Have you considered travelling by train somewhere when holiday come? Taking train in China is different from other countries. Here is something you need to know.

Grades of train can be divided into several categories :

Local train (common,slower correspondingly, no initial and just four-digit numbers generally).

Direct train (fast,initial is K or N generally)

Special express (Express, initial is T or Z generally).

L, A for initial is temporary train

Y for initial is tourism train

Passengers can choose hard seat, soft seat , Semi-cushioned berth  or cushioned berth according to their own specific situations.Of course price is increasing as the grades.

Most of the people will go buy train tickets stations, but there is disposed of a queue really kilometers long before the ticket window, although there is special windows for foreigners .And in fact it's almost impossible to buy long-distance ticket because of ticket mongers after waiting. Get ticket in ticketing Service branches or hotels with a little commission charge (5 RMB generally) will be a better way.

Please ensure train number, time and fare.

No seat

Hard seat

Checking time is decided by distance of journey.So it's different between trains.It must be crowded before getting up. There is a service named "little red hat" which means a luggage carrying service to the seat ahead of time before checking, and you just need to pay 5 RMB.

little red hat

5.Notice

So many people in China, so you can imagine how many people will be in train station.Take care of your valuables, skills of thieves are advanced now.

You may dial 110 or ask help from cops and police station branch nearby if you are not lucky.