{"id":1764,"date":"2025-04-25T01:42:15","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T01:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/?p=1764"},"modified":"2025-09-02T02:28:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T02:28:38","slug":"china-railway-12306","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/china-railway-12306.html","title":{"rendered":"China Railway 12306 App: Guide to Booking, Collecting, Refunding Tickets, and Boarding Trains"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The China Railway <strong style=\"color: #008000;\">12306<\/strong> website is the official platform for purchasing train tickets in China. In addition to the website, there is also an official mobile app, which is more convenient to use than the web version. This article provides a detailed guide on how to use the <strong style=\"color: #008000;\">12306 App<\/strong> to book train tickets in China, as well as the procedures and important notes regarding ticket purchases, refunds, changes, ticket collection, and riding high-speed rail trains in mainland China.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-01.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42756\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-01.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"265\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>China Railway operates various types of trains, with the fastest being high-speed rail (HSR). Besides HSR, there are also bullet trains (D-series), intercity trains (C-series), and other types of trains. High-speed rail services are designated with a &#8220;G&#8221; prefix, bullet trains with a &#8220;D&#8221; prefix, and intercity trains with a &#8220;C&#8221; prefix. The 12306 platform allows users to purchase tickets not only for HSR but also for other types of China Railway trains.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The following tutorial explains how to purchase train tickets in China using the mobile app. If you prefer using the web version on a computer, you can also book tickets on the China Railway website, where the process is largely similar, though the interface differs slightly.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the 12306 APP also has an English version, but the content is simpler than the Chinese version. If you don\u2019t want to use the Chinese version, you can convert it to the English version according to the steps below. (Note: The ticket purchase instructions in this article use the Chinese version of the 12306 APP.)<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-english-01.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44657\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-english-01.jpg\" alt=\"China Railway 12306 App English version\" width=\"620\" height=\"450\" \/><\/picture> <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-english-02.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-english-02.jpg\" alt=\"China Railway 12306 English version\" width=\"620\" height=\"480\" \/><\/picture> <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-english-03.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44659\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-english-03.jpg\" alt=\"12306 App English version\" width=\"620\" height=\"480\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Below are the official website and download links for the China Railway 12306 mobile app:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.12306.cn\/index\/\" target=\"_blank\">China Railway 12306 Official Website<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/%E9%93%81%E8%B7%AF12306\/id564818797\" target=\"_blank\">Download the App from the App Store<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.chinarailway.globalticketing&amp;hl=zh_HK\" target=\"_blank\">Download the App from Google Play<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In addition to booking tickets online via the 12306 website or app, you can also purchase tickets offline at station ticket offices, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/kyfw.12306.cn\/otn\/queryAgencySellTicket\/init\" target=\"_blank\">authorized ticket agencies<\/a>, or travel agencies. Alternatively, you can book through online travel platforms such as <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trip.com\/t\/WbgPuXcTYP2\" target=\"_blank\">Trip.com<\/a> or <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.klook.com\/hong-kong-high-speed-rail\/?aid=152\" target=\"_blank\">Klook<\/a>, where you can purchase short-haul HSR tickets between Hong Kong and mainland China.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The online ticketing platform is available in different language versions. If you find it difficult to use the official platform, you can purchase tickets through the online ticketing platform.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Below are links in Trip.com and Klook for booking mainland train tickets:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trip.com\/t\/WbgPuXcTYP2\" target=\"_blank\">Trip.com Mainland Train Ticket Booking Page<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.klook.com\/hong-kong-high-speed-rail\/?aid=152\" target=\"_blank\">Klook Hong Kong&lt;&gt;Mainland HSR Ticket Booking Page<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Booking through third-party agents usually incurs service fees, making tickets slightly more expensive than purchasing directly from official platforms or stations. However, Trip.com and Klook often offer discount codes for HSR tickets, which may sometimes make their prices cheaper than the official platform.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Children under 6 years old can <span style=\"color: #008000;\">ride for free<\/span> when accompanied by an adult, but they <span style=\"color: #008000;\">will not have a seat<\/span>. Children under 14 are eligible for a <span style=\"color: #008000;\">50% discount<\/span> on tickets. However, discounted tickets can only be purchased through the 12306 app, website, or station ticket offices\u2014third-party agents only sell full-price tickets.