Entering your passport name correctly in China Railway’s 12306 system can be confusing for first-time international travelers, particularly when the naming format used at home differs from the format requested by the app.
This traveler had already completed identity verification—but then realized their surname and given name had been entered in the wrong order.
Here is how the ChinaTravelBUG AI Travel Planner answered.
The Traveler’s Question
Good day. I have registered in 12306 train app from Bangladesh. However, while setting my real name, I have used my given name first instead of surname. All other data is OK.
Now the account is verified. I can’t change the name even. Should I buy tickets? If I buy tickets, will there be any problem while checking in the trains? How can I contact the officials for changing the name? Suggest me please.
Source: An authentic traveler question shared in a public Facebook China travel community. Personal identifying details have been omitted.
AI Travel Planner Answers
I would not buy the train tickets under the incorrectly ordered name yet.
China Railway 12306 instructs foreign passport holders whose passports show separate surname and given-name fields to enter their name in the order SURNAME GIVEN NAMES.
Since your account has already been verified and you cannot change the name yourself, I would try to correct the passenger information before buying tickets, rather than risk discovering a problem when using your passport at the station.
Your best next step is to contact China Railway 12306 customer service and explain that your surname and given name were accidentally entered in reverse order.
If you cannot resolve it before arriving in China, take your original passport to a staffed railway ticket/service counter and ask railway staff to help resolve the identity information before making your booking.
The important point is that this is an account-information problem, not a reason to worry about traveling by train in China. Foreign travelers routinely use passports with China’s railway system. Once your passenger information correctly matches the required passport format, train travel is generally straightforward.
Further Reading
China High-Speed Rail for Foreign Tourists (2026 Guide)
Read the article: https://chinatravelbug.com/china-high-speed-rail-for-foreign-tourists-2026-guide/
It explains train booking, using a passport, railway stations and boarding for international visitors.
ChinaTravelBUG Note
The important distinction here is between an account being successfully verified and the passenger’s name being entered in the correct format for travel.
If you notice a discrepancy before purchasing tickets, it is better to resolve it first rather than assume verification guarantees there will be no difficulty later.
Because railway procedures and the 12306 system can change, verify the current procedure with China Railway before purchasing if your passport details do not appear correctly.
The AI Travel Planner’s answer above has not been edited or rewritten by ChinaTravelBUG.
Important Travel Information Disclaimer
This answer is shown as originally generated, without editorial rewriting. Travel information can change, especially transport schedules, border procedures, opening hours, ticketing rules and holiday arrangements. Before making bookings or travel decisions, always verify time-sensitive details with current official sources.
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