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China > Transport > Train

Train

Peter M. Geiser

With over 52,800 kilometers of tracks, trains are one of China's main means of transportation. However, most of these tracks operate with diesel or coal, only 5,700 kilometers are electrified.

Trains are usually very punctual and safe. There are four classes available: Soft sleeper, hard sleeper, soft seater, and hard seater.

  • Soft sleepers are four bed compartments with nice sheets and generally good comfort.
  • Hard sleepers are open six bed niches with no door towards the corridor. Only a sheet is provided, but generally people are much nicer (not being high communist cadres or successful business people).
  • Soft seaters are very comfortable.
  • Hard seaters are the lowest class of them all, but also the cheapest. In contrast to the other classes, there is no limit on how many people will travel. Even though there are reservations one is supposed to move together, so that as many people as possible are able to sit.

A good way to spend time on the train is to go to the dining car. Meals are affordable and usually okay. Especially when you're travelling hard seat, you'll be happy to have more space.

Since train tickets are sometimes quite limited, the best thing is to book your next ticket at the same day you arrive at some place. If you stay at one place for a couple of days, do not forget to book at least two to three days before your planned departure.

Many stations, especially the big cities, have special booths for foreigners. Waiting times are shorter, but fares are higher, and they may only have the more expensive tickets.

A good idea is to buy a railroad guide at one of the stations.


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