When you are travelling in China sooner or later you will have to us trains and the Chinese trains are just so incredible you will love them. There is an extensive new network of high speed trains now - with a large range of amazing routes all over China - yes it's the world's largest country and to see it by train is a fantastic travel experience.
On my first high speed train in China I was on the Shenzhen North to Shaoguan route. Not a common route I must add, but in 2012 this gave me my first experience of the new high speed trains in China. We were heading to Shaoguan in order to see the mountains and rock formations at Danxiashan.
How to book your train in China
It's best not to book anything in advance - remember this is China! Head to the train station on the day and book your ticket for that day when you're there. If you do have to wait a few hours that's no problem. Or there might be another route you can take. Make sure you have cash - it's payment in cash at these stations in China.
Communication might be the biggest barrier you have to cross. So have the name of the destination written down in Chinese, a good knowledge of Chinese or at least know how to say the name of the place you are heading correctly. I'd write it down from a guidebook and be ready. Tickets have allocated seats.
The trip and route from Shenzhen North to Shaoguan
11.51 - You start at Shenzhen North train station. Head on past the barrier with your ticket and get on the train. You have a seat number so make sure you sit in it. It leaves fast and Shenzhen is soon left behind!
12.25pm - There's a stop at Guangzhou South train station for a few minutes. You can have a beer and Guangzhou, like Shenzhen is quickly left behind. Guangzhou is a massive city so that is saying something. A maximum speed of over 300 kilometres p/hour is reached on the next part of the journey!
1.46 pm - After a very fast journey we are now in Shaoguan train station. Time to get off and go sightseeing, but you can stay on and get the train much further north.
What can you do onboard a High Speed train in China?
- Maintain your travel blog!
- Admire the views
- Open a can of beer
- Fall asleep
- Chill out
- Marvel at the train's velocity
- Order some food (there's a trolley that comes down)
- Bring a travel book to read
That's it! Enjoy your train journey in China!
On my first high speed train in China I was on the Shenzhen North to Shaoguan route. Not a common route I must add, but in 2012 this gave me my first experience of the new high speed trains in China. We were heading to Shaoguan in order to see the mountains and rock formations at Danxiashan.
How to book your train in China
It's best not to book anything in advance - remember this is China! Head to the train station on the day and book your ticket for that day when you're there. If you do have to wait a few hours that's no problem. Or there might be another route you can take. Make sure you have cash - it's payment in cash at these stations in China.
Communication might be the biggest barrier you have to cross. So have the name of the destination written down in Chinese, a good knowledge of Chinese or at least know how to say the name of the place you are heading correctly. I'd write it down from a guidebook and be ready. Tickets have allocated seats.
The trip and route from Shenzhen North to Shaoguan
11.51 - You start at Shenzhen North train station. Head on past the barrier with your ticket and get on the train. You have a seat number so make sure you sit in it. It leaves fast and Shenzhen is soon left behind!
12.25pm - There's a stop at Guangzhou South train station for a few minutes. You can have a beer and Guangzhou, like Shenzhen is quickly left behind. Guangzhou is a massive city so that is saying something. A maximum speed of over 300 kilometres p/hour is reached on the next part of the journey!
1.46 pm - After a very fast journey we are now in Shaoguan train station. Time to get off and go sightseeing, but you can stay on and get the train much further north.
What can you do onboard a High Speed train in China?
- Maintain your travel blog!
- Admire the views
- Open a can of beer
- Fall asleep
- Chill out
- Marvel at the train's velocity
- Order some food (there's a trolley that comes down)
- Bring a travel book to read
That's it! Enjoy your train journey in China!
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