China's 12306 rail app adds group ticket contact lookup

Why it matters: 12306 is the only official channel for buying Chinese train tickets, and group bookings are handled separately from individual ones. For foreign tour groups and organisers of study trips or events, knowing which station to call and when it is open removes a step that previously required guesswork or a local contact.

China's railway ticket platform 12306 has added a lookup tool for group ticket services, according to the China Railway WeChat account. The feature went live on October 26 in the 12306 app and on its website.

In the app, the tool sits under the "warm service" (温馨服务) section; on the website it is under "information lookup". Travellers can search for stations that process group tickets, along with the office phone number and business hours for each.

According to the 12306 website, a group booking covers 20 or more passengers travelling on the same date, train, destination and seat class. Group tickets can be changed or refunded no later than 48 hours before departure, and the "change destination station" service is not available for them.

Passengers can call the station to ask about group bookings. Staff handle enquiries and bookings for groups of 20 or more made three or more days before departure, where the travel date, train, departure station, arrival station and seat class all match.

Stations that handle group tickets will also continue to take group bookings in person. China Railway said the change makes it easier for study groups, performers and sports teams to buy tickets together.