China Travel Forum

[jonia]

hi, i haven't seen anyone talking about this so wanted to ask for some info:
this december around the 17th, I will be wanting to get from Xi'an to HongKong, unfortunately i don't have time to stop off anywhere, unless you have a do-not-miss suggestion, but wanted to do it overland, as have come originally form London, overland and wanted to do the whole trip to HK wihtout leaving the ground.
i saw there is a train that goes to guangzhou that takes about 26 hours, had anynoe done this? any other suggestions or ideas?
thanks a lot

[kamal]

I haven't taken this particular train, but the chinese trains are quite comfortable so you shouldn't worry too much about the time it takes. Take a book, music, and some instant noodels and fruit and you would be alright. Also, trains are a great opportunity
to meet some local people so be friendly....
I would, however, suggest you break your journey in Guilin and spend a few days in nearby yangshuo. This is certainly a do-not-miss suggestion as this is one of the nicest place I've seen in China even though it's a bit on the touristy side. OK, it's a lot on the touristy side but the area around the town is absolutely fantastic! Just hire a bike and paddle around for a day or two, or if you feel like it go climbing.
Enjoy!

[Richard]

I did train trips in China last year. The Trains are fast, safe, punctual, clean and comfortable. Get middle bunk 'hard sleepers.' The quality of the beds is the same as in soft sleepers. Hard sleepers are six to a compartment that does not have a door. Soft sleepers are four to a compartment with a door. It is much more fun in hard sleepers as you are in with the local people. Take instant noodles as each carriage has boiling water at the end. However, trains have restaurant cars. It is about a two hour ride from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. Contact me <kraff@bigpond.net.au> if you would like any more information or if you have any questions about train travel in China. Ken33