Shanghai to Guiyang With Kids: Our Seven-Hour Train Journey

Seven hours on a train sounded like a long time to keep two children occupied. On 5 August 2026, my wife and I took our eight-year-old son, five-year-old daughter and my father-in-law from Shanghai to Guiyang. It turned out to be easier than I had expected. Between books, drawing, card games and lunch, the time passed surprisingly quickly.

Our direct Shanghai–Guiyang train took about seven hours and worked well with children aged five and eight. We booked ahead through the 12306 app, China Railway’s official booking app. Books, drawing and card games kept the children occupied, and lunch was delivered to our seats. Check both station names: we arrived at Guiyang North but returned from Guiyang East.

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What we actually booked

Journey times and stations vary by train, so check both when booking. Before requesting a ride to the station, look at the departure station on your ticket rather than reusing the place where you arrived.

We used Guiyang as one base for the following week. The full family itinerary with a grandparent explains what we did once we arrived.

Booking through the 12306 app with passport details

We bought the tickets in the 12306 app before travelling. Once we had registered our passport details, we found it easy to search for trains and manage our bookings. As a Swedish traveller, I was glad we could book directly without going through a travel agent.

I would create your account and add everyone’s passport details before the day you want to buy tickets. Enter the details exactly as they appear on each passport and complete any identity checks the app requests. Before paying, check the dates, stations and passenger names. Bring the original travel documents used for booking.

China Railway’s official English FAQ explains how to book with a foreign passport, change tickets and request refunds. Allow time for identity checks, and read the cancellation terms before paying. Official guidance checked on 14 September 2026.

Seven hours felt easier in smaller pieces

The children spent part of the journey reading and drawing. When they wanted a change, we played cards together: we had packed both classic UNO and UNO Flip. A couple of card games take up very little space, and on a journey this long, I was glad we had brought them.

I would keep those things in a small bag within reach, rather than deep inside the main luggage. Start with books and activities your children already enjoy; a long journey does not necessarily call for lots of new travel gadgets. Younger children may need more help staying occupied than ours did.

Lunch broke up the journey nicely. We ordered food and milk tea on the train just after 1 pm. Having a proper meal to look forward to made the day feel less like waiting to arrive.

Ordering lunch straight to our seats

One of my favourite parts of the journey was being able to order takeaway food and have it brought to our seats. There was no need to get off the train or take the children through the carriages to collect lunch.

There are two ways to order:

1. In the 12306 app: look for 餐饮·特产 (food and local specialities) on the home screen or under 出行服务 (travel services). Enter your train number and travel date to see the stations and restaurants available along your route. Choose a delivery stop and your food, then fill in your carriage, seat and contact details before paying.
2. By scanning the code at your seat: once aboard, look for the 铁路畅行码 QR code on or near the seat armrest. Scan it with WeChat and choose 网络订餐 (online food ordering) in the mini program. Check the train and seat details before submitting your order.

Shanghai’s English guide to ordering food on high-speed trains has screenshots to help you find your way through the app. The Chinese labels above are useful if you are using its Chinese interface.

The main thing is to order before anyone gets hungry:

• Order early. For restaurant deliveries, the cutoff is at least sixty minutes before the train’s scheduled departure from the delivery station; some restaurants need more notice. I would browse before boarding or soon after settling into our seats.
• Check your route. Delivery is not available on every train or at every stop. Use the options shown for your train and date, and choose a stop whose delivery time works for your family.
• Allow time after the station stop. The restaurant prepares your meal, station staff hand it over when the train stops, and the onboard team brings it to the seat on your order. You will receive it after that handover, rather than the moment the train arrives. Keep your ticket and order details handy for collection checks.

The 12306 meal-ordering terms list Alipay and WeChat Pay for payment and explain the ordering deadline and delivery checks. Ordering guidance checked on 15 September 2026.

I would happily order lunch this way again. I would still bring some food and water, so a missed ordering window or an unsuitable delivery stop would not leave us waiting with hungry children.

Keep arrival evening simple

We arrived at Guiyang North and later ate sour-soup hotpot. That was enough of an introduction to the city for one evening. Our first sightseeing day was the following day, when we visited the geological museum and went into the centre after the rain stopped.

For five passengers, our usual solution around Guiyang was to request two cars through Didi or a ride-hailing service within WeChat. My father-in-law travelled with one child, while my wife and I travelled with the other. We entered the same destination for both rides so both cars would take us to the same place. Budget for two fares, and account for luggage space and any child seats you need when choosing vehicles.

Would I choose the train again?

Yes. Both seven-hour journeys went well, and having no change of train made things simpler with the children and their grandfather. For another trip, I would compare the full journey time and price again, but I would happily take this train journey with them.

Next time I would prepare much the same way: book ahead, double-check the stations, keep books, drawing things and cards within reach, and look at lunch options before everyone gets hungry. I would keep arrival evening free again too.

For the next part of the trip, read our seven-day Guiyang plan, including our day of boats, caves and waterfalls at Tianhetan.