Travel with Pets: Which Stations in Beijing Allow Furry Friends?

[Photo via VCG]

Since January 28, more high-speed railway stations in China have piloted the pet transportation service. Currently, Beijing has six railway stations offering this service, including Beijing Railway Station, Beijingxi Railway Station, Beijingnan Railway Station, Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station, Beijing Fengtai Railway Station, and Qinghe Railway Station. Passengers can check specific routes and train numbers on the Railway 12306 (铁路12306) app.

Passengers who have purchased train tickets marked with the "宠" (pet) symbol can use the "Pet Transportation" (宠物托运) function on the Railway 12306 app to check available spaces and make bookings. Spaces for the next day can be booked before 12:00 on the day of booking. After 12:00, reservations can only be made for the day after tomorrow or later. Each passenger may apply for consigning up to two domesticated pets in good health.

Individuals without train tickets may apply for pet transportation in person. A booking order must be placed two to five days before the transportation date, with the pet's details and photo submitted through the "China Railway Express" (中铁快运) WeChat mini-program. Each individual can consign one pet.
Every consignor is required to bring the pet(s), personal identity document, and valid Animal Quarantine Certificate(s) (动物检疫合格证明) to the China Railway Express office at the corresponding railway station at least two hours before the train's departure to complete the necessary procedures. During transportation, pet(s) will be kept in dedicated container(s) placed in a high-speed railway express cabinet throughout the journey. Railway staff will monitor the pet(s) remotely, conduct checks as needed, and provide drinking water (no feeding). The consignor is not allowed to visit the pet(s). When the train arrives at the destination, China Railway Express will notify the consignor to retrieve the pet(s) via SMS or phone call within one hour.
The pet transportation service adopts a tiered pricing system based on distance. 

• Up to 1,000 kilometers: 558 yuan per pet
• 1,000 to 1,500 kilometers: 658 yuan per pet
• 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers: 958 yuan per pet
• Over 2,000 kilometers: 1,258 yuan per pet

Each pet transported is entitled to a complimentary basic insurance policy with a coverage of 2,000 yuan. During the pilot period, the standard pricing applies to non-ticket holders, while passengers with tickets for the same trains and same travel sections (which means that they travel with their pets on the same trains) enjoy a 30-percent discount on the standard price.
For more information about the service, passengers may contact the Railway 12306 hotline at +86-12306 or the China Railway Express hotline at +86-95572. Details are also available on the Railway 12306 app and the "China Railway Express" WeChat mini-program.

(Source: Beijing Fabu)
Source: BeijingService