China Train Stations - Layout, Transportation, Facilities

There are more than one railway stations in one city usually and some major cities have over four railway stations, like Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, etc. Therefore, you have to check your ticket information carefully and get to your correct railway station in advance. The first railway station of each city is always named after the city, like Beijing Railway Station, Shanghai Railway Station, and Guangzhou Railway Station and so on. The next newly-built stations are also named after the city and the orientation, like Beijing South Railway Station, Xian North Railway Station, Chengdu East Railway Station, etc. Please note that the names of the stations printed in the train tickets are in Chinese Pinyin instead of English, so you will see Beijingnan, Xianbei, Chengdudong, Guilinxi, etc. instead of Beijing South, Xian North, Chengdu Eastand Guilin West, etc. on the tickets. Moreover, most railway stations also use Chinese Pinyin as their English name as well.

东(Dong): East, 南 (Nan): South, 西 (Xi): West, 北 (Bei): North

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Name of Beijing South Railway Station

Usually, a train station has one or two squares and a station hall with ticket offices, entrance, waiting hall, exit, boarding/disembarking platform, subway station, etc.

The station squares are always spacious, and you have to queue up in the square to enter the station hall in peak seasons (May Day, Chinese National Day and Spring Festival).

There is an entrance from one square to the main building. Beside the entrance are two (or one) ticket offices. The ticket offices have self-service ticket machines and ticket counters. The machines can only recognize the Chinese ID card, so other travelers have to book, cancel, alter and collect a ticket from the ticket counters. With a valid ticket, you can enter the station hall. After entering the station, read to LEC screen to find your waiting hall. In the most railway stations, the waiting hall is located in the first or second floor or both. Some railway station has a big waiting hall in one floor, while others may have several separated waiting halls. The boarding/disembarking platform is always located in the first floor or the first floor ground, so you need to get down from the waiting hall to the platform usually. The subway station is always located below the platform floor. Follow the direction indicator, you will find the parking lot, bus station and exit easily.

How to Board A Train: Prepare Tickets & Documents → Arrive at Train Station → Collect Paper Train Ticket → Read Train Ticket → Identity Check → Luggage Check → Security Check → Finding Your Boarding Gate → Tickets Check → Board Your Train → Enjoy Train Experience (Check details>)

East Square of Chengdu East Railway Station

Boarding Platform of Hangzhou East Railway Station

Most of the railway stations, especially the recently-built high speed railway stations are more user-friendly. They not only offer necessary facilities to meet the basic needs of passengers, but also provide helpful service.

LED Screen: After you enter the station hall, you will firstly see a big LED screen, which show the present days’ train information, like train number, departure time, arrival station, corresponding waiting hall, corresponding checking gate, etc. In the major railway stations in the big cities, the information is shown in both Chinese and English. Even without the English information, it won’t be difficult to read the screen. Take the following translation for your reference:

车次 = Train Number, 终到站 = Arrival Station, 开点 = Departure Time, 检票口 = Checking Gate, 状态 = State, 准点 = On Time, 晚点 = Delay, 正在检票 = Check In

Seats: All the waiting halls are equipped with a number of seats, and some of them are comfortably cushioned. Please find your checking gate firstly and take a seat nearby. In the peak seasons (May Day, Chinese National Day and Spring Festival), the seat will in short supply.

Toilets: Toilets can be easily found in the railway station. Most of the toilets are Chinese-type toilets (squat), but several barrier-free toilets are also available (western-type). Since there are toilet paper in the toilets usually, you are suggested take your own in case.

Drinking Water: Please note that the tap water is undrinkable in China. Enough boiled drinking water is accessible in every waiting hall. The water dispenser is always equipped near the toilets.

Charging Plugs: Almost every China train station has charging machines with plugs and you can charge your mobiles. Some charging machines are equipped with different kinds of USB cables as well. You are suggested not to use the phone while it’s charging.

Nurse’s Room: In the big railway stations, Nurse’s Room is available. There are tap, drinking dispenser, care unites and sofa for the convenience of infants and moms. In some railway stations in China, there are also some recreational facilities for kids.

Business Class Lounge: There is at least one business class lounge in every railway station. If you book a Business Seat, you are able to wait in the business class lounge where the environment is much quiet and there are some snacks and drinks provided. Some railway stations are equipped with business class access which allows you reach the platform directly and you needn’t queue up to cross the checking gate.

Stores and Markets: There are markets selling some snacks, drinks or some local souvenirs, but the price is higher than the outside markets. Some railway stations also have one book store.

Restaurant: Dining area is located in the waiting hall floor or the upper interlayer. You can find some fast-food restaurants like KFC, Mcdonald’s or Dicos and some Chinese restaurants which sell noodles, dumplings, steamed stuffed buns, etc. They are in a higher price than the outside restaurants as well.

Barrier-free Elevator: If you travel with kids or carry heavy baggage, don’t worry, because barrier-free elevator is always available. No matter you need to climb the upper waiting hall or get down to the lower boarding platform, you can take a barrier-free elevator.

Baggage Deposit: If it’s far from your departure time and you want to walk around, you could deposit your baggage in Left Luggage Office. The charge varies on different railway stations – some charge you according to the weight and some according to the number or volume.

Inquiry Counter: There is an inquiry counter in every railway station. Some staffs are able speak simple English and you can turn them for help when you encounter some problems.

Business Class Lounge: There is at least one business class lounge in every railway station. If you book a Business Seat, you are able to wait in the business class lounge where the environment is much quiet and there are some snacks and drinks provided. Some railway stations are equipped with business class access which allows you reach the platform directly and you needn’t queue up to cross the checking gate.

Smoking Area: If you are a smoker, go to the smoking area when you need. The smoking area is generally equipped near the toilets in the waiting hall. In most railway stations, the English sign will lead you to this area.

Porter Service: Many Railway Station offer Paid Porter Service. The porter are called Red Cap (小红帽) because they were red cap and waistcoat. They can help you carry your luggage from the station hall to your carriage of your train, or from the arrival platform to your car or taxi. This service will be charged differently according to different railway stations.

LED Screen in Chengdu East Railway Station

Seats in Beijing South Railway Station

Free Charging Plugs in Railway Station

Dining Area in Shanghai Railway Station

Left Luggage in Chengdu East Railway Station

Business Class Lunge in Chongqing West Railway Station

Red Capped Porter in Chengdu East Railway Station