take A Selfie with the Panda

Hangzhou to Huangshan - World Heritage Line

Length: 503 km; 1.5 ~ 2 hours (highest speed: 200 ~ 350 km/h)

Via: Yiwu, Shangrao, Dexing, Wuyuan, etc.

Schedules: 30 daily trains during 07:00 ~ 21:00

This is one of the most popular high speed rails to take travelers to discover the world heritage sites in the eastern part of China. Be sure not to miss the West Lake, Mount Huang, Wuyuan rape flowers, Sanqing Mountain and other fantastic world-class landscape for the relax of your eyes and mind.

Mount Huang with Winter View

Chengdu to Chongqing - Pandas Close-up & Yangtze Cruise

Length: 308 km; 1.5 ~ 2.5 hours (highest speed: 350 km/h)

Via: Chengdu, Neijiang, Dazu, Chongqing, etc.

Schedules: 110 daily trains during 06:00 ~ 23:00

This popular railway would start your ultimate leisure holiday to savor the unique delicacies in two favored destinations. Prepare your camera for the chubby Giant Pandas in Chengdu and the gorgeous Three Gorges during the relaxed cruising on the Yangtze River! Also, the World Heritage Sites of Mount Qingcheng, Mount Emei, Leshan Giant Buddha, Dazu Rock Carvings, Wulong Karst, etc. would lighten your travel to the most.

Yangtze Cruise Sailing on the Three Gorges

Shanghai to Kunming - Eye-pleasing Line

Length: 2253 km; 11.5 ~ 12.5 hours (highest speed: 350 km/h)

Via: Jiaxing, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Changsha, Kaili, Guiyang, Anshun, etc.

Schedules: 7 daily trains during 07:30 ~ 20:00

The long Shanghai Kunming high speed rail connects the beautiful sceneries of the passing tourist destinations together with 12 hours' riding. The prosperous modern city Shanghai, painting like Zhejiang, featured ethnic culture and buildings in Hunan and Guiyang, enchanting splendors and stories in Yunnan, etc. would give you a visual feast.

Kunming Stone Forest in Summer

Lanzhou to Urumqi - "Silk Road Line"

Length: 1776 km; 10.5 ~ 11.5 hours (highest speed: 250 ~ 350 km/h)

Via: Xining, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Turpan, etc.

Schedules: 20 daily D trains during 09:00 ~ 21:00

Searching for a special route? Lanzhou Urumqi high speed rail is your choice. It would take you to appreciate the special highlights along the ancient Silk Road in China. During your seeking for the historical culture there, do not miss the Qinghai Lake, "Rainbow Mountain" and the holy Tianchi Lake and sweet grapes in Xinjiang, etc.

Splendid Zhangye Danxia Landform

Hangzhou to Suzhou - Earthly Paradise Line

Length: 243 km; 1.5 ~ 2 hours (highest speed: 250 ~ 350 km/h)

Via: Jiaxing, Shanghai, Kunshan, etc.

Schedules: 50 daily trains during 07:30 ~ 21:00

This nice line linking Hangzhou and Suzhou is your best transferring choice to admire the two heavenly cities in China. Within only 1.5 hours' riding, you would experience how the high speed train takes you to see the charming West Lake and Longjing tea plantations in Hangzhou and also to feel the traditional classic gardens in Suzhou.

Hangzhou West Lake Sunset in Summer

Beijing to Kunming - Magnificent Culture & Nature

Length: 2760 km; about 11 ~ 13.5 hours (highest speed: 350 km/h)

Via: Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Kaili, Guiyang, Anshun, etc.

Schedules: 5 daily trains during 07:00 ~ 22:30

Crossing from the northeast to the southwest of China, Beijing Kunming high speed rail will take you to admire the magnificent cultural and natural landscapes together with 11 hours' riding. With this rail journey from Beijing to Kunming, you could experience the various cultures, landscapes, delicacies and other attractive elements along the way.

Kunming Dongchuan Red Land in Autumn

Top Hot Destinations with High Speed Train

China has a large number of great destinations for your discovery during your holiday, and there we select top 6 destinations well connected by high speed trains for your experience.

Beijing - Ancient Capital

Long been the capital city of China, Beijing is the best to look for the Chinese history and savor the magnificence of the past royal families and old structures. Remember visiting the Great Wall, one of the world miracles.

Beijing has bullet trains to Shanghai for about 4.5 hours, to Xian for about 4.5 hours, to Guangzhou for about 8 hours, to Zhengzhou for about 2.5 hours, to Luoyang for about 3 hours, to Hangzhou for about 5 hours, to Nanjing for about 4 hours and so on.

