[CurlyWurly]

Hello all..

My parents are coming to visit in April and we want to see a bit of China. Has anyone travelled by train to Beijing as we thought it might be a bit more interesting than flying, but need a bit of advice on where to book, prices, whether its direct or if you can get on and off and how comfortable it is..

Can anyone help??

Thanks

[Mat]

Did similiar tip a few years back. Guangzhou - Beijing. Took me 24 hours. The cost was around 400 HKD (Hard sleeper: a room of 6 beds). Seats would be cheaper but too uncomfortable. You have a more luxury option which is "soft" sleepers. It will be a bit more expensive than the hard one. The room contains only 4 beds.

Trips by train in China are always top notch: meet great ppl on the train (even if can't really communicate). They usually shuts the lights at 11.00 PM and turn them on at 6.00 AM.

Usually they broadcast "traditional" music all the way.

I bought my tickets at the train station direclty. Yuo can also book them at CITS (charge 50 if I am not wrong)

[humanbeing]

KCR Intercity Through Train e-Ticketing Services

[xiaoma2]

Also check this http://www.kcrc.com/eng/services/ser...ngshanghai.asp

[Alby]

This is a great way to travel because it will allow some cultural exposure beyond just seeing sites as you'll get to meet great people too! However if your parents are not adventurous and open minded then beware this may not be the best way to travel.

I have done this trip no less that 6 times....as I really enjoy the opportunity to meet different people...I have even done it in hard seat - YES hard seat... the only other cheaper ticket is standing room... I meet the greatest people and we had a lot of laughs... every trip I take some one is always trying to show me how to play cards (I don't normally play cards) this allows for lots of laughs. If you don't speak chinese but want to communicate bring a dictionary but more importantly paper and pencil as you will draw a lot of pictures to explain your thoughts.

I suggest carrying a small photo album of where your parents are from...with postcards or actual pictures becuase most Chinese don't get a chance to travel outside of China so they always love to see other places through pictures.

I normally take the train from Shenzhen to Beijing...

[RichardLangford]

I've made this trip twice.

I think the HK-Beijing train still runs on alternate days. The journey takes about 27 hours and leaves at around 3pm.

You can buy the tickets I think 10 days in advance from either Hung Hom station or a China Travel Service agent.

The scenery is nothing special but enjoyed both trips. It's not boring, rather I think it is quite relaxing and you'll enjoy talking to the other passengers.

Break of journey is not allowed, though there is nowhere of particular interest on the way.

It's a good idea to fly one way, then take a domestic flight back to Shenzhen. That can be very cheap if you can buy a discounted ticket.

On the down side, if you have a UK or US passport, a China visa will be much more expensive.

I hope all that helps.

[CurlyWurly]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your info, I will def look into it as it sounds more fun than just flying up to Beijing..

Thanks Alby for the tips on taking photos with me..I spent a long time in South America and wish I had had them then as many people I met had never seen a white girl before or even heard of the UK so it would have been good to show them more about life outside their country..

And Richard, what is the price of a visa for a UK passport holder? I might be going there on work later in the year so could get a multiple entry but my parents would just want a single entry...

Anyway I am off to Thaliand in 4 1/2 hours ..soooo excited...so this China planning will have to wait til next week!

[peppy5]

did the train from beijing to kowloon back in '98. was on a soft sleeper i believe in a train that was only for foreigners so it was empty. it took around 24 hours and it allowed me to see the countryside. brush up on the mandarin as they don't speak much cantonese on the train.

[ramkiranju]

Can we travel by train to Beijing even when we have parents coming in on visit visa?What are the precautions one must take?