I'm trying to buy train tickets online, through an app, and that seems to work. But how can I pick them up at the machine? I cannot swipe my ID card because I used a passport to order it. Or will I have to queue up at the ticket pick up window (making online ordering useless over paying 5 RMB at a ticketing office).

S

Go to one of the many little offices all over town, bring your passport, the reservation number and ten kuai, takes 2 minutes.

The machine is only for ID card, not for passport yet. It will be a good idea to pay extra 5 RMB to get the tiket at a ticketing office cause u will pend extra money on the taxi to railway station anyway.:)