Far by Rail
A CR400AF Fuxing trainset working service G6 departing from Shanghai.

China · High-speed

Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway

The Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway runs 1,318 km between Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao, calling at Tianjin, Jinan, Xuzhou, Bengbu, Nanjing and Suzhou among its 24 stations. Fuxing trainsets have operated the line at 350 km/h since September 2017, making it one of the fastest scheduled railways in the world.

Beijing → Shanghai

4h 18m

Photo: MNXANL / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

City pair
Beijing → Shanghai

Published primary route

Scheduled time
4h 18m

Published end-to-end time

Distance
1,318 km

Published corridor distance

Operator
China State Railway Group (China Railway)

Check the selected service before travel

Route & corridor

Beijing → Shanghai

Engineering-led corridor. The map, ordered calls and any engineering detail shown below come from the published route record.

South-east from Beijing South across the North China Plain through Tianjin and Jinan, over the Yellow River, on through Xuzhou and Nanjing across the Yangtze, then through Suzhou into Shanghai Hongqiao. The line measures 1,318 km with 24 stations.

1318 km · Beijing to Shanghai

Key stops

Beijing South Railway StationTianjin West Railway StationJinan West Railway StationNanjing South Railway StationSuzhou North Railway StationShanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

Beijing South Railway StationShanghai Hongqiao Railway StationTianjin West Railway StationJinan West Railway StationXuzhou East Railway StationNanjing South Railway StationSuzhou North Railway Station
China · geographic corridor through verified stops · indicative alignment, not exact track geometry

  1. Beijing South Railway Station

    China

  2. Tianjin West Railway Station

    China

  3. Jinan West Railway Station

    China

  4. Xuzhou East Railway Station

    China

  5. Nanjing South Railway Station

    China

  6. Suzhou North Railway Station

    China

  7. Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

    China

Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway: CHINA RAILWAYS HIGH SPEED (CRH)HARMONY TRAIN SET AT BEIJING SOUTH STATION ABOUT TO DEPART FOR SHANGHAI CHINA OCT 2012 (8154122913)
Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway: CHINA RAILWAYS HIGH SPEED (CRH)HARMONY TRAIN SET AT BEIJING SOUTH STATION ABOUT TO DEPART FOR SHANGHAI CHINA OCT 2012 (8154122913) · Photo: calflier001 · CC BY-SA 2.0

Why this connection

Why this route matters

This is the busiest and most important high-speed line in the country that has built most of the world's high-speed track, and travelling it is the clearest way to grasp the scale of that project. The train crosses the North China Plain, the Yellow River and the Yangtze delta in a single run, at a speed few railways anywhere sustain. The stations are cities in themselves, the ride is exceptionally quiet for the pace, and the line strings together Tianjin, Jinan, Nanjing and Suzhou, so it can be broken into stages rather than taken end to end.

How it scores

Our current editorial assessment, for comparing journeys, a considered judgement, not a measurement.

SceneryLimited
ComfortStrong
Food & drinkModerate
Character of the trainStrong
Show the full editorial profile

More subjective

UniquenessStrong
Iconic statusStrong
PhotographyLimited
Travelling with childrenStrong

Not rated yet: value for money, seat quality, onboard service, slow travel quality, romance, remoteness.

Step-free access and assistance are set out with the practical detail further down rather than reduced to a score.

The train in service

What the speed feels like aboard

Only confirmed onboard details and photographs tied to this service appear here. Unrecorded facilities remain unknown.

It is a modern high-speed service, which makes the journey feel less like an expedition and more like the country being handed to you in fast-forward. At a few hours between Beijing and Shanghai (about 1,318 km), it is long enough to feel like a journey and short enough to watch the whole of it without losing concentration. Calls at Tianjin West Railway Station and Xuzhou East Railway Station break the run into recognisable stages rather than one undifferentiated stretch.

Views & seating

Reclining seats

Premium first-class seats have independently adjustable backrest angles, per the operator's description of upgraded trains on this route.

✓ Yes

Connectivity & power

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi coverage was reported for Fuxing trains introduced on this line in 2017; coverage depends on train model/formation in service.

Conditional

Power sockets

Operator reporting describes power outlets fitted at premium seats; earlier coverage cited multiple sockets per row on Fuxing trains introduced on this line.

✓ Yes

Access & practical

Luggage storage

Operator states large-luggage storage space was doubled in the upgraded train version deployed on this line.

✓ Yes

Also onboard

Premium seating

Premium first-class seats with electric adjustable backrest/leg rest, foldable table and reading light are documented on upgraded Fuxing trains used on this line.

✓ Yes

5 onboard details are confirmed against a source. Anything not listed here has not been researched yet; treat it as unknown, not absent.

Evidence on demand

Practical reality

Route, onboard, season, fit and booking detail remain available without interrupting the journey above. Unknowns stay visible.

Time & itinerary

4h 18m

South-east from Beijing South across the North China Plain through Tianjin and Jinan, over the Yellow River, on through Xuzhou and Nanjing across the Yangtze, then through Suzhou into Shanghai Hongqiao. The line measures 1,318 km with 24 stations.

View route map and verified stops

Beijing South → Shanghai Hongqiao

South-east from Beijing South across the North China Plain through Tianjin and Jinan, over the Yellow River, on through Xuzhou and Nanjing across the Yangtze, then through Suzhou into Shanghai Hongqiao. The line measures 1,318 km with 24 stations.

