home
- hard seat (oncomfortable and very crowded)
- hard sleeper (bunks beds in an open dormitory car)
- soft seat (comfortable seats on short journeys)
- soft sleeper (4 comfortable bunks in one closed cabin)
transportation to the station
Unless you are on a tight budget, the taxi is the best way to travel to the railway station. Taxis are inexpensive (start rate not more than 10 Yuan for the first 3 kms) and allmost everywhere on the street. Raise your hand and the taxi will stop. During rush hour it can be harder to get a taxi. Many taxi drivers don't speak (much) English so a street map would be a great help. Pay attention that the meter is running when you leave.Beijing train
- Beijing train information
China train
reservations
Tickets can be bought at the foreigners’ booking office in the large train stations.
A passport or ID is necessary to book.
Reservations can be made up to 20 days in advance (Z trains). T-, K- and N-trains only 4 to 10 days in advance.
Most easy way is to get your train ticket at the hotel.
Most hotels are pleased to make reservations for trains, planes but also city tours or entertainment shows.
They will ask a surcharge for this service or get some commission.
Tickets will be delivered to the hotel.
If you are on a budget probably the train station is the best choice for purchasing train tickets.
Differences between the hotel,the local travel agency and the train station can be significant.
class
Chinese trains have 4 classes:
China train food & drinks
Most overnight trains have dining cars. Food is Chinese and the quality is not exactly 'haut cuisine'. Most tourists will not like it. Vendors walk regulary in the train selling little styrofoam food boxes. In our trains was little choice: maybe 1 or 2 different meals. The food is simple, basic and not tasty. Mostly rice with some vegetables and meat. Especially for the longer distances it's the best to bring some food,snacks and fruit with you from the supermarket. (Western supermarkets are often in the large department stores) Also do not forget to bring your own toilet paper.
grocery supermarkets in Beijing
In the train cars you can tap hot boiled water for free. You only need to bring your own cup and some tea/coffee. fares at the trainstation
- Beijing -> Shanghai: soft-sleeper 499 Yuan, hard-sleeper 298-327 Yuan
- Beijing -> Chengdu: soft-sleeper 642 Yuan, hard-sleeper 391-418 Yuan
- Beijing -> Guangzhou: soft-sleeper 705 Yuan, hard-sleeper 428-458 Yuan
- Beijing -> Kunming: soft-sleeper 890 Yuan, hard-sleeper 539-578 Yuan
- Shanghai -> Chongqing: soft-sleeper 754 Yuan, hard sleeper 458-490 Yuan
general information:
Beijing bus
Beijing train
Beijing airline ticket & China domestic flights
Beijing internet cafes
Beijing nightlife
Beijing travel guide
Shanghai travel guide
hotels in Shanghai, Beijing & China
Beijing train
Redflag.Info 2007