For anything but commuter routes, buy train tickets a couple of days ahead of when you need to travel — you’re unlikely to find any tickets at all on the day. If you’re headed to Lhasa or using the Trans-Mongolian or Trans-Manchurian, tickets can get booked up weeks in advance.

Also be aware of China’s major holidays: tickets are almost impossible to get hold of around Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and National Day (the first week in October).

2: Don’t Expect Ticket Officers To Speak English

You can buy train tickets at the station, from dedicated sales outlets in city centres for a small fee or from most guesthouses and hotels for a larger fee. If you’re buying tickets for yourself, get someone to write down your destination, dates etc. in Chinese script. Some station staff at major train stations do speak English, but it’s pretty much a hit and miss affair. You will need to provide your passport.

In most big cities, the city centre sales outlets are a better bet than the station — you’ll pay a few kuai extra. It’s good to know the specific number of the train you require, and vital if you’re trying to book tickets for connecting trains (search here to find connections).

3: Know What Berth You Want For A Sleeper

Sleeper trains are a great way to get around China. First class cabins have four beds only and a door, the beds are marginally softer than second class and there is independent lighting. Second class cabins have six berths to a compartment and no door — lights go off at a fixed time for everyone.

Bottom berths are more comfortable and priced slightly higher than upper berths, but tend to function as seats for everyone in the compartment until bedtime. Top berths in second class do not have enough head room to sit up. Seating on sleeper trains is brightly lit all night and not particularly comfortable.

4: Allow Plenty of Time To Make Your Train

Chinese railway stations feel overwhelming and huge but are actually very orderly. Allow at least half an hour before your train departs. You’ll need to get through an airline style security X-ray plus patdown, ticket checks and passport checks, then find the appropriate waiting room for your train number. Gates to the platforms open on a train-by-train basis and close five minutes before the train leaves.

5: Bring Your Own Tea And Coffee

The ultra-modern, 300kph or faster bullet trains that run routes like Beijing-Shanghai have Western-style dining cars complete with fresh-brewed coffee. Other trains have trolleys selling snacks, a basic, Chinese-style dining car and hot water in every compartment. Do like the Chinese do and bring your own tea (or coffee) to make hot drinks.

6: Keep An Eye On Your Stuff

Passport thieves have been known to target foreigners on trains in China. As a general rule, keep your valuables close (under your pillow if necessary).

If you’re planning China travel, you might also want to read about how to ride a bus in China, or explore hotels in China.

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