China's national railway system is going more pet-friendly. A new pet check-in service, denoted by a green "pet, or chong in Chinese" tag on the 12306 ticketing platform, has expanded from just 10 trains in April to 50 routes now, according to state broadcaster CCTV News.

This service allows pets to travel unaccompanied in designated cargo spaces. As of October 31, it had transported over 4,700 pets, primarily on routes connecting Beijing with Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing, as well as Shenzhen with Changsha, according to a November 2 report by CCTV News.

Passengers can now book pet check-in directly via the 12306 app after purchasing their own tickets. The system shows real-time availability and requires pet details, with approval sent via SMS within two hours. Alternatively, owners may call a dedicated hotline 2-5 days in advance to reserve a slot.

At stations like Zhengzhou East, in Central China's Henan Province, a resident surnamed Niu recently checked in his dog for a trip to Beijing. Staff verified his ID and the animal's health certificate before securing the pet in an approved carrier. Just 2.5 hours later, the dog was reunited with its owner at Beijing West station—marking a seamless door-to-door pet travel experience, CCTV News reported.

Currently, 40 high-speed rail stations nationwide support the service, reflecting a significant upgrade in China's railway logistics and passenger convenience.