Always buy them on official website www.12306.cn
Always buy them on official website www.12306.cn
Looks like only Chinese numbers are accepted.
https://kyfw.12306.cn/otn/regist/init
and i remembered based on last discussion with friends, you need a home return permit, the 2nd generation one, so most foreigners cannot use the 12306 website.. these will change eventually but still take time..