3. New Direct High-Speed Rail from Chongqing East to Zhangjiajie West (Coming Soon!)
Exciting Update: Chongqing East Railway Station (重庆东站, Chongqingdong) is scheduled to officially open in late June 2025 (expected between June 28-30). This new transport hub will revolutionize travel between Chongqing and Zhangjiajie.
Direct High-Speed Rail Service
For the first time, travelers will enjoy:
- Direct high-speed trains between Chongqing East and Zhangjiajie West
- Fastest journey time: Just 1 hour 58 minutes (compared to current 6+ hours)
- No more transfers at Huaihua South Station needed
- Expected frequent daily services (exact schedule to be announced)
Check Live Train Schedule
Improved Metro Access
Chongqing Metro Line 6 will be extended to connect:
- Chongqing East Station directly with
- Downtown Chongqing (nearest to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street at Xiaoshizi Station)
This will provide seamless transfers between the city center and the new railway station.
What This Means for Travelers
Starting late June 2025, your travel options will expand significantly:
- Option 1: Traditional K trains from Chongqing North (6+ hours)
- Option 2: Current high-speed route via Huaihua South (4+1.5 hours with transfer)
- Option 3 (New!): Direct high-speed trains from Chongqing East (under 2 hours)
Note: Exact schedules, fares and opening date will be confirmed closer to the launch. We recommend checking official sources like 12306.cn for the latest updates as the opening approaches.
Introductions
Taking a train from Chongqing (重庆) to Zhangjiajie (张家界) is a satisfying way to travel between these two cities in China. Generally you have two routes for choice:
- By K train: Chongqing North – Zhangjiajie West, 3 daily
- By high speed train: Chongqing – Huaihua – Zhangjiajie West (Recommended)
Zhangjiajie Rail Network Map
1. By K Train from Chongqing North to Zhangjiajie West
According to Trip.com, there are approximately 3 K trains per day traveling directly from Chongqing North to Zhangjiajie West. Here are some key details about today’s schedule:
| Train Type | Departure Station | Arrival Station | Duration | Frequency | Fares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K73 | Chongqing North (重庆北) | Zhangjiajie West (张家界西) | 6h 23m | 1 | from US$9.60 |
| K1095 | Chongqing North (重庆北) | Zhangjiajie West (张家界西) | 6h 24m | 1 | from US$9.60 |
| K687 | Chongqing North (重庆北) | Zhangjiajie West (张家界西) | 6h 29m | 1 | from US$9.60 |
|
For a live schedule, refer to https://www.trip.com/trains/china/
|
|||||
These are the scheduled times for tomorrow’s trains. Please remember to check the official websites or apps like Trip.com for the most current information before travel.
2. Chongqing – Huaihua – Zhangjiajie by High Speed Train
If you travel by high speed train, travelers will need to orchestrate a transfer at Huaihua South Station (怀化南站, Huaihuanan), as there are no direct high-speed trains linking Chongqing with Zhangjaijie. This allows travelers not only to experience the efficiency of China’s high-speed rail network but also to visit an additional locale during their trip.
From Chongqing West to Huaihua South
| Train Type | Departure Station | Arrival Station | Duration | Frequency | Fares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| high-speed | Chongqing West (Chongqingxi) | Huaihua South (Huaihuanan) | 4hrs | 8 | CNY305 |
|
For a live schedule, refer to https://www.trip.com/trains/china/
|
|||||
Please note that this table is for illustrative purposes. Travelers must check official resources for the most recent information on high-speed train schedules and fares, such as the official www.12306.cn English site.
From Huaihua South to Zhangjiajie West
| Train Type | Departure Station | Arrival Station | Duration | Frequency | Fares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| high-speed | Huaihua South (Huaihuanan) | Zhangjiajie West (Zhangjiajiexi) | 1.5hrs | 20 | CNY75 |
|
For a live schedule, refer to https://www.trip.com/trains/china/
|
|||||
Be sure to check the current train schedule for the date of your travel to get accurate information on train types, departure times, frequency, and fares.
 | Changsha to Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie, Furongzhen to Zhangjiajie,Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie , Guilin to Zhangjiajie, Shanghai to Zhangjiajie |
 | Hotels close to Wulingyuan Forest Park, Hotels close to Tianmenshan Park |
 | Zhangjiajie Park (Wulingyuan etrance ticket, Cableway, Bailong elevator), Tianmenshan Park (entrace ticket, Cableway, Line A, Line B package) |
 | Flights to or from Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport |
Chongqing Rail Transit
- Chongqing North Station (Chongqingbei, North Square by Line 4 & Line 10; South Square by Line 3 & Line 10 & Loop Line).
- Chongqing West Station (Chongqingxi, it is served by Line 5 (Southern section) and Loop line).
- Shapingba Station (Shapingba, it can be reached by metro Line 1, Line 9 and the Loop Line).
Zhangjiajie West Station to Wulingyuan Park
On arrival at Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station, you have the option of taking the public bus to Wulingyuan Forest Park. This bus will depart when full with a fare of ¥13 per person. The first bus departs at 08:30 AM, and the last one at 5:00 PM. Alternatively, you could take a taxi to Wulingyuan Park, which would take around 30 minutes.
Bus Timetable & Travel Time
The bus schedule are for reference only as it may vary.
| Zhangjiajie West – Wulingyuan by bus | ||||||
| From – To | Operation time | Ticket Fares | Duration | |||
| Zhangjiajie West – Wulingyuan | 08:30 – 17:00 | CNY13 | 40mins | |||
Zhangjiajie West Station to Tianmenshan
On arrival at Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station, you can either take a taxi to Tianmenshan Mountain (approximately 18 minutes drive) or take Bus 17 to Wuling Mountain Treasure Museum Station.
Zhangjiajie High-Speed Rail Bus Terminal
Zhangjiajie High-Speed Rail Bus Terminal (Chinese name: 张家界高铁汽车客运站), which is next to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station started service on May Day, 2020. It mainly serves as a comprehensive transport hub. It has bus services to or from Wulingyuan, Cili, Sangzhi, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzishan (Zhonghu), Jiangya, etc, which makes it convenient for travelers who arrive by bullet train at Zhangjiajie West Railway Station to catch a bus to different scenic areas. Meanwhile, travelers from different scenic areas can also take a bus to Zhangjiajie High-Speed Rail Terminal and walk to Zhangjiajie West to catch your high-speed trains.
Trusted Online Ticket Agents:
Option 1: Trip.com is an internatioal brand owned by Ctrip Group, China's largest online travel booking platform. Trip.com offers booking service for flight, train, hotel, activities, etc
Option 2: China Highlights is a reliable online agency for China train ticketing. They get positive reviews on TripAdvisor & Trustpilot. Sharon and her team help you buy tickets & plan rail routes even deliver tickets to your hotels with a service fee.
