Taking Trains in China – Just How Hard is Hard Sleeper?

Why take a train in China The savvy traveller will take trains in China as the main means of getting around. Although flying is faster and, with discounted tickets available, not that much more expensive, the train is still hard to beat. Let me explain: Stations are located within cities; airports further out. The cost and hassle of getting to to and from the airports at either end of the journey are a serious downer. You can take a CAAC shuttle bus to save money on the airport route but these only operate during certain hours and from limited locations. Stations are much easier and cheaper to get to, with perhaps the notable exception of Beijing West. Trains are slower but train timetables often take this into account and trains between major cities can conveniently take one night. This saves you a night's accommodation and can mean you arrive at your destination before the first flight of the day. Flight schedules are set according a long list of factors, not including traveller convenience. But most of all the savvy traveller takes trains not because of the arrangements aspect but because trains offer them the chance to meet with locals, make friends and learn about the real China. Air passengers rarely interact with their fellow passengers and lose out on this great experience. What styles of train ticket are there? There are four classes of train ticket, and ignoring for now the different classes of train. Soft Sleeper This is the nearest there is to first class on standard trains. Beds are arranged in berths of 4 with a lockable door. The toilets tend to be one squat and one western style. All facilities are generally newer and cleaner, and are shared by less people. Soft Seater On shorter routes there may be the option to take a soft seat. These are similar to airline seats, often arranged on two decks. The top deck offers better views if you can can get the right seat numbers. Hard Sleeper Beds are arranged in berths of 6 so there is less headroom than in soft sleeper. The top bunk can be quite claustrophobic. The berth is usually not lockable but herein lies the great advantage. Passengers in hard sleeper are much more prone to move around an interact and you have a great opportunity to make friends. Anyone with a little English will often want to practice. You can feel free to try out your developing Mandarin too. Hard Seater Although these may look like the standard seats in the west there are three major differences that make this option only for masochists. The standard seat width is less, there is very often overcrowding and journey times are much longer than most of us are used to. Try hard seater on a short journey if you want a real local experience. Most will settle for the compromise option above. Just how hard is hard sleeper? The beds in hard sleeper are generally as comfortable as those in soft sleeper. In soft sleeper you are really paying to share with less people. Bedding is provided and on the main routes this can be of good quality. Trains with letters in front (T, K and L) are faster and use more modern rolling stock. Trains with only 4 digits are the most basic trains and on these you may want a sleeping sheet of your own. Toilets start clean but their continued cleanliness very much depends upon your fellow passengers. You should ensure you keep facilities as clean as you can. Toilets are locked for stations and tunnels so don't leave calls of nature to the last minute. Trolleys selling food, snacks, drinks and sundry items often pass up and down the train. That saves you having to prepare too much. Hot water is always available – a saving grace for caffeine addicts. All in all, hard sleeper is the way to go. It's sufficiently comfortable for long trips without isolating you from the country and people you have come to China to see. Take trains in China, and take hard sleeper class. You are bound to have some great experiences. Taking Trains in China – Just How Hard is Hard Sleeper? is a post from: Traveling China from Traveling China http://www.chinaya.org

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