Those with the money (and hopefully the status!) will find themselves at home on Chinese high speed railway trains. The very best of in-cabin services are available throughout Business Class, where you’ll be treated the way you paid for your ticket (as is the case elsewhere, as well).
LONG HAUL: BUSINESS CLASS
Business Class (商务座) is a heck of a notch above First Class, despite it being the other way on planes: It basically is the very best China Railways has to offer to you. Notable perks:
- Completely lie-flat seats (180°!) which become your own bed (1.9 metres in length!)
- Own reading light (which, we admit, looks like a microphone than anything else)
- “Call Service Attendant” button
- Access to VIP/Business Class waiting lounges
- In larger stations, the option of having dedicated ticketing counters and/or dedicated security check channels
- Your own complementary lunch/dinner, made available to you at a specific time if desired (you must request this individually)
- Unlimited free flow (basic tea, hot water, or basic soft drinks such as Coca-Cola)
- Free unlimited snacks at waiting lounges, plus a greater selection of drinks
- Free slippers, a free eye cover, and free headphones (for the use of the in-train entertainment system)
- Your own, full-length window
- Your own TV screen
- One individual AC power plug per seat
SHORT HAUL: DELUXE CLASS
Even if you are travelling short haul, don’t miss the Deluxe Class (特等座) seats, which debuted with the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway and is now available in more parts of China. And while only Business Class can shock it with a stun gun in terms of comfort, Deluxe Class is still in a league of its own…
- Reclinable seats
- Own reading light (accessed via separate push button above)
- For the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, access to Intercity VIP Class waiting lounges
- Unlimited free flow (basic tea, hot water) on request
- Generally, your own, full-length window
ELSEWHERE: FIRST CLASS
For deluxe travel elsewhere, try First Class, which is incredibly affordable and offers in general a more quiet travelling environment.
- Reclinable seats
- Generally, your own reading light (accessed via separate push button above)
- Access to CRH or dedicated First Class waiting lounges in most stations
- Generally, your own, full-length window