You have to love train travel in China - it's so exciting and wonderful. Endless countryside mixed with random towns and cities and it's fast. The new Chinese trains are so fast and incredible you will just have a great ride on them. You don't even have to break the bank either as they are just so cheap compared with high speed trains in other countries. A quick guide to travelling on Chinese trains.
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.
The hardest thing while booking a high speed train ticket in China will be the communication. When buying a ticket, I'd recommend writing in Chinese the name of the place you want to go. This will make it easy for them to get you the correct ticket. If there's a country you can easily get lost in, it's China!
My Journey 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!
12.24 pm - Arrival at Guangzhou South station for a quick stop. It's only a few minutes and soon Guangzhou is gone as well - it's a big city gone in a blink from the high speed train. At 310 kilometres per hour after this we have reached the peak speed and the train is going mega fast.
1.44 pm - Arrival at Shaoguan train station and you get off the train here. The train does actually continue but we were backpacking in this area so got off.
What to do on a High Speed Train in China
- Update your travel blog
- Check out the amazing views
- Crack open a tin of beer
- Sleep
- Just sit back and relax
- Marvel at the train's velocity
- Eat (there will be a food trolley on board or bring your own)
- Read a travel book
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.
The hardest thing while booking a high speed train ticket in China will be the communication. When buying a ticket, I'd recommend writing in Chinese the name of the place you want to go. This will make it easy for them to get you the correct ticket. If there's a country you can easily get lost in, it's China!
My Journey 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!
12.24 pm - Arrival at Guangzhou South station for a quick stop. It's only a few minutes and soon Guangzhou is gone as well - it's a big city gone in a blink from the high speed train. At 310 kilometres per hour after this we have reached the peak speed and the train is going mega fast.
1.44 pm - Arrival at Shaoguan train station and you get off the train here. The train does actually continue but we were backpacking in this area so got off.
What to do on a High Speed Train in China
- Update your travel blog
- Check out the amazing views
- Crack open a tin of beer
- Sleep
- Just sit back and relax
- Marvel at the train's velocity
- Eat (there will be a food trolley on board or bring your own)
- Read a travel book
That's it! Enjoy your train journey in China!
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