Beijing to Huaguo Mountain: High-Speed Train Routes, Costs & Planning Tips
Complete guide to traveling from Beijing to the Monkey King's hometown. 4 hours by high-speed train, with exact routes, ticket booking advice, and sample itineraries.
Beijing → Lianyungang at a Glance
The Beijing to Lianyungang high-speed route opened in 2018 and has been a game-changer for accessing Huaguo Mountain from northern China. The journey covers roughly 700km in about 4 hours. Multiple daily departures from Beijing South Station (北京南站) make this a convenient route for travelers combining Beijing's major sights with a side trip to the Monkey King's home.
Trains run from approximately 6:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Second class costs ¥350-420, first class ¥550-650, business class ¥1,100-1,300. I recommend the 7:00-8:00 AM departures — you'll arrive around 11 AM-noon, perfect for an afternoon mountain visit followed by a seafood dinner.
3-Day Beijing + Huaguo Mountain Itinerary
Day 1: Morning train from Beijing South to Lianyungang (arrive noon). Afternoon: Huaguo Mountain highlights (cable car, Water Curtain Cave, monkeys). Evening: Lianyungang seafood dinner. Day 2: Morning at the coast / Donghai hot springs. Afternoon train back to Beijing (arrive evening).
This compact 2-day side trip works well if you're already in Beijing for a longer stay and want to add something truly unique that most Beijing tourists never experience.