Short answer
Only two pairs of direct high-speed trains a day link Guilin and Beijing. They run the roughly 2,100 km to Beijing West in about 8 to 9 hours: one leaves from Guilin's central station, the other from Guilin North. In the other direction the fastest service reaches Guilin North in a little under 8 hours.
Second class costs about CNY 950; first class about CNY 1,520; business class around CNY 2,760–3,270. There is also an overnight high-speed D train on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings that takes about 11 hours and costs considerably less in second class — roughly CNY 648 — with berths available at a premium.
Because there are so few direct trains, this route sells out earlier than a dense corridor like Beijing–Shanghai. Book the moment the 15-day window opens. If the direct train is gone, the fallback is to change at Changsha South, which adds a couple of hours.
The route at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Guilin / Guilin North → Beijing West |
| Duration | About 8 to 9 hours on the direct G trains |
| Distance | Roughly 2,100 km (about 1,300 miles) |
| Direct high-speed trains | Two pairs a day |
| Second class fare | About CNY 949–951.50 |
| First class fare | About CNY 1,518–1,522 |
| Business class fare | About CNY 2,763–3,269 |
| Overnight alternative | D train, about 11 hours, Friday–Monday evenings |
| Booking opens | 15 days before departure |
Fares and durations are published timetable-aggregator figures as of September 2026. China Railway revises train numbers, timings and fares with each timetable change — verify on 12306 before booking anything that depends on a specific departure.
Why there are so few trains
Guilin is not on China's main north–south high-speed spine. The corridor carrying Beijing traffic runs Beijing West → Shijiazhuang → Zhengzhou East → Wuhan → Changsha South → Hengyang East → Yongzhou → Guilin North, and Guilin sits at the southern end of it rather than in the middle. The practical consequence is that you cannot turn up and take the next train: two direct services a day, both leaving in the early afternoon, means the choice is between a specific train and a workaround. Plan it like a flight, not like a metro.
Which station in Guilin?
Guilin has three passenger stations and they are not close to each other. Getting this wrong is the most common way to miss a Beijing train here.
| Station | Chinese | Where it is | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilin North | 桂林北站 | Diecai district, about 6.5 km from the centre | The main high-speed hub — most G and D trains, including one of the Beijing services |
| Guilin | 桂林站 | In the centre, walkable to the old town | The other Beijing high-speed service, plus overnight sleepers |
| Guilin West | 桂林西站 | Lingchuan county, 12–15 km out | A bypass stop on the Guiyang–Guangzhou corridor; rarely the right choice for tourists |
| Yangshuo | 阳朔站 | About 33 km from West Street | Direct arrival in Yangshuo without going through Guilin |
Fares by class, and the overnight option
Three classes are sold on the daytime G trains. The overnight D train has a different fare structure, with second class seats plus sleeper berths.
| Service | Class | About | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime G | Second class | CNY 949–951.50 | 3+2 seating, the standard fare |
| Daytime G | First class | CNY 1,518–1,522 | 2+2 seating, quieter cabin |
| Daytime G | Business class | CNY 2,763–3,269 | The premium cabin |
| Overnight D | Second class seat | About CNY 648.50 | Cheapest high-speed way to make the trip |
| Overnight D | Sleeper berth | Substantially more than a seat | Berth prices vary by source and by train; check 12306 for the exact figure |
| Conventional Z / T / K | Hard sleeper | About CNY 428 | 19 to 28.5 hours — a different kind of journey entirely |
Two notes on the numbers. The daytime G fare is fixed by distance and does not move much between trains, which is why the range is narrow. The overnight D berth price is the one figure that varies meaningfully between published sources, treat any number you see online as a reference and confirm the exact fare on 12306 for your date.
Daytime or overnight?
- Daytime G, roughly 8 hours. You lose a day of sightseeing but arrive at Beijing West in the evening with a hotel night ahead of you.
- Overnight D, roughly 11 hours, Friday to Monday. You keep the whole day free in Guilin, wake up in Beijing, and save a hotel night, at the cost of a much longer and less comfortable night.
- Conventional sleeper, 19–28.5 hours. Cheapest and slowest; worth it only if price is the deciding factor.
- Flying. Much faster. Most travellers who take the train do so because they prefer rail or the fare difference matters.
