Below are listed the different train types according to their speed

1.Very fast express train （ Pin yin is: “Te kuai” ）
The ticket number for this kind of train starts with a capital letter ‘T’. It is the fastest and the most expensive train. Normally this kind of train has only hard sleeper and soft sleeper, and these trains will only stop at key railway stations. Some of these trains are non-stop. These trains are very safe. 
 
2.Express train （Pin yin is: “Kuai ke”）
The ticket number of this kind of train starts with a capital letter ‘K’. It is similar to the very fast express trains.
 
3.General fast train(Pin yin is: “pu kuai”) 
The ticket number of this kind of train ranges in number from 1000 to 5999. They have more stops and they go slower. 
 
4.General slow train (Pin yin is: “pu man”, or “man che”)
The ticket number of this kind of train ranges in number from 6000 to 9000. It is the cheapest train. This kind of train stops at every train station.

Several Kinds of Tickets to Buy

There are several kinds of tickets: standing, hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper and soft sleeper. (The standing ticket and the hard seat ticket price is normally the same). There is another kind of ticket which enables people to get into the train station to see someone off called “seeing off ticket”. A “platform” ticket may be purchased for those who wish to accompany passengers to the train. You can also use the “platform ticket” to get into the train if you don’t have enough time and buy a train ticket later.
No seat

With a standing ticket, you can only stay in the hard seat train car. It is the cheapest ticket, and the price is the same as a hard seat ticket. Sometimes you have to stand all the way to your destination if the train is crowded. These kinds of train cars are normally dirty and smoky. Standing tickets are only available on sold-out trains.

Hard seat
The only difference between a standing ticket and a hard seat ticket is that you are guaranteed a seat.

Soft seat
It is a little bit more expensive than a hard seat ticket, and is more comfortable and cleaner.

Hard sleeper
Its price is about the twice as expensive as the hard seat, and you will have a bed to lie down upon. It is also cleaner than the hard seat. There are six beds in each semi-private compartment. You should pay attention to your luggage because you have to put them on the over-head racks opposite your berth, and thieves might steal them.

Soft sleeper
It might be the most comfortable, expensive and safest means of travel in a train. Normally four beds are in one private compartment.

Platform ticket
The price is one Yuan per person. Normally you can buy such a ticket only at the train station (you have to find the place where you can buy these kinds of tickets because sometimes the ticket counter is not at the ticket office, but on the way to the waiting hall.)

At the Train Station

In big cities there are normally several train stations and one or two of them are more important than the others. Normally it is named by the station location in the city. For example, there is a Beijing Railway Station and a Beijing West Railway Station. At the front of each train station there will be many buses, taxis, greeters, and people from nearby hotels and restaurants that solicit business.

Procedure of Boarding a Train

Purchasing ticket
You can usually book a train ticket at your hotel but the hotel will charge a fee which is often less than 5 dollars, depending on the hotel.
You can also buy a ticket at the train station. There is always a ticket office at the train station. In big cities there might be 20 or so ticket windows. To buy a ticket, you are not required to show any documents (like a passport).

You should keep your ticket with you until you reach your destination. You will need to show your ticket when you exit the train station. Occasionally the train staff will check tickets during the trip. On some trains your paper ticket may be exchanged for a metal tag during the trip and your paper ticket will be returned to you just before you reach your destination. There is no discount for train tickets; however during the time of Spring Festival, the train ticket price will normally increase.

How to read a train ticket
The train ticket is the same all over the country. It is in pink color, and the size of a credit card. The upper row in large print shows the departing station (at right) and the arrival station (at left), at the far left is the train number. The next row from right to left in turn shows the date, in the order of yyyy mm dd, train departure time (24 hours time), the train car number, and the seat or bed number. Next row shows the total price.

Boarding the train
1.Normal way to board a train
Before boarding the train, you need to wait in the departure hall. In big cities, there are several departure halls, and they are numbered.
Before you enter the hall, you need to pass a security check by putting your luggage though an X-Ray machine. At the entrance of the hall, there will be a big screen showing the train number and the hall's number. If you see your train number, you should go into the hall shown on the same row.

In the hall, there are several rows of seats and a ticket check gate. The train normally boards 20 minutes before the train leaves. The train station will announce when boarding. You just need to follow the main stream of people, and you'll get on without a problem. The number of your train car will be hung outside the car by the door and the seats and berths are plainly numbered.
 
 
2.When you have a lot of luggage 
Sometimes you can hire people who are working at the train station to help you carry your luggage right to your train car. If you really have a lot of luggage, you can also hire a trolley. One advantage to this is you can just follow the carrier people to your seat in the train car. Average fee is 5 to 10 RMB per piece of luggage. This can be very useful since there are a lot of stairs down to the train.
 

Changing tickets on the train
Each train reserves some hard sleepers or soft sleepers. If the reserved beds are still empty after the train has left, the train captain can sell these sleeper tickets. If you have a standing ticket, or a hard seat ticket, you can try to exchange your ticket for a hard sleeper. You need pay a fee for doing this. On one train, usually there is one particular place you can do this, and you can ask the train staff where. The train captain will begin to work on it shortly after the train leaves the station.

Leaving the train station
You will need to show your ticket upon leaving the station. There will always be plenty of taxis available outside the station.

Small Tips on the Train

Toilets
1) A train car has toilets at both ends. The toilet will be locked until 10 minutes after the train leaves the station, and 10 minutes before it enters a train station.
2) You'll need your own toilet paper.

Food
There will be some water, beer, and snacks for sale on the train. Trains often have a dining car. The price is more expensive than normal. The train provides boiled water for free. It is suggested though to carry your own food and water with you.

Luggage and Security
You normally can put your luggage on the racks on each side of the train car above your head. You should pay close attention to your luggage and belongings so that they are not stolen.

If you get a sleeper ticket, after the train moves out of the station, one train attendant will exchange your ticket for a small steel card. You are going to hold the card all the way to your destination. Just before arrival, the attendant will ask you for the card and give you your ticket back.

Store luggage
You can store your luggage at the train stations. The fee is not expensive.