Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
seat or can upgrade; otherwise you will have to stand in the carriage or between carriages
(with the smokers). Hard-seat sections on newer trains are air-conditioned and less
crowded.
TRAIN CATEGORIES
CATEGORY
MEANING
TYPE
C
chengji gāosù
ultra-high-speed express
D
dòngchē, héxiè hào
high-speed express
G
gāotiě
high-speed
K
kuàisù
fast train
T
tèkuài
express
Z
zhídá tèkuài
direct express (overnight)
Buying Train Tickets
TICKET COUNTERS
There are no longer dedicated ticket offices for foreigners at the main stations in Běijīng,
although there is sometimes a ticket window with a temporary 'for foreigners' sign at-
tached to it. Look out for this. Otherwise, join any queue, but arm yourself with a few key
Chinese phrases, or better still have a Chinese person write down what you want so you
can show the ticket seller. Increasingly, ticket sellers at the three main stations speak a bit
of English, but don't bank on it.
PLANNING AHEAD
Never aim to get a hard-sleeper (or, increasingly, soft-sleeper) ticket on the day of travel -
plan ahead. Most tickets can be booked in advance between two and 10 days prior to your
intended date of departure. Buying hard-seat tickets at short notice is usually no hassle,
but it may be a standing ticket rather than a numbered seat. Tickets can only be purchased
with cash, and you will need to show your passport to get them.
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