Must-visiting Sites: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Summer Palace, Beijing Hutongs, etc.

Beijing Forbidden City

Shanghai - Oriental Metropolis

Reputed as the "Oriental Pearl", Shanghai is also called the "Magic City" for its rapidly developed economy and culture. Stroll to feel the brilliant prosperity and tracks from the 18th century of this mixed-blood.

From Shanghai, you could experience the high speed train to Hangzhou for about 1 hour, Beijing for about 4.5 hours, Xian for about 6 hours, Suzhou for about 30 minutes, Huangshan for about 2.5 hours, Nanjing for about 1.5 hours, to Jiuhuashan for about 3.5 hours, to Zhengzhou for about 5 hours, to Yichang for about 7 hours, to Lanzhou for about 10.5 hours, to Kunming for about 11.5 hours, etc.

Must-visiting Sites: The Bund, Yu Garden & Bazaar, Shanghai Museum, Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Disney Resort, Jade Buddha Temple, etc.

View of the Bund in Shanghai

Xian - Great Ancient City

The Historic Xian is one of the 4 Greatest Ancient Capitals in China. The world-hit Terracotta Warriors and other famous sites would tell you about its booming and amazing history.

Before or after discovering the old flavor of Xian, you could take a bullet train to Beijing for about 4.5 hours, Shanghai for about 6.5 hours, Luoyang for about 1.5 hours, Huashan for about 30 minutes, Lanzhou for about 3 hours, Jiayuguan for about 8 hours, Zhengzhou for about 2 hours, Pingyao for about 3 hours, etc.

Must-visiting Sites: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter, Shaanxi History Museum, etc.

Xian Terracotta Warrior

Guilin - Picturesque Resort

"Guilin's scenery is the best in the world." So, feel free to enjoy a holiday in this picturesque destination to feel the unbelievable skill of our nature.

From the picturesque Guilin city, high speed trains are available to Guangzhou for about 2.5 hours, to Shenzhen for about 3 hours, to Guiyang for about 2 hours, to Kunming for about 5.5 hours, to Wuhan for about 4 hours, to Changsha for about 3 hours, to Beijing for about 8 hours, etc.

Must-visiting Sites: Li River, Yangshuo, Longsheng Rice Terraces, Longji Rice Terraces, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, etc.

Li River View on Back of 20RMB Note

Chengdu - Home of Giant Pandas

Chengdu is an internationally popular tourist destination. This "Land of Abundance" has famous delicious food like hot pot, adorable Giant Pandas and unique leisure culture.

From Chengdu, the high speed trains could take you to Mount Emei for about 1 hour, to Dujiangyan for about 20 minutes, to Chongqing for about 1.5 hours, to Yichang for about 6 hours, to Shanghai for about 12 hours, to Beijing for about 7.5 hours, to Wuhan for about 9 hours, etc.

Must-visiting Sites: Chengdu Panda Base, Wenshu Temple, Jinli Old Street, Jinsha Site Museum, Chengdu Renmin Park, etc.

Chengdu Giant Pandas

Zhengzhou - Cradle of Chinese Kung Fu

Zhengzhou, one of the 8 Great Ancient Capitals in China, is a wonderful place to seek the Chinese culture. Also, it is famous for the Chinese Kung Fu that originated there.

From Zhengzhou, you can get on a high speed train to Xian for about 2 hours, to Shanghai for about 4 hours, to Beijing for about 2.5 hours, to Kunming for about 8.5 hours, to Kaifeng for about 20 minutes, to Luoyang for about 40 minutes, to Hangzhou for about 4.5 hours, to Changsha for about 3 hours, to Huashan for about 1.5 hours, etc.

Must-visiting Sites: Shaolin Temple, Henan Museum, Yellow River Scenic Area, etc.

Chinese Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple

Apart from the top hot destinations with high speed train, you could also take a bullet train to visit many other popular destinations in China, like Suzhou, Luoyang, Huashan, Chongqing, Nanjing, Xinjiang and so forth.

Plan a China High Speed Train Travel

If you are planning to spend your holiday in China by high speed train to experience it super speed, new configuration and enjoy the highlights along the way, congratulations! You are one of the fashionable people. Just please feel free to contact our professional Travel Consultant, they familiar with the rail network sincerely help you tailor-made a high speed train tour in China to meet your needs and satisfactory, of course, with decent quotation.