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: #008000;\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 390px; margin: 0 auto; border: #ff6600 1pt solid;\">\n<ul>\n<li>I. <a href=\"#app\">How to Book China Train Tickets Using the 12306 App<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li>1. <a href=\"#member\">Registering an Account<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2. <a href=\"#register\">Adding Passenger Information<\/a><\/li>\n<li>3. <a href=\"#buy\">Booking Train Tickets<\/a><\/li>\n<li>4. <a href=\"#child\">Free Travel for Children<\/a><\/li>\n<li>5. <a href=\"#self\">Using Self-Service Ticket Machines<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>II. <a href=\"#modify\">Refunds and Changes<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li>1. <a href=\"#cancel\">Refunds<\/a><\/li>\n<li>2. <a href=\"#change\">Changes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>III. <a href=\"#ticket\">Ticket Collection<\/a><\/li>\n<li>IV. <a href=\"#tour\">Boarding China&#8217;s High-Speed Rail<\/a><\/li>\n<li>V. <a href=\"#others\">Other Features of the Mobile App<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content_block\" id=\"custom_post_widget-1721\"><div class=\"advertisement\">\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><small>AD\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/small><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><a rel=\"sponsored noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/c.ga-net.com\/click?w=534419&#038;c=3178&#038;d=https%3A%2F%2Ftravel.rakuten.com%2Fcontents%2Fusa%2Fen-us%2Fcampaign%2Fseasonalsale%2F202604%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/img.travelclassroom.net\/image\/rakuten-travel-seasonal-sale-en-202604-850x185.webp\" alt=\"\u5ee3\u544a\u5716\u7247\" width=\"850\" height=\"185\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"app\" style=\"color: #993300;\">I. How to Book China Train Tickets Using the 12306 App<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The process for booking train tickets via the 12306 app is as follows:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Register an account;<\/li>\n<li>Add passenger information;<\/li>\n<li>Search for tickets;<\/li>\n<li>Select a train;<\/li>\n<li>Choose a seat class;<\/li>\n<li>Select passengers;<\/li>\n<li>Set seat preferences;<\/li>\n<li>Submit the order;<\/li>\n<li>Make payment;<\/li>\n<li>Complete the booking.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"member\" style=\"color: #993366;\">1. Registering a 12306 Account<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To purchase train tickets on China Railway 12306, you must first register for an account. The registration process is straightforward and user-friendly.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In addition to mainland Chinese residents, residents of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as foreigners, can register for an account. Acceptable identification documents include the Hong Kong and Macau Resident Travel Permit (<span style=\"color: #008000;\">Home Return Permit<\/span>), Taiwan Resident Travel Permit (<span style=\"color: #008000;\">Mainland Travel Permit<\/span>), residence permits for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan residents, or a foreign <span style=\"color: #008000;\">passport<\/span>. For phone numbers, you can use a mainland number or one from Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to register for an account:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(1) Open the app, go to &#8220;\u94c1\u8def\u4f1a\u5458&#8221;(Railway Member), tap &#8220;\u7acb\u5373\u767b\u5f55&#8221;(Log In) and then select &#8220;\u6ce8\u518c&#8221;(Register) on the login page. (Note: The login page can also be accessed from other links.)<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-02.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42757\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-02.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"630\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(2) Set a username and password, then fill in your personal details, including ID type, name (Note: <span style=\"color: #008000;\">use simplified Chinese characters<\/span>), gender, date of birth, ID number, ID expiry date, and contact information (phone number or email). After completing the form, check the box to agree to the terms and conditions, then tap &#8220;\u4e0b\u4e00\u6b65&#8221;(Next) to confirm the details. A verification code will be sent to your phone or email. Enter the code and tap &#8220;\u5b8c\u6210\u6ce8\u518c&#8221;(Complete Registration).<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-03.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42758\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-03.jpg\" alt=\"12306\u4f1a\u5458\" width=\"620\" height=\"430\" \/><\/picture> <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-04.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42759\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-04.jpg\" alt=\"12306\u6ce8\u518c\" width=\"620\" height=\"300\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After submitting your registration, your identity will be verified (real-name authentication). This process is usually completed instantly. Once verified, you should see &#8220;<span style=\"color: #008000;\">\u5df2\u5b9e\u540d\u8ba4\u8bc1<\/span>&#8220;(Verified) under the &#8220;\u6211\u7684&#8221;(My Account) section after logging in with your username and password.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-05.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42760\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-05.jpg\" alt=\"12306\u5b9e\u540d\u8ba4\u8bc1\" width=\"620\" height=\"650\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If verification is not completed within 24 hours, it may be due to a system issue. Try clicking &#8220;\u672a\u5b9e\u540d\u8ba4\u8bc1&#8221;(Unverified) under &#8220;\u6211\u7684&#8221;(My Account), modify your details, resubmit them, log out, and log back in. This should resolve the issue.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content_block\" id=\"custom_post_widget-1545\"><div aria-hidden=\"true\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block; text-align: center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6848854714985642\" data-ad-slot=\"5637008471\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"register\" style=\"color: #993366;\">2. Adding Passenger Information<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>China&#8217;s train ticketing system requires <span style=\"color: #008000;\">real-name registration<\/span>, so you must add passenger details before booking tickets. Once verified, you can select passengers directly from your saved list. After registering and verifying your account, your own details are automatically added as a passenger. If you only plan to book tickets for yourself, no further action is needed. However, if you\u2019re booking for others, you must add their details first.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to add passenger information:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(1) In the app, go to &#8220;\u6211\u7684&#8221;(My Account), tap &#8220;\u4e58\u8f66\u4eba&#8221;(Passengers) in the top-left corner, then select &#8220;\u6dfb\u52a0&#8221;(Add) in the top-right corner.