China High Speed Train (G Train)

The fast development in last decade (2008 - 2018) of China high speed railway network will go beyond your imagination! According to the development plan for railway construction released by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), total mileage of high speed rail of China is expected to reach 30,000 kilometers by 2020. Besides, bullet trains will carry 65% of all total passengers and it will also shorten the trip between Beijing and major capital cities within 2~8 hours and keep large and medium cities within 1~4 hours’ trip.

Among all the high speed trains, G train (Pinyin: Gaotie, 高铁) - the fastest train in China, is served as the main force running on China’s massive railway network, covering 80% of major cities with over 500 high speed train stations. Check the following info and see how incredible the G train is!

Many G Trains Going Through Wuhan

G Train - The Fastest & Most Advanced Train in China

Covering 80% of Major Cities in China (about 113 Cities)

Till May 2018, there are 32 provinces and regions (except Tibet and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region) linked by high speed train. The National Development and Reform Commission released the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan for the China Railway, with the aim of operating a 30,000-kilometer high-speed railway by 2020. At that time, the high speed rail network will cover 80% of major cities in China. It means that there are 113 cities (a city with a population of over 1 million) linked by high speed train.

The intensive high speed rail network brings you great convenience and cut down your budget when traveling in China no matter you want to travel among hot destinations or less well-known places. You can select your favorite routes to experience amazing high speed train, like Beijing - Xian, Beijing - Shanghai, Shanghai - Suzhou - Hangzhou, Xian - Chengdu, Chengdu - Chongqing, Guilin - Chongqing, Hong Kong - Guangzhou, Xian - Luoyang, and Lanzhou - Urumqi, etc.

High Speed Train Going Through Beijing

Superfast Train with a speed of 250-400km/h to Save Time

G-class train is the latest generation CRH (China Railway High-speed), all with a speed of 250-400km/h. G trains run on ballast-free tracks, with leading and advanced operational outfit. G-class high speed trains usually serve between major and popular cities in China. They stop fewer stations than D-class trains to save more time.

From 2017, Fuxing train has been in operation with a sustained speed at 350km/h and the highest speed of 400km/h, which is shorten the travel time between Beijing and Shanghai from 6 hours to 4 hours for 1318km!

Comfortable Seats & Spacious Space to Move your Legs & Body

You are spoiled for three kinds of choices to select your seats on G trains - Business Class Seat (商务座), First Class Seat (一等座) and Second Class Seat (二等座). You can decide which type of seat to take based on your physical needs, personal likes and budget.

Normally, Business Class Seats are the most luxurious and expensive seats. It usually has 28 seats on a G train with three seats in a row - two on one side and one on the other side of the aisle. The space between the two rows is 6.6 feet (two meters) that you can move your legs unrestrictedly. Moreover, the sofa-like leather seat can be unfolded into flat that you can lie down comfortably and have a good rest when the seat adjusted as long as 5.9-6.2 feet (180-190cm). While, First Class Seats have four seats in a row - two chairs on either side of the aisle. Compared with Second Class Seat, First Class Seat is wider and roomier and the distance between the two rows is bigger, about 16-20 inches (40-50cm). Second Class Seats have five chairs in a row - two on one side of the aisle and three on the other. This kind of seat is much like the seats on economy class on an airplane, with chair being about 17 inches (42cm) wide and the leg space 16 inches (40cm) between the two rows.

For more Seats Info, please go and see High Speed Train Seat Classes.

Business Class Seats on G Train

Sofa-like Business Class Seat on G Train

High Quality Service & Advanced Facilities to Satisfy Passengers' Demands

What kinds of facilities do you expect on a G train? Stable WIFI? Convenient socket? Clean toilet in western style? Air-conditioner with cozy temperature? Friendly facilities for infants & the handicapped? Surely, your needs will be satisfied. The journey with G train will be quite comfortable and humanized. From infants to the old, from travelers to businessmen, from normal passengers to the disabled, you will find G trains comfortable enough with several hours staying on.

Fuxing Trains - High Class of G Train with Speed Reaching 400km/h

Fuxing trains (or Fuxing Hao) are the next generation of high speed train, belonging to the high level of G trains. The name “Fuxing” means “rejuvenation”. The new train, which has been developed from the widely-used Hexie Hao (Harmony) train, has a maximum design speed of 400km/h and can operate at 350km/h. Besides the higher speed, it is more spacious, has a longer design lifecycle, and should be more reliable than previous generations of Chinese high-speed trains. Till May, 2018, there are 23 cities are linked by Fuxing trains, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Wuhan, Nanjing, Changsha, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Tianjin, etc.

