Qingdao – Beijing Bullet Train (CRH):On April 18th, 2008, bullet trains began connecting Qingdao and Beijing with five other major cities. The CRH (China Railway High Speed) trains travel at speeds between 200 and 250 Kilometers per hour connecting the capital and other major cities including Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin, Jinan, and Qingdao. New lines recently added include Baotou and Hankou.
The Journey between Qingdao and Beijing takes a little less than 6 hours. The train makes stops at Gaomi, Weifang, Zibo, and Jinan along the way. Please refer to the Qingdao Railway-Train Schedule for details.
Ticket prices for the bullet trains cost about 50 percent more than the current express trains, which usually travel at 115 kilometers per hour. Passengers are allowed to purchase tickets up to 20 days in advance at designated ticket offices or at the local railway stations.
The Railway Ministry held a press conference on April 12th discussing the preparations for the sixth round of the railway “speed boost” program aimed at increasing the railway system’s passenger handling capacity by 18 percent and its cargo capacity by 12 percent. China has raised the speed limits of trains for the first time since 1997 when most were running at a mere 60 kilometers per hour.
The Qingdao ShiNan Train Station re-opened August 1st, 2008 after an extensive Olympic Games Renovation.
Current CRH Ticket Prices (Beijing to Qingdao):
Běijīng nán (北京南) – Second Class/First Class
Yángliǔ qīng (杨柳青) – 46/55 RMB
Dézhōu (德州) – 117/140 RMB
Jǐnán dōng (济南东) – 154/185 RMB
Zībó (淄博) – 187/225 RMB
Wéifang (潍坊) – 218/262 RMB
Qīngdǎo (青岛) – 275/330 RMB