Ride the Rails
This 2017 line conquered the barrier that defined Chinese geography: the Qinling range, where north becomes south. Three hours of tunnel-and-valley theatre connect two of the country's greatest food-and-history cities.
North of the Qinling: wheat, loess, dry winters. South: rice, bamboo, humidity. The train threads 127 tunnels through the divide — window seats witness climate change in real time.
Full guide coming soonWarriors, walls and the Muslim Quarter's carbs — depart with roujiamo in hand.
Full guide →Between the ranges: Three-Kingdoms lore and April's canola-flower seas — a connoisseur's stopover few foreigners make.
Full guide coming soonPandas at dawn, teahouse afternoons, hotpot doctorate — the south side of the mountains starts soft and delicious.
Full guide →Chengdu opens Leshan/Emei (1 h), Chongqing (1.5 h) and the Tibet-facing west; Xi'an opens Luoyang, Huashan and the Silk Road corridor — this line is the hinge.
Full guide →Prices, 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.