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-06.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42761\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-06.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"650\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(2) Fill in the passenger\u2019s details, including ID type, name (Note: <span style=\"color: #008000;\">use simplified Chinese characters<\/span>), gender, date of birth, ID number (Note: If using a Home Return Permit, omit the renewal count), ID expiry date, discount type (select &#8220;Child&#8221; for passengers under 14, &#8220;Student&#8221; for those with a mainland student ID, or &#8220;Adult&#8221; otherwise), and contact information. Tap &#8220;\u5b8c\u6210&#8221;(Complete), confirm the details, and then tap &#8220;\u786e\u8ba4&#8221;(Confirm) to finish adding the passenger.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-07.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42762\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-07.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"430\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After adding a passenger, their identity must also be verified. This is typically done instantly. To check, go back to the &#8220;\u4e58\u8f66\u4eba&#8221;(Passengers) section and tap the passenger\u2019s name. If verified, you\u2019ll see &#8220;<span style=\"color: #008000;\">\u5df2\u901a\u8fc7<\/span>&#8220;(Approved) under &#8220;\u5ba1\u6838\u72b6\u6001&#8221;(Verification Status). If verification isn\u2019t completed within 24 hours, try deleting the passenger and re-adding them.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-08.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42763\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-08.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"430\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"buy\" style=\"color: #993366;\">3. Booking Train Tickets<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Registering an account and adding passenger information are preparatory steps. The actual ticket booking process begins with searching for tickets.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The full process for booking HSR tickets is: <span style=\"color: #008000;\">Search for tickets<\/span> \u2192 <span style=\"color: #008000;\">Select a train<\/span> \u2192 <span style=\"color: #008000;\">Choose a seat class<\/span> \u2192 <span style=\"color: #008000;\">Select passengers<\/span> \u2192 <span style=\"color: #008000;\">Set seat preferences<\/span> \u2192 <span style=\"color: #008000;\">Submit order<\/span> \u2192 <span style=\"color: #008000;\">Make payment<\/span> \u2192\u00a0<span style=\"color: #008000;\">Complete booking<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>China Railway tickets go on sale <span style=\"color: #008000;\">14 days<\/span> before the travel date. For example, tickets for October 31, 2024 (Thursday) will be available from October 17 (Thursday). However, sale times vary by station. For instance, Zhuhai Station opens sales at 14:00, while Hong Kong West Kowloon Station starts at 8:00. Some stations may also have different sale times for different trains. During peak seasons like the Spring Festival, Labor Day, and National Day holidays, tickets sell out quickly, so it\u2019s essential to book as soon as sales open.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re concerned about securing tickets during peak times, consider booking through Trip.com or Klook, which offer ticket reservation services. You can place an order before tickets go on sale, and the platform will attempt to secure them for you. Below are links to their booking pages:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trip.com\/t\/WbgPuXcTYP2\" target=\"_blank\">Trip.com Mainland Train Ticket Booking Page<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.klook.com\/hong-kong-high-speed-rail\/?aid=152\" target=\"_blank\">Klook Hong Kong&lt;&gt;Mainland HSR Ticket Booking Page<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(1) The first step is to search for tickets. On the app\u2019s homepage, select the departure station, destination station, and travel date, then tap &#8220;\u67e5\u8be2\u8f66\u7968&#8221;(Search). The results will show all available trains for the selected route, including departure\/arrival times, duration, and train numbers (G for HSR, D for bullet trains, C for intercity trains). The remaining ticket count for each train is also displayed. Results are sorted by departure time by default, but you can reorder them by travel duration.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-09.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42764\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-09.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"640\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>Note: If a station isn\u2019t listed, you can search for it by name, but only using simplified Chinese characters.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(2) Select your preferred train and seat class (HSR typically offers Business, First, and Second Class). Tap &#8220;\u9009\u62e9\u4e58\u8f66\u4eba&#8221;(Select Passengers) and choose from your saved list.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-10.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42765\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-10.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(3) Seats are randomly assigned by the system, but you can specify preferences like window or aisle seats. After selecting passengers, set their seat preferences and tap &#8220;\u63d0\u4ea4\u8ba2\u5355&#8221;(Submit Order). The system will assign seats based on your preferences. Confirm the booking and tap &#8220;\u7acb\u5373\u652f\u4ed8&#8221;(Pay Now) to proceed.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-11.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42766\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-11.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"640\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u3010<span style=\"color: #008000;\">Note<\/span>\u3011Most HSR seats are arranged in rows (left image below), but some cars have face-to-face seating with a table in the middle (right image). This setup is ideal for families or groups but may be awkward if you\u2019re seated with strangers for hours.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-40.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42939\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-40.