It comes as a big surprise to many travelers that there is a kind of train looking like “Animal” - sometimes it looks like “Lizard”, sometimes it looks like “Hairtail”, sometimes it looks like “Rabbit”, sometimes it looks like “Donkey” and sometimes it looks like “Snake”…How interesting, isn’t it? The train is called "D-class" high speed train which belongs to Hexia Hao (simplified Chinese: 和谐号; literally: Harmony).
Are you curious about how fast is this "animal" moving in China’s railway network? Want to figure out what are the main difference between the D trains and G trains, and D trains and normal trains? Yearn for some highlighting routes to experience the modern, clean and comfortable D trains with idyllic rural scenery passing by? This article will tell you everything about China High Speed Train - D Train! Read now!
D Class High Speed Trains at Chongqing North Railway Station
To get more travel inspiration, China Discovery select the most popular themed D (Bullet) train tour that you can experience different city landscape and features in China!
● Ancient Silk Road Discovery: 11 Days Northwestern China Cultural Relic & Desert Landscape Tour from Lanzhou
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● Ancient China Exploration: 9 Days Ancient China Treasure Tour (Beijing/Datong/Pingyao/Xian)
D-class train, (Dongche, 动车), is the second fastest high speed train usually running at a speed from 200km/h to 250 km/h, with highest speed of 250 km/h. It is the earlier generation CRH (China Railway High-speed), mostly used on the popular rail lines connecting more stations and intermediate cities. Some overnight D trains have soft sleeper class.
| Train Type | High Speed Bullet Train |
| Chinese Name | 动车(Dong Che) or 和谐号(He Xie Hao) |
| Max Speed (per hour) | 250km |
| Air Condition | Equipped |
| Toilet | Chinese & Western Style |
| Other Facilities | TV, Canteen Bars, Trolley, Free Boiling/Cold Water, 220V AC Sockets, Handicapped Restroom |
| Mainly Coverage | Now runs between Xian - Chengdu, Chengdu - Chongqing, Lanzhou - Urumqi, Shanghai - Suzhou, Shanghai - Hangzhou, Yichang - Wuhan, etc. |
You may have already taken different kinds of high speed trains, but the train every time you took is in different color and shape? You may have found that there are different types of D-class high speed trains, want to make clear and know them further? Let’s check together!
D trains are the normal electric multiple units (EMU), running on fast rail and some on high speed rail. D trains are mostly used CRH1, CRH2 (except CRH2C), CRH3A, and CRH5 (“A” stands for 8-car, “B” stands for 16-car version, “C” stands for the highest speed of the set, “E” stands for sleeper version, and “G” stands for resist high plateau and cold temperature.).
CHR1: produced by Bombardier Transportation's joint venture Sifang Power (Qingdao) Transportation (BST).
- CRH1A: nicknamed "Metro", sets consists of 8 cars; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h;
- CRH1B: nicknamed "Bread", a modified 16-car version; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h;
- CRH1E: nicknamed "Lizard", a 16-car high-speed sleeper version; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h;
CHR2: nicknamed "Hairtail", derived from E2 Series 1000 Shinkansen.
- CRH2A: In 2006, China unveiled CRH2, a modified version of the Japanese Shinkansen E2-1000 series. An order for 60 8-car sets had been placed in 2004, with the first few built in Japan, the rest produced by Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock in China.
- CRH2B: a modified 16-car version of CRH2; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h
- CRH2E: a modified 16-car version of CRH2 with sleeping cars
CRH3A: nickname "Rabbit", derived from Siemens ICE3 (class 403); 8-car sets; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h
CRH5: nicknamed “Donkey”, derived from Alstom Pendolino ETR600 in French.
- CRH5A: 8-car sets; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h. The temperature range can be around ±40℃.
- CRH5G: maximum operating speed of 250 km/h. It is called the “Cold Donkey”, mostly used in Northeast and Northwest of China. - CRH5E: a 16-car high-speed sleeper version; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h. It belongs to the type to overcome cold weather and high plateau.
| Comparison | D Trains | G Trains | C Trains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 250km/h (155 mph) |
350km/h (217mph) |
200km/h (124mph) |
| Second Class Seat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| First Class Seat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Superior Class Seat | Yes | Yes | / |
| Business Class Seat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Soft Sleeper | Yes | / | / |
| Deluxe Soft Sleeper | Yes | / | / |
| Soft Seat | / | / | Yes |
Let’s take the G and D trains running on Beijing - Shanghai High Speed Railway as an example.
● Running Speed & Travel Time: For travelers who want to travel from Beijing to Shanghai, you can take both G and D trains. If you take a G train, you can choose a train running in the daytime (06:43~19:08) which needs about 4.5~6 hours and about 4 hours for Fuxing trains. While, if you take a D train, you will board the train in Beijing at night and arrive in Shanghai in the morning. This overnight train takes about 12 hours which can save one night accommodation in Shanghai.
● Seat Class Difference: For G train travelers, you can select from three types of seats - Second Class Seat (￥553), First Class Seat (￥933) and Business Class Seat (￥1748). For D train travelers, you can choose from Second Class Seat (￥293), or Second Class (Hard) Sleeper (￥440) and First Class (Soft) Sleeper (￥601). The running time of D train is longer than G train, but the price is much cheaper, very competitive.
China Fuxing Train from Beijing to Shanghai
Advice from Our Experts: If G trains and D train are available for the same route and travel lengths are much different, you’d better choose G trains to travel in a shorter time; while, for travelers who are in budget, taking D trains especially the overnight train to save accommodation fee would be a good idea. Here is our most popular 6 Days Beijing Shanghai High Speed Train Tour you can experience the fast and latest high speed G trains in China!
