Yes, on ctrip/trip.com you can see train schedules and pay with a foreign credit card, all in English. You get a confirmation number you exchange for the actual ticket at a station. Booking only 30 days in advance and no booking overnight Beijing time because the China Rail booking computer rests overnight.
There's a commission, but the commission-free official 12306 site is in Chinese and requires a Chinese payment method.
Make sure you enter your passport number correctly or you will not be able to pick up your ticket.
Thx for the info. What's the difference between the two sites?
So I can't use the site for same day booking or one to two days in advance?
What's the commission rate?