20 October 2026
Arrive as if it were a terminal
Why a China high-speed station needs more time than a small-town train.
Shanghai Hongqiao, Beijing South, and the other giant stations have security, a long walk, and more than one hall. The train will not wait while you change levels.
The ticket is tied to your passport. Have the passport out before you reach the gate, not at the bottom of a bag you have to unpack in the queue.
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