Shangrao Railway Station at a Glance
- Chinese name: 上饶站 (Shàngráo Zhàn)
- Location: Lingxi Street, Xinzhou District, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province (江西省上饶市信州区灵溪街道)
- Station grade: First-Class Station (一等站), under CR Nanchang Bureau
- Platforms: 7 platforms, 26 tracks (13 arrival/departure lines), across 3 yards
- Station building: 9,600 m², waiting hall capacity ~6,500 people
- Annual passengers (2024): 10.08 million — first time breaking 10 million
- Opened: 1935 (original station); 2015 (HSR expansion with Hefei–Fuzhou HSR)
China’s First “Ride-On” Cross HSR Hub
Shangrao Station is famous among Chinese railway enthusiasts for one reason: it’s China’s first “vertical ride-on cross” (垂直骑跨式) high-speed rail hub. Instead of a conventional flat junction, the Hefei–Fuzhou HSR platforms literally ride above the Shanghai–Kunming HSR tracks at a right angle. The station has three separate yards:
| Yard | Platforms | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai–Kunming HSR Yard (沪昆高速场) | Platforms 1–5 | East–west G/D trains: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Changsha, Kunming |
| Shanghai–Kunming Conventional Yard (沪昆普速场) | Platforms 6–9 | Conventional K/T/Z trains on the same east–west corridor |
| Hefei–Fuzhou HSR Yard (合福高速场) | Platforms 11–14 | North–south G trains: Hefei, Huangshan, Wuyuan, Wuyishan, Fuzhou, Xiamen |
This design means you might arrive on one level and depart from another — check your ticket for the correct platform and yard.
Why Shangrao Matters for Travelers
Shangrao isn’t a major tourist city itself, but it sits at the crossroads of two critical HSR lines. For foreign travelers, it matters for three reasons:
- Gateway to Sanqing Mountain (三清山): A UNESCO World Heritage site with some of the best granite peak scenery in China — often called “Huangshan’s quieter cousin.” Shangrao Station is the main rail gateway.
- Essential transfer hub for the Huangshan–Wuyuan–Wuyishan loop: If you’re traveling between Huangshan and Wuyishan (or Xiamen), you’ll almost certainly pass through Shangrao.
- Backup transfer for Shanghai–Huangshan: When the single daily direct Shanghai–Huangshan train sells out, transferring at Shangrao is the standard fallback route.
Check Live Train Schedule
Getting to the City & Nearby Attractions
Public Buses to Shangrao City
- City buses: Routes 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 19 connect the station to downtown Shangrao. Fare: ¥1-2.
- Taxi to city center: ~15-20 min, approximately ¥20-30.
To Sanqing Mountain (三清山) — The “烟云号” Tourist Bus
This is the most important local transport update. In 2024-2025, Shangrao launched the “烟云号” (Yanyun Hao) — a Didi co-branded tourist shuttle system that directly connects the train station to major scenic spots. As of mid-2025, it operates 13 routes with 50+ buses.
- How to book: Open WeChat → “滴滴出行” (Didi) mini-program → purchase a “烟云号” ticket. No Chinese needed if you can navigate the mini-program, but having a friend help is easier.
- Shangrao Station → Sanqingshan (Jinsha East Cableway): ~1.5-2 hours, approximately ¥30-45.
- Dexing Station → Sanqingshan (Gangshou Cableway): ~40 min, approximately ¥20. Dexing Station is actually closer to Sanqingshan if you’re coming from the north (Hefei/Huangshan direction).
- Traditional coach: From Shangrao East Coach Station (next to the train station), departs hourly ~7:00-15:30, ~¥30-45.
- Taxi/DiDi to Sanqingshan: ~1.5 hours, approximately ¥150-200.
