Qiang Huang
What's Inside
Last week, I watched a frustrated tourist at Shanghai Hongqiao waste 40 minutes in the wrong queue. Don't be that person.
I've been guiding groups to Jiaxing for years, and the bullet train to Jiaxing is hands-down the best way to get there—faster than driving, cheaper than a taxi, and way more comfortable. But the booking system? It's a nightmare for foreigners if you don't know the tricks.
Here's the bottom line: book your ticket on Trip.com using your passport info, grab a seat on the G1337 departing at 8:32 AM, and you'll be sipping tea at South Lake by 9:15. No queues, no language barriers.
Why Take the Bullet Train to Jiaxing?
Let's compare your options from Shanghai to Jiaxing:
| Mode | Time | Cost (approx) | Pain Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet train (G train) | 27 min | ¥38 (second class) | Low |
| Driving | 1.5–2 hours (with traffic) | ¥80 toll + gas | Medium–high |
| Long-distance bus | 1.5 hours | ¥35 | Medium (bus station hassle) |
| Taxi / Didi | 1.5 hours | ¥300–400 | Low but expensive |
Driving sounds nice until you hit the Shanghai ring road at 9 AM. I've had clients stuck for an extra hour. The bullet train is reliable, air-conditioned, and drops you right in Jiaxing's city center.
How to Book Your Bullet Train Ticket (For Foreigners)
First, forget the official 12306 website—it's in Chinese only and often rejects foreign credit cards. I always tell my groups to use Trip.com. It's in English, takes Visa/Mastercard, and lets you collect tickets at the station with your passport.
Step-by-step booking
- Go to Trip.com and select "Trains".
- Enter Shanghai (上海虹桥) to Jiaxing (嘉兴南). Choose your date.
- Pick a G train (fastest). Avoid D trains—they're slower and not worth the savings.
- Add passenger details: use the exact name on your passport. Scan your passport page if prompted.
- Pay. You'll receive a booking code.
Pro Tip: On the day of travel, head to the ticket machines at Shanghai Hongqiao Station. Look for the ones with a "passport" icon. Scan your passport, enter your booking code, and print your paper ticket. Keep it safe—you need it to exit Jiaxing station too.
Shanghai Hongqiao to Jiaxing: Step by Step
From the city center to Hongqiao Station: take Metro Line 10 or Line 2 to Hongqiao Railway Station. Follow signs to the departure hall. Allow 40 minutes from your hotel to the platform.
On the train: second class seats are fine for a 27-minute ride. First class gives you more legroom but isn't necessary. Find your carriage (printed on your ticket) and seat. There's free WiFi, but it requires a Chinese phone number to log in—so download your shows beforehand.
Arriving at Jiaxing South Station: exit the station directly into the taxi/didi pickup area. Ignore touts offering rides—use Didi (Chinese Uber) or the official taxi line. Show the driver this Chinese address: 嘉兴市南湖区南湖景区 (South Lake Scenic Area).
What to Do in Jiaxing After You Arrive
Most travelers come for water towns and history. Here's my go-to itinerary:
Morning: South Lake (南湖)
- Address: 南溪路, Nanhu District, Jiaxing
- Ticket: ¥60 (includes boat ride to the island with the Red Boat museum)
- Hours: 8:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
- Best time: 8:30 AM – before the tour groups arrive
- Tip: The boat leaves every 20 minutes. Avoid the 10 AM rush.
Why it's worth it: The lake is massive and peaceful. The museum on the island is where the Chinese Communist Party was founded—fascinating history, even if you're not a history buff. The gardens are stunning.
Lunch: Local street food
Go to Yuehe Street (月河街), a charming waterway alley. Try Jiaxing zongzi (rice dumplings) from the shop at No. 78. They're sticky, savory, and cost ¥6 each. Cash or WeChat only.
Afternoon: Xitang Water Town (西塘)
If you have extra time, take a 20-minute Didi to Xitang (about ¥50). It's less touristy than Zhujiajiao. Entry is ¥95. Walk along the canals, snap photos of the stone bridges. Insider advice: enter through the north gate—shorter queue. Most visitors leave by 4 PM, so 3–5 PM is golden hour for photos.
Pain point: Google Maps doesn't work well here. Use Apple Maps or download AMap in English. For Xitang, search "西塘古镇" in AMap.