For more Fuxing Train info, please go and see Fuxing Trains - Newest & Fastest Bullet Trains in China.

Fuxing Train (CR400BF) at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

Rolling Stock of G-class High Speed Trains

G-class trains include types of CRH and CR, like CRH2C, CRH3C, CRH380, CR400AF, CR400BF, etc. They are in various colors and shapes. Let’s make a simple check and get acquainted with the super train before taking it.

CRH2C: It is the first type of high speed train running on ballast-free track of high speed rail with a stable speed at 330km/h and highest speed at 350km/h. It has been serving on Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway and Wuhan-Guangzhou high speed rail.

CRH3C: It is a version of the Siemens Velaro high-speed train used in China on Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, Wuhan-Guangzhou high speed rail, Zhengzhou-Xian high speed rail and Shanghai-Nanjing Intercity Railway. It is a set of eight carriages (4M+4T). The maximum speed is at 350km/h.

CRH380: It includes a series of high-speed EMUs - CRH380A, CRH380AL, CRH380B, CRH380C and CRH380D. They operate a sustained speed at 350km/h and the top speed at 380km/h. They have been serving on Shanghai-Hangzhou high speed railway, Shanghai-Nanjing Intercity Railway, Wuhan-Guangzhou high speed railway and more roads.

CR400: It is divided into CR400AF and CR400BF. CR400AF is Nicknamed "Blue/Red Dolphin". While, CR400BF is Nicknamed “Golden Phoenix". They are with standard maximum speed of 400km/h. It mainly runs on Beijing-Shanghai high speed rail, Beijing-Chengdu high speed rail, Beijing-Guangzhou high speed rail, Hangzhou-Shenzhen high speed rail, Shanghai-Kunming high speed rail, etc.

The Main Differences between G & D Trains

1. Designed Speeds: G Trains move faster than D trains

G trains are served on high speed rail with a designed speed of 250km/h-400km/h. While D trains are mainly served on fast rail and some on high speed rail running with a designed speed from 200km/h to 250km/h. That’s to say, G trains move faster than D trains in most circumstance. Let’s see some popular routes of China high speed railways to check the differences!

(Note: The above running time would be adjusted according to real situation. The info is for reference only. For those who are interested in above high speed train travel routes, please contact our professional travel consultants to customize a tour for you.)

2. Seat Classes: D trains Equipped with Soft Sleepers

Usually, they both have Second Class Seats, First Class Seats and Business Class Seats. But, D trains have soft sleepers for some routes running at night, while, most of G trains run in the daytime and don’t have soft sleepers. If you want to save one night accommodation fee, you can try the overnight D train with soft sleeper.

3. Ticket Price: G Train is more Expensive than D Trains

In normal circumstance, the price of G trains will be more expensive than D trains. The differences are based on different train types and routes. For example, you can take G, D and C train going from Chongqing to Chengdu. Prices are as listed:

From the above table, you can conclude that if you take a second class seat on a G train, you should spend 30%~40% more compared with taking a D train. If you select a first class seat on a G train, you should spend double money compared with a D train. While, the price of C train is between the two. You can decide which types of train or seat to take based on your own likes.

4. Stations: G Trains Stop Less Stations Than D Trains

For G class, the long distance high speed trains are serving fewer stations and mostly major cities. While, for D class, the long distance trains are serving more stations & intermediate cities.

5. Rolling Stock & Railway Track: Latest Generation V.S. Earlier Generation

G trains are the latest generation of CRH, mainly used CRH2C, CRH3C, CRH380 as well as the newest CR400AF, CR400BF, etc. D trains are the earlier generation of CRH, mostly used CRH1, CRH2 (except CRH2C), CRH3A, and CRH5. The D-class high speed trains are running on the ballast track and G-class high speed trains are running on the ballast less track.

6. Facilities

There is no doubt that D trains and G trains are modern, clean and comfortable. With different technology and generations, G trains (especially the newest Fuxing trains) are comparatively more advanced than D trains.

For more facilities info, please go and see Facilities & Service on High Speed Train.