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Types of China Train

According to the speed of trains, Chinese trains can be divided into various classes. The names of the trains always are the combination of letters and numbers and the first letter always refer to the types of the trains. For example, Z19, Z refers to the non-stop train; D316, D refers to Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train.

G – High-Speed Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train

G prefixed EMU high-speed Trains is one of the fastest long distance passenger trains in China. The highest speed of the train can reach 350km/h. The speeds are not the same of different routes. At some routes, the speed may be limited to 300km/ h- 200 km/h

► G Train Basic Equipment

Train Type	High Speed Bullet Train
Chinese Name	高铁 (Gao Tie)
Max Speed (per hour)	300-350km
Air Condition	Equipped
Toilet	Western Style or Chinese toilet
Comment	The most comfortable, most expensive and fastest long distance train in the Chinese rail network.
Mainly Coverage	Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Train Beijing-Guangzhou High Speed Train Beijing-Xi'an High-speed Train

C – Intercity EMU Train

C prefixed Intercity EMU train is also one of the fastest trains in China. This kind of train runs for two nearby cities as short-distance train. For example, Beijing-Tianjin Intercity EMU Train, 120km.

► C Train Basic Equipment

Train Type	High Speed Bullet Train
Chinese Name	城际列车 (Cheng Ji Lie Che)
Max Speed (per hour)	160-350km
Air Condition	Equipped
Toilet	Western Style or Chinese toilet
Comment	C trains link nearby cities rather than distant locations but are just as quick and comfortable as that of the Gaotie.
Mainly Coverage	Train from Beijing to Tianjin and others

D – Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train

Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train, also known as Hexie Hao, is a kind of fast train running between large cities or busy routes. The highest speed of the train is 250km/h. The Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train now cover most of the provinces, cities and counties in China.

► D Train Basic Equipment

Train Type	High Speed Bullet Train
Chinese Name	动车(Dong Che) or 和谐号(He Xie Hao)
Max Speed (per hour)	200-250km
Air Condition	Equipped
Toilet	Western Style or Chinese toilet
Comment	Not the fastest, but greater coverage than G and C trains.
Mainly Coverage	Major provinces, cities, districts and counties nationwide

Z – Direct Express Train

Direct Express Train is the one only slower than high speed trains, such as Intercity EMU Train, Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train, in China. The high speed of it can reach 160km/h. The Direct Express Train departs from the origination station and runs direct to the terminal station without stops. Quite a few of the Direct Express Trains have a few stops.

► Z Train Basic Equipment

Train Type	Normal Train
Chinese Name	直达特快 (Zhi Da Te Kuai)
Max Speed (per hour)	160km
Air Condition	Equipped
Toilet	Western Style
Comment	Depending on your destination, they are not really “none-stop” trains, these have fewer stops than T trains.

T – Express Train

Express Train has a few stops during the journey. Most of the stops are big cities. The Express Train’s highest speed could reach 140km/h. Most of the trains are equipped with air conditions. There are two different sleeper and seat for passengers: soft sleeper, hard sleeper, soft seat, hard seat.

► T Train Basic Equipment

Train Type	Normal Train
Chinese Name	特快 (Te Kuai)
Max Speed (per hour)	140km
Air Condition	Equipped
Toilet	Not all the trains equipped with Western-style toilet
Comment	Trains generally only stop at large cities and province capitals, more crowded and less modern than high speed and direct trains.

K – Fast Train

The highest speed of the fast train is 120km/h, more stops than express train. Most of the trains are equipped with air conditions. There are two different sleeper and seat for passengers: soft sleeper, hard sleeper, soft seat, hard seat.

► K Train Basic Equipment

Train Type	Normal Train
Chinese Name	快车 (Kuai Che)
Max Speed (per hour)	120km
Air Condition	Not all the trains equipped
Toilet	Not all the trains equipped with Western-style toilet
Comment	Trains generally stop at mid to large cities or towns.

Four-digit Number Train - Regular Speed Train

Trains with a four-digit number and no letter prefix are known as locals. They are the slowest trains in China and stop at every station en route. While significantly cheaper than other types if trains, they often lack heat and air conditioning and have Chinese toilets only.

► Four-digit Number Train Basic Equipment

Train Type	Normal Train
Chinese Name	普快 (Pu Kuai)
Max Speed (per hour)	80km
Air Condition	Not all the trains equipped
Toilet	Chinese toilet only
Comment	They are the slowest trains in China and stop at every station en route.

L – Temporary Train

Aiming to ease the train transportation during the festival periods such as the Spring Festival, the National Day, L Train will be temporary added. No official timetable on the train website because of its unfixed factors such as the train numbers, the departing time, and also the serving periods. If you have other choices, do not take the temporary train, as it is very slow, and easily delay.

China L train

► L Train Basic Equipment

Train Type	Normal Train
Chinese Name	普快 (Pu Kuai)
Max Speed (per hour)	Not fixed
Air Condition	Not all the trains equipped
Toilet	Chinese toilet only
Comment	If you have other choices, do not take the temporary train, as it is very slow, and easily delay.

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