Insider Tips for a Smooth Trip
- VPN: Install a VPN before you leave home. Jiaxing's networks block Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
- Payment: Alipay is accepted everywhere. Link your international card. Carry ¥200 cash as backup—some street vendors don't take cards.
- Language: Download the Pleco app for offline translation. Most signs at the station are bilingual, but menus often aren't.
- Toilet paper: Public restrooms rarely have it. Always carry a pack of tissues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. All prices and schedules subject to change—check Trip.com for real-time info.
[
{
"username": "Jake_Nomad",
"content": "Took the bullet train from Shanghai to Jiaxing last weekend. Honestly, it's a no-brainer if you hate sitting in traffic. The train itself was spotless, seats are comfy, and the ride is so smooth you barely notice you're moving at 300 km/h. Made it from Hongqiao to Jiaxing South in just 23 minutes — saved me nearly two hours compared to driving. WiFi was a bit flaky but otherwise perfect. Highly recommend for a quick day trip to the water towns.",
"rating": 5
},
{
"username": "Emily_Travels88",
"content": "We decided to try the high-speed option to avoid the usual weekend jam on the expressway. Ticket was reasonably priced (\~¥60), and the station in Jiaxing is clean and easy to navigate. The only downside was that the train was about 10 minutes late departing, which was annoying because we had a connection to catch. Still, the actual travel time is unbeatable. Would do it again for sure.",
"rating": 4
},
{
"username": "Pete_M",
"content": "Okay, I'll be the dissenter here. Yes, the train is fast, but I found the experience a bit sterile and rushed. The seats are too narrow for my frame, and the constant announcements in Chinese with no English translation made me feel a bit lost. Plus, the ticket machine wouldn't accept my foreign card, so I had to queue at the counter. Saved time on the road but lost it on the logistics. Not my favorite trip.",
"rating": 3
},
{
"username": "Ginger_Trekker",
"content": "Riding the bullet train to Jiaxing was an absolute thrill! The acceleration when leaving the station gave me a little adrenaline rush. I got a window seat and watched the countryside blur past — rice paddies, factories, canals. It's incredible how the landscape just zips by. The train was quiet, no annoying kids crying, and the air conditioning was perfect. If you're visiting Shanghai, this is a must-do side trip. 5 stars.",
"rating": 5
},
{
"username": "Cafe_Explorer_Li",
"content": "I took this train specifically because I wanted to visit the Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing without the hassle of driving. Everything went smoothly: bought the ticket on my phone, scanned the QR code at the gate, and boom — 20 minutes later I was in Jiaxing. The station even has a small coffee shop with decent latte art. No complaints at all. This is how travel should be: fast, affordable, and stress-free.",
"rating": 5
}
]
I’m a total convert! I used to dread the drive to Jiaxing because of the constant construction on the expressway. This bullet train is a dream — left Shanghai at 9am and was sipping tea in a Jiaxing café by 9:45. The seats recline nicely, there’s a snack cart, and the WiFi worked most of the way. Plus no parking headaches. Traveling light? Perfect. Highly recommend for weekend getaways.
Honestly a bit disappointed. I took the bullet train expecting a huge time save, but by the time I got to Shanghai Hongqiao (40 min subway), queued for security, waited on the platform, and then took a taxi from Jiaxing South to my hotel, it was maybe only 45 minutes faster than driving — and cost twice as much. The train itself was fine, clean and fast, but the whole door-to-door experience wasn't as smooth as I'd hoped. Maybe better if you live near the station.
Booked this bullet train on a whim to visit my friend in Jiaxing. Wow, what a difference from sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway. The train was smooth, quiet, and the scenery of fields and small villages whizzing by was lovely. Even the station staff were super helpful when I had trouble with the ticket machine. Absolutely worth the price — I’ll never drive to Jiaxing again.
Solid option if you hate driving. The train itself is fast and punctual, no complaints there. But the Jiaxing South station is a bit out of town — about a 20-minute taxi ride to the center. Also, ticket prices aren't exactly cheap compared to a shared carpool if you're traveling with 3-4 people. Still, for a solo trip or a couple, it's worth the convenience. 4 stars because the savings are real but the last-mile connection could be better.
Took the bullet train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Jiaxing South last weekend. Honestly, it's a game changer if you're used to being stuck in traffic on the G60. The train was spotless, seats were comfy with USB ports, and we made it in under 30 minutes. Driving would’ve taken at least 2.5 hours with holiday congestion. Saved me a ton of stress and time. Highly recommend for anyone visiting the water towns near Jiaxing.