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"300\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To avoid this, refer to Part V (<a href=\"#others\">Other App Features<\/a>) to check the seating layout of your train before booking. If assigned an undesired seat, you can cancel and resubmit the order for a new assignment. Note: You can only cancel three times per day; exceeding this limit will block further bookings for the day.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(4) Payment methods include mainland bank cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and international credit cards. For international cards, select &#8220;\u56fd\u9645\u5361&#8221;(International Card), tap &#8220;\u63d0\u4ea4\u652f\u4ed8&#8221;(Submit Payment), then enter the card number, expiry date, and CVV. Check the agreement box and tap &#8220;\u4e0b\u4e00\u6b65&#8221;(Next).<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-12.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-12.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"640\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(5) A verification code will be sent to your registered phone number. Enter the code and tap &#8220;SUBMIT.&#8221; After verification, you\u2019ll be redirected to a payment confirmation page (similar to the previous step). Tap &#8220;\u786e\u8ba4\u652f\u4ed8&#8221;(Confirm Payment) to finalize the transaction.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-13.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-13.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"550\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After successful payment, a confirmation page will appear. Tap &#8220;\u8ba2\u5355\u8be6\u60c5&#8221;(Order Details) to view the ticket information, including departure\/destination stations, departure\/arrival times, and assigned seat numbers.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-14.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-14.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"380\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To view booked tickets, go to the &#8220;\u8ba2\u5355&#8221;(Orders) section in the app, tap &#8220;\u5df2\u652f\u4ed8&#8221;(Paid), and select the order.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-15.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42770\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-15.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"430\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"child\" style=\"color: #993366;\">4. Free Travel for Children<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Each adult with a full-price ticket can bring one child under 6 for free, but the child won\u2019t have a seat. If a seat is needed, a half-price child ticket can be purchased. To register a free child passenger, follow these steps:<\/p>\n<p>(1) First, add the child as a passenger. (Refer to the &#8220;Adding Passenger Information&#8221; section.)<\/p>\n<p>(2) Go to &#8220;\u8ba2\u5355&#8221;(Orders) \u2192 &#8220;\u5df2\u652f\u4ed8&#8221;(Paid Orders), and under &#8220;\u672a\u51fa\u884c\u8ba2\u5355&#8221;(Upcoming Trips), tap &#8220;\u514d\u8d39\u4e58\u8f66\u513f\u7ae5\u7533\u62a5&#8221;(Register Free Child Passenger).<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-16.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-16.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"640\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(3) Select the accompanying adult, tap &#8220;\u6dfb\u52a0\u514d\u8d39\u4e58\u8f66\u513f\u7ae5&#8221;(Add Free Child Passenger), choose the child from your passenger list, and tap &#8220;\u786e\u8ba4&#8221;(Confirm) to complete the registration.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-17.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42772\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-17.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"410\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"self\" style=\"color: #993366;\">5. Using Self-Service Ticket Machines<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If online booking isn\u2019t an option, you can purchase tickets at station ticket offices, though queues may be long. Alternatively, use <span style=\"color: #008000;\">self-service ticket machines<\/span>, but you must first <span style=\"color: #008000;\">register a contact phone number<\/span> in the system. If you\u2019ve already registered or added yourself as a passenger on 12306, your number is already on file. Otherwise, use the &#8220;Contact Information&#8221; function on the machine to register.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-32.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42790\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-32.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Using the machine is simple: Tap &#8220;\u8d2d\u7968&#8221;(Buy Tickets), select the destination station (the departure station is preset to the machine\u2019s location) and travel date, choose a train and seat class, scan your ID at the designated spot, and complete the payment.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-33.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42791\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-33.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content_block\" id=\"custom_post_widget-1545\"><div aria-hidden=\"true\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block; text-align: center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6848854714985642\" data-ad-slot=\"5637008471\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"modify\" style=\"color: #993300;\">II. Refunds and Changes<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Refunds cancel a ticket order and provide a reimbursement, while changes allow modifications to the travel date, time, train, seat, class, or destination. (Note: Rules for Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link tickets differ. The following applies to mainland tickets unless otherwise noted.)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"cancel\" style=\"color: #993366;\">1. Refunds<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Refunds can be requested anytime before the train\u2019s departure time but not afterward. (Note: For Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link tickets, refunds must be requested at least 30 minutes before departure, or 45 minutes for trains departing from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station.)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Refund fees depend on how far in advance the request is made. If submitted more than 8 days before travel, no fee is charged. For requests made within 8 days but more than 48 hours before departure, a 5% fee applies. Within 48\u201324 hours, the fee is 10%, and within 24 hours, it\u2019s 20%. No refunds are issued after departure.