13 APR 2024 · A second international train has been introduced between China and Laos — but this one runs Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only, and only between Sipsong Panna/Xishuangbanna, China, and Luang Prabang, Laos.

11 APR 2024 · Traveller beware — if you are headed to Kunming main station, take note that certain routes, especially those you use after getting off the train to the exit (or for Express Transfers) may have moved. Also, choose your exit based on what mode of onward transport you'd like to connect to.

11 APR 2024 · The present-day direct line from Nanjing to Hangzhou is now busy as ever — it's the one routed from Nanjing via Huzhou to Hangzhou. A new line, going southwest via Gaochun, is being planned. In this part of Eastern China, some of the most profitable and busiest routes in China's HS network can be found — including Beijing-Shanghai, and the Shanghai-Nanjing line going via city centre stations.

10 APR 2024 · Ticket Gate 24 exists at Beijing South, but it's not easy to find. There is, of course, 100% public access, but it's hidden down a level from most gates in the southern part of Beijing South...

9 APR 2024 · Ah, China HSR Business Class. Lie-flat seats, and, more recently, private solo suites as well. Thing is, which carriage(s) can you find them? Over the many years, the railways have been doing a legit musical chairs in plucking a Business Class carriage in Car 3, nein, Car 9 on coupled trains, ach jein there's also one in Car 17... Let frequent traveller David Feng decode their whereabouts!

8 APR 2024 · Stickers on the platform in China can be your best friend — no cap! To ensure people get on and off trains as quickly and as efficiently as possible, platform-based carriage markers are used — these are stickers or, as of late, also displays guiding riders to the carriage their reservation has them sat (or lying, for sleepers) on. Aber Vorsicht: there's a lot of colours... positions... so: when in doubt, always ask staff!

7 APR 2024 · The Beijing Subway is the world's largest urban rail network, but even here, there are a few stations — here and there — missing in action. Including the lack of Line 17 services at present at the rather significant Wangjing West interchange. And how it's (kinda) being fixed, with an "unofficial" (yet working) "virtual interchange" solution between Lines 1 and 16 at Muxidi...

6 APR 2024 · When can I buy my railway ticket? Although reservations on Chinese railways open up 15 days in advance (with today itself counted as Day 1), if you're doing just a local hop in Business Class, you'll have to probably wait a while until just a day or so ahead of time. As a seasoned traveller, here's a look at the nitty-gritty...

5 APR 2024 · The Beijing Subway has quite a busy year to get through for 2024, opening the long-awaited Line 3, a less-long-awaited Line 12 that's actually a huge relief for the northern 3rd Ringway, and a one-stop extension to the Changping line...

23 MAR 2024 · Coming in from abroad with nothing but your overseas bank cards? They can now be used on the Shanghai Metro! Although locals usually pay via mobile payment, as of late, facilities for international passengers have been added at metro stations connected to Shanghai's two airports — SHA/Hongqiao and PVG/Pudong.