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Posts: 144

Governor

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Q: Long distance travel - Is taking the train really worth it?

Do any of you still use the train in China for long distances or, like me, have you given up?

The hassle of buying tickets and only being able to do so 5-10 days ahead of time, the wasted day, the pungent, ungodly smells and the fear of getting something stolen have just made discouraged me from ever entering those things again.

I've done it three times - once 24 hours, once 25 hours and once 42 hours. Never. again. I'll spend the extra moola for the plane, screw it.

12 years 19 weeks ago in  Transport & Travel - China

 
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Posts: 3025

Emperor

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Well, if your ony reason is savings, I can see that the inconveniences you point out are discouraging you from doing it again.

I do things a bit different.  Why should I spend hours on a line to buy a train ticket at a train station when I can also go to some travel agencies and buy it there too, and it is only 5 Rmb extra for the service, and I am in and out in 5 minutes.

I normally use soft sleepers, and there is hardly any smells so far.  Only towards the end of the trip forget visiting WC unless you have a gas mask.  I have found that those that pay for soft sleepers are normally better educated socially, nicer to be with and very kind and friendly.  I normally avoid eating on a train, to minimize trips to WC, and I have gotten many offers of fruits, vegetables and shared dinners.  Even was invited to the dinning car once by a nice couple with a daughter who studies in Australia so she could continue talking in English with me in front of her parents.
When I travel by train, all my "considered valuables" are in a shoulder bag so common in China, that goes with me everywhere while in the train.  Money, passport and other necessary papers are in a waist money bag (water proffed).
So, if my suitcase is stolen, I only loose a few clothes that I honestly do not loose sleep over missing them.

And last and maybe more important, I do enjoy watching the Chinese countryside, the different plantings, try to identify each one of them, and to me it is a mental game to kill time.

My longest trip was 36 hours, but once a month I do take two 13 hours back to back.  I still enjoy the train, so far so good.  And since retired and in no hurry to get anywhere, why not?.

I do respect your feelings, I just wanted to express mine and in no way dispute them.

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12 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 6

Governor

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Yes, I do use the long distance train sometimes and I do agree that soft sleeper is a good option as the people there are better educated "socially".

kchur:

The last time I took a soft sleeper, a bunch of guys that boarded at about 1 AM woke me up by screaming 老外 and rubbing my skin all over. It was like waking up to some gay rape nightmare. I usually get seats, because, weirdly enough, I've never had any real problems on the seats, aside from standers stealing my chair when I go to smoke.

12 years 19 weeks ago
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Jnusb416:

Not to hurt your feelings kchur, but when I read that I laughed for like a whole minute. The way you said it is very funny, it made my day. Thanks.

12 years 19 weeks ago
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12 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2587

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I always travel by train. It is by far more interesting than air.  I have to have the right attitude, though, or I will go crazy.  Of course, soft sleeper is better.  But if I am traveling on business or have to be there by a certain time, maybe it's not worth the savings.  I have plenty of time and never in a hurry, so...

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12 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 9192

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I like train travel. I used soft sleeper. The people I met were great. I got to see more of the country. The only down side was the washroom.
  I really wanted to ride a 300 mph train too and didn't. The fastest I've ever been is about 160 in a bike or car.And that seemed really fast.

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12 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 363

Shifu

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a few years back i traveld from qingdao to guangzhou. 30 hours. not bad but not great. mostly it was boring as hell. theirs only so many patriotic chinese songs form the little tv that i can stand without wanting to smash my head on the wall.

and once qingdao to shanghai overnight on a hard sit. worst travel experience ever.

xinyuren:

Qingdao to Shanghai? Sitting down? Child's play! Try 11 hours from Xinyu to Foshan......Standing up!!! I said I'd never do that again, but I did it again the following year... insanity!

12 years 19 weeks ago
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Rin:

Or Guangzhou to Shijiazhuang, 24 hours standing up! Never again!

10 years 38 weeks ago
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12 years 19 weeks ago
 
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