Weekend Getaway: Where to Travel in China Under 4 Hours by Train
Traveling to China has never been easier or speedier! With the expansion of the high-speed railway network that connects West Kowloon to major cities across China, travelers can now reach dozens of Chinese cities in just a few hours, other than just Shenzhen.
From the bustling hub of Guangzhou to the cultural capital of Changsha, and scenic spots like Guilin and Yangshuo, China's high-speed rail has made weekend trips to these cities possible and fuss-free.
Continue reading to find out which cities you can get to in under four hours!
How to Buy the Railway Tickets
There's an official online ticketing service, called 12306, provided by China Railway, and tickets are typically released 15 days before the day of departure.
To buy tickets on 12306, you would need to register for an account. If you're departing from Hong Kong, search for "Hkwestkowloon (香港西九龙)." Visit the tutorial page provided by MTR to learn more.
Pro Tip: If the English website is busy, try the Chinese version and use your browser to translate the page.
There are also designated online platforms that sell railway ticket booking services in English, including Trip.com and Klook.
You may also buy tickets from ticketing counters and machines at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and various other high-speed railway stations in China.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou is the capital of the Guangdong Province, offering a blend of old-world charm and international flair. Known as a buzzing business district, this city is also a haven for its food and architecture.
Indulge in its beloved Cantonese cuisine of dim sum, roast meats, and dai pai dong, visit its 600-meter-tall Canton Tower, one of the tallest structures in China, and don't miss out on their Bubble Tram, a sightseeing cabin that goes around on top of the tower.
At night, hop on a cruise river along the Pearl River to see the city come alive with its dazzling lights, along with a full view of the Canton Tower.
Tip: Guangzhoudong (Guangzhou East) station is the station closest to the city center of Guangzhou.
Travel Time: It takes an average of 1.5 hours to get to Guangzhoudong Station from Hong Kong West Kowloon.
Foshan
Foshan is often overlooked by international travelers, but the city is just under an hour from Hong Kong by train. This city is best known as the birthplace of martial arts legends, Cantonese opera, and ceramic craftsmanship.
Foshan is the hometown of Ip Man, the Wing Chun master who mentored Bruce Lee. You can visit the Ip Man Museum within the Foshan Ancestral Temple, which shows a detailed look at his life and the philosophy of Wing Chun, along with kung fu performances and martial art exhibitions held at the Ancestral Temple.
Other than martial arts, Cantonese opera originated in Foshan, which is one of the most expressive and visually rich forms of Chinese performance arts. Visit the Ancestral Temple to enjoy traditional opera shows and various exhibitions.
If you're looking to take a gift home from Foshan, visit the Shiwan district to find beautiful glazed pieces. Shiwan district is known as the "Ceramic Capital of Southern China," and is home to various artisan studios, open kilns, and workshops. The Nanfeng Ancient Kiln is a must-visit as it's the oldest firewood and dragon kiln in the world.
Travel Time: It takes an average of 1.5 hours to get to Foshanxi Station from Hong Kong West Kowloon.
Changsha
Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, is one of China's most underrated and culturally rich destinations.
At the Hunan Provincial Museum, you'll see some of the country's treasured archaeological finds, including the perfectly preserved 2,000-year-old tomb of Lady Dai. If you're an outdoors person, hike along the Yuelu Mountain where you can take in the nature, traditional temples, and panoramic views of the city.
The local food here is not for the faint-hearted. Changsha's dishes are famous for their intense spiciness, fragrant garlic, and liberal use of chili. Visit the street food markets along the Huangxing Road and Pozi Street, like their iconic stinky tofu, spicy crayfish, and various skewers.
Travel Time: It takes an average of 3.5 hours to get to Changshanan Station from Hong Kong West Kowloon.
Zhangjiajie
Near Changsha, there's Zhangjiajie, one of China's most iconic natural landscapes. Within just 2 hours, you can take a quick day trip to visit the famous Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to see the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, where some of the scenes of the movie Avatar were based.
There are also trains that go directly to Zhangjiajie from Hong Kong, but it would take about 6 hours.
Travel Time: It takes an average of 2 hours to get to Zhangjiajiexi Station from Changshanan Station.
Wuhan
Wuhan, often known as the "Chicago of China," is a major transportation hub, as the city is a combination of three older cities: Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang, which also contributed to its diverse cultural identities and history.
The Yellow Crane Tower is an iconic tower that offers an amazing view of the Yangtze River and the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, which was China's first ever double-decker bridge that linked the South and North of China. Its existence was dated back to 223AD and have existed in various different forms throughout history.
Wuhan also has the largest urban lake in China, East Lake, offering beautiful views of lakewater, boticanical gardens, playground for kids, and scenic walking trails.
Don't miss out on their culinary delights such as their iconic Hot Dry Noodles and Steamed Wuchang Fish!
Travel Time: It takes an average of 4.5 hours to get to Wuhandong Station from Hong Kong West Kowloon.
Guilin
Located in the Zhuang Autonomous Region of Guangxi, Guilin is where nature takes center stage. The phrase "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven (桂林山水甲天下)" says it all.
Guilin's caves and rock formations are as spectacular inside as they are outside. Reed Flute Cave is one of the must-visit spots, it's an illuminated underground showing of stalactites and stalagmites, while Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of the city, is a natural arch shaped like an elephant drinking from the river.
Just a few hours outside the city are the Longji Rice Terraces, a stunning agricultural landscape where layers of green and gold rice paddies curve around the mountainsides like a giant green staircase. Take a short hike and admire the stunning views of the rice fields.
Travel Time: It takes an average of 3.5 hours to get to Guilinxi from Hong Kong West Kowloon.
Yangshuo
Only 30 minutes away by train or 90 minutes by bus, you can also visit Yangshuo, a small town nearby known as a backpacker's retreat.
There are many unique things you can do in Yangshuo, including cycling or bamboo rafting through the Yulong River, going rock climbing at White Mountain or Moon Hill, or staying at one of its traditional courtyard homes in the villages of Jiuxian or Fuli.
Travel Time: It takes an average of 30 minutes to get to Yangshuo Station from Guilinxi Station.
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