If you’re going to visit China, make sure you take at least one train.
The country has been laying down 10,000 km of new track each year – 125 billion dollars’ worth – 1/3 of it for high-speed trains.
It seems like every time you turn around, they’ve built a new station, some of them in as little as six weeks. No matter what the weather – or pollution levels. The trains start running before construction is even finished.
Buses and taxis deliver passengers to a nearby dirt lot – they have to make it the rest of the way under their own steam. But once you get through that front door…
High speed trains run out of their very own stations – away from the masses. Where bathrooms are beautiful, and very clean. Everything is digital and air conditioned. Even the hot water comes in a fancy machine.
And there’s always a place to sit.
High speed trains are expensive, by Chinese standards. Though no matter how fancy the service, you’re still going to have to go through an X-ray machine.
Once on board, the seats are wide and comfortable. There’s a well-stocked café, Western toilets, and best of all, they go over 180 miles per hour.
But China is enormous. Even at that speed your trip could take a while. If you’re really going a long way, look into the sleeper train.
The top bunk is the cheapest and the least popular. That’s because you have to store your gear in the upper racks and your shoes on the floor below. There isn’t a lot of headroom, nor are the bunks particularly long. Just on the other side of the open door is the “smoking place”.
The bottom bunk is more comfortable, but you have to share it during the day.
Over time, you get to know your fellow passengers, find the last working hot water dispenser, make friends with the food cart dispenser, and find the few garbage bins that aren’t yet full.
No matter where you sleep, get up early! Toilets and sinks are in high demand from 6 to 9AM. The Chinese have learned not to see each other even when they’re inches apart.
When a passenger gets off the staff come through and folds the blankets though they don’t change the sheets…
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