How to book
- Register on 12306 with your passportThe English site at
12306.cn/enand the app both accept foreign passports for registration, booking, changes and refunds. - Add a passenger profile and clear verificationVerification has to be approved before you can buy. Do this days ahead; it is the step that blocks people at the last minute.
- Book the day the 15-day window opensWith only two direct trains a day, this route has far less slack than a busy corridor. Waiting is the one thing that actually costs you a seat here.
- Use the free waitlist if the train is fullThe waitlist (候补) fills from cancellations and refunds and costs nothing unless a seat is confirmed. Submit it for both the daytime G and the overnight D to widen your odds.
- Pay through Alipay or WeChat Pay12306 does not accept foreign cards directly. Both wallets take foreign-issued cards once your passport is verified.
- Check the station name before you payThe booking screen tells you whether you are leaving from 桂林站 or 桂林北站. Match it to where you are staying.
The general procedure, including what happens when a passport will not read at the gate, is covered in buying high-speed train tickets in China as a foreigner.
If the direct train is sold out
The workaround is to change at Changsha South, which sits on the main north–south corridor and has frequent trains in both directions. You buy two tickets instead of one; the connection is same-station and typically allows an hour or so.
| Guilin → Changsha South | Changsha South → Beijing West | Total time | Second class total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning departure | Early afternoon departure | About 9h | From roughly CNY 780 |
| Mid-morning departure | Mid-afternoon departure | About 9h to 11h | Roughly CNY 780–980 |
Treat the table as a shape, not a schedule: you want a Guilin–Changsha leg of around 3 hours and a Changsha–Beijing leg of around 5 to 6.5 hours that leaves after you arrive. Confirm both legs on 12306 when the window opens.
At the station and on arrival
- Arrive 45–60 minutes earlyGuilin North is large, with a security check on entry and a long walk to the platform. The central station is smaller and easier.
- Baggage X-ray and metal detectorApplies to everyone, on entry, at every station.
- Scan your passport at the gateYour passport is the ticket. If the automated gate will not read it, use the staffed lane instead of retrying.
- Watch the board for your gateGate numbers are printed on the departure board; boarding opens for a window before departure and closes before the train leaves.
- Expect a long ride with food serviceEight hours is a long time on board. Most high-speed services have a trolley and a dining car, and stations have vendors, bringing your own food is cheaper and usually better.
- Arriving at Beijing WestBeijing West is a vast hub in Fengtai district with Metro Lines 7 and 9 directly beneath it. If you are connecting to Daxing Airport, there is a direct intercity train from the station in under half an hour.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Guilin to Beijing train?
About 8 to 9 hours on the direct high-speed G trains. The overnight D service takes roughly 11 hours, and conventional sleeper trains take 19 to 28.5 hours.
How many direct trains run each day?
Two pairs of high-speed trains a day, unusually few, which is why this route sells out earlier than most.
How much is a second class ticket to Beijing?
About CNY 949–951.50 on the daytime G trains. The overnight D train's second class seat is roughly CNY 648.50.
Which Guilin station does the Beijing train leave from?
Both, one starts at central Guilin station (桂林站), the other at Guilin North (桂林北站). Check the characters: the two are 6–7 km apart and Guilin has no metro.
Is there an overnight train from Guilin to Beijing?
Yes. A high-speed D train with sleeper berths runs from Guilin North to Beijing West in about 11 hours on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings. Conventional Z, T and K trains also run overnight but take 19 hours or more.
What if the direct train is sold out?
Change at Changsha South. Buy a Guilin–Changsha South ticket and a Changsha South–Beijing West ticket; the connection is same-station and the total is around 9 to 11 hours, at a similar cost to the direct fare.
Is the train better than flying?
Flying is much faster. The train wins on second-class cost, luggage allowance, and arriving in the city centre rather than at an airport.
How far ahead should I book?
On the day the 15-day window opens, especially for the daytime G trains in the peak seasons. This route has two direct departures a day, not twenty.
Related reading
Durations, fares, station details and metro connections follow published railway timetables, station guides and China Railway documentation current as of September 2026. Train numbers, timetables and fares are revised by China Railway without notice, confirm the live details for your specific journey on 12306 or the official app before you rely on them.