China’s bullet trains from Shanghai: the back story

About China’s bullet trains from Shanghai: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Shanghai Editorial Team

Shanghai sits at the heart of China’s high-speed rail network. From Hongqiao, trains reach Suzhou in under half an hour, Hangzhou in about 45 minutes and Beijing in under five hours, and booking is open to visitors with a foreign passport.

The trains

China’s Fuxing (“rejuvenation”) trains began running at 350 km/h on the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed line in June 2017 (Chinese government). You will also see the older white Hexie (“harmony”) trains. Seats are booked by class, and every ticket carries a reserved seat and the train number.

Shanghai’s stations

Most high-speed trains use Shanghai Hongqiao, beside Hongqiao airport (Metro Lines 2, 10 and 17). Shanghai Railway Station on Moling Road in Jing’an (Lines 1, 3 and 4), Shanghai South on Humin Road in Xuhui (Lines 1, 3 and 15), Shanghai West on Taopu Road in Putuo (Lines 11 and 15) and Shanghai Songjiang (Line 9) also have services. The Shanghai Municipal Government’s advice: always double-check the station name on your ticket before you set off.

The 350 km/h Fuxing began running on the Beijing–Shanghai line in June 2017 (Chinese government).

Booking with a passport

You can buy tickets at station counters (“all you need … is your passport”), at ticket machines, or on China Railway’s official 12306 website and app, which has an English setting. Since 28 November 2023, foreign passport holders can verify their identity online instead of at a counter (Chinese government). The railway doesn’t handle problems with tickets bought on other websites, so book on 12306 or at the station (Shanghai Municipal Government, updated June 2026).

At the station

Tickets are electronic. At the gates, swipe your passport at an automatic machine or show it at the manual gate, so carry the same passport you booked with. You can change a ticket once; changes more than 48 hours before departure carry no fee (12306, via the Shanghai Municipal Government).

Where to go

Suzhou’s classical gardens are about 25–30 minutes away and Hangzhou’s West Lake about 45 minutes to an hour (Shanghai Municipal Government travel guides). Since 26 December 2024, the new Shanghai–Suzhou–Huzhou line from Hongqiao has cut the trip to Huzhou to 55 minutes from two hours. Beijing is under five hours away. These are typical times: check the exact train on 12306.

Coming next

Shanghai East Railway Station, about 5 km from Pudong airport’s Terminal 1, began main construction in March 2025 and is scheduled to open in July 2027, with 15 platforms and 30 tracks (Shanghai Municipal Government).

Our advice: book on the 12306 app a few days ahead, arrive at Hongqiao 45 minutes early, and keep your passport in your hand at the gates.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with China’s bullet trains from Shanghai: the back story before you go.