How long in advance should I book a China train ticket?
• According to China Railway policy, train tickets are issued 10-20 days prior to departure. You are advisable to book the tickets at least 21 days in advance. Train tickets are usually very tight during some Chinese festivals including May Day (from May 1 to May 3), National Day (from October 1 to October 7) and Chinese New Year holiday (from late January to late February). You are advisable to avoid booking train tickets during these periods, or make the reservation as early as possible.
