Longest Train Journeys in Mainland China

How long is the longest train ride in China? The answer is always changing as the country's railway network is developing very quickly.

July 1st, 2017, the train K1662 made its debut at Kashgar Railway Station in the south of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to run for Yingtan, a prefecture level city in South East China Jiangxi Province. Covering the distance of 5166 kilometers, with the riding time of 72 hours and 39 minutes, K1662 set two new records in China domestic rail travel in both ride length and duration.

☝ An Uyghur Train Conductor is Welcoming Passengers to board the K1661 at Kashgar Railway Station

The Kashgar-Yingtain train K1662 and its counterpart K1661 run across 6 provinces and regions including Xinjiang, Gansu, Shaanxi, Henan, Hubei and Jiangxi with 53 stops. Main stops along the way are Kashgar, Aksu, Korla, Turpan, Hami, Liuyuan, Jiayuguan, Jiuquan, Zhangye, Wuwei, Lanzhou, Tianshui, Baoji, Xi’an, Xinyang, Macheng, Jiujiang, Nanchang and Yingtan.

An officier from Urumqi Railway Bureau tells China Train Guide.Com that the purpose to launch Kashgar - Yingtan train is to let people to travel between Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and the inland provinces such as Shaanxi, Henan and Jiangxi more efficient. What's more, passenger can see the scenery changes along the way from the northwest' Gobi desert to the south east's green land , which is a big selling point to summer travelers.

China’s Longest Train Rides in Terms of Duration

1. Kashgar to Yingtan Train K1662 --- 72 hours and 39 minutes.
2. Urumqi to Qiqihar Train K1082 --- 67 hours and 58 minutes.
3. Kunming to Harbin Train K726 --- 67 hours and 26 minutes.

China’s Longest Train Rides In Terms of Distance

1. Kashgar - Yingtan Train K1661/K1662 --- 5166 km
2. Guangzhou - Lhasa Train Z264/Z266 --- 4980 km
3. Urumqi – Qiqihar Train K1081/K1082 --- 4677 km