What is train travel like in China?
Taking the train in China can be a very interesting experience and a good alternative to the airplane. The train tickets are divided into four categories, namely, soft-sleeper, hard-sleeper, soft-seater, and hard-seater. Each carriage has two washrooms at both of its ends including a Chinese-style toilet (you better bring your own toilet paper). If you have a soft-sleeper ticket you can stay in a comfortable four beds compartment. In there, there are 2 lower soft berths, 2 upper soft berths and a small table. Meals and drinks can be purchased in the train’s restaurant carriage located directly next to the soft sleeper carriage. We only book soft sleeper tickets for our customers if a flight is not available or on special request (for example if you are afraid of flying). Although traveling by train seams to be harder than by airplane, it offers you many chances to make acquaintance with some Chinese people.
Train travel is an interesting, inexpensive and safe way of getting around China. It offers you more chances to get to know Chinese people. In China, the accommodations on the train are divided into four categories: soft-sleeper, soft-seat, hard-sleeper and hard-seat. Usually the soft sleeper carriage is air-conditioned, which is what we suggest you take. Please be aware that each carriage has only two washrooms, one at one end of the carriage, but without shower or tub; meals and drinks can be purchased in the dining car, but they are comparatively expensive and not very good; no English-speaking conductors are available on the train; and during national holidays, spring festivals, and student’s vacations, there are many, many people at the train station and on the train.
• A: Taking the train in China can be a very interesting experience and a good alternative to the airplane. The train tickets are divided into four categories, namely, soft-sleeper, hard-sleeper, soft-seater, and hard-seater. Each carriage has two washrooms at both of its ends including a Chinese-style toilet (you better bring your own toilet paper). If you have a soft-sleeper ticket you can stay in a comfortable four beds compartment. In there, there are 2 lower soft berths, 2 upper soft berths and a small table. Meals and drinks can be purchased in the train’s restaurant carriage located directly next to the soft sleeper carriage. We only book soft sleeper tickets for our customers if a flight is not available or on special request (for example if you are afraid of flying). Although traveling by train seams to be harder than by airplane, it offers you many chances to make acquaintance with some Chinese people.
