The CRH1 is a high-speed EMU that was developed by a joint venture between Bombardier and CSR Sifang at a time when Chinese manufacturers also founded joint ventures with Kawasaki and Alstom to develop similar trains. It is based on the Bombardier Regina that is also being used by several Swedish operators. The CRH1A introduced first in 2007 is an eight-car train that is designed for 250 km/h, but limited in service at 220 km/h.

In 2009, the CRH1B was introduced as a sixteen-car variant that's otherwise identical to the CRH1A, but is approved to reach 250 km/h in service. In the same year, the CRH1E was introduced as a high-speed sleeper train that also consists of 16 cars. In 2012 and 2015, revised variants were introduced which feature a more streamlined nose similar to the CRH380D and an aluminium body instead of stainless steel. These are the CRH1A-A, that is now also approved for 250 km/h in service, and the CRH1E-NG.