In 1980s and 1990s most westerner chose flights as they had been warned about the poor conditions of train travel in China: dirty public toilet, fully packed carriages, snail speed, and difficult-to-get tickets. Since the end of last century, things have changed. Competition from air and road makes Chinese train bureaucrats quickly adopt new measures. A train tour now can really become a pleasant experience to glimpse at the present Chinese way of life.

Chinese trains have four classes - 'hard seat', 'hard sleeper', 'soft seat' and 'soft sleeper'.

Short distance trains normally only have hard class seats, which are always crowded with Chinese travelers, but some major inter-city trains have both soft and hard class seats.

Long distance trains have soft and hard class sleepers. Soft class sleepers have comfortable 4-berth compartments with full bedding provided. Hard class sleepers have bunks in open-plan dormitory cars, usually arranged in bays of 6 (upper, middle and lower) on one side of the aisle, with pairs of seats on the other side of the aisle for daytime use. Soft class is recommended for first-time visitors to China, but more adventurous budget travelers may use hard class. The most important trains on the Beijing-Shanghai, Beijing-Hong Kong, and Beijing-Xian routes have 'deluxe soft class' with 2-berth compartments as well as the normal soft class with 4-berth compartments. All long-distance trains also have a restaurant car (usually Car 8) serving full meals of Chinese style.

1) Most train rides are less than 15hrs;

2) All our train rides are with new cars with much improved facilities;

3) Pictures of the vast countryside of China-its improvement and mistakes;

4) Platform to Platform see-off and greeting services (our guides will take you to the car and say good-bye; while after arrival at a new destination you will be greeted at platform);

As it is widely practiced in China that only 3 days before train’s departure the train station can finally confirm the bookings. Easy Tour China reserves the right to change the mode of transport if necessary.

Tips-off for Western train goers:

The big issue while traveling by train in China is the bathroom on board. At the each end of carriages, there is one toilet (one is western style in soft sleeper carriages). Please bring your own toilet paper before you use it since it is not available inside.

The staff working on trains has little knowledge of English. If possible, please prepare a phrase book for the emergency. In fact, more and more Chinese people, especially younger generations can speak English.

We usually arrange overnight trains for the convenience of our clients. Dinner and breakfast will be done before or after train travel. Once the clients need to have snacks or meals on board, they can go to the dinning car of Car 8, except express trains Beijing/Shanghai, Beijing/Hong Kong and Beijing/Xian, most of trains don't have English menu and many selections of food.

Clients are suggested to take their luggage with them while traveling by train. You can leave the suitcases in your compartment.

For more tips of taking trains in China, please visit the webpage at http://www.chinatourhub.com/Transportation/train/tips.html

South China by Train (12 nights)

North to South by train (14 nights)

Central China by train (8 nights)

Old & New China by train (12 nights)

China Classic Train Tour (16 nights)

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