In normal circumstance, the price of D trains is cheaper than G trains. For example, you can take D, G and C train going from Chongqing to Chengdu. Prices are as listed:
| Chongqing - Chengdu | D Trains | G Trains | C Trains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Class Seat | ￥96 | ￥146 | ￥128 |
| First Class Seat | ￥155 | ￥234 | ￥204 |
From the above table, you can conclude that if you take a second class seat on a D train, you can save about 30%~40% compared with G train. If you select a first class seat on a D train, you can save half cost compared with G train. While, the price of C train is between the two.
Advice from Our Experts: If G trains and D trains are available for the same route and travel lengths are similar, you can choose a D train and its first class seat for your trip.
For D class, the long distance trains are serving more stations & intermediate cities. While, for G class, the long distance trains are serving fewer stations and mostly major cities. Major Train Stations in China >>
D trains are mostly used CRH1, CRH2 (except CRH2C), CRH3A, and CRH5. And G trains are mainly used CRH2C, CRH380, CR400AF, CR400BF, etc. The D-class high speed trains are running on the ballast track and G-class high speed trains are running on the ballast less track.
There is no doubt that D trains and G trains are modern, clean and comfortable. With different technology and generations, G trains (especially Fuxing trains) are comparatively more advanced than D trains. E.g. Fuxing train is more spacious compared with other high speed trains in China. The height of Fuxing Hao increased to 4050 millimeters, therefore, the seats are more spacious and the interior noise is smaller. The biggest feature is that Wi-Fi is available to use the whole journey and travelers can surf the Internet without barriers.
For more facilities infos, please go and see Facilities & Service on High Speed Trains.
Dining Car on D-class High Speed Train
Business Class Seat on D-class High Speed Train
Length: 658km; about 3-4.5 hours
Frequency: 22 daily D trains and 14 G trains during 07:05~19:07 (Note: the schedules may adjust based on the real situation.)
Highlights:
With 3 hours’ train travel, this rail is really a benefit for travelers to get close to massive Terracotta Warriors and adorable giant pandas, and moreover to taste the diverse kinds of delicious gourmet in Xian and Chengdu to treat your taste buds. No matter you visit both Xian and Chengdu in 2 days or have in-depth exploration for 4~5 days, your dream will be fulfilled. Check more about Xian Chengdu High Speed Trains.
>> 5 Days Classic Tour by New Xian Chengdu High Speed Train (Xian / Chengdu)
Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xian (Pit One)
Length: 319km; about 1h17mins-2.5 hours
Frequency: 27 daily D trains, 42 daily G trains, and 2 daily C Trains during 06:43~21:42 (Note: the schedules may adjust based on the real situation.)
Highlights:
It is superfast to transfer between Chengdu and Chongqing, needing just about 1 hour! Compared with the high speed train experience, the sightseeing in Chengdu and Chongqing is in slow pace that you get very close contact with the national treasure - Giant Pandas in its hometown and feel the charm of Chengdu, explore the interesting Mountain City before taking a 4-day downstream cruise along Yangtze River. You will travel in stylish way “High Speed Train plus Relaxing Yangtze River Cruise”. Check more about Chengdu Chongqing High Speed Trains.
>> 3 Days Chongqing & Chengdu Essence Tour (Chengdu / Chongqing)
Dujiangyan Panda Base Panda Volunteer Program
Length: 1150km; about 6.5~8 hours
Frequency: 10 daily D trains during 06:08~13:53 (Note: the schedules may adjust based on the real situation.)
Highlights:
Shanghai located in the Yangtze River Delta is served as the gateway reaching the Yangtze River. If you are not travel in a hurry, taking high speed train from Shanghai to Yichang for Yangtze River Cruise is a good way to see central part of China and most section of Yangtze River. The D train will pass via Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing, Hefei, Hankou, Jingzhou, etc. where you can see the authentic China and its development starting from the modern metropolis to the “Capital of Water and Electricity”. Check more about Shanghai Yichang High Speed Trains.
Yangtze River Cruise Running Through Qutang Gorge
Length: 318km; about 2~3 hours
Frequency: 57 daily D trains and 11 G Trains during 06:15~21:30 (Note: the schedules may adjust based on the real situation.)
Highlights:
Yichang is a small city with limited flights and trains to other major cities of China. You may feel confused how to transfer after your Yangtze River cruise disembarking in Yichang. To make transfer plan with more possibilities, it is a good idea to board a 2-hour high speed train from Yichang to Wuhan first and then head to your next destination. Wuhan is a big transport hub in China with numerous high speed trains and flights connecting other cities in China, like with5-hour G train, you can travel from Wuhan to Guilin.
Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan
Length: 442km; about 3.5~4.5 hours
Frequency: 4 daily D trains during 08:00~17:19 (Note: the schedules may adjust based on the real situation.)
Highlights:
High speed trains are available in the holy, quiet and secluded Wudang Mountain. Taking a 4-hour high speed train from Wuhan to Wudangshan is an awesome way to deep into the mountain area with high peaks and ancient building complexes and have a bite of esoteric martial arts. When you take the modern, advanced high speed train to the cradle of Tai Chi, it will be a huge contrast to see the original way of living.
>> 5 Days Wuhan & Wudangshan Tour by High Speed Train (Wuhan / Wudangshan)
Golden Palace - Symbol of Wudangshan
If you are interested in other tourist destinations, or want to experience a sightseeing express train around China, you can contact us to get more professional advice and helpful tips.
As high speed train travel are becoming much popular and recommended by large portion of visitors in China, here we also list some top high speed train routes chosen by most people during their China tour. See the routes at below and pick one to experience the great advantages of travelling by high speed train. Also, you could check all high speed train routes to select which section to experience.
Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
Tianjin / Beijing
Hangzhou / Suzhou
Shanghai / Hangzhou / Shanghai
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