China Train Seat Map: High-Speed Trains & Ordinary Trains

Planning your train journey in China? Our seat maps clearly show the layout of all classes: Business Class, First Class and Second Class on high-speed trains, and Hard Seat and Soft Seat on ordinary trains. You'll learn how to pick window (A/F) or aisle (C/D) seats, and understand the different seating configurations (1+1, 2+2, 3+2). Our guides cover both high-speed and ordinary trains, making your seat selection easy.

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🚄 China High-Speed Train Seat Map

China High-Speed Train Seat Distribution Map

💎Business Class (商务座)

• Primarily located in Carriage 1 (front) or the final carriage (on 16-carriage trains).

• Occasionally found in Carriage 2 or 3 on certain routes.

👍First Class (一等座)

• Standard First Class sits directly behind Business Class sections.

• Premium First Class may be adjacent to Business Class areas.

• When no Business Class exists, First Class typically occupies the front/rear carriages.

💰Second Class (二等座)

• Occupies all middle carriages (typically Carriages 3-15).

• Most common seating option with standard comfort.

🚄The seating arrangement in a 17-carriage high-speed train usually follows this order:

• Carriage 01: Business Class > Carriage 02: First Class > Carriages 03-15: Second Class > Carriage 16: First Class > Carriage 17: Premium First Class and Business Class

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China High-Speed Train Seat Layout Map

China's high-speed trains offer three types of seating: Business Class, First Class and Second Class. Each has a different layout. Business Class adopts a 1+1/2+1 layout, meaning there are 2 to 3 seats in each row. First Class follows a 2+2 layout, with two seats on each side. Second Class has 3+2 seating, with three seats on one side and two on the other. The seat numbering works like planes. Letters A and F are always window seats. C and D mark aisle seats. You won't find an E seat - this follows international airline practice.

Seating arrangements vary by class and train:

• Business Class (1+1): Window seats (A/F) with aisle access (no middle seats)

• Business Class (2+1): Window seats (A/F), middle seats(C)

• First Class (2+2): Paired window/aisle seats (A/C - D/F)

• Second Class (3+2): ABC (3-seat side) and DF (2-seat side)

💺How to Choose Seats on China's High-Speed Trains?

For window seats pick A/F, for aisle seats choose C/D - B is only for middle seats in Second Class (3+2 layout).

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🔻China High-Speed Train Business Class Seat Map

🔻China High-Speed Train First Class Seat Map

Image source: Railway 12306

🔻China High-Speed Train Second Class Seat Map

🚆See more China train seat types

🚆 China Ordinary Train Seat Map

🔻Hard Seat (硬座)

Image credit: Baidu

• Layout: Standard 3+2 seating (middle rows), 2+2 at carriage ends
• Window Seats:
• • Standard carriages: Numbers ending in 0/4/5/9 + seat 1
  • With conductor's office: Numbers ending in 3/4/8/9 + seats 001, 112, 122
• Aisle Seats:
• • Standard: Numbers ending in 2/3/7/8
  • Conductor's office: Numbers ending in 0/1/2/5/6/7
• Capacity: 118-seat (window: 0/4/5/9), 116-seat (window: 2/3/7/8), 112-seat (window: 4/5/8/9)
• Features: Basic overhead racks, shared tables, curtains, end-of-carriage toilets

🔻Soft Seat (软座)

• Layout: Comfortable 2+2 configuration
• Window Seats: Typically follow a "2ⁿ or 2n-1" pattern – for example, seats 3, 4, 11 are common window positions.
• Features:
• • Padded seats with extra legroom
  • Air-conditioning
  • Cleaner toilets
  • Common on short-distance/intercity routes

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China Train Travel Guide