How to Prepare for a Train Ride in China
The
train system in China can be both exhilarating and painful. As a
student, the availability of lines running from city to city,
combined with prices ranging from “let's go!” cheap to “I'll
have to watch my budget” expensive makes the train system truly
perfect for many situations. In fact, if you are going to travel
anywhere in China, the train is the best way to do – provided that
you are prepared, open to new experiences, and ready to get a little
exhausted. I am not saying taking the train is easy – I am saying
it is worth it (unless you are are sick). Therefore, in order to give
you a good mind picture of what it is like, I am going to draw on my
limited experience in three different classes of trains to give a
little outline.
Step
1: Make up Your Mind
This
step basically requires the soon to be train transported individual
to decide where he or she wants to go, when, and on what class. It
being China, there are about 784,349 different variables to this one
decision. Do you want to see Shanghai and live it up classy-style? Do
you want to escape to the grasslands of Inner Mongolia and
romanticize? Or would you like to see the pandas and do a little
hiking? Here is how to narrow down: how long will it take to reach
there by the choice transportation. There is the fast train (Beijing
to Shanghai: 5 hours), and the slow train (Beijing to Xian: 15
hours). Sometimes the fast train is worth the extra money in the time
you save. Most times, though, I would encourage the slow train. Next,
consider the distance. If it is less than 8 hours, then consider hard
seats, more than 8, go for the hard sleepers. If you are traveling in
a group, it is best to sit all together as the travel will become
safer and more entertaining!
To
buy tickets, you can ask a room-mate, the concierge, or a friend to
help you. However, if you can read even a little bit of Chinese such
as time and “hard” or “soft” you can book it online or at a
train ticket office yourself with little hassle. The sense of
accomplishment you get once you book your own tickets is worth the
time spent on Pleco looking up the word for “seat.”
Step
2: Prepare
There
is no joking about this step – you could have the best time or the
worst depending on how you prepare. For students, I recommend
bringing the homework you do not like to do, because you will
experience a forced focus on your homework in the hours when you are
stuck with nothing to do. First, though, you need food. Pack a back
that can be stowed under a bed, seat, or in a rack. Include such
readily available items such as oranges, apples, peanuts, Haw-fruit
roll ups, Pringles, and instant noodles. I also like to bring tea, a
thermos, and tea-dipping biscuits for the morning when you are close
to the end of the overnight train ride and need refreshment. There
will always be a water broiler in each car (for water, tea, instant
noodles, fruit washing). Take advantage of this commodity to have a
great train ride. Keep your face wash, tooth-brush, and sweater in an
easy to reach place as well. During the train ride, if it is an
overnighter, you will feel weary or dirty. The best way to get an
instant pick-up is to use these things to freshen up. Make sure you
will not have to carry too much, as trains and stations are crowded
and hard to navigate. If you like to listen to podcasts, remember to
download them. Get your phone charger to full battery so you can
charge the phone on the way. Lastly, remember to wear comfy clothes
and pack your slippers!
Step
3: Navigate the Route, Station, and Train
Depending
on where you depart from, you could use taxi, bus, or subway to get
to the train station. There are also multiple train stations in most
big cities. So, you must check and double check that you have the
right station and can get there with an hour or more to spare for any
mishaps, or time to grab a meal. Pack your ticket and passport, and
do not forget to take a picture of each for emergencies. Once
you arrive at the station, take time to buy any water or the last
meal you want before you get on the train. Keep an eye on your
things, and remember that everyone will start queing to board long
before you have to get on. You can wait peacefully from your chair if
you don't feel like fighting with hundreds of people who have no
bubble to pop. Your ticket will get you to the right car when it
comes time to board. Settle
in and get ready to get close with your neighbors, use the restroom
now, as it will get dirty as the time goes on. Keep your belongings
close! The train will stop at stations, but never longer than a few
minutes. Enjoy the train ride!
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