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
Never get anything booked in advance. You basically need to just turn up at the train station and book it there and then - that's the way to do it. It might be full and if that is the case just get the next one or take another route. Join the queue at the station and pay in cash for your ticket.
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.
My Journey from Shenzhen North to Shaoguan
11.50 - In Shenzhen North Station. Head through the barrier and find your allocated seat. It will leave within a few minutes and Shenzhen will be gone in a blink of the eye.
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.
Things to do on a Chinese High Speed train
- Maintain your travel blog!
- Check out the amazing views
- Enjoy a relaxing beer
- Fall asleep
- Just sit back and relax
- Stare in awe at the pure speed of the train
- Order some food (there's a trolley that comes down)
- Read a book on travel
That's my guide - high speed trains in China are excellent!
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
Never get anything booked in advance. You basically need to just turn up at the train station and book it there and then - that's the way to do it. It might be full and if that is the case just get the next one or take another route. Join the queue at the station and pay in cash for your ticket.
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.
My Journey from Shenzhen North to Shaoguan
11.50 - In Shenzhen North Station. Head through the barrier and find your allocated seat. It will leave within a few minutes and Shenzhen will be gone in a blink of the eye.
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.
Things to do on a Chinese High Speed train
- Maintain your travel blog!
- Check out the amazing views
- Enjoy a relaxing beer
- Fall asleep
- Just sit back and relax
- Stare in awe at the pure speed of the train
- Order some food (there's a trolley that comes down)
- Read a book on travel
That's my guide - high speed trains in China are excellent!
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