- BGG rank
- BGG #2,020
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Empire Builder
- 2–6 players
- 180 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 1982
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,011
- BGG rating
- 7.1
China Rails
2007
Rules assistance for China Rails
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 180–240 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.7/5
Rules assistant for China Rails
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
China Rails is a board game released in 2007 for 2–6 players, 180–240 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Michael Dreiling and its main mechanics are Network and Route Building, Hexagon Grid, and Pick-up and Deliver.
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About the game
Another addition to the venerable Empire Builder series of crayon rail games. This time around, players are building track and making deliveries in The People's Republic of China and Taiwan. This one is rather similar in to other Empire Builder games, plus have some unique events that are tailored to the map (i.e. Congress event). Cards tend to indicate that one needs to venture out west to have any hope of getting the big payoffs.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Mayfair Games
Questions and answers
China Rails supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for China Rails is 180–240 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists China Rails for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
China Rails has a complexity rating of 2.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
China Rails belongs to these categories: Economic, Trains, and Transportation. Its main mechanics are Network and Route Building, Hexagon Grid, and Pick-up and Deliver. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of China Rails are: Michael Dreiling. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists China Rails as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.