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Below is the official refund fee schedule. For details, <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/mobile.12306.cn\/otsmobile\/h5\/otsbussiness\/info\/orderWarmTips.html\" target=\"_blank\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-18.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42773\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-18.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"265\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Note: Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link tickets have higher refund fees and no free cancellation. Below is their fee schedule.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-19.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-19.jpg\" alt=\"12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"220\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Refunds can be processed online via the 12306 website or app, or offline at station ticket offices or self-service machines. The refund method depends on the original payment method and whether the ticket was collected.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For <span style=\"color: #008000;\">non-cash<\/span> payments where the ticket wasn\u2019t collected, the refund (minus any fees) is automatically returned to the original payment method (e.g., credit card).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For cash payments or collected tickets, after requesting a refund online, you must visit a station ticket office within 180 days with the original ID and ticket (if collected) to receive the refund. Lost or damaged tickets are non-refundable.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Below is the official refund method guide.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-20.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42775\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-20.jpg\" alt=\"\u94c1\u8def12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"370\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To process refunds on the official platform, you must log in to your account. For tickets booked via 12306, log in and select the order under &#8220;Upcoming Trips&#8221; to initiate a refund. For tickets booked elsewhere, use the &#8220;\u5feb\u6377\u9000\u7968&#8221;(Quick Refund) feature on the website or app, verify your identity, and enter the booking ID to locate the ticket.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Below is the app refund process for tickets booked on the official platform:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(1) Go to &#8220;\u8ba2\u5355&#8221;(Orders) \u2192 &#8220;\u5df2\u652f\u4ed8&#8221;(Paid Orders), and under &#8220;\u672a\u51fa\u884c\u8ba2\u5355&#8221;(Upcoming Trips), select the ticket to refund.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-29.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42793\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-29.jpg\" alt=\"\u94c1\u8def12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"640\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(2) Tap &#8220;\u9000\u7968&#8221;(Refund), select the passenger(s), and tap &#8220;\u7acb\u5373\u9000\u7968&#8221;(Refund Now).<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-30.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42794\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-30.jpg\" alt=\"\u94c1\u8def12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"640\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(3) Tap &#8220;\u786e\u5b9a\u9000\u7968&#8221;(Confirm Refund) \u2192 &#8220;\u7ee7\u7eed&#8221;(Continue) to complete the process. The refund confirmation will show the original price, fees, and net refund amount. Refunds to mainland bank cards, Alipay, or WeChat Pay are instant; credit card refunds may take longer depending on the issuer.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-31.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42795\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-31.jpg\" alt=\"Railway 12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"430\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"change\" style=\"color: #993366;\">2. Ticket Changes<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ticket changes include modifying the travel time (including travel date and train number), seat type, ticket class (e.g., changing from second class to first class), or destination station. Different types of changes have different requirements regarding the timing of the change. Additionally, note that each ticket can only be changed once.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If you need to change the travel date, the change must be made at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure time, and the new travel date must fall within 15 days of the original date. Changes cannot be made to a date more than 15 days later. If the change is requested less than 48 hours before departure, you can only switch to a train departing on the original travel date. For changes to the destination station, the request must also be made at least 48 hours before departure.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If you miss your original train due to being late, you can still change your ticket after the train has departed, but only to another train scheduled for the same day.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Below is the official explanation of the ticket change policy.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-21.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42776\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-21.jpg\" alt=\"Railway 12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"220\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Changing the destination station or ticket class may result in a price difference. If the new ticket price is higher, you will need to pay the difference. If the new price is lower, the difference will be refunded according to the refund policy after deducting any applicable service fees.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Note: For tickets on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Rail, changes must be requested at least 30 minutes before departure. For trains departing from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, changes must be made at least 45 minutes before departure.