China Travel Forum

[GHaldan]

My wife and I are leaving Sept. 1 for 20 days tour in Japan and 30 days tour in China and my wife has some concerns about traveling by train. Specifically, from Beijing to Xi'an on soft sleeper. She would like to know if food is served on the train. Is there a dining car? Also, what is in soft sleeper compartment? I know it accommodates four people and we will occupy only two of the berths so I assume the other two people will either be other tourists or locals. Is there a wash basin? a toilet? anything else?
We are also going on a cruise on the Yangtze downstream from Chongqing to Yichang. We wanted to fly to Guilin but the travel agent said there were no flights and so suggested taking a bus from Yichang to Wuhan (4 to 5 hours) and then another soft sleeper from Wuhan to Guilin (15:57-05:10)This train ride is 11 hours and she has the same concerns as she has for the first ride.
If anyone can provide first hand information on their experience, it would reduce my wife's anxiety level and we would both feel more comfortable. I guess it's the fear of the unknown more than anything else. But on the other hand, she might be absolutely right to be so anxious. But we had an unfortunate experience on a train crossing the border at Cop from Hungary to the Ukraine several years ago which she still remembers vividly. Our ages are 77 and 72-Senior Couple

[kamal]

trains has dinning car at the platform there are cart with things to sell,also has kichen that service three times a day. there are toilet at the end of the each carriage. A soft sleeper compartment has fourbunks and a little table with a window and a door. Out side the compartment is a passage way with a little stool next to the window. There are some picture of the compartment on this branch do a search and find the link. the top bunks may be hard for you to climb up,so don’t forget to inqure the frist floor bunk when you buy ticket, Or there are two person compartment which generally cost twice are much.

[poula]

Train travel is very nice and the Z train should be fine for your wife. The beds are nice, the cars do have toilets that are Western style, and there is a dining car. You can also purchase things on the platforms as you enter a station and while people are getting off and new people are getting on. Boiled water is also available in each carriage and so you could make tea and even some dried noodles if you like. The other two people, if there are two, will probably be professionals or government employees as the poorer people don't have the money to travel on these upgraded trains.
Your other bus travels and train suggestions will have more of the locals riding.
Wuhan should definitely have an airport so you could fly from there over to Guilin.
Have a fun trip. You will have lots to talk about when you get back home.

[yasinjan]

Trains are an excellent way to travel in China. They are better than buses, and in someways more convenient that flying (stations located in the middle of cities rather than on the edge/some distance like airports.
Yes. There is a dining car which serves meals. I found the food good, but if you don't like Chinese food you may have a different view. Food is also moved by carts up and down the corridors of the train all day long. Some hot food but mostly nibbles and drinks (inc. beer) can be purcahsed from the trolley vendors. Alternatively to train food, take your own or wait for the train to stop as the stations will have food carts on the platforms.
To me, I would rely on the train food as it is okay.
Look at seat61 for basic information.
You will most likely be sharing the compartment for some or all of the trip. You could share it with locals or foreigners, tourists, people returning home or business people.
Would be surprised if there are no flights available - being a month before the planned flight. If the flight is around 29-1 October or 5-7 October (including in between). Could be a possibility.
have you looked at flights from other cites near Yichang (such as Wuhan) rather than training it the whole way - the train would be great, but if you are pressed for time fying may be better.
You can have bad experiences on any form of transport anywhere in the world. Training in China is my preferred way to travel as you see heaps of countryside, is just as safe as flying, is efficient and clean and you get a chance to walk around and meet people.