China Travel Forum

[Ivor]

Dear Friends,

I have several questions about train travel in China. Will I find the long distance trains to be punctual or tardy??? or somewhere in between. Will long distance trains have food??? Will it be edible??? I'll probably spring for soft sleepers most of the time. I've read they are easier to get than hard sleepers...is this correct??? I'll be travelling from 22 May until 21 June.

Thanks,

[Clark]

Love train travel in China, I just love it. Just a few pointers;
The timetable's aren't easy to read. That's ok. You'll get used to it. The trains are generally punctual.
The best seats are NOT the soft sleepers - they're overpriced for what you get. The best seats are by far the top beds in the hard sleepers if you are athletic enough to make it up there - especially for the tall (the beds aren't long). Up there, you're insulated from the noise, you can see your bags just fine in the rack, you have some privacy and the tickets are a little cheaper.
In the soft-sleeper carriage, there's a western toilet if you MUST use it (ie you have diahorrea).
Buy a flask and some tea. There's hot water galore available throughout the train.
The food's there, and it's ok, but overpriced. The dining car food I had was excellent and overpriced (but by Chinese standards). So if you're willing to take soft sleeper then the food prices will be fine for you I guess.
Bring plenty of batteries - Chinese ones are weak and run out of power fast.
And, lastly, enjoy your trip!