Ride the Rails
The Beijing–Shanghai line is high-speed rail's global showcase: 350 km/h, departures like a metro, and a string of first-rate cities hanging off it like beads. Ride it nonstop — or spend a week collecting the beads.
Business-seat sunrise departures, the Yellow River crossing, wheat plains at cruising speed — China's infrastructure pride as a morning commute.
Full guide coming soonEuropean-quarter streetscapes, the Haihe riverfront and goubuli baozi — a metropolitan side-trip that predates the capital's fame. City guide in development.
Full guide coming soonTemple, mansion and forest of the Kong family — 2,500 years of China's teacher, one quiet stop off the line. Pairs with Mount Tai next door.
Full guide →Ming walls, the Confucius-temple quarter and plane-tree boulevards — the line's most substantial city-stop.
Full guide →Classical gardens, Pingjiang canals and I.M. Pei's museum, 25 minutes before the terminus — the perfect deceleration.
Full guide →12306 with passport; second class is excellent, first is quiet, business is an event; left-side seats (heading south) catch the better river light; G-trains only for the full speed.
Full guide coming soonPrices, opening hours, transport and policy details can change at any time — always verify with official sources before you travel. China Travel Co is an independent travel guide with no affiliation to, or endorsement from, any government body.