Changsha. Was quite surprised to see it and have it work.

That's very interesting. Normally I don't pay any attention to those machines, but the one at Beijing West -- which was inside the South ticket office, away from the main bank of machines -- caught my eye because it had prominent instructions in English.

First time that I hear or see this. i will be in Beijing west this weekend and will have a closer look.

It's to the right of the door exiting the south concourse ticket office. As I said, when I saw all the English on the screen, I thought it might accept passports -- no sense for English if it's Chinese ID-only -- but I couldn't bring any instructions up, and didn't see any slot for a passport.

As usual in Chinese ticket offices, there's no information desk where you can make inquiries about something like this, though if you've got time I suppose you can ask at the office of the 站长 inside.

Thanks! Very much appreciate all the help.

I dropped by Beijing West today. The instructions are in a cartoon video in the top part of the machine. This is not for foreigners with a passports. it is for those who bought discounted tickets online such as students or military.
I have photos but I seem unable to post them now. Not all icons above the response box are loading. terrible internet here at the Hilton (and they asked me to pay 90RMB per day for internet!). Will try to post them tomorrow.

Different characters. you resemble my risk loving dad.

I for my part have inherited a cautious, perfectionist approach from my mom, especially as I'm riding Chinese trains more often with clients and biz partners than not these days.

Would never even try to arrive at any Chinese train station later than 20 minutes before departure as you can well spend several of those precious minutes in the security line at the larger ones. Then, maybe you just have to head to platform 27 on the other side of a vast and fully crowded departures hall...

Preferably I'll be there 30 minutes before departure (before security that is) And, in my case, if applicable, the departure will be on a night train so the station should be relatively quiet and calm.

That is for those who can get tickets with their Chinese IDs or for those who have tickets already. I don't have a Chinese ID and usually arrive 90 min ahead just in case I have to wait in line to get my ticket.

Sure, I have a fairly high risk tolerance, but I can't recall ever missing a train. Furthermore, the more I do the drill, the more comfortable I get with further schedule optimization.

Let's take the Hongqiao example:
-almost all of the Beijing trains I use most frequently depart from track 1, and this is a known variable because it's printed on the tickets
-track 1 is the furthest away from the subway, but the walk/security never takes me more than 6 minutes
-this means the line 2 train that arrives at 250p allows enough time to catch G18 (3p departure)
-btw, I only use blue tickets; pink tickets introduce an unpredictable human element into the equation

How early to arrive depends on your risk tolerance and knowledge of the station. Last week I arrived at Hongqiao 25 minutes before my train and had to pick up a ticket already purchased online. No issue. If worst comes to worst, you cut the line.
I have been to many stations and rarely wait more than 2 minutes for security. I have seen longer lines in some stations like Shenzhen north but then there is a special express line for those leaving in the next few minutes. In Beijing they have a special ticket pick-up counter next to the entrance for those who are tight on time.

Just bought tickets directly from 12306.cn
Found out I can actually pay the fare with my non-Chinese visa/ mastercard on Alipay mobile App
No 3% cards markup / 20RMB Ctrip insurance

But still, language barrier would be tough for foreigners as 12306 has no English interface even today and Chinese phone number verification required even to buy tickets for foreign passport holders.

Actually, you only need the Chinese mobile number on 12306 when you initially set up the account (or whenever they decide to make everyone reconfirm their mobile number).

After you purchase a ticket, a confirmation goes to both your phone and your email, but you don't actually need the phone number to complete the purchase, unless your bank uses it to send a verification code for payment.

I do find the mobile app on 12306 much easier to deal with than the website, though those small, photo captchas can be hard to navigate.

Apparently, news is that this will disappear soon.

I tend to get tickets at a kiosk or then pick them up well before the actual trip at the pre-order train station booth.

As I'm on the trains often with clients and partners these days, can't risk anything related to the actual trip. They are counting on me providing a smooth travel experience.

What I find annoying is the closure of the rather nice coffeeshop also providing hot meals between SHA T2 and Honqgiao railway station. They had a good selection of drinks and passable food & well working wifi.

Best place to wait for a train anywhere in China but now unfortunately shut due to poor commercial planning of the SHA T2 shopping & dining facilities.

I don't have Chinese ID and cannot pick up at a kiosk. So I can only pick them up at a window as early as possible, and I usually go to a station 90 min ahead to pick up. I also pick up my other tickets for the entire trip at the first station at RMB5/ticket. Occasionally I pick up well ahead of time to avoid problems (e.g., pick up Thursday for Friday night travel).