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The method for changing tickets depends on the original payment method and whether the ticket has been collected. If the ticket was purchased online through the China Railway website or mobile app and has not been collected, changes can be made online via the 12306 website or app. Alternatively, you can visit the station ticket office or use a self-service ticket machine.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If the ticket has already been collected or was purchased with cash at the station ticket office or self-service machine, changes can only be made at the station ticket office, and the original ticket must be returned.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Below is the official explanation of the ticket change process.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-22.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42777\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-22.jpg\" alt=\"Railway 12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"280\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Here is the step-by-step process for changing the travel time of a train ticket purchased on the official platform via the mobile app:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(1) Go to the &#8220;\u8ba2\u5355&#8221;(Orders) tab, select the &#8220;\u5df2\u652f\u4ed8&#8221;(Paid Orders) section, and click on the ticket order you wish to change under &#8220;\u672a\u51fa\u884c\u8ba2\u5355&#8221;(Upcoming Trips). Then, click &#8220;\u6539\u7b7e&#8221;(Change) on the ticket. (Note: If the order includes tickets for multiple passengers, you must first select the passenger(s) whose ticket(s) you want to change and then click &#8220;\u7acb\u5373\u6539\u7b7e&#8221;(Change Now).)<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-23.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42778\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-23.jpg\" alt=\"Railway 12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"430\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(2) After clicking &#8220;\u786e\u5b9a&#8221;(Confirm), set the new travel date and click &#8220;\u67e5\u8be2\u8f66\u7968&#8221;(Search for Tickets). From the search results, select the train you wish to take.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-24.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42779\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-24.jpg\" alt=\"Railway 12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"430\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(3) Select the ticket class and seating preference, then click &#8220;\u63d0\u4ea4\u8ba2\u5355&#8221;(Submit Order). Review the change details and click &#8220;\u786e\u8ba4\u6539\u7b7e&#8221;(Confirm Change),&#8221; followed by &#8220;\u786e\u5b9a&#8221;(Confirm) to complete the process. (Note: If the change involves paying a price difference, you will need to complete the payment step.)<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-25.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42780\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-25.jpg\" alt=\"Railway 12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"430\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content_block\" id=\"custom_post_widget-1545\"><div aria-hidden=\"true\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block; text-align: center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6848854714985642\" data-ad-slot=\"5637008471\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ticket\" style=\"color: #993300;\">III. Collecting Tickets<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When traveling by train in mainland China, you can use the ID document used for purchasing the ticket to pass through the gates\u2014<span style=\"color: #008000;\">no physical ticket is required<\/span>. This applies whether you use a mainland ID card, residence permit, Home Return Permit, Taiwan Compatriot Permit, or foreign passport. However, if you need a physical ticket for reimbursement, as a souvenir, or as a backup in case of issues with your ID, you can collect one at the station&#8217;s self-service ticket machines before your trip.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-48.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42940\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-48.jpg\" alt=\"Railway 12306\" width=\"620\" height=\"250\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As mentioned earlier in the &#8220;Refunds and Changes&#8221; section, refunds or changes for tickets that have already been collected are more complicated. Therefore, it is recommended to collect the ticket only shortly before your trip if needed. For reimbursement purposes, you can also collect the ticket after your journey, as tickets can be collected within 180 days of the travel date. Note that tickets collected after the trip cannot be used for travel\u2014they are only for reimbursement or as keepsakes.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Update<\/span>: Starting October 1, 2025, paper tickets will no longer be issued. If you need a ticket for reimbursement, you can apply for an electronic certificate through the app.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #993366;\">How to Use Self-Service Ticket Machines?<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Train stations typically have both self-service ticket vending machines and self-service ticket collection machines. While they look similar, their functions differ: vending machines can purchase tickets but cannot print them, while collection machines can print tickets but cannot purchase them. Both types of machines can handle changes, refunds, registering free travel for children, and updating contact information.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The image below shows a self-service ticket vending machine on the left and a self-service ticket collection machine on the right. The collection machine is labeled with &#8220;\u672c\u6837\u53ef\u53d6\u62a5\u9500\u51ed\u8bc1&#8221;(This machine can print reimbursement receipts).<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-35.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42796\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-35.jpeg\" alt=\"Train ticket machines\" width=\"620\" height=\"420\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Here is the process for collecting tickets using a self-service ticket machine:<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-36.