Which station to use for Sanqingshan?
| Station | Distance to Sanqingshan | Best if you’re coming from… |
|---|---|---|
| Shangrao (上饶站) | ~69 km / ~1.5-2 hrs | Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Changsha, Shenzhen — most connections |
| Dexing (德兴站) | ~40 min | Hefei, Huangshan, Wuyuan (north-south Hefei–Fuzhou HSR) |
| Yushan South (玉山南站) | ~1.5 hrs | Less convenient; use only if your train stops there and not Shangrao |
To Wangxian Valley (望仙谷)
Wangxian Valley, a cliffside scenic town that went viral on Chinese social media, is ~1 hour from Shangrao Station. The 烟云号 bus also serves this route. Taxi: ~¥80-100.
High-Speed Rail Routes from Shangrao
Shangrao sits at the intersection of two major HSR corridors. Here’s what runs from here as of 2025-2026:
East–West: Shanghai–Kunming HSR (沪昆高铁)
| From Shangrao to | 2nd Class (¥) | Duration | Daily Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Hongqiao | ~154-229 | 2.5-3 hrs | 43+ |
| Hangzhou East | ~105-156.5 | ~2 hrs | 70+ |
| Nanchang West | ~74.5-110.5 | ~1 hr | 67+ |
| Changsha South | ~264 | 2.5-4 hrs | 40+ |
| Guiyang North | ~542.5 | 6.5-7 hrs | 16+ |
| Kunming South | ~701 | ~9 hrs | 4+ |
| Guangzhou South | ~579 | 5.5-6 hrs | 6+ |
| Shenzhen North | ~378.5 | ~7.5 hrs | 1+ |
North–South: Hefei–Fuzhou HSR (合福高铁)
| From Shangrao to | 2nd Class (¥ from) | Duration | Daily Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hefei South | ~215 | ~2.5 hrs | 17+ |
| Huangshan North | ~74.5 | 40-50 min | 19+ |
| Wuyuan (婺源) | ~39.5 | ~25-30 min | 35+ |
| Wuyishan North/East | ~53 | 20-30 min | 40+ |
| Fuzhou | ~156 | 1.5-2 hrs | 40+ |
| Xiamen | ~227.5 | 3.5-4 hrs | 21+ |
Transfer Tips
- Minimum connection time: 45-60 minutes is comfortable. The station isn’t huge, but you need to navigate between yards. The Shanghai–Kunming and Hefei–Fuzhou platforms are in different parts of the station.
- Follow the transfer signs: Look for “换乘” (transfer) signs. The station has dedicated transfer passages — you don’t need to exit and re-enter through security.
- Know which line your next train is on: Shanghai–Kunming HSR trains use platforms 1-5; Hefei–Fuzhou HSR trains use platforms 11-14. Check your ticket.
Shangrao to Sanqing Mountain: The Practical Guide
Sanqing Mountain (三清山, Sanqingshan) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the #1 reason foreign travelers get off at Shangrao. It’s a granite peak wonderland that looks like Huangshan but with far fewer crowds.
Three Cable Car Entrances
| Cableway | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Jinsha (金沙索道, East) | Most popular entrance | First-timers, limited time, core scenery (Nanqingyuan) |
| Waishuangxi (外双溪索道, South) | Traditional entrance | In-depth hikes, overnight stays on the mountain |
| Gangshou (港首索道, NEW 2025) | Access via Dexing Station | Least crowded, gentle trails, Sanqing Palace, family-friendly |
- Cable car hours: ~7:30 AM – 5:30 PM. Arrive early — queues build fast on weekends and holidays.
- Tickets: Entry ¥120 (real-name reservation required, no on-site sales). Cable car: ~¥75-125 round trip depending on entrance.
- Recommended route: Up via Gangshou (new, quiet, gentle), down via Jinsha for a non-backtracking loop. You’ll need to arrange transport between the two entrances.
- Overnight on the mountain: Basic hotels near the summit. Book ahead — options are limited. Most day-trippers stay in Shangrao city or at the mountain base.
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.