1318 km · Beijing to Shanghai

Key stops

Beijing South Railway StationTianjin West Railway StationJinan West Railway StationNanjing South Railway StationSuzhou North Railway StationShanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

Beijing South Railway StationShanghai Hongqiao Railway StationTianjin West Railway StationJinan West Railway StationXuzhou East Railway StationNanjing South Railway StationSuzhou North Railway Station
China · geographic corridor through verified stops · indicative alignment, not exact track geometry

  1. Beijing South Railway Station

    China

  2. Tianjin West Railway Station

    China

  3. Jinan West Railway Station

    China

  4. Xuzhou East Railway Station

    China

  5. Nanjing South Railway Station

    China

  6. Suzhou North Railway Station

    China

  7. Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

    China

On board

It is a modern high-speed service, which makes the journey feel less like an expedition and more like the country being handed to you in fast-forward. At a few hours between Beijing and Shanghai (about 1,318 km), it is long enough to feel like a journey and short enough to watch the whole of it without losing concentration. Calls at Tianjin West Railway Station and Xuzhou East Railway Station break the run into recognisable stages rather than one undifferentiated stretch.

Views & seating

Reclining seats

Premium first-class seats have independently adjustable backrest angles, per the operator's description of upgraded trains on this route.

✓ Yes

Connectivity & power

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi coverage was reported for Fuxing trains introduced on this line in 2017; coverage depends on train model/formation in service.

Conditional

Power sockets

Operator reporting describes power outlets fitted at premium seats; earlier coverage cited multiple sockets per row on Fuxing trains introduced on this line.

✓ Yes

Access & practical

Luggage storage

Operator states large-luggage storage space was doubled in the upgraded train version deployed on this line.

✓ Yes

Also onboard

Premium seating

Premium first-class seats with electric adjustable backrest/leg rest, foldable table and reading light are documented on upgraded Fuxing trains used on this line.

✓ Yes

5 onboard details are confirmed against a source. Anything not listed here has not been researched yet; treat it as unknown, not absent.

When to go
  1. JanGood
  2. FebGood
  3. MarGood
  4. AprGood
  5. MayGood
  6. JunGood
  7. JulGood
  8. AugGood
  9. SepGood
  10. OctGood
  11. NovGood
  12. DecGood
  • Good
Year-round
Good

Jan: Scheduled year-round; this is a busier travel period, so book earlier.

Month-by-month notes
  • Jan: Scheduled year-round; this is a busier travel period, so book earlier.
  • Feb: Scheduled year-round; this is a busier travel period, so book earlier.
  • Mar: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
  • Apr: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
  • May: Scheduled year-round; this is a busier travel period, so book earlier.
  • Jun: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
  • Jul: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
  • Aug: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
  • Sep: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
  • Oct: Scheduled year-round; this is a busier travel period, so book earlier.
  • Nov: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
  • Dec: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
Good for

Good fit for

  • Solo travellers

    Especially good

    Frequent departures and assigned seating make solo travel straightforward, with no need to plan around a single daily train.

  • First-time rail travellers

    Especially good

    A frequent, clearly signed, reservable service between major cities; one of the easiest ways to make a first long-distance journey in the country.

  • Rail enthusiasts

    Especially good

    A working high-speed railway running at its designed speed on purpose-built infrastructure rather than upgraded classic line.

  • Families

    Good fit

    Short journey, level boarding at the principal stations and toilets on board; luggage space is the usual constraint at busy times.

Also works for 2 more

  • Couples

    Comfortable paired seating and a short journey, though this is transport rather than an occasion in itself.

  • Older travellers

    Step-free access at the principal stations and a seated, reserved journey with no changes.

Think twice if

  • Less suitable for slow travellers

    The point of this route is speed; travellers looking for a long, unhurried journey will find it over quickly.

  • You cannot just turn up

    A reservation is required for this journey.

Reservation & booking
Reservation
Required
Price
Dynamic pricing

Prices quoted No fixed published fare. Tickets are sold at operator-set fares that vary by date, service and how far ahead you book; check the operator for the price on your travel date.

Booking difficulty
Easy
Rail pass
Not accepted
  • All tickets are real-name and seat-specific, booked through China Railway's 12306 website or app, with a passport accepted as identification for foreign passengers.
  • Rail passes are not part of the Chinese system.
  • No extra reservation is needed with a rail pass.
Official journey information, China State Railway Group (China Railway) (opens the operator site in a new tab)Compare similar journeys

We link to the operator's own journey page. No direct booking channel has been verified for this service, so availability and fares must be checked there. Journey length: 4h 18m. Checked 11 Sep 2026 · China Railway · Fuxing trainsets at 350 km/h on the Beijing–Shanghai line.

Sources & freshness

The detailed source record remains at the end of this guide. Review the evidence.

Your next step

Choose the service, then confirm it with the operator.

All tickets are real-name and seat-specific, booked through China Railway's 12306 website or app, with a passport accepted as identification for foreign passengers. Rail passes are not part of the Chinese system. No extra reservation is needed with a rail pass.

Official journey information, China State Railway Group (China Railway) (opens in a new tab)

We link to the operator's own journey page. No direct booking channel has been verified for this service, so availability and fares must be checked there.

Far by Rail is a discovery guide, not a live timetable or booking service. Confirm times, fares and availability with the operator.

Continue exploring

Other fast city connections

Sources & freshness

Journey information is reviewed against published material and maintained as sources change.

Last reviewed 11 Sep 2026.

Official sources