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42797\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-36.jpg\" alt=\"Self-service ticket machine\" width=\"620\" height=\"827\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(1) On the machine&#8217;s screen, select &#8220;\u9886\u53d6\u62a5\u9500\u51ed\u8bc1&#8221;(Print Reimbursement Receipt) (Note: Since train travel now uses ID verification, physical tickets are mainly for reimbursement purposes.), then choose &#8220;\u8fd130\u5929\u5185\u4e58\u8f66\u51ed\u8bc1&#8221;(Tickets for Travel Within 30 Days) (Note: If you are collecting a ticket more than 30 days after your trip for reimbursement, select &#8220;30-180\u5929\u5185\u4e58\u8f66\u51ed\u8bc1&#8221;(Tickets for Travel 30-180 Days Ago).), and finally select the type of ID used for the purchase.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-37.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-37.jpeg\" alt=\"Collecting train tickets\" width=\"620\" height=\"180\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(2) Place your ID on the card reader. Once the system retrieves your ID information and purchase records, it will display the tickets available for collection. Select the ticket(s) you wish to print and click &#8220;\u786e\u5b9a&#8221;(Confirm) to proceed.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-38.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42799\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-38.jpeg\" alt=\"Ticket collection\" width=\"620\" height=\"180\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u3010Tip\u3011For tickets linked to your member account, you can view them in the mobile app. Go to the &#8220;\u8ba2\u5355&#8221;(Orders) tab, click &#8220;\u672c\u4eba\u8f66\u7968&#8221;(My Tickets), and the e-ticket will be displayed. Click &#8220;\u4e8c\u7ef4\u7801\u68c0\u7968&#8221;(QR Code for Ticket Check) to generate a QR code, which can be scanned at the station gates\u2014no ID is required.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-28.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42783\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-28.jpg\" alt=\"High-speed rail e-ticket\" width=\"620\" height=\"430\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content_block\" id=\"custom_post_widget-1545\"><div aria-hidden=\"true\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block; text-align: center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6848854714985642\" data-ad-slot=\"5637008471\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tour\" style=\"color: #993300;\">IV. China High-Speed Rail Travel Process<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Passengers entering a train station to board a train must pass through two gates: the first is the security checkpoint to enter the waiting area, and the second is the ticket validation gate to access the platform.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #993366;\">1. Entry, Security, and Ticket Validation<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The process for passing through the security checkpoint is similar to using automated gates at customs, except fingerprint scanning is not required. Place your ID (mainland ID card, residence permit, Home Return Permit, or Taiwan Compatriot Permit) face down on the designated reader, then complete facial recognition. Once verified, the gate will open, allowing you to proceed.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-39.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-39.jpg\" alt=\"Train station security gate\" width=\"620\" height=\"827\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If the automated gate cannot read your ID or you are traveling with children, you can use the manual channel nearby. Present your ID to the staff for verification. After passing through security, your luggage will be scanned by an X-ray machine. Note that knives or scissors with blades longer than 6cm are not permitted.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Once in the waiting area, check the display screens for boarding announcements. Gates typically open 13-15 minutes before departure.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-41.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42941\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-41.jpg\" alt=\"China high-speed rail station\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" \/><\/picture> <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-42.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42942\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-42.jpg\" alt=\"China train station\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The process for passing through the ticket validation gate is the same as for the security checkpoint\u2014use your ID and facial recognition. Manual channels are also available if you encounter issues with the automated gates.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-43.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42943\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-43.jpg\" alt=\"High-speed rail ticket gate\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #993366;\">2. Luggage Racks and Charging<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For many travelers, luggage storage is a key concern. High-speed rail carriages have limited dedicated luggage racks for large items. If you board late, you may struggle to find space. Overhead racks are only suitable for small carry-on items and cannot support heavy luggage. If the dedicated racks are full, you can place your luggage in any unobstructed area.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-45.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42945\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-45.jpg\" alt=\"High-speed rail luggage rack\" width=\"620\" height=\"500\" \/><\/picture><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-46.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42946\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-46.jpg\" alt=\"Train luggage rack\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Seats are equipped with charging ports underneath, so you can bring your own charger.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-47.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42947\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-47.jpg\" alt=\"High-speed rail charging\" width=\"620\" height=\"300\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"others\" style=\"color: #993300;\">V. Other Features of the Mobile App<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In addition to purchasing tickets and handling refunds or changes, the Railway 12306 mobile app offers many other useful features.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #993366;\">1. Checking Train Status<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The app allows you to check train status, including stops, arrival and departure times, and layover durations. You can also view train layout maps, showing seat arrangements and the locations of key facilities like luggage racks, restrooms, nursing rooms, water dispensers, and charging ports.