By train

China's rail network is complete and very efficient. It is certainly the most secure and reliable way to travel through the country.

Railroad train is the favorite method for travels. You can catch a train almost anywhere. There are four options for tickets on the train; hard seat (which is the cheapest and the most crowded, with 4-6 seats in a booth), hard sleeper (which is good to sleep, with 6 cabs of beds in a booth), soft seat (which is more expensive, with comfortable seats; it is like first class), and soft sleeper (which is very expensive, with 4 cabs of beds in a booth; it is like first class too).

Passenger train prices change depending on where you are going and what kind of ticket you buy. It is better to buy tickets in advance to avoid last minute troubles.

More information
- China train timetable, fare and reservation: www.china-train-ticket.com
- China train schedule in real time: trains.china.org.cn
- Rail map of China www.johomaps.com/as/china/chinarail.html
- Train to Tibet: www.chinatibettrain.com/route.htm
- Subways: www.subways.net/china/index.htm