China Railways Handled 12.31 Million Foreign Passengers in H1 2026 (+33.6%) — What It Means for Your Travel
China State Railway Group reported 12.31 million foreign passenger trips in the first half of 2026, a 33.6% year-on-year surge driven by the 12306 English app, foreign passport verification improvements, and expanded visa-free policies.
Key takeaway
China railways handled 12.31 million foreign passenger trips in H1 2026, a 33.6% year-on-year increase driven by the 12306 English app, foreign passport e-gates at major stations, and expanded visa-free access. Foreign travelers now account for a small but fast-growing share of China railway ridership, making multi-city train itineraries more practical than ever.
Full report
What Changed
According to the China State Railway Group, foreign passengers accounted for a small but rapidly growing share of the 2.3 billion total passenger trips recorded nationwide in H1 2026. The 33.6% year-on-year growth rate far outpaces the 5% increase in overall railway traffic.
Several infrastructure and policy changes have made this possible. The 12306 app now ships with a genuine English interface and accepts foreign passport registration, international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB), and real-time passport verification that completes in under 10 minutes. At major stations — including Beijing South, Shanghai Hongqiao, Guangzhou South, and Xi'an North — foreign passport holders can now use automated e-gates instead of queuing at manual counters.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has also played a key role. The 55-country 240-hour visa-free transit policy now covers travel across 24 provinces, making multi-city rail itineraries practical for short-stay visitors. In the first half of 2026, 77.7% of all foreign arrivals entered China visa-free, and many of those visitors continued their journeys by train.
What to do next
- Download the 12306 app before departure and register with your passport and overseas phone number. 2. Add a Visa, Mastercard, or JCB card in payment settings and test with a small purchase. 3. Plan rail segments within the 15-day booking window as popular routes sell out fast on weekends.
What may vary
E-gate acceptance for foreign passports varies by station. Major hubs like Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao are reliable, but smaller provincial stations may still use manual counters. Third-party booking platforms like Trip.com charge handling fees that 12306 does not.
FAQ
Can I use the 12306 English app with a foreign passport in 2026?
Yes. The 12306 app supports English interface, foreign passport registration, and international credit card payment. Passport verification takes under 10 minutes.
Do I need a Chinese phone number to book train tickets on 12306?
No. Overseas phone numbers are accepted for 12306 registration and SMS verification. A Chinese number is not required for booking or e-ticket boarding.
Which train stations accept foreign passports at automated e-gates?
Over 30 major HSR stations, including Beijing South, Shanghai Hongqiao, Guangzhou South, and Xi'an North, accept foreign passports at e-gates as of mid-2026.
Which train stations in China accept foreign passports at automated e-gates?
As of mid-2026, over 30 major high-speed rail stations accept foreign passports at automated e-gates, including Beijing South, Shanghai Hongqiao, Guangzhou South, Xi'an North, Chengdu East, and Hangzhou East. Smaller stations may still require manual counter checks.
How far in advance can I book China train tickets as a foreigner?
Tickets go on sale 15 days in advance on the 12306 app and website. The booking window opens at 5:00 AM Beijing time daily. Popular routes on weekends and holidays can sell out within hours.