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-26.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42781\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-26.jpg\" alt=\"12306 APP\" width=\"620\" height=\"430\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To check train status, you&#8217;ll need the departure station, destination station, travel date, and train number. In the app, go to &#8220;\u5168\u90e8\u5e94\u7528&#8221;(All Services), select &#8220;\u5217\u8f66\u72b6\u6001&#8221;(Train Status) under &#8220;\u51fa\u884c\u5bfc\u5411&#8221;(Travel Guide), and enter the required information to view details.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-49.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42948\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-49.jpg\" alt=\"12306 APP\" width=\"620\" height=\"1341\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #993366;\">2. Viewing Station Layouts<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The app also provides station layout maps and indoor navigation.<\/p>\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-27.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42782\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/05\/china-railway-12306-27.jpg\" alt=\"12306 APP\" width=\"620\" height=\"620\" \/><\/picture>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color: #993366;\">3. Booking Hotels<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Beyond train-related services, the Railway 12306 website and app also offer flight tickets, bus tickets, air-rail combined tickets, taxi bookings, and hotel reservations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u3010Tip\u3011For booking hotels and flights in mainland China, I usually use Trip.com. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/links\/tripcom-en\" target=\"_blank\">Trip.com<\/a> is the overseas platform of Ctrip, China&#8217;s leading travel service. It offers the same range of mainland hotels and homestays as Ctrip, making its selection much broader than foreign platforms like Agoda or Hotels.com. Based on my experience, Trip.com also offers the best prices for mainland hotels and flights\u2014often cheaper than both international and local platforms.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Related posts:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/macao-parade.html\">Macao International Parade: Date, Time, Route, and Recommended Viewing Locations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/korea-e-arrival-card.html\">Korea Electronic Arrival Card \u201ce-Arrival Card\u201d Detailed Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/jinhae-gunhangje-festival.html\">Jinhae Gunhangje Festival: Cherry Blossom Itinerary and Transportation Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/tateyama-kurobe.html\">Tateyama Kurobe Opening Dates, Transportation, Attractions, Luggage Delivery, and Travel Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/alpine-ticket.html\">Guide to Purchasing Tateyama Kurobe Tickets, Train Tickets, JR Passes, and Booking Ride Times<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/snow-wall.html\">Tateyama Kurobe Snow Otani: Opening Hours, Snow Wall Height, and Travel Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/alpine-route.html\">Tateyama Kurobe Travel Guide: One-Day Itinerary and Recommended Routes (JR and Self-Driving)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/alpine-pass.html\">Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass: Purchase, Exchange, Usage, and Riding Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/usj-ticket.html\">Japan Universal Studios Tickets, Fast Pass, VIP Tour: Official Website Purchase Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/mint-sakura.html\">Osaka Mint Bureau Sakura Avenue Reservation Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/kawachi-wisteria-garden.html\">Japan Kyushu Kawachi Fujien: Wisteria Blooming Season, How to Purchase Tickets, and Transportation Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/uk-eta.html\">UK ETA Application\uff1aA Step by Step Tutorial<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/agoda-discount-code.html\" target=\"_blank\">How to get and use the 10% Agoda Discount Code<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The China Railway 12306 website is the official platform for purchasing train tickets in China. In addition to the website, there is also an official mobile app, which is more convenient to use than the web version. This article provides a detailed guide on how to use the 12306 App to book train tickets in China, as well as the procedures and important notes regarding ticket purchases, refunds, changes, ticket collection, and riding high-speed rail trains in mainland China. &nbsp; China Railway operates various types of trains, with the fastest being high-speed rail (HSR). Besides HSR, there are also bullet<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1775,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-china-travel"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>China Railway 12306 App: Guide to Booking, Collecting, Refunding Tickets, and Boarding Trains - The TravelClassroom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The China Railway 12306 website is the official platform for purchasing train tickets in China. In addition to the website, there is also an official mobile app, which is more convenient to use than the web version. 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In addition to the website, there is also an official mobile app, which is more convenient to use than the web version. 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In addition to the website, there is also an official mobile app, which is more convenient to use than the web version. This article provides a detailed guide on how to use the 12306 App to book train tickets in China, as well as the procedures and important notes regarding ticket purchases, refunds, changes, ticket collection, and riding high-speed rail trains in mainland China.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.travelclassroom.net\/eng\/china-railway-12306.html","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"China Railway 12306 App: Guide to Booking, Collecting, Refunding Tickets, and Boarding Trains - The TravelClassroom","og_description":"The China Railway 12306 website is the official platform for purchasing train tickets in China. 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