Chongqing - A new travel option has arrived for pet owners in southwest China. On January 18, China Railway Chengdu Group Co Ltd announced that Chongqing North Railway Station has introduced a new trial route for high-speed rail pet transport services. Passengers traveling on the G3456 EMU train from Chongqing North to Hankou can now transport their pets on the same train, marking another step forward in meeting the growing demand for pet-friendly travel and allowing pets to accompany their owners more conveniently.
Passengers traveling on the G3456 EMU train from Chongqing North to Hankou can now transport their pets on the same train. (Photo: The Chongqing North Railway Station)
The high-speed rail pet transport service has been gradually rolled out nationwide since 2025. Pets are transported in a separate, supervised space and looked after by trained staff, but travel on the same train as their owners, departing and arriving together to ensure a safe and efficient journey.
The newly added trial route at Chongqing North Railway Station sets precise requirements: only domesticated, healthy cats and dogs are accepted; each pet must weigh no more than 15 kilograms and have a shoulder height not exceeding 40 centimeters. Each train is allowed to transport up to two pets.
To facilitate bookings, railway authorities have established both online and offline reservation channels. Passengers who have already purchased tickets for the same travel segment (with matching identity information for the passenger and consignor) can use the "Pet Transport“feature on the Railway 12306 mobile app to check trains marked with a "pet" label. Reservations made before 12:00 each day can book capacity for the following day, while reservations made at or after 12:00 can book for the third day. Passengers without tickets who wish to arrange pet transport must make reservations two to five days in advance via the China Railway Express 95572 customer service hotline or at designated China Railway Express outlets under the Chengdu branch. Each passenger is limited to transporting one pet.
When handling the consignment, passengers must arrive at the designated China Railway Express office at the departure station two to six hours before train departure, bringing their pet, a valid personal ID, and a valid Animal Quarantine Certificate (with the origin and destination matching the travel route). Upon arrival, the recipient will be notified by SMS and phone call and can collect the pet by presenting a valid ID.
To ensure service quality, China Railway Chengdu Group has worked closely with China Railway Express Co Ltd to develop standardized service procedures, optimize platform operations and carriage loading processes, and establish emergency response mechanisms to guarantee safe and punctual pet transport.
At present, Chengdu East, Chongqing West, Chongqing North, and Guiyang North stations under the Chengdu Group's jurisdiction have all launched this service. In the future, relevant authorities plan to deepen cooperation and introduce additional passenger-oriented measures tailored to actual travel needs, creating a warmer, more convenient cross-regional travel experience for pet owners.