Chinese CRH Bullet Trains

[Cruiser Elite]

Many of you good people are aware of the network of CRH / Bullet Trains that China has been and continue to build throughout the country.

Previously any punter - Chinese or Foreigner - could just front up to any ticket window / outlet and purchase whatever multiple of tickets they desired.

However this has now changed as a direct result of SCALPING - yes you read right - SCALPING of tickets on the fast trains had become a significant problem.

As of June 1 you now require designated valid I.D. to purchase tickets on ALL CRH trains - 1 ticket per passenger.

This is the official release from Xinhua News:

BEIJING, May 24 (Xinhuanet) - CRH (China Railway High-Speed) trains will adopt an identification-based ticket system and will put the new system into effect on June 1.
People can only buy tickets, and enter and exit train stations with valid credentials. Children less than 1.5 meters tall are not subject to the new regulations. An ID card can only buy one real-name ticket at a time. Currently, the station ticket booking period is within 10 days of departure, while the telephone booking period is within 11 days.
There are 23 valid forms of identification that will be accepted at the train stations. They include an ID card, temporary ID card, household register, PLA soldier’s security card, military officer card, armed police ID, other soldier’s card, military student card, military civilian cadre’s card, retired army card and passport.
Other valid forms of ID are a Chinese mainland travel permit for Hong Kong and Macao residents, a Chinese mainland travel permit for Taiwan Residents, a permit for Chinese mainland residents to travel to Hong Kong and Macao, residence permits for foreigners, a foreigner’s entry-exit certificate, diplomat certificate, consulate card, seamen’s card, proofing papers for foreigners issued by the Foreign Ministry, proof for a lost passport issued by the local public security organs and a temporary proof of ID issued by the railway security department.

OK the long and the short - if you are a foreigner wanting to ride the CRH trains you need your PASSPORT with you to purchase tickets. I have been using CRH trains since the Beijing Sth-Tianjin service started maybe 2 years ago - never required any I.D. before - but last Tuesday in Beijing I fronted up without knowledge of the change and without my passport - ticket purchase was denied and I had to go back to hotel to retrieve my passport so I could travel to Tianjin - please be aware.

 

[dajop]

As of June 1 you now require designated valid I.D. to purchase tickets on ALL CRH trains - 1 ticket per passenger.
..

OK the long and the short - if you are a foreigner wanting to ride the CRH trains you need your PASSPORT with you to purchase tickets.

Oh. This may be a pain. I am travelling with a couple of locals next week out of Beijing on a High Speed Train .... Last time, the AA just bought tickets for us, obviously with no ID for travellers.

As an aside (around needing Passport) I was stopped by the police walking down the street when I was in Beijing in March, and they asked to see my ID. I didn't have my passport, and it was suggested I should carry my passport at all times ! Something I usually leave in the hotel safe.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Oh. This may be a pain. I am travelling with a couple of locals next week out of Beijing on a High Speed Train .... Last time, the AA just bought tickets for us, obviously with no ID for travellers. .

100% guarantee if you do not have your passport they will refuse to sell to you. Indeed your passport number will be printed on the train ticket that you purchase.

As an aside (around needing Passport) I was stopped by the police walking down the street when I was in Beijing in March, and they asked to see my ID. I didn't have my passport, and it was suggested I should carry my passport at all times ! Something I usually leave in the hotel safe.

In 15 years travelling in China have NEVER been asked for passport - I ALWAYS leave it in safe in hotel unless I am transitting between cities.

I have made a colour copy of main page of my passport and laminated it - next visit I will first try my Victorian Drivers Licence - if that is rejected I will try the laminated card copy of passport - if that fails I just use my passport - but I am not back there now til Aug 16 so if someone else in mean time can test